Quick Review of Books I read this year: 2021 - only books I finished.
East of Eden: What a way to start the year!! A reread, but I had forgotten everything from 20+ years ago. The problem with starting with the best, is that you only go down in quality. But, it also saves you from plowing though some doozies.
Olive Again, Elizabeth Stroud: Another master class in beautiful writing. I liked this better than Oliver Kitterage, the prequal, perhaps because I was mentally prepared for the book to be sad. But, I found hope instead!
Actress, Anne Enright: First book I read by this prolific Irish author. It is written from the POV of a famous actress' daughter. Loved the descriptions of Dublin in the twentieth century. I will read more from this author.
Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid: Didn't like the characters. Already forgot most of the book.
To Be a Man, Nicole Kraus: Love the writing of this author, and remember that this collection of short stories is well written. I don't remember any of them, except that many of them take place in Israel.
Trouble in Paradise, Elin Hilderbrand: The last of Hilderbrand's Winter in Paradise trilogy. I read it in one day. It was the best of the bunch, and made me want to go to St. John the VI more than ever. I am a huge fan of Hilderbrand.
Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger, Lisa Donavon: A truly hard worker writes a great memoir. She writes about her journey to becoming a chef and writer with vulnerability and care. I hope the pandemic gave Donavon some time to rest.
Beach Read, by Emily Henry: I liked this more than The People You Meet on Vacation, which is her second book, published this year (I could not even skim it...). This was fun mostly because of its setting on the Upper Peninsula, which I have never been to, but might want to visit someday. I could not get over the outrageous premise.
Searching for Sylvie Lee, Jean Kwok: The author's prose and dialogue were well crafted. The Dutch setting was the highlight, and the mystery was just the amount of mysterious I like.
The Island of Sea Women, Lisa See: A deep and gory dive into Korean history based around the story of the sea women on a Korean island. Beautifully executed, thought-provoking, and long.
A Children's Bible, Lydia Millet: While I was probably ready for something a bit lighter after Island of Sea Women, this popped up on my library holds. Thankfully, it was short. I am sure there is some analytical essay published about this allegorical end-of-the-world tale, but I didn't search for it. This was interesting, but truly for literary nerds.
Bravey, Alex I Pappas: Another memoir. This Olympic runner and screenwriter did have a powerful story to tell of her childhood, and the challenges she overcame to become a competitive runner. She is fifteen years younger than me (maybe more...) so it was interesting hearing about her high school/college years and how they differed from mine, and made me wonder how those years will be for my daughters.
Big Summer, Jennifer Weiner: I have never steered towards Weiner, only catching her books when they appear in the "New Fiction" section of our library. I really enjoyed this escape, that I read in a dark time. Always love books on Cape Cod!
Seating Arrangements, Maggie Shipstead: Downloaded during sleeplessness. Read it in two days and loved it. WASPy lit at its finest! Four months later, I was sorting through the basement bookshelf and found the hardcover I already had....
The Dutch House, Anne Patchett: Patchett is flawless as usual, and I loved it. Loved the male narrator, of which I never read enough.
The Huntress, Kate Quinn: My first Quinn book. It focuses on Nazi war crimes and the Soviet Women's Air Corp. Enjoyed the European and Boston setting. Stereotypical characters abound, but I was still interested in where this story was going.
Eliza Starts a Rumor, Jane Rosen: Discovered that Elin Hilderbrand recommended books on Instagram, and saw she recommended this newer "chick lit" book. An extremely fun read with social commentary on Westchester and Manhattan mothers.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest, J. Ryan Stradel: Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy did this book for her online book club, and while I didn't participate, I read the book. It was such a different book, and ends up somewhere you will never guess. I think about it way more than I thought I would after I finished it.
Dear Edward, Ann Neopolitina: Declined this book from the new fiction Library section multiple times, before it finally called to me, and I loved it. The premise seems so stupid (ie: the life of an only surviving boy on an airplane), but Neopolitina makes the story realistic and authentic.
The Push, Ashley Audrain: Recommended by someone who I thought liked happy books. This is not good. Children are hurt, commentary is made. I would skip.
An Onion in my Pocket, Deborah Madison: Madison's new memoir about how she began her life in food is interesting, especially to a cookbook lover like me. It would be super interesting to hear about her Buddhist monastery days, though, and she holds back from what could have been a great book.
Between Two Kingdoms, Suleika Jaoud: Now Jaoud did not hold back, and she did write a great book. Probably the best memoir I have read in a few years. Definitely the best "surviving sickness" memoir. If you think she won't go there, she does.
Rules of Civility, Amore Towle: From the same author as A Gentlemen from Moscow, which I loved. I loved this book too, the 1920s NYC setting, the stories, the surprises, but I didn't love it as much as A Gentlemen.
Wintering, Katherine May: A description of an autistic British woman's coping mechanisms through a difficult period and her ponderings on these mechanisms. As a Christian, I want to send her the gospel, but instead I settled for hearing about her cold water plunges and trips to see the Northern Lights. She did inspire me to attempt more cold water swims on Martha's Vineyard this summer.
Vanishing Half, Britt Bennett: A book club pick and best seller. Really enjoyed this fast read about sisters. Bennett writes a good story, but felt a tinge unrealistic to me.
The Great Circle, Maggie Shipstead: Shipstead's newest novel. It was good, but a bit long, even for the century long saga that it is.
Monogomy, Sue Miller: Relationships, middle age, cities, bookstores. It seems to be a book formula that works for me. Loved this realistic novel with good dialogue.
