For me the sign a book warrants a spot on my "Best Book" list is whether I am able to still talk about the book, remembering the details, a month down the road. If the answer is yes, it's clearly a book that made an impression on me. For me, it's much too easy to close a book, write the review, and a month or so down the road, have no clue how the book ended, or maybe even what it was about (thank goodness I take notes along the way)..
With (6) months left of 2015 I wanted to reflect on which books left their mark so far. One thing I noticed the books I enjoy most are definitely, dark themes or stories about dysfunctional families.
Here's the books that I still talk about from the first half of 2015. The top (2) A Little Life; Hanya Yanagihara and Aquarium; David Vann are absolute favorites of the year. The others were memorable as well, but are in no particular order.
My granddaughters love having books by author/illustrator, Mo Williams read to them, so we picked up a few of his books for them this week. I found this interesting article where the author talks about how difficult being a kid can be. His first published book about that pesky pigeon, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!," was a sensation, winning the prestigious Caldecott Honor in 2004 for "most distinguished American picture book for children."
Here's the (3) we selected --deciding was tough as there were quite a few to choose from.
Those of you with little ones, are you familiar with this author?
Happy Reading - Hope Your Weekend is Going Well
I've only read Aquarium but I loved it so I'm making note of the rest.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when a book leaves such a pleasant memory!
ReplyDeleteI want to read Creatures of a Day which is on your list. My favorites thus far this year are by Anthony Trollope in his Chronicles of Barchestershire series. I look forward to the ITV tv series based on one of these, Dr. Thorne.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you liked Eileen! I had my eye on it at BEA, but wasn't able to get a copy. Will prob give it a shot when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteAw I wanted to get an ARC of Eileen but didnt. Definitely will check the book out.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you enough how appreciative I am of your book lists and fine reviews Diane. I always enjoy them. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about remembering the details about a book. In looking back over my reading over the past year, there were some books that I recalled liking at the time, but I couldn't quite remember why! The three children's books you all chose look adorable!
ReplyDeleteI often find the books that end up on my "best of" lists are dark, too. Kind of the ones that make my heart hurt. I haven't read any of the ones you've shown so I'll definitely need to be looking for them.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, we are very familiar with Gerald & Piggie here :) https://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/sundays-with-gage-loving-elephant-and-piggie/
ReplyDeleteIt is way too easy to forget about a book a month down the road so your time frame in judging an excellent book is perfect. I've read so few books at the this point that it wouldn't be worth it but I feel like I've read some good ones!
Everything I Never Told you was one of my favorites last year. I read Aquarium and was captivated, but didn't love it like you did. I'm planning to read A Little Life eventually and have Creatures of a Day coming from the library. It is a darkish list, but books that stick with you often are...
ReplyDeleteEverything I Never Told You is one I keep meaning to get to, but can't seem to make time for. The others sound good too!
ReplyDeleteI love Mo! I remember being very skeptical after reading Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, but it has grown on me and my own children and my students love his work! You really need to check out his website. The kids love playing the few games he has on it -one allows you to pick three hot dog toppings -ketchup, mustard, bowling ball, underwear....My four year old nephew wants to play this every time he visits.
ReplyDelete