Read all about it!
I love to read. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the library every Saturday morning with my dad and siblings, where I would check out the maximum allowable six books, read them during the week and return the following Saturday to repeat the process.
Although my love of reading never waned into adulthood, life happened and I no longer had the time to read like I used to. Other priorities – family, work, friendships, taking care of a household – consumed my time, leaving me less time for this passion. I still made it a point to read during this time, even if it was only a few pages before I closed my eyes each evening.
Earlier this year I retired. When people asked what I would do with all my new-found time, one of the activities I always shared was “read more.” And, boy, have I done that! As of this writing, I’ve read 45 books this year. Those who know me won’t be surprised to learn I track all the books I’ve read in a spreadsheet, giving each a rating and an explanation for that rating.
Because 45 books is a lot to read in a year (and yes, I do still read actual books, rather than reading online), I’ve rediscovered the joys of my local library. I’m also giving back by volunteering (through the library, of course!) to help elementary school students enhance their reading skills. I’ve been thrilled to spend time with students who, like me, love to read and use their time in the afterschool program to read aloud to me.
People ask whether I’ve read anything good lately. Oh yes. And I’ve also read books that I wouldn’t recommend, but I’m still glad I read them. Harkening back to my childhood days of checking out library books, here are six books I’ve enjoyed this year:
Born a Crime – Trevor Noah’s memoir will make you angry at times and at other times will make you laugh or cry. It truly is, as he writes, “a love letter to his mother.”
Demon Copperhead – Barbara Kingsolver’s modern-day retelling of David Copperfield takes place in Appalachia during the opioid crisis.
The Happiest Man on Earth – Written by Auschwitz survivor Eddie Jaku, his story emphasizes the importance of gratitude and kindness in our daily lives. The author also has a short TED Talk on the same subject.
That Bird has my Wings – If one measure of a good book is whether it makes you think, then death row inmate Jarvis Jay Masters’ memoir fits the definition.
Tom Lake – A story about family ties and how our past shapes our future, beautifully written by Ann Patchett.
Verity – I am likely the last person on the planet to read this book about a struggling author engaged to ghostwrite a book series. It’s a real page-turner that can easily be consumed during an afternoon at the Jersey Shore.
Reading is very personal. What I like, you may not. That’s the joy of it! The joy of reading is best described by the immortal Dr. Seuss – “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Happy reading!
editor’s note - there are no links to these books because we all have different ways we get and read them.