Reading this was like a long, warm embrace. I've read a number of these books, several are new recommendations YAY!, and a couple a worthy of a re-read. Less scrolling, more time holding and reading books, please. I'd add Richard Power's wonder called "The Overstory."
Thanks for sharing - wow do we really need these kind of recommendations right now. A few of these books are on my TBR. I am moving them up now! This year my reading is very different: needing to find some kind of comfort? safety? guidance? I am not sure. I am currently re-reading Rebecca which is transporting and yet so familiar it seems to center me. I am also reading essays & journals: Chris La Tray’s One Sentence Journal of daily observations (of nature mostly) helps me focus on singular moments. And…I got my husband the book Year of Wonder (Clemency Burton-Hill). Each day has a classical music piece to learn about and listen to-especially calming and joyful.
Oh these daily reads sound amazing! I have been slow reading some classics, just a chapter a day, and creating my own “cliff notes” It’s really lovely since I usually read at lightning speed. I have thoughts about that too, but they aren’t fully formed yet.
That T.J. Klune book has a fantastic cover by "Red Nose Studio". A FAVORITE Artist ! I ADORE his work. He builds actual things - miniature sculptures that he uses for children & adult books. Also does magazines, too.
Thank you for this list of recommendations! Thanks to you I just realized I have 5 libraries within walking distance of my home. Previously I’d only been visiting the one that was closest to me on the map. 📚
She is, Julie. I decided to buy it. It’s a book I will want to keep. I will let you know my reaction to the book. I hope to buy it at my town's Barnes & Noble early next week
Thanks for the list. I did read “Psalm for the Wild Built” recently because it was on so many “hopeful-right-now” lists, and I loved it — so intriguing. I added the sequel to my hold list at the library. … Right now I’m reading “The Bookbinder,” by Pip Williams. It’s the sort-of sequel (overlapping characters) to “The Dictionary of Lost Words,” which I LOVED. It’s one of the few books that I’ve read and wanted to then turn around and read it again.
Fellow librarian here. I might add Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss, by Margaret Renkl. It might fit into more than one of your categories! I first read a copy from the library and when I finished it, I had to buy my own because I felt like I wanted the book to be near me for when I needed it. P.S. I couldn’t scroll by your post that popped up in my feed for one reason. ‘Crone in Training’ may be the greatest handle ever. Thanks.
I just finished The Mighty Red and always love Louise Erdrich. I loved the Salt Path and quite a few others and am taking away some great ideas. To answer- what helps? For me it is reading about courage — The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen and Jamie Raskin’s Unthinkable- and also reading about nature- anything by Robert Macfarlane and the delightful Waterlog by Roger Deakin.
I chose Eowyn Ivey for my first Book of the Month book in a while. She is a writer I admire in many ways, and I'm grateful I read her first book in Alaska and got to hear her speak there.
Also, "Nothing to See Here" is our book club read this month. It's next up for me.
Thank you for sharing! I always love reading your thoughts about books.
This is such a generous list - thank you! I'm excited to check out some of these titles I hadn't heard of before. I just published a book I hope will join the ranks of books that help. It's called Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times. I hope you don't mind me mentioning it here! I am trying to find ways outside of my sweet bubble so that more people who write find out about it.
I just finished rereading The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - it’s fantasy and there’s magic but what makes it so timely is that it’s about trying to make the government work better and make ordinary peoples’ lives better. (And about making friends and dealing with family, but that’s timeless.)
This sounds really interesting. I find some of the best books are fantasy and sci-fi that explore current events in creative ways. It really can shift our perceptions or help our understanding.
Love your socks in the photo!!
If only those were my feet!
I love her socks too, Julie! Bright colors, especially wonderful in winter.
Reading this was like a long, warm embrace. I've read a number of these books, several are new recommendations YAY!, and a couple a worthy of a re-read. Less scrolling, more time holding and reading books, please. I'd add Richard Power's wonder called "The Overstory."
The Overstory has been on my list a long time! I need to just sit and read it! I love his other books!
Thanks for sharing - wow do we really need these kind of recommendations right now. A few of these books are on my TBR. I am moving them up now! This year my reading is very different: needing to find some kind of comfort? safety? guidance? I am not sure. I am currently re-reading Rebecca which is transporting and yet so familiar it seems to center me. I am also reading essays & journals: Chris La Tray’s One Sentence Journal of daily observations (of nature mostly) helps me focus on singular moments. And…I got my husband the book Year of Wonder (Clemency Burton-Hill). Each day has a classical music piece to learn about and listen to-especially calming and joyful.
