Books I've Enjoyed Lately
THE FARMHOUSE
It’s been a while since I talked books, and I wanted to get in one more reading list before 2020 ends. This year has been a big year for reading at our house - I listen to audio books almost every day, Garrett took up nightly novel reading, and Wilder, our 7-year-old, came into his own with Dog Man and The Wild Robot and staying up past his bedtime with a book tucked under the covers. Reading has definitely been a bright spot in this crazy year for us. If you’re in need of a good book, read on! (And please share your recommendations in the comments!)
DIY nightstand, duvet, more bedroom sources here
Psst: Need a good read? Here are some books I’ve enjoyed lately (June 2020) and 13 books I enjoyed in 2019 (December 2019)
Despite a healthy reading habit, we don’t actually buy a lot of books - we check them out from our local library. Even audio books! I downloaded the Libby app on my phone and now listen to a couple of audio books a week for free on there using my library card (it’s a GREAT app). We’ve bought more books during the pandemic due to stay-at-home orders and not getting to the library (I have to admit it’s been fun to have access to new and poplar novels without a forever-long waitlist), but I can’t wait to get back to our library routine!
I also wanted to mention that if you are going to buy books (they sure make great Christmas gifts!), local bookstores could use your support now more than ever. I’ve included a link to Indiebound beside each book below, so you can connect with your local store. There’s also an Amazon affiliate link which is a great way to read reviews and shopping through our links supports this blog (we may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links).
DIY nightstand, artwork, glasses, quilt by my mom, + bedroom sources here
My list is all fiction this time, which I’ve been gravitating towards as an escape. There’s historical fiction, young adult, classics, contemporary, serious, and just for fun on this list. Take what you will…
Some Books I’ve enjoyed Lately
The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett - this book ended up on the New York Times top 10 fiction books of the year and I’m not surprised! It’s the tale of identical twin girls who run away from their southern Black community at the age of 16 and forge vastly different identities and lives in adulthood. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
The Giver of Stars, Jojo Moyes - a historical fiction about an English woman who moves to rural Kentucky after marrying a virtual stranger and joins the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky. I loved this book and wished was twice as long. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
Nothing to See Here, Kevin Wilson - this quirky novel follows two children who sometimes burst into flames, an unexperienced but fiercely loyal caregiver who can’t seem to get her life together, and a rich childhood friend who has it all. I was blown away by how original and fun this book was. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
All Adults Here, Emma Straub - for me, this story is all about the characters. It chronicles the life of a family who’s matriarch witnesses the death of an acquaintance. The event sets off a series of changes to her own life just as her adult children and grandchildren’s lives are in flux. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
Pax , Sara Pennypacker - I’ve been reading this beautiful tale about a boy and his fox with my sons at bed time and absolutely love it. Consider this a classic in the making. The novel is beautifully written and covers such complex issues from the perspective of youth. It was nominated for the National Book Award. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
This is How it Always Is, Laurie Frankel - This book was beautiful and profound and so fun. It’s about the chaotic life of a family with 5 children, the youngest of whom is trans. The tale was beautifully told and one I’ll carry with me for years to come. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
Little Fires Everywhere, Celeste Ng - It took me a couple of tries to get into this book, but once I did, I loved it! At it’s core, the story is about the power of motherhood, which plays out between two very-different families living in a progressive suburb of Cleveland. I can’t wait for the Netflix movie to come out with Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon! (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris - this is such a beautiful and powerful book about love and survival amidst the Holocaust. I listened to the audio version and listened to it in a day. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
Big Lies in a Small Town, Diane Chamberlain - My sister recommended this suspenseful tale and I really enjoyed it. The story follows an artist in 2018 who is restoring a mural by an artist who disappeared decades before. As she uncovers clues about the mural and the mysterious artist, she learns to live with her own background. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
The Proposal, Jasmine Guillory - this is a quick and fun read that starts with a surprise and very-public proposal that doesn’t end happily. I listened to the audio copy and really enjoyed it. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
The Giver, Lois Lowry - somehow I am just getting around to reading this classic young adult novel about a boy and the utopian world he lives in. I listened to this one in a day and loved it! (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
All we Ever Wanted, Emily Giffin - this novel was a look at wealth and privilege through the lens of two families of different economic backgrounds, both with kids at an exclusive private high school. (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
Friends and Strangers, J. Courtney Sullivan - This book was a recent recommendation from Stacy at Blake Hill House and I’m just finishing it. The story centers around the friendship of two women, one a new mother who has just moved from New York to a small town, and the other a college student whose middle-class upbringing does not prepare her for the wealth and privilege she finds at school. The audio version is great! (indiebound, amazon affiliate)
What are you reading right now? Any recommendations?
