10 Excellent Books to Read This Year
UPDATED AUGUST 2020
There are so many books in the world today, especially with the innovation of e-books! I try to vary what I read both by genre, author, and length in an effort to see what the world has to offer. I admit, though, that overall, I tend to prefer fiction. If you're interested in knowing more about the specifics, check out my blog on what makes a book "good."
My academic background is in literature, so, as you can imagine, we spent a lot of time reading the “classics,” which often includes books by a slim canon of authors. There's not much diversity in the classical canon, at least not in my experience. It was refreshing in grad school to hear from so many of my peers who have been reading other things for years! And from my professors who study more diverse writing and writers for a living.
One of my favorite feelings is finding a new book or author I adore. If an author can interest me in one book, I will read the rest. It’s even better if someone has recommended something to me, because then I have someone to share my excitement with when I absolutely love the book and am sad I finished it.
The novels below are some of the absolutely adore sort and ones that I would wholeheartedly recommend. They are not in any particular order.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
East of Eden
Brief Synopsis
This epic and complicated novel focuses on the brothers Charles and Adam Trask and their tumultuous relationship, which is supposed to resemble that of the biblical figures of Cain & Abel. Adam Trask’s sons, Aron & Cal, end up having a similar relationship, too. Essentially, all of the men are jealous in thinking that their father loved the other brother more. This cycle is broken - tragically - at the end of the novel.
Overall Impression
This is the first Steinbeck novel I read, and I loved it from page one. I love the description and the way Steinbeck writes. It’s a long haul, and it took awhile to read, but something about the whole realistic but fictional world Steinbeck creates is enchanting.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Gone With the Wind, 1st Ed.
Brief Synopsis
This expansive novel follows the story of southern belle Scarlet O’Hara through and after the Civil War. The war tests her wits & strength, and she learns many lessons in life and love along the way.
Overall Impression
From the first time I picked this novel up in high school, I loved it. I love the description and characters, which is important since the book is over 1,000 pages long! A note, though: there are some problematic descriptions and a romanticized view of slavery that I did not pick up on when I first read it. I do love the story, but I don’t at all think it’s a realistic view of many pieces of the Reconstruction era.
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
Brief Synopsis
This novel flips back and forth between the present day story of Connie Goodwin - a PhD candidate who is working on her History dissertation research - and the 1690s when the Salem witch trials were taking place. When tasked with cleaning out her grandmother’s house during the summer, Connie finds a mysterious piece of the past that leads her to find surprising, and dark, history. She might be related more closely related to the trials than she initially thought.
Overall Impression
The was Katherine Howe’s first book, and I’ve read every other book she’s written since. Connie’s character resonates with me, since I am familiar with the graduate school process, and I enjoyed watching the story unfold through Connie’s usually careful eyes. The whole novel is very much a growing experience for her, and I liked watching that occur. I also like that the story flips back and forth between present day and historical. That almost always intrigues me.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (Books 2 & 3 are also good)
Anne of Green Gables
Brief Synopsis
Anne Shirley, an orphaned girl in Canada, finally finds her forever family. The books tell the tale of her adventures and mishaps during childhood, as well as on through her adulthood in the later part of the series.
Overall Impression
This is my immediate go-to when I need a feel good happy book. There are very few characters that I can think of who are as pure and just plain enjoyable as Anne Shirley. The 1985 film series with Megan Follows as Anne is also great!
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (The Entire Series)
Harry Potter series
Brief Synopsis
Harry Potter learns, at 11 years old, that he is a wizard! He’s not just any wizard, either, but a very famous one who survived a murder attempt from one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time when he was just a baby. He’s raised by his “muggle” (non-magic) aunt & uncle, and the 7-book series follows his mishaps and heroism as he goes through magic school.
Overall Impression
I love the entire book series (and the films!). I’ve read them all the way through probably at least 5 times. J.K. Rowling created one of the most magical worlds I’ve ever found. The first book, The Sorcerer’s Stone, was published in 1997, and the seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows finished the series in 2007. I remember the night it came out because my dad took me to the midnight release!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
Brief Synopsis
Nick Carraway recalls the events of the summer he lived next to Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire. Carraway recounts the wild and mysterious things he learns about Gatsby, and what he learns from his friend before Gatsby’s untimely demise.
