As I write this, it is January, that time of year when people reflect on the year past – goals accomplished, trips taken, family additions, changes in jobs, and in my case – books read! What were the top books I read in 2016? Which books do I want to strongly encourage others to read?
I recently read Will Schwalbe’s new book, “Books for Living.” Schwalbe discusses the essential nature of reading and of sharing what we read with others. He says that, “we need to read and to be readers now more than ever.” When friends see me coming, they know one of the first questions from my mouth is, “What have you been reading lately?” I am genuinely interested. I want to see if I have read the same books so we can discuss them, or if my friends have new books to recommend.
So here are my favorite reads from 2016 in no particular order. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara. This is not a book for everyone, but it is the book that moved me the most and it has stuck with me. “The Paying Guests” by Sarah Waters. This book is set in London and has to do with class as World War I ends and a mother and daughter are forced to take in “boarders,” or “paying guests,” in their genteel home in order to make ends meet.
“Caleb’s Crossing” by Geraldine Brooks. This is a novel based on the fact that a Native American was accepted and matriculated at Harvard in the 1660’s. “Mothering Sunday” by Graham Swift. Read this in one sitting if you can. Finish it and start again! Very moving. It is another book dealing with class in England. “As Good as Gone” by Larry Watson. Parenting and/or grandparenting under difficult circumstances drives this short novel.
Books about the immigrant experience are often interesting. Try “Behold the Dreamers” by Imbolo Mbue, and “The Space Between Us” by Thrity Umrigar. I also read “The World We Found” by the same author and highly recommend it.
Also “Commonwealth” by Ann Patchett. This is definitely one of her best. Local writer Monica Wood has an outstanding new novel named, “The One in a Million Dollar Boy.” Last, but not least, “The Guest Room” by Chris Bohjalian. I wish I had bought this book and had my own copy to review. It is powerful and moving.
Enjoy Reading!
Editor’s Note: Jan’s family shared this last book review with the Gorham Times after her death. Her son, David Willis, a former Gorham Times board member as well as a part of the distribution team, said, “Thank you for giving her the opportunity to write for the Gorham Times. She loved contributing to the paper and the opportunity to have an outlet for her passion for reading.”