on yesterday’s post.
When asked, of all the books I read this year, what my VERY favorite book was, I had to ponder the question.
It’s always hard to choose THE BEST when there are so many that just come to you at the right moment!
How about I give you a few of my top picks?!!
I loved:
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
by J.D. Vance a quote by the author sums it up.
“I am a hill person. So is much of America’s white working class. And we hill people aren’t doing very well….Americans call them hillbillies, rednecks, or white trash. I call them neighbors, friends, and family. – J.D. Vance
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee because genetics fascinates me.
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff This book was absolutely lovely: a visit with the best of old friends. Heartwarming, enlightening, and inspirational.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik because she has led a fascinating life. She had her finger in everything!
New York by Edward Rutherfurd because he writes amazing “place” histories and we love all aspects of New York state. Last year I loved his book on Ireland.
But probably my most favorite, the one that has and will stick with me…
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi because it is a profound, emotional memoir forcing us to ask what are we doing to help each other live and die well? What should we be talking about that we’re not talking about? We’re all going to face illness and death and bereavement and difficult medical decisions; this is the voice to get us talking.
Heres to many great reads in the New year!!!
Sewfrench 
Lover your descriptions … those are the ones I want from your list, by the way I loved the Te of Piglet too, and you nailed it with When Breath Becomes Air. Just amazing writing there. Here’s to another year of great reading …. lots of good things out there and thanks for the recommendations of ones I have not read yet. I will definitely look into Edward Rutherfurd – sounds like someone I would like.
LikeLike
many thanks for these reviews. When Breath Becomes Air is on my to read list.
LikeLike
Here are my three favorites from my book club reads in 2016: Ferrante: My Brilliant Friend: Childhood, Adolescence; Maxwell: So Long See You Tomorrow; and Gawande: Being Mortal. Given that When Breath Becomes Air was your favorite, you might be interested in Gawande’s book. Hillbilly Elegy is on my list of books for this year. Thanks for sharing your reviews!
LikeLiked by 1 person