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On My Nightstand in 2012

Nothing makes me more jittery than down time with nothing to read.  I’ll resort to reading product labels and instruction manuals if I have to, but a good book is so much better.  I found myself in a rut in 2011, barely reading any books of substance, and vowed to knock some books off my steadily growing Evernote list.  I read significantly more this year, and found some of the best books I’ve read in awhile.  Here are the books that graced my nightstand in 2012:

 

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Laura Hillenbrand is the author of another one of my favorite books of all time, Seabiscuit.  I’m not a huge history buff, so it takes a compelling subject and some mighty good writing to lure me in.  The story of Louis Zamperini, combined with Ms. Hillenbrand’s writing, had me hooked.  Zamperini was an Olympic runner who turned in his track shoes for combat gear during WWII.  His plane was shot down over the Pacific, where he spent weeks lost at sea.  That alone makes for a gripping read, but there’s so much more.  You won’t believe the things Zamperini and his fellow soldiers endure, but you will embrace the spirit and determination that gets them through.  What a generation. What a book.

The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell

Two stories about two very different women living in different eras.  You realize there’s a connection between the characters early on, but the author is able to keep the true relationships a surprise until the very end.  I loved the way she weaved the characters from two very different time periods together.  I formed an opinion early on of the characters, and many of them ended up surprising me with their actions and personalities.  That’s so hard to do, and as a reader I love it.  The language in this book is wonderful, evocative without being overly flowery

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

This book had been on my list to read for quite some time.  Genova gives a gripping insight into what living with dementia might be like.  Alice, at 50, recognizes that her memory is not what it used to be. Chalking it up to stress or menopause, she grudgingly gets herself checked out, only to find out it’s early onset Alzheimer’s.  It’s a heartbreaking read, but one that gave me and understanding and empathy for those living with and caring for someone with dementia that I never had before.  Genova has a new book out, Love Anthony, that I’ll definitely read.

Three Stages of Amazement by Carol Edgarain

The first book of the year that I had to plod through.  Lena Pepper and husband Charlie are struggling – with jobs, finances, and parenthood.  Someone comes along that seems to have just what the Peppers need, but it’s almost too good to be true and there are strings attached.  It was just ok.  I found some of the conversations between the spouses unrealistic, too poetic.  Not a bad read, but definitely not believable.

Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach

It’s kind of a cookbook, kind of a memoir, definitely awesome.  I’ve been in love with Jenny’s writing since I first discovered her blog of the same name.  Never condescending, always practical and realistic, but definitely inspiring … man, I want Jenny to live next door and be my best friend.  This is one of those books that’s going to see a lot of love in my kitchen and end up falling apart.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Not about cake AT ALL.  And people turn into furniture.  Or I got confused because I was mad about the cake. Blergh.

You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon

Fascinating collection of short stories that all revolve around life in Ft. Hood, including deployments and the difficulty in transitioning back home for everyone involved.  It gave me a new appreciation for everything our soldiers and their families go through.  It’s a very quick read, perfect for when you finish something really good and you’re not ready to jump into anything too beefy yet.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hands down, best book I’ve read in a long time.  Witty writing, heartwrenching story, and lots of fun references to Indy.  Don’t let the fact that it’s in the Young Adult genre or that it’s about kids with cancer steer you away.  It was my favorite read of 2012.

Vaclav & Lena by Haley Tanner

This book charmed me from the get go.  Some might find the writing distracting – the author writes much of the dialogue in the stilted English of Russian immigrants.  The story revolves around Vaclav and Lena, children of Russian immigrants who find comfort in each other’s friendship while they struggle as ESL students in Brooklyn.  One day Lena doesn’t show up for school, and for the next 7 years she is gone from Vaclav’s life.  He is heartbroken, and blames his mother – who loved Lena as her own daughter but was faced with a decision about Lena’s fate no one would ever want to make.  The writing is magical, much like Vaclav’s obsession with magic.  One of my favorite lines comes from Rasia, as she wonders why she stays with her husband who checked out long ago, and who she does everything for:
“She picks up the damp underpants and brings them to the hamper, and still she is married to him because to divorce your husband over one soggy pair of underpants, this is not something people do.  This is a marriage, this picking up a little, putting away a little, forgiving a lot, and this is good enough.”

We the Animals by Justin Torres

A Puerto Rican father and a young white mother bring three boys into their tumultuous world.  A dysfunctional family filled with passion, rage, laughter and lots of moments that will make you hold your breath until you figure out if anyone’s going to break a bone or die.  It was a little much for me, but it’s a quick read and one that will definitely keep you on your toes.
What were your favorite reads of 2012?  I’ll add them to my list!

 

 

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Comments

  1. Last night I started Vaclav & Lena, per your suggestion. My kindle says I’m 10% through it, and so far it’s really cute! Also, now that I know The Fault in our Stars has Indy references, I’ll for sure read it.

  3. I wrote a whole long comment but then lost it. ugh. So here’s my recommendations: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. 🙂

    • Adding quite a few from your list onto my “To Read” list. I’m an Evernote user, too, and this was the first year I took the time to jot a few notes about each book. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have remembered anything. You also earn extra points because you called my blog popular.