Well, I’ve only read 17 books so far this year, so I don’t have enough to pick ten top books. So instead, I’m giving you the top books I’ve read, and a few I’ve started but not yet finished that I think are going to qualify!
Top books read so far this year:
I adored Another Brooklyn. It was unexpected and therefore all the more wonderful. The details have faded a bit for me now, but I do remember being particularly impressed by the writing. Review here.
How It Works: The Mum is one of the hilarious series of Ladybird Books for Grown-Ups. If you’re not British, you may not be familiar with Ladybird Books. They’re basically a series of primers on a whole range of topics that were designed for children. They feature colourful images, simple language and factual information. The Grown-Ups series takes this basic premise and puts a hilarious spin on it by covering such topics as The Mum, The Dad, The Sickie, The Hangover, The People Next Door and Red Tape. I’m not doing a full review of it as there’s really not that much to say, other than it’s a quick read and you will laugh your pants off. Here’s a sample:
I’ve just finished my review of My Family and Other Animals, but it’s one that took me a while to get through but really tickled me. A quiet brand of very British humour that also features a view of Corfu through the eyes of a young British boy who cares more for the insects breeding in the garden than his family or formal education. Great summer read.
I’ve never been very interested in Shirley Jackson – I’m not much for horror or really anything scary. Full wimp, that’s me. But I was watching one of my YouTube faves, Acacia Ives, and she mentioned reading Life Among the Savages recently and it sounded like it was exactly my kind of thing. Unlike much of her other work, this is autobiographical and deals largely with being a mom to young and rather unruly children. It’s absolutely hilarious, particularly if you’re a parent. Review coming soon.
And one re-read:
I can’t even tell you how much I adore this book. It’s short – a novella, really – and the other day I just felt in the mood for reading it again. I’m a good way through it and enjoying it just as much this time as I did the first time. See my full review after my first read here.
Some books I’ve started that I think are going to be excellent:
I started The Essex Serpent about a month ago, and I’m not sure why I didn’t stick with it. I think partially because it’s such a thick book and I was feeling intimidated, and partly because I’ve had so much trouble focusing lately and I know it’s going to be a book I want to pay full attention for. I’ll be going back to it soon, I expect!
I’m currently reading 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. It’s not as dense as I had worried it might be, and relatively easy to zoom through. In terms of the writing, anyway. The content is another matter. I have read a fair amount about how unfairly and downright despicably First Nations people have been treated by the Canadian government – and how much of that poor treatment persists today. But the details in this book about the specifics laid out in the Indian Act and how those details played out in the lives of those who fell under its purview are still shocking. It’s definitely a good book to read if you are a Canadian looking to learn some true history about our country, or if you are interested in the cultural trauma that is currently being dealt with by First Nations people throughout Canada.
I’ve been listening to How to Be Black on audiobook read by the author, and it’s wonderful. It’s by turns insightful, personal and humorous. It’s a great look at racial issues in America, and I’d highly recommend the audiobook over the text version.
The Descent of Man is one of those tiny books that holds a lot within its small number of pages. I haven’t read much of this one, but the little I did read touched on some really important issues when it comes to masculinity and how boys are socialized and the harm that can do, particularly to those who don’t conform easily to stereotypical concepts of masculinity. It’s a great read for those interested in feminism and gender studies.
I haven’t read any Olivia Laing before this, but have her best-known work Lonely City on my TBR shelf. The Trip to Echo Springs explores the overlap of creativity – particularly writing – and alcoholism. I like the writing style so far, and Laing is both introspective and insightful.
Now it’s your turn – I imagine you’ve managed to get through at least a few more books this year than I have, so let me know which you particularly enjoyed, and if there are any you’d recommend!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
Such an interesting list! I haven’t even heard of most of these!
That’s a fascinating list, and I don’t think I’ve read any of them–well maybe the Durrell? I read a bunch of his stuff years ago, and can’t remember if that was among them. I’m quite sure I’d enjoy any of these books.
You’re reading The Essex Serpent! That book has been on my TBR list since it came out, but I haven’t seen many bloggers talking about it. It sounds really interesting.
I remember reading my family and other animals decades ago. Looks like it may be due a reread.
Here’s My Ten Favourite Books of 2018 So Far
Wow. I love it that so many of these are books that are older books. So many of my favorites here, including Savages and My Family and Uncommon Reader. Thanks for sharing many that are new to me, too.
How it Works and Life Among Savages sound like good reads! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.