Favorite Books of 2015
Last year I set myself the goal of reading 52 books in a year. When I set the goal I didn't know what this year would hold, but I knew my year of teaching in Thailand would end in June and I would enter to yet another season of transition. Despite all the change, I wanted to challenge myself to find my constant in reading. I have found that books have a way of grounding me. When I read I allow my mind to unwind and let go for a while. Stories serve as a calming metronome refocusing the rhythm of my thoughts. When I watch a show or movie I often leave with a sense of wasted time or increased anxiety, but I never feel like I’ve wasted time when I read. So, amidst moving overseas, settling into a new city, starting a new job, and finding community, I am proud to say I reached my goal.
Top Three of 2015:
1. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
I mean, I wrote a whole blog post about this book. The brutal honesty of this book captivated me. It wasn’t an inspirational backpacking journey of enlightenment; it was a raw walk alongside grief and determination.
2. The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Amanda Palmer
I may be biased on this one because Amanda Palmer is one of my all time favorite artists. Ever. This book was inspired by her Ted Talk, and if you haven’t see it, watch it now. As Amanda says, “There's really no honor in proving that you can carry the entire load on your own shoulders. And...it's lonely.”
3. Secret History / The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Basically I fell in love with Donna Tartt and her long, wonderful stories. I read these books when I first moved into my new apartment and everything was new. I think, perhaps, I loved these books because they were so long. I was able to live with these characters for weeks and get to know them in incredible depth.
Honorable Mention
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott (Lamott has been instrumental in my own spiritual journey with her embrace of imperfection and grace.)
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (Beautifully written. If you want to read about the reality of war, read O’Brien.)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (This is everything you’ve always wanted out of a gothic fantasy novel. Basically, Tim Burton in written form.)
Ready Player One by Earnest Cline (Computer games, spaceships, 1980s, suspense, dystopia, science fiction, and movie references. Even my dad liked this book, so 100% would recommend.)