There are so many wonderful books I’ve read that haven’t really shown up much on this blog. Because they’re not as popular, or they don’t fit easily into themes and genres or because they’re just not that well known. But I loved them, and am excited to bring a few to your attention. Who knows, you might even be curious enough to pick one up yourself!
The Red Notebook is the closest I have come to a literary version of the film Amélie. It’s set in Paris and is all about a red notebook lost and found, and the lives it brings together. It’s delightful and charming. Lost for Words may look like a light romantic book, but it’s got a lot more depth than I expected. It deals with a main character, a young woman who has been through a tough life so far. But she found her way to a small bookstore, and its owner gives her a job and a place to belong. Through that store she finds people worth getting to know and a future she can see herself in. Weird Things Customers Say In Bookshops is the first in a set of books that do exactly what it says on the tin – relate weird things customers say to people who work in bookshops. It is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Ethel and Ernest is a biographical graphic novel by Raymond Briggs (for those of you who watched a sweet little animated short called The Snowman as children, this is the guy who drew that book and film) all about his parents. How they met, their early married life, their experiences during the war and becoming parents. It is beautiful, full of emotion and love and respect for parents he is clearly devoted to. It’s one of the most touching books I’ve ever read.
Vigilante was the first book I finished after becoming a mother and though it was slow going, that was not at all the book’s fault. It’s about an ordinary woman and mom who dresses up as a superhero for a fancy dress party – and then something strange happens. She finds herself doing things she normally wouldn’t. She starts training to fight and patrolling her neighbourhood. And she is fairly awesome. Lawson’s Furiously Happy is an important book. She writes with humour and self-deprecation about her struggles with mental health and how it affects not only her life, but the lives of her family. It resonated deeply with me, and is one of my favourites. Book Scavenger is the first in a series of middle grade books all about book lovers who are part of an online book scavenger hunt. This leads to a lot of adventure and intrigue, and is absolutely delightful. M Train is Patti Smith’s follow up to Just Kids, and while it hasn’t gotten such wide attention as the first, it was by far my preferred book of the two. It’s quieter, more mature, less about her fame and who she knew and more about who she is as a person. The simple things that bring her comfort and peace. I found it calming to read, and a refreshing change of pace.
Nick Hornby is best known for his works of fiction (many were turned into films, of course), but I think I enjoyed these essays the best. He writes mostly about books – about what he’s read recently and what he thought of his reading. It’s very much like chatting to a delightfully well read and enthusiastically bookish friend. Black Dove White Raven is a young adult novel, but it is one that has stuck with me, particularly since becoming a mother. It is, on the surface, a story about adventure and family. But it deals with very complex political situations, race, gender (in a time when women were supposed to be homemakers, the mom in this is a pilot) and motherhood. I didn’t understand how courageous the mom was when I read this, but now that I am one I know how hard what she did must have been.
This post was a lot of fun! I’d love to hear from any of you who’ve read one or more of the books on my list. And which books made yours this week?
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.
I own Furiously Happy and need to read that one. My sister has Black Dove, White Raven, and I want to borrow that one from her. I think she’s going to be reading it soon herself.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
The Red Notebook looks really good!
My TTT post!
It’s short and sweet – great if you’re looking for something whimsical and uplifting to get you through quarantine!
I really enjoyed that Lost for Worlds Bookshop, so I’m making note of the rest of these books. They look good!
Have you read The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae or any other books by the same author? I haven’t yet, but it’s on my TBR! I hope you find something here that appeals to you. They’re not all similar or anything though, so I wouldn’t say that because you liked that one you’re guaranteed to like the others or anything. A random selection united only by the fact that I enjoyed them all!
No, I haven’t, actually. That was my first of her books. And of course I’m not going to like ALL the books on your list, but there are a couple here that sound pretty good to me. Although our tastes differ somewhat, I think we generally agree on what is quality writing and what is not. That’s a recommendation in my book!
Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops sounds interesting. I’ve never heard of that one before.
It’s such a fun idea. And so quick to read! The writer is Jen Campbell, best known for her YouTube channel. But she is a bonafide bookworm! Highly recommend it to any booklover.
Every time I see Furiously Happy it reminds me i need to read it. It just sounds so good and that cover!
Right? Plus who out there could dislike Jenny Lawson? She’s such a down-to-earth, honest, hilarious person. I found a lot of comfort in her books when I was at a particularly low ebb – she made me feel like I could make it through. At least until lunch time. And sometimes that’s all you need. I highly recommend it to pretty much anyone.
I love those Nick Hornby books! I have three of them, and I’ve started picking them up and reading through them a little whenever I need a little blogging motivation. He does such a good job with weaving the focus of what he’s reading into the rest of his daily life.
I have Ten Years In the Tub, which I think is a compilation of all his columns. I haven’t finished it, but only because I absolutely could not bear the thought of not having any left to read. Brilliant, and you’re right, great inspiration for book bloggers!!
It took me awhile to get into the Lost for Words Bookshop, but I loved it by the end!
I had the same experience! I think part of it was that, based on the cover, I was expecting something a bit more easygoing and fun. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a book that has more depth, of course, it just wasn’t what I had expected going in. Once I adjusted, though, I was definitely drawn in and very glad I found it!
I haven’t read any of these, but I’ve heard great things about FURIOUSLY HAPPY. BOOK SCAVENGER also looks like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the recs!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I highly recommend both! Furiously Happy is such an important book, especially if you or someone you know suffer from anxiety. I can’t see anyone reading it and coming away without more empathy and understanding. Plus, she’s hilarious. So you really can’t go wrong. I very much enjoyed Book Scavenger. It has that magical feeling you get from good kid’s books, but also has the whole book slant that is completely enchanting. I hope you enjoy them!
Marvelous list! So many good new-to-me tittles! Thanks
I’m so glad to have added a few new titles to your TBR (though I’m guessing you probably already have quite a few there, as we all do)!
I loved Ethel & Ernest!
My TTT .
Me too! It was so heart-warming and beautiful. I love Briggs’ art style, and it’s particularly appealing because it echoed what my grandparents probably experienced during the war. It definitely brought some tears to my eyes as well, though!
I think I’ve read all of Nick Hornby’s nonfiction about books. And now I need to go look for Weird Things and Lost for Words. Thanks!
I love Hornby’s columns! If you have any recommendations for anything similar (if something similar even exists) I’d be forever grateful. I hope you enjoy those two – Weird Things is one that will make every book lover laugh out loud!
BLACK DOVE WHTE RAVEN is so good. I’m glad to see it on a list. I learned about the appaling attack on Ethiopians prior to WWII, too. My TTT list
I definitely learned a lot from the book – both about the politics and violence of that time and place, but also what it must have been like to be a woman who didn’t conform during those times. The kids are the stars of the book, but the mom is who I really felt a connection to. I’m in awe of what she managed to accomplish. I loved the writing and was amazed by how much was packed into the book. Definitely a must-read!