What I Read in 2016
Thanks to everyone who posted what they read in 2016. And a special thanks to John Manoogian III for keeping me motivated with his dedication to Goodreads.
Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel, ****
I bought this for my solo camping trip, but ended up reading it many months later. Enjoyable, a quick read, interesting characters. (Used)
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, by Lindy West, ****
I love Lindy’s writing on Jezebel. She’s a smart woman who is loud when sometimes I’m quiet. Thanks Lindy West for being loud. (Kindle)
Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, *****
A must read. Gave me perspective when I needed it badly. (Kindle)
The Creative Tarot: A Modern Guide to an Inspired Life, by Jessa Crispin, ****
A gift from Heather Champ, and a lovely guide to the cards from an artistic and creative approach. Where I turn when I want an inspirational twist on a reading. (New)
Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War, by Mary Roach, ***
I’ve liked other Mary Roach books better, but the chapter on weaponizing stink was very, very memorable. (Library)
The Girls, by Emma Cline, ****
I read Helter Skelter so many times as a teenager, it’s slightly disturbing to think back on it now. The story felt familiar, yet new. (Kindle)
The Magician’s Land (The Magicians, #3), by Lev Grossman, ****
Despite my dislike for Quentin, I enjoyed this trilogy (and the so-bad-its-good TV show). Because magic! (Kindle)
One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway, by Åsne Seierstad, Sarah Death, ****
This was on the NYT’s best books of 2015. It was an intense and well-written account of a horrible tragedy. (Kindle)
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, by Jenny Lawson, ***
Jenny’s books are fun to read, even though her writing style can be “a bit much.” Sometimes it’s like she’s in my brain. (Kindle)
Kitchens of the Great Midwest, by J. Ryan Stradal, ***
A book club book that I would have never read otherwise. Being from the Midwest, there was something appealing about the descriptions of the recipes. Except the ending, I really didn’t like the ending. (Borrowed)
Awake at the Bedside: Contemplative Teachings on Palliative and End-of-Life Care, by Koshin Paley Ellison (Editor), Matt Weingast (Editor), ***
This book was recommended by my hospice volunteer coordinator. I wanted to like it more, but the differences in the writing styles of each essay were too different to ever get into a reading flow. (Used)
Milk Bar Life: Recipes & Stories, by Christina Tosi, ****
Loved this cookbook! Her stories were great too. Mostly it made me want to hang out with her and her aunts and the rest of her family. Cooking doesn’t need to be serious. (Library, then New)
Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, by Andrew Solomon, ***
I heard Andrew on Fresh Air and was intrigued to read more about parents who are affected by the identity of their children. A long and intense read. (Kindle)
A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, by Sue Klebold, ****
Based on the chapter in Far from the Tree, I checked this book out from the library. I have immense sympathy for the Klebold family, who mourned the death of their son as they tried to make sense of what he did. (Library)
The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness, by Bari Tessler, *****
Yeah, money makes me anxious. Finances make me cry. This book made me happy. And I actually put my finances in order. Thanks Bari Tessler Linden! (New)
We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, *****
Yes, we should! (Kindle)
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, **
After reading so many serious or intense books, this was supposed to be a trashy read. Except I hated all the characters so much. And the ending. (Kindle)
The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead, ****
I read this because I heard this review on Fresh Air. I was only a few chapters in before I realized I was reading a different Underground Railroad book. In any case, it’s been on everyone’s best books of 2016 lists and I loved The Intuitionist. He’s a wonderful storyteller. (Library)
Underground Airlines, by Ben H. Winters, ***
So two Underground Railroad books in a row may be a bit much. But the construct of slavery still existing today made for a good read. (Library)
How to Be a Person in the World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life, by Heather Havrilesky, ***
I like NYMag’s Ask Polly. So of course I liked reading all her advice. So much so that I read this in a single day. A fun read. (Library)
On Living, by Kerry Egan, *****
If you read any of the books on my list, this is the one I recommend the most highly. Written by a hospice chaplain, she has story after story about how life is hard, weird, scary, funny and precious. I read this cover to cover on a plane ride. (New)
Unfinished in 2016:
The Thing Around Your Neck, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
The Dirty Streets of Heaven (Bobby Dollar #1), by Tad Williams (recommended by a Powell’s employee when I said I liked In the Name of the Wind…???)