Finding Freedom, Erin French: Another food memoir. French overcame single motherhood, a terrible marriage, and rehab to open a destination restaurant in Maine. This was good. I still won't pay for Magnolia Network though.
Musical Chairs, Amy Poepple: Another fun chick lit read recommended by Elin Hilderbrand. Rom com and classical music are well combined! (Poepple is also a Wellesley grad.)
The Great Believers, Rebecca Makkai: Beautifully written, historical documentation of the AIDS crisis in Chicago in the 1980s . Depressing.
Small Admissions, Amy Poepple: After Musical Chairs, I read Poepple's previous work. Not as good, but relatable as a former twenty something in NYC myself.
The Emerald Mile, Kevin Fedarko: Took me months to finish because I never truly focused. Great book about rafting in the Grand Canyon, the Canyon's history as a national park, and dam engineering. Fascinating, and now trying to book Grand Canyon rafting trip before it dries up.
Commonwealth, Ann Patchett: Always love Ann, and now sad I am running out of her other books to read. Loved the plot twists in this.
Golden Girl, Elin Hilderbrand: My favorite summer beach read author did not disappoint! I will be so mad when she stops writing.
The Meaning of Mariah Carey, Mariah Carey: Written for her fans, and I am not a strong fan, but definitely interested in her life, as her music was in the background of my entire young adulthood. I learned she wrote her own music, and I admired her more.
Lorna Mott Comes Home, Diane Johnson: I didn't know that Johnson had a new book out - her first in many years. The author of Le Divorce writes about a dysfunctional family circa 2008. Her usual "la-di-da" fare with social commentary and humor. Cover could have been better designed:
The Wreckage of my Presence, Casey Wilson: I did not know who this was when I read this. Maybe that was better? Essays about her life that are humorous and sentimental. It did lead me to her friend June Diane Raphael's podcast The Deep Dive, which is a favorite.
The Bookshop on the Shore, Jenny Colgan: First time reading on of the UK's most prolific chick lit authors. Same predicable plot, but fun to read about it in the Scottish Highlands.
The Paper Palace, Miranda Cowley Heller: A tragic family history written in sensual detail that takes place on Cape Cod. Stunning. Rated X.
That Summer, Jennifer Wiener: Looking for a lighter read, like Big Summer, but got Me Too on Cape Cod. Blah.
Olympus, Texas, Stacey Swann: Again, I went looking for a fun read and was truly having fun reading this until a twist turns this into another tragic family history. Small town Texas lights up for those of us who are ignorant.
Good Company, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney: Similar to Monogamy - about a long-time marriage and its sudden turn. Loved it and realizing that I have a "type" of book.
The Midnight Library, Matt Haig: I think the author wrote this too 1) show off his philosophical knowledge, and 2) to dream up as many scenarios of a life as a person can have. I appreciated his effort and fun scenarios.
The Empathy Diaries, Sherry Turkle: I am a longtime fan of Turkle, and was interested in reading the autobiography of her first thirty years.
Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage, Dani Shapiro: Well written reveries on the author's marriage and marriage in general. Don't remember more than that.
Inheritance, Dani Shapiro: Her follow up book about the amazing discovery she made while writing the previous book. Her ruminations on family are addictive.
White Fur, Jardine Libaire: Another Elin Hilderbrand rec. 1980's WASP life clashes with Puerto Rican poverty that starts at Yale and ends unexpectedly. Mesmerizing and cringy. Rated XX.
The Plot, Jean Hanff Konelitz: A hot book based around the publishing industry (hmmmmm?). The plot did move along. Can you figure it out?
The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave: I don't even remember what this is about.
Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid: A quick pool read. And really only that.
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, Colleen Oakley: A pleasant surprise. A different plot for a rom/com that is somewhat realistic and cute to boot.
Evvie Drake Starts Over, Linda Holmes: The main character had no kids and lived in small town Maine. Didn't click with me, but it was fine.
A Place Like Home, Rosamunde Pilcher: A Pilcher book I had not read, which was a miracle. Anything she writes it heartwarming.
Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner: A reread that made all the books after it dreck. The best of the best.
The Other Black Girl, Dakota Dalila Harris: Any book following
Crossing to Safety is going to suffer. This was good, but I am still not really sure what happened in the end.
Haven Point, Virginia Hume: A family story that is based in coastal Maine. Of the five Maine based books I read this year, this one described the best climate. I will enjoy anything that takes place in a New England summer colony.
Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner: A women's memoir about the death of her Mother and their relationship. Bryn Mawr graduate.
The Mothers, Britt Bennett: By The Vanishing Half author. I thought this was a bit better because it was more realistic. Wish there had been more of "the mothers".
Animal, Lisa Taddeo: A wounded woman on her worst behavior. Readable.
This Must Be the Place, Maggie O'Ferrell: Magnificent. A story of love and betrayal that starts in Ireland and spreads everywhere.
Food Saved Me, Danielle Walker: Walker, who suffers from a chronic illness, tells her story of how her dietary choices saved her health, and her journey to becoming a cookbook author and inspiration for other sufferers of chronic illness.
Small Things Like These, by Claire Keegan: A beautiful, small novella set in 1980's Ireland. Gave my reading life a needed jolt.
A Woman is No Man, Etaf Rum: Takes place in my old work neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Can picture the entire book! Moving story as well.
Normal People, Sally Rooney: Don't know what took me so long! I am almost ashamed I waited so long, but now I am sad I am done. Can't wait to read her other books. And after so many books recently read that take place in Ireland, I am ready to book a trip!
