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Oh, how I love posting these Book Recommendation Lists for you all! See past lists HERE.
I’ve read some fantastic books these past few months and am eager to get them in front of you. Several of them have just been released this past year and boy, are they fabulous. I’ve started with all my 5 star ratings, working down to a couple that were 3.5 but still worth the time.
If you feel so inclined to leave me a comment telling me a book you have loved recently, I would adore that! I love getting recommendations from you all.
Enjoy!
THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans
5 STARS
So, so good. The best audio book I’ve listened to in a long while, and definitely my top read of the year. It’s about a woman who is a retired attorney, and gives glimpses of her life through the letters she writes and receives in her later years. I loved it for the sweet character development, the endearing personalities, the life reflection, the extending of forgiveness, and the mystery, just to name a few. It’s a must read/listen, truly. All of the audio voices are recorded by different people, making it even more enjoyable to listen to. I can’t say enough good about it.
THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi
5 STARS
Everyone should read this great book, truly. Especially in our current social climate. 😉 It’s about a elderly gentleman, Theo who visits and then lives for a year in a town named Golden. There is a coffee shop in the town where 92 pencil portraits are displayed. He is intrigued by the beauty of the art and purchases the drawings, one at a time, and quietly bestows them to their rightful owners…the person in the sketch. When he bestows each portrait, he spends time listening to the person and learns about their life and struggles. He’s encouraging, warm, complimentary and lovely. It sounds like a simple story to base a novel on, and it is. But it is also, so beautiful. It’s full of Christ like love and kindness. There’s mystery to the novel as well, Theo’s true identity is kept a secret for most of the book. It’s such a tender and beautiful piece of literature. A must read.
PEACE LIKE A RIVER by Leif Enger
5 STARS
Oh, what a wonderful read this is! It’s been around for a long time, and was my neighborhood book club pick this month and goodness, was it a great choice. It’s about an 11 year old boy and his families journey through the frozen Badlands of the Dakotas, in search of their fugitive brother.
There’s mystery, coming of age vibes, an adorable 9 year old sister, a saintly father and so much beautiful writing. Such great writing!
100 RULES for LIVING to 100: An optimists guide to a happy life by Dick Van Dike
4 STARS
What a fun read! It’s got memoire vibes, while including lots of charming advice. It’s broken up into 100 tips for enjoying life through all the ages and stages it brings. I love Dick Van Dike and found myself falling even more in love with not only his cheerfulness and optimism, but for his honesty as well. A great book! The audio is wonderful.
DOING SMALL THINGS with GREAT LOVE: How Everyday Humanitarians are Changing the World by Sharon Eubank
5 STARS
This was such a fascinating book! The audio is wonderful and read by the author which was fabulous. However, this is the kind of book you want a paper copy of as well, there are so many wonderful one liners that need underlining and commenting on in the margins. It’s that kind. 🙂
Sharon Eubank has been the director of Charitable Services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 2011. Her experiences in humanitarian work are fascinating, but what I loved most about the book was it’s clear message, encouraging us to look around our own communities and do what we can where we are. Such a great book!
ONCE UPON A WARDROBE by Patti Callahan
4 STARS
So good. I adore CS Lewis and loved this clever telling of his life and the experiences that helped him create the Narnia series. The audio version is fantastic!
THE GREAT DIVORCE by CS Lewis
4 STARS
This is a classic book by CS Lewis himself. It’s a Christian allegory about a bus ride from hell to heaven. One of my sons recommended it to me and I’m so glad I read it. So many interesting ideas about good and evil, forgiveness, grace and judgement.
MY FRIENDS by Fredrick Bakman
4 STARS
Fredrick Backman books are always a great time. He writes characters that are so real, so flawed, so humorous and so charming…you can’t help but love them from the first chapter in. Even while wading through a tremendous amount of curse words (especially in this one)…so be ware if you decide to read it. 🙂 The story had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the references to art, the loyalty of true friends, the character development…and the humor. Loved it.
ONE FOR THE BLACKBIRD ONE FOR THE CROW by Olivia Hawker
3.5 STARS
Such beautiful, lyrical prose…the writing style had me hooked from the beginning. However, I wished the character development had the same kind of finesse. It kind of clunked along in an awkwardly predictable way. Still, a beautiful read.
THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER by Lawrence Anthony
3.5 STARS
A very interesting read about an elephant refuge in Africa. It was amazing to learn about how intelligent, and loyal these creatures are. A great read, especially if you are planning to travel there soon.
