Because I write nonfiction, I have to read a lot of books as part of my research. That means I have to be terribly picky about the books I read for pleasure. I’m not completely through my 2015-2016 stack (three more to go!) but I’ve already selected the nine titles that will be stacked on my nightstand for the next year or so. I’ll post reviews of the remaining three from my previous list and the titles below as I make my way through them.
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Two historical figures who grew up in my neck of the woods chronicled by my favorite biographer. This one was a shoo-in.
The Turner House by Angela Flourney. Flourney’s first novel has gotten some good press. I love discovering a new author.
The Illuminations by Andrew O’Hagan. O’Hagan was shortlisted for the Booker prize in 1999 and seems to be gathering steam. The plot weaves together battle scenes and humdrum domestic life – no easy feat. I’d like to take a look.
Ben Gurion: Father of Modern Israel by Anita Shapira. Ben Gurion is one of those people I’ve always thought I should know more about (exactly how do you go about starting a brand new country???) so when I saw this biography positively reviewed in the New York Review of Books I leaped on it.
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart. I haven’t read a mystery in awhile and this one caught my eye in the magazine Bookmarks. I liked both the 1914 setting and the plot (a woman turning the tables on some thugs).
At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcon. The subject of this novel fascinated me: Immigration from the vantage point of those who stay behind as family and friends leave…possibly forever.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. In the wake of recent shootings of black men and women by police I realized I have no idea how things look or feel through the eyes of the black community. This one will be tough for me to read but I’m hoping it will help me understand more that I do.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. I somehow missed this first installment in a series of four “Neapolitan” novels (the three that follow it are The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and most recently The Story of the Lost Child). If it’s as good as the reviewers claim it is, I’ll power through the other three.
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf. Haruf’s last novel, finished just before he died.
—
Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge, Author
Biography | View
- Just Fine They Way They Are (Calkins Creek, March 1, 2011)
- The Brave Escape of Edith Wharton (Clarion Books, 2010)
- Thank You Very Much, Captain Ericsson! (Holiday House, 2005; Berndtsdotter Books, 2012)
- When Esther Morris Headed West (Holiday House, 2001)
- The Legend of Strap Buckner (Holiday House, 2001)
- Wicked Jack (Holiday House, 1995)
Speaker / Presenter
Connie is an experienced speaker and presenter who enjoys sharing her passion for writing and her experience as a writer with readers and writers of all ages. She has presented to students, community, civic and professional organizations, writing groups, library audiences, and seniors – wherever book lovers gather!
>> More Information About Connie Speaking and Presenting