I read twenty nine books this year and currently on my number 30. I put out a reading challenge every year. This year I challenged my followers and members of my book club to read 19 books. Next year I will challenge them to read, you guess it twenty books.
I took a couple risks this year, reading books I typically would not read. The first one I’m going to talk about is “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin. First of all what a book! I love a book with good character development. I don’t need to know what the characters eat for breakfast or their favorite color, but I need to know who they are. Do I like them, do I hate them and why are they even in this book? Mr Baldwin was able to give me all that and more, it’s the writing from the mind of a genius story teller. Even non readers can get into this book. Not just a story about gay relationships, but the complexity of people who use people to feel good, even when they hurt the other person.
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is book number two, a friend recommended this to me.When I started reading I was sure I wasn’t going to like it. Written by Gail Honeyman this book will take you through multiple emotions. From hating the main character, being confused by her to feeling hopelessly sorry for her. Its a different way of looking at mental health and I recommend this book for those of us who like unpredictable characters with unpredictable endings.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood is another book I would never have read, to be honest I don’t know how I read it in the first place. It’s very similar in concept to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, but not the same. However if you liked that book you will like this. The main character Susan has so many demons packed away and she comes across as cold and a lot odd. But something about Susan will remind you about yourself, wait let me speak for myself. Something about Susan reminds me of me, she loses her mother, finds herself pregnant and what happens next is Iconic.
Then there is Malcolm Gladwell, it is no secret that one day I will marry this man and we will have children. Yes you read that correctly, Malcolm writes like no other. I have daydreams of him sitting across from me just talking about stuff. In his new release “Talking To Strangers” he begins by talking about the death and arrest of Sandra Bland. What else is there to say with an introduction like that, so many current topics get dissected in this book. He is truly the literary genius of our generation.
A book I read this year that I wouldn’t necessarily say is an amazing book, but definitely better than her last. The Mister by E.L. James, now before you attack me, I read it because I was curious. E.L. writes the most predictable books, but it’s working for her and she’s making millions. Meanwhile I just burnt my lip on a McDonald’s apple pie, so I really should shut up. I complained about her not having any character development in her last book. In this book she over explains and talks too much, that’s the only way I can explain it. Worth a read though not a bad story, it’s a light easy read when you want to give your brain a rest.
So those are some of the books I read this year and thought they were worth mentioning. What have you read this year, comment below I would love to hear about some of your favorites.
xoxox Lauren
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