Many of you know I’m an avid reader, and being that access to a good library in Lusaka is not possible, I have been exposed to all sorts of books. (It’s fun picking through people’s libraries and lending & borrowing at work- we’ve had lots of coffee discussions about various books. Though I must confess I’ve never read so many murder mystery/ thrillers…at least there are a few good British ones anyway*grin*). I’m still trying to figure out how to frame this so let’s see how it goes.
Must reads (in my humble opinion):
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shafer & Annie Barrows; simply a joy to read
How Green was my Valley, Richard Llewellyn -Beautiful
The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill - what can one say about this much-talked about book? I love historical fiction*grin*
Buckingham Palace: District Six, Richard Rive. A laugh-out-loud satire on the implementation of apartheid law in South Africa, also shockingly sad
Other recommends:
Sing them Home, Stephanie Kallos- not too sure why I loved this book about death, but I did.
The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga- another shocking satire.
Emma, Jane Austen- always have to read a couple of classics per year, no?
A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah- boy soldier, heart wrenching but worth it!
The only reason I’m able to remember these books is because my colleague (who was fascinated to see me with a different novel every other week) suggested I keep track of just how many books I get through in a year. My current tally is 48, maybe I’ll reach 50 by the end of the year (I'm sinking my teeth into another PD James- hahah)! Oh, and I do not record all the school reading I do (which is another reason my recommends are all fiction…sorry to those who prefer non-fiction). Let me know what you think of these if you’ve read them or are inspired to pick one up that you haven’t yet read- I'd love to hear your opinions!
Sarah, thanks so much for the shout-out to SING THEM HOME in your blog. It's always lovely to learn that my characters have traveled to places I've never been!
ReplyDeleteAll best,
Stephanie Kallos
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ReplyDeleteHere I was, patting myself on the back for reading my goal of 20 books this year… when you’ve trumped me by DOUBLE the amount! Oh Sarah. I am humbled. I also read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Society and Book of Negroes. I agree with you on those as excellent reads! Based on your suggestions I just added a couple of your best reads to my 2010 list.
ReplyDeleteOn the top of the list for recommendations for you:
The Places In Between, a beautiful saga about the author, Rory Stewart who walks across Afghanistan; Why Men Love Bitches by Sherri Argov, a guilty pleasure read that will have you laughing out loud and calling yourself a Bitch, and A Widow for a Year by Irving- because I am on a Canadian Author kick.
Turning the pages and thinking of you! xo