Overall Impression
Full disclosure: I read this in college, for a class, and loved it; BUT, if I had read it in high school like a lot of people I know, I don’t think I would’ve liked it because I wouldn’t have been able to look at it critically enough. I like the prose, but I also like Carraway’s voice - can we trust him? We don’t really know, but we want to. I also like that Fitzgerald starkly questions the idea of the “American dream.” To clarify, he doesn’t promote the idea that it doesn’t exist, but he does point out the intricacies of social class and the things people do to live/achieve this “dream” that no one talks about.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Brief Synopsis
Oscar de Leon, also known as Oscar Wao in the book, is a huge sci-fi/fantasy nerd who dreams of falling in love. His family is from the Dominican Republic, and he really finds himself when he visits there one summer. His family always encourages him to get out of his shy shell, meet some girls, and do normal “boy”/”man” things. When he does, though, it’s not what they expect, and ends very badly for him.
Overall Impression
I really liked this book because Diaz’s writing is very engaging. He does a great job crafting Oscar’s voice. But also, how many times is being a nerd portrayed as a good thing? It definitely is in this book! Oscar’s true nerd self is much better than the stereotypical “man” self he tries to be at the end of the novel. His attempt to be someone he’s not is his ultimate downfall in the end, and I like that Diaz really dives deep and gets at the intricacies of Oscar’s view of his own masculinity. Nerds rule the world!
12 Collections & The Teashop by Zoran Zivkovic
12 Collections & "The Teashop"
Brief Synopsis
This book is called a mosaic novel, which means that it is comprised of 12 brief pieces of writing that all relate to each other. The patterns and links between each of these odd characters is what helps the reader put together some semblance of a meaning from the novel. “The Teashop” is a short story included at the end of the work. It is a story about a simple trip to a tea shop with magnificent storytellers...or is it?
Overall Impression
I bought this book because “The Teashop” is, hands down, one of my absolute favorite short stories ever, and the novel was just a bonus. The short story is just a really fun read. It’s just real enough to make you think it could happen, but just fantastical enough to question whether it could. The mosaic novel interesting because the work is short, less than 100 pages, but you really have to read it more than once to understand the connections and figure out what’s going on. I’ll say this, the characters are fascinating, and the whole book is very purple. You’ll never read anything quite like this book, that’s for sure.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus
Brief Synopsis
A black and white circus travels around, mysteriously appearing in towns and staying briefly before disappearing into the night to the next town. The circus is only open at night, and features real magic! It’s also the scene of the ultimate battle of two magicians who each have a “player” who doesn’t know s/he is being groomed from the time s/he is young to play the ultimate magical game. The two players face-off and beat the odds. No one wins the game.
Overall Impression
I love a lot of books that have magic because they are mysterious and go outside of the “normal” world we live in. The Night Circus is excellent and I have read it several times. Morgenstern has quite a knack for weaving little pieces into a full narrative without giving anything away.
Emma by Jane Austen
Emma
Brief Synopsis
Emma is from a well-to-do family and loves meddling in other people’s love lives. Little does she know that she is in love, too! With whom might surprise you, and it definitely surprises her.
Overall Impression
Emma is my favorite Jane Austen novel. Yes, I said it. It comes in just above Pride & Prejudice for me, although I love that one as well. The novel discusses love in a very different way, but still with memorable characters. Emma is one smart cookie, and very observant, but when it comes to figuring out her own love life she is clueless. And for the record, I think Emma and Mr. Knightley are a great match despite the age difference.
BONUS!
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls
Half Broke Horses
Brief Synopsis
Walls tells the story of her grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, who lived during the early 1900s. Lily's life is full of unexpected adventures, survival through extremely tough times, and a never failing can-do attitude.
Overall Impression
This book was amazing! I love the voice that Walls creates for her grandmother and mother. It's almost magnetic. You don't know what's going to happen next, but you have to turn the page and find out. It's also look into the lives of ranchers and survivors of hard times that many people in our generation don’t know about or understand. Quite refreshing.
Don’t see your favorite book? Send me an email & convince me why I will love it! I love recommendations & talking books with others who enjoy them.