I am super lucky because every three-four years, I miraculously convince Elle magazine to let me review books for them. I reviewed 14 books for them and loved every single minute of the process. Elle’s editors are amazing at picking the books for me to review and they are all fabulous. Elle asked me to vote for my favorite book out of the ones I had reviewed for them; the book I chose was:
Lima Nights by Marie Arana – Disturbing subject matter (older man, underage girl) but elegantly written, beautifully crafted storyline that somehow suspends judgement in its lyrical wording.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Tells the story of being hired help in a small town; eye opening with absolutely riveting characters and plot line.
The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge – All about neuroplasticity and how we can train our brains to do almost anything and change our patterns for the better; also an interesting insight into how our brains can get used to almost anything (good or bad).
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell – Explains the hidden patterns in every day life and what makes some people great and others struggle constantly. The book was incredibly eye opening and I referred to it in conversation many, many times in 2009.
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks – Details the plague affecting a small town in the 1600s; excellent research and beautiful writing despite a tragic subject matter.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer – Despite its slightly schmaltzy set up, an engaging look into what happened in the Channel Islands during World War II told from a variety of fictionarl character’s viewpoints through letters. Likable characters and broadly drawn villains make it easy to follow along and root for our heroine.
The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee– Tells the story of two love affairs of one main character, set 10 years apart and gives depth to the story by exploring the occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese.
And, in case you missed it the above: Honolulu by Alan Brennert –Tells the story of ‘picture brides’ who left Korea to move to Hawaii to have a new life in the early 1900s. Heavy on the research and excellent in character development.
Thanks AM! I have to print out your list of books because I haven't read any of them and all look really good. I've been trying to find interesting books for when we visit the bookstore. I want to read the Stephen King one first.
Thank you Sara for the suggestions. I will try them out for sure.
yes! i also read 'the glass castle' and loved it and just finished reading 'half broke horses' and could hardly stop until i was done.
A good one I had to read for a MR/DD class years ago was One Child by Torey Hayden… Its really good, and I think its a true story; also Desperation by Stephen King is good-much better than the short movie!
1 i am completely jealous that you got to review these! coincidentally i just sent the help to my gram in law to read (we'll see if she likes it 🙂 ) Honolulu looks great! I was hooked on vamps (charlaine harris's series is like candy) in 09 but hope to broaden my horizon again in 2010
Rian, So you'd recommend the new Jeannette Walls book?
Pamela, I read Friday Night Knitting Club. Super fun read – and it made me long for a knitting club since I love to knit too!
If you haven't read "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs, it is a lovely read about female friendship, single parenting and knitting.
Thank you for sharing your lists everyone, I too recommend Life of Pi, and many of the others.
Thanks for the new list of books. I have 'the help' in my itunes, waiting to listen to that soon. And I just requested the few that you listed to hold at the library.
I recommend reading 'Half Broke Horses', also by Jeannette Walls, about her grandma, excellent!
Ayesha, I LOVED the last Greg Mortenson book so I'll check out his new one. Time Traveler's Wife, Life of Pi, Water for Elephants, The Glass Castle, Eat Pray Love – read all of those and loved them so much. I haven't checked out Zeitoun so I'm off to look up that one.
Kelly, Mondo Molds are here and should be on the site in the next few days.
Teresa, I will definitely check out the "People of the Book". I love going to movies having already read the book and you're right, "March" has an intriguing storyline for sure.
"People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks was very good (movie coming out soon I hear). I just picked up her "March," which won the Pulitzer. It's the story of the father character from "Little Women" as he goes off to the Civil War. I thought that was a brilliant idea for a story.
I echo your recommendation to read "Autobiography of a Face" and "Truth and Beauty." Ann Patchett's "Patron Saint of Liars" is one of my faves. I just found a signed copy of "Face" at Village the other day.
Can't wait to read "Under the Dome." Stephen King reigns!
omg. i just tweeted my faves.
i thought you were asking business books! 🙂
you are so smart! one day, when I get some new glasses (not readers from Walmart) and become more proactive, aka, working smart and not hard, I would love to do the same!
because of all the things i love to do most, one of the tops is read. read and more read! in a window seat of course, overlooking a lovely lake, ocean or stream.
Have a fantastic day!
Oh, and ARE your MONDO molds in yet? I need! I want!
xxxoooo
2009 unfortunately wasn't laden with as many good books for me as 2008. but noteworthy (my faves) are:
Zeitoun
Stones into Schools (Greg Mortenson)
Time Traveler's Wife
Life of Pi
The Glass Castle
Water for Elephants
The Lovely Bones
Eat Pray Love
David Sedaris anything, but especially Me Talk Pretty One Day
**Can't wait to hear other rec's!!
omg. i just tweeted my faves.
i thought you were asking business books! 🙂
you are so smart! one day, when I get some new glasses (not readers from Walmart) and become more proactive, aka, working smart and not hard, I would love to do the same!
because of all the things i love to do most, one of the tops is read. read and more read! in a window seat of course, overlooking a lovely lake, ocean or stream.
Have a fantastic day!
Oh, and ARE your MONDO molds in yet? I need! I want!
xxxoooo
Susan, I loved that one! I think I finished it in 2008 though because it wasn't on my book list of books I finished in 2009? LOVED IT though. You would probably like the 'Truth and Beauty' book by Ann Patchett and Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy (read them together as a pair – read the Grealy book first).
I just started an awesome book last night – NurtureShock – and I can't wait to finish it. It already is surprising to me and I'm just 50 pages into it!
Try The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It will rock your world. Susan P
Anne-Marie: You never cease to amaze me with your talent and versatility. And, obviously, time management.
I am a HUGE Stephen King fan and am reading Ynder the Dome right now! Awesome book and had me hooked in first few pages! Some of the other books you mentioned look good too! Thanks for sharing and thanks for a GREAT Company 🙂
OHMY! Is there any talent you do not have??? This sounds so cool. I'll have to check out some of those books!
Erin, You are totally right. I was typing too fast and doing too much! My bad.
Theresa, You will love 'The Outliers' if you like that type of book. And his first book, 'The Tipping Point' is also incredible.
If you guys have noticed or read any other books, let me know! I am always on the lookout for new books.
The Help was awesome!
The Help is about domestic help in the 60's not slaves. I will definately be picking up Honolulu for my next trip!
and seriously how do you get to be a book reviewer like that? That has to be one of the coolest part-time gigs ever!
How cool is that that you get to do book reviews for Elle! 🙂
I'm afraid the only one I've read on the list is "The Piano Teacher", which I enjoyed. "Lord of the Flies" made me want to throw up and dislike people, so I don't think I'll be reading the Stephen King book. :}
"The Brain that Changes Itself" is more my style. I was friends with a psychologist who studied neuroplasticity, and I've always been fascinated by brain science.