Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people – people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.” E.B. White (1899-1985)
On the 24th edition of World Book Day, April 23, 2019, I choose to write about a favourite pastime: reading. Although I don’t remember my first book, I do recall the joy of reading on my own at a young age. A bookmobile serviced our neighbourhood in Edmonton; once a week we’d head to its nearest stop to refresh our supply of reading material. Books featuring Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, The Bobbsey Twins and, later on, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple by Agatha Christie captivated me. Then I took a hiatus from mysteries, turning instead to popular fiction and the classics.
For over 20 years I belonged to The Book Club in Lennoxville. Up to eight women met ten times a year to engage in lively literary — and social — discussions. Agreeing on our book list proved challenging, and time-consuming, but we covered a wide variety of authors and often exchanged opposing opinions of their works. Books we analyzed remain in my memory longer than those I read alone.
As a member of a club, I dutifully finished every book, even when I wasn’t going to rate it highly. These days starting a book no longer means I will reach its end. If it fails to capture me 50 pages in, I set it aside, with a slight apology to the author. Time now seems precious, scarce, and I try to fill my reading time with good books only.
Reading in general enriches our lives as we become acquainted with people from the past and present, journey to different countries and cultures, encounter new experiences and perspectives. Having come full circle, I also once again enjoy delving into the puzzles of the whodunit.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In this post I cast my mind back to some favourite books by genre. Next year I will simply identify my preferred reading of 2019.
Classics
- Middlemarch (1871) by George Eliot
- Anna Karenina (1878) by Leo Tolstoy (Tolstoy’s opening sentence — “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” — gave rise to the Anna Karenina Principle.)
- An American Tragedy (1925) by Theodore Dreiser
Fiction (21st century publications only as a way to reduce the choice by many hundreds)
- The Way the Crow Flies (2003) by Ann-Marie MacDonald
- The Book of Negroes (2007) by Lawrence Hill (Hill’s book was published in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand as Someone Knows My Name. Click here for his observations on the change of title.)
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (2017) by Gail Honeyman
Memoir
- Are You Somebody? (1996) by Nuala O’Faolain
- Swing Low (2000) by Miriam Toews
- Educated (2018) by Tara Westover
Mystery
- Gone Girl (2012) by Gillian Flynn
- The Promise Falls Trilogy (2015-16) by Linwood Barclay
- The Trespasser (2016) by Tana French
Nonfiction
- The Devil in the White City (2003) by Erik Larson
- Citizens of London (2010) by Lynne Olson
- One Summer America, 1927 (2013) by Bill Bryson
As many of us base our reading on suggestions from friends, critics, book lists and festivals, plus Oprah’s Book Club, please add your recommended titles in the comments below. ♥
P.S. Interesting fact: the UK and Ireland celebrate World Book Day on the first Thursday in March.
Glen Wickens says
Read and taught fiction, both Victorian and modern British, for a living but now I read mostly non-fiction, usually history. Have my literary tastes changed or do we, as a friend once suggested to me, end up doing what we actually prefer in our later years?
Pam McPhail says
Weren’t you headed on a history track until an English professor at UBC convinced you to change, both the discipline and your ambition: university professor rather than high school teacher?
Tim McPhail says
Most prescient book of the 20th Century : 1984.
Best One Hit Wonder of 20th Century : To Kill a Mockingbird.
Most Illuminating Book to recommend to someone thinking of joining the military : Catch 22,
Best Genre for learning about our past while enjoying a good read : Historical Fiction.
All Time Greatest Literary Genius : William Shakespeare.
Best Blog for Boomers : Sunset Years.
Tim
Pam McPhail says
Excellent observations, Tim. I especially like the one about the blog.😉
Ian Wallace says
Very good topic, Pam, and now I look forward to reading a few of your recommendations, and Tim’s too.
Please see below for several of my own favourites of the last year;
Berendt, J. The City of Fallen Angels
(An inside look at the world’s most beautiful and mysterious city, Venice)
Sopel, Jon. If Only They didn’t speak English
(A BBC correspondent examines Trump’s America)
Vincent, Isabel. Dinner with Edward
( A journalist”s unusual friendship with a charming Manhattan gentleman)
Pam McPhail says
Thanks for your recommendations, Ian. Do you take advantage of online services of the VPL besides the reserve feature? In my account, I use the “For Later Shelf” to record books to buy or borrow in the future. I added two of yours as I cannot bear to read about Trump’s America. I live it. I also fill the “Completed Shelf” that allows me to assign a rating to my readings, not to mention reminds me of the books I’ve read over the years.
Rick says
The LARGE PRINT BOOKS section of the library. A baby boomers delight. GONE GIRL gave me a WOW moment. Shakespeare made me thither (and beyond). The Promise Falls trilogy was a Pam recommendation. I went for it. Six or Seven OOOH! moments.
Thanks Pam.
Rick ( aka a Lee Child groupie).
Pam McPhail says
Rick, You’ve introduced me to some good mystery writers, Lee Child being one, but also Harlan Corben, Michael Connelly and others. Linda also got me hooked on the “Natchez Burning” trilogy that occupied my reading time for many hours/days/weeks. Keep the recommendations from Victoria coming… 📖📖🔍🔍
P.S. As always, thanks for adding your wry humour.
Tracy Ware says
The two best books that I read last year were both Australian novels. Peter Carey’s “Secret History of the Kelly Gang” has the best use of dialect that I can remember. It takes a few pages to get used to it, but then you can’t imagine this legend told in any other way. Thomas Keneally’s “The People’s Train” gives an Australian perspective on the Russian Revolution. He is the author who wrote “Schindler’s List” and many other books.
Pam McPhail says
Thanks for the leads, Tracy, registered on my “For Later Shelf.” You know I follow up on both your and Brenda’s recommendations. I am finishing my third novel by Tana French. I also bought a used copy of Keneally’s “The Place Where Souls Are Born” but set it aside early on. I did not like the narrative style with its many digressions and interruptions in the chronology. Perhaps that observation reveals a shortcoming in me as an impatient reader? Have you read “Anna Karenina” yet? It’s on your list.
Linda Allen says
Several of my favourites have been: any book by Pat Conroy, especially Prince of Tides, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, Love and Treasure by Ayelet Waldman, The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman and Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson. I too liked Anne Marie MacDonald’s books. This is a pretty eclectic mix, but that’s the kind of reader I am.
Great to re-establish contact, Pam.
Linda
Pam McPhail says
Thanks for adding new titles to my post, Linda. I’ve listed even more books on my “For Later Shelf” online at the VPL. I better get reading!
It’s good to hear from you — after seven years. Yes, that’s how long it’s been since you helped us empty our house on McMurray Street the day before we departed for Vancouver.
Brandon Wickens says
Reading most certainly is a favourite of yours!
susan hagg says
Larry McMurty – no mention of this author. Wrote tons of novels. Lonesome Dove being one of the best. Comes close to eclipsing “Anna Karenina” . Not just an incredible author but screenplay writer, and more…..
Another favorite novel of his, “Some Can Whistle”.
Pam McPhail says
You’re right I should read Larry McMurty and will start with “Lonesome Dove.” In checking his film credits, I note some favourite ones: Hud, The Last Picture Show and Brokeback Mountain, for instance.
Another “Larry” well worth reading is Larry Watson. His slim novels, “Montana, 1948” for one, deal with large moral dilemmas.