The Broke and Bookish Top Ten meme this week is a perfect one for Thanksgiving—ten books I’m thankful for. No matter how you slice it, it’s hard, because I’m grateful for every single book that takes my mind somewhere else, whether it is invigorating or calming. But just choosing ten?! That’s almost impossible. I’ve read over 1,500 books since I started using Goodreads in 2009 so even if I culled it to my 5 star picks…I just can’t. So, I decided to go old-school and look at my bookshelves first to see what jumped out at me. As I did, I found themes in my favorite reading and suddenly, everything came together.
I talk about reading for escape, but these three books landed me in the midst of reality. Each powerfully represents modern day social issues and communities where I have no experience. And even though two are fiction they are no less representative. I’m thankful when I get pulled out of my own worldview, even when it’s uncomfortable.
This is How It Always Is My review
The Heart’s Invisible Furies My review
Between the World and Me My review
These three books stand apart for the beauty of their writing and its ability to overtake not just my mind, but my heart. They are books to read when everything hurts. Their whimsy, creativity, and intelligence make them sublime reading time and again. I’m thankful I found them—or did they find me?
A Gentleman in Moscow My review
The Elegance of the Hedgehog I read this book before I started reviewing and so can only say, even its sadness charmed me. It is perfection. Goodreads synopsis
The Ocean at the End of the Lane My review
First of all, there is no one book that can encapsulate what being a woman is like. I know this, but these books sang out to me and my experiences of womanhood. They’re the kind of book where you want to underline entire passages because it seems certain that the author was in your head.
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake My review
The Longings of Women: I read this book over a decade ago and the reason it’s here is because it was the first book I read that turned my expectations for the norms of female adulthood on their head. I want to read it again, but am almost afraid that it can’t possibly hold up to my memory of it. Goodreads synopsis
Now I cheat a little bit, because it’s not a book but an author, but honestly, I’m not sorry. I am deeply thankful for Kent Haruf. His writing is the purest form of beauty I’ve ever read. Just as you might say a glass of cool water is simple, it will keep you alive and is a glorious thing when you need it. The same is true of Haruf’s books. Sadly, he passed away this year so there is no more. If you haven’t read him, don’t wait. These two are from his Plainsong trilogy.
In addition to books there are three bloggers, Sarah, Eva, and Susie that I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know better this year. Enough so that we’ve moved beyond the bookish world and into the rest of life (yes, we do have lives outside of reading! OK, sort of). I consider them friends and for that, I’m very thankful.
How about you? Do you have books you’re thankful for?
Aw – I’m honored!! Thank you! I’m thankful for you too!
And I love your books that get being a woman category. Quindlen sure belongs on there!
And I need to read some more Haruf. I loved Our Souls at Night, but haven’t read any of his other stuff.
Catherine – I’m so touched and grateful for our friendship. New friendships have been an unexpected joy of blogging.
Love your groupings here (and the graphics!). I guess I’m going to need to try Kent Haruf. I think Plainsong was a DNF for me, but maybe I just wasn’t in the right place for it at the time. I’m also going to get to Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake ASAP. Between you and Sarah, I know it’s a must read.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving!
Our friendship is definitely one of the best things to come out of this year! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m making a 2018 goal- drinks with Eva in Vancouver. It WILL happen!
A Gentleman in Moscow! Ahhh…such a delight. Also, Forty Rooms?! I’m not sure why I don’t remember seeing your post on this one, but I’m adding it to my list now, for sure! I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday; I am thankful for you and your gorgeous writing, Catherine (and all of the books you encourage me to read)!
Forty Rooms is…sigh. But I do know people who didn’t love it the way I did.
Thank you so much for the kind words! You’re my hero for getting out and getting it done when I don’t really want to.
I have read the two Kent Haruf novels you mention and agree his books & writing are a treasure. But now I can’t think of which particular titles I’m thankful for …. that will pop into my head another day. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Losing favorite authors is hard, but one of the two that hit me the hardest is Kent Haruf. Simply a soulful master.
I’m especially interested to see The Elegance of the Hedgehog on your list. I have it around here somewhere, and most recently, I bought her book Gourmet Rhapsody. I hope I enjoy them both as much as you did Hedgehog!
Definitely read Hedgehog first! Gourmet Rhapsody is very good, but not as wonderful as Hedgehog.
You know, I gave up on The Elegance of the Hedgehog earlier this year, with reservations. I didn’t know anything going into it and was expecting a light, quick read, so I think I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind. It sounds like I should give it another shot.
I read Between the World and Me for Nonfiction November and it is amazing!
I know plenty of people that didn’t like it. It was just one of those books that resonated with me- and I can even verbalize why.