Comments on: Recommended books: Christmas 2013

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:10:00 +0000

In reply to heidw417. Thanks so much for sharing your list. You have a clear interest in history and current affairs!

By: heidw417

heidw417 — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 08:18:00 +0000

My 2013 list, from which I would be hard pressed to
rank by preference by either writer or topic: On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines – and Future , by Karen Elliott House; A Peace To End All Peace , by David Fromkin; The Last Refuge, by Gregory D. Johnsen; Our Lives, Our Fortunes And Our Sacred Honor, by Richard R. Beeman; Foreign Policy Begins At Home, by Richard Haaas; The Tudors, by G. J. Meyer; The Return of A King [The battle for Afghanistan 1839-1842], by William Dalrymple; Manhunt , by Peter L. Bergen; The Borgias, by G. J. Meyer; Iron Curtain [The Crushing of Eastern Europe (1944-1956)], by Anne Applebaum; Edward VII, by Christopher Hibbert; After The Music Stopped [The financial crisis, the response, and the work ahead] by Alan S. Blinder.

Thanks for the newsletter. I look forward to it each week.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 19:01:00 +0000

In reply to communicatrix. It's only the hot-linking that's work (I've kept a reading journal for 20 years) but it takes a fair bit of time. Nevertheless, I get such a positive response to this semi-annual column, I'm determined to continue! Thanks for the additional suggestions, Colleen. They'll all go directly into my iPhone!

By: communicatrix

communicatrix — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 18:38:00 +0000

I can guess at how much work these semi-annual posts are, Daphne, but oh, they are *gold*. (And evergreen gold, from a mercenary-blogger perspective. 🙂

I didn’t read many (any?) new releases this year, but in looking over my books-read list, I’d say that Another Bullsh*t Night in Suck City, Neil Flynn’s memoir about running into his alcoholic father at the shelter he worked for, was a top pick. I also loved two other oldies I finally got around to, Pema Chodron’s When Things Fall Apart, and Tim O’Brien’s Vietnam-War collection of stories, The Things They Carried.

Also, love your tip about the address-book entry on your phone: sometimes simplest is best!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:59:00 +0000

In reply to ChrisOakes. Ooo, I read Streetcar when I was in university. Loved it! Haven't yet read the new Gladwell book but may do so over Christmas. I enjoy his writing.

By: ChrisOakes

ChrisOakes — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:59:00 +0000

I read “A Streetcar Named Desire” in June, my first stab at Tennessee Williams. I was astounded at his ability to create tension and raw passion, and do it without requiring tens of thousands of words. I think it should be required reading for any writer!
My favorite non-fiction books of the year:
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell – Gladwell is SO good at telling stories.
What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell – Maybe Bell’s best and most relevant book.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 04:09:00 +0000

In reply to LJ.

Here’s a tip: I keep my “want to read” list on my iphone stored under First name “fiction” (or non-fiction) surname “BOOKS”. Then I put the list in alpha order by the author’s last name. That way if I’m ever in a bookstore or library I have an easy-to-use reference right at hand!

By: LJ

LJ — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing! I’ve started to catalog and total what I read as well. We spend so much of our lives reading that it’s worth the time to do so. Maybe you could share more ideas on how to set reading goals. I’m glad that I found your newsletter–quality information!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:52:00 +0000

In reply to Dianne. I loved the Fault in Our Stars as well. (As did my three kids.) Haven't heard of the other two but will go looking for them now. Thanks for the recommendations, Dianne!

By: Dianne

Dianne — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 23:11:00 +0000

My best two reads this year were The Light Between Oceans by M.L.Stedman and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I found both to be extremely well-written and believable fiction. (Tissue warning.) The funniest captivating quick read was The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs by Nick Trout.