Oh these daily reads sound amazing! I have been slow reading some classics, just a chapter a day, and creating my own “cliff notes” It’s really lovely since I usually read at lightning speed. I have thoughts about that too, but they aren’t fully formed yet.
Oh if I could only read faster! But I know what you mean… :)
That T.J. Klune book has a fantastic cover by "Red Nose Studio". A FAVORITE Artist ! I ADORE his work. He builds actual things - miniature sculptures that he uses for children & adult books. Also does magazines, too.
I’m not an expert, but I think that artist/studio does most of his covers. They all have a similar look!
Yes, I think you are correct !?
Some day I would love to own one of the miniature sculptures that @Rednosestudios makes !
I will have to do more research on this! I do love the covers.
Thank you for this list of recommendations! Thanks to you I just realized I have 5 libraries within walking distance of my home. Previously I’d only been visiting the one that was closest to me on the map. 📚
Oh how lovely to have so many options!
A book that I really love is Joy is My Justice by Tanmeet Sethi MD. Also Hagitude by Sharon Blackie.
Thank you for this list. I put several of these books on hold at the library.
I'm so glad you enjoyed. I've heard good things about Hagitude.
Julie, I will buy Dr. Sethi's book - not from Amazon.
I hope you like it as much as I do. I finished it and now will just read it all again. She is such an inspiration.
She is, Julie. I decided to buy it. It’s a book I will want to keep. I will let you know my reaction to the book. I hope to buy it at my town's Barnes & Noble early next week
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl gives me hope in times like these.
Oh yes! This is a great one.
Thanks for the list. I did read “Psalm for the Wild Built” recently because it was on so many “hopeful-right-now” lists, and I loved it — so intriguing. I added the sequel to my hold list at the library. … Right now I’m reading “The Bookbinder,” by Pip Williams. It’s the sort-of sequel (overlapping characters) to “The Dictionary of Lost Words,” which I LOVED. It’s one of the few books that I’ve read and wanted to then turn around and read it again.
A small angry planet is really good if you like the old style of space opera, but want it written with a better understanding of people/ characters.
I LOVE that series, and pretty much anything Becky Chambers writes.
Fellow librarian here. I might add Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss, by Margaret Renkl. It might fit into more than one of your categories! I first read a copy from the library and when I finished it, I had to buy my own because I felt like I wanted the book to be near me for when I needed it. P.S. I couldn’t scroll by your post that popped up in my feed for one reason. ‘Crone in Training’ may be the greatest handle ever. Thanks.
Oh I love a book like that. I know exactly what you mean
I was going to ask if you knitted your socks. Then I read your comment that you wish those were your feet.
I just finished The Mighty Red and always love Louise Erdrich. I loved the Salt Path and quite a few others and am taking away some great ideas. To answer- what helps? For me it is reading about courage — The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsen and Jamie Raskin’s Unthinkable- and also reading about nature- anything by Robert Macfarlane and the delightful Waterlog by Roger Deakin.
Thanks for a great list!
There’s a newer biography of Larsen that is written by a friend of his. The man who played with fire. I have forgotten the author.
My book club read the Splendid and the Vile in January and it was fascinating! I really enjoy everything Larson write.
I chose Eowyn Ivey for my first Book of the Month book in a while. She is a writer I admire in many ways, and I'm grateful I read her first book in Alaska and got to hear her speak there.
Also, "Nothing to See Here" is our book club read this month. It's next up for me.
Thank you for sharing! I always love reading your thoughts about books.
I really love both of these but they are vastly different. I never read a book about Alaska that I don't think of you!
This is such a generous list - thank you! I'm excited to check out some of these titles I hadn't heard of before. I just published a book I hope will join the ranks of books that help. It's called Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times. I hope you don't mind me mentioning it here! I am trying to find ways outside of my sweet bubble so that more people who write find out about it.
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/fierce-encouragement
Good luck to you!
Harry Potter is a good fit right now. (Also discovered that the books are good at chiding the author…)
I just finished rereading The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - it’s fantasy and there’s magic but what makes it so timely is that it’s about trying to make the government work better and make ordinary peoples’ lives better. (And about making friends and dealing with family, but that’s timeless.)
This sounds really interesting. I find some of the best books are fantasy and sci-fi that explore current events in creative ways. It really can shift our perceptions or help our understanding.
Just started Just Mercy earlier this morning and I am already engrossed. I appreciate your recommendations.
It's so hard to read and so important.