I love to read and write. For as long as I can remember, I've always shown a passion for both. I quickly recall riding in the car with my mother in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and reading the newspaper at the age of 6, when she'd come and visit my sister and I, and she jokingly stated that I had no idea of what it were that I was reading. Then she asked me to comprehend the sports article. So I did. And, til this day, we both share laughter over that unforgettable moment.
The following are a list of ten of my favorite reads this year. I've read many more, but these are the ones which stood out in my mind. Some, I've digested over and over again. I'm quick to pick up a book and, if the storyline is interesting, read from beginning to end.
- Leaving Atlanta - Tayari Jones
- Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini
- The Horse Whisperer - Nicolas Evans
- Operation Prince Charming - Phyllis Bourne
- The Last Season: A Team In Search of Its Soul - Phil Jackson
- The Confession - John Grisham
- The Litigators - John Grisham
- Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance - Barack Obama
- The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien
- The Final Prophecies of Nostradamus - Erika Cheetam
17 comments:
I will have 2 check some of these out thanks 4 sharing :)
Leaving Atlanta is i think Tayari Jones' Tour-de-Force
We were definitely on the same vibe. I'm getting myself ready for the new year and the book clubs that I will be involved in. My kids are participating in a few next year themselves. My 11 year old boys goal for this year is 45 books! I'm speechless and so proud. Will be cheering him on as he does it.
Dreams From My Father will be added and Leaving Atlanta looks interesting.
Thanks for sharing my list, Don :-)
I'm really gonna have to check out the synopsis on some of these books you listed because most I haven't heard of.
I am a lover of Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist), and anything James Patterson. Gonna have to see what you delving into.
Thanks for sharing this list. Tayari Jones is one of my new favorite. Can you imagine, I found her via Twitter.
Hmmmm... I need to read more. I've only read ONE of those books on your list. I feel so uncultured. lol!
aaaahhh, if only reading were still a part of my regular life. its been a hot minute since i've read anything other than a textbook, a newspaper or a blog, smh. The last thing i remember reading was The Thing Around Your Neck and that almost a year ago.
Wow, this was a bad year for me and reading. I've bought a bunch of books that are just sitting on the self unread. And I probably have a dozen books on my Amazon wish list.
I'm going to check out Leaving Atlanta.
I love to read too, lost my mojo most of the year, but i've got it back now... doing a lot of catching up now.
i read The Litigators - and i loved it, I've not been convinced enough to walk out of the book store with the confession.
Great list Don. I'm familiar with most, but not all. After taking one class with Tayari as my instructor, she's my BFF in my head! *LOL* Make sure you pick up her latest novel, Silver Sparrow. That's on my list of best reads for 2011.
Hi Don,
Tayari Jones is one author I'm looking forward to reading in 2012. Have heard she's pretty good. Gave Dreams From My Father to my son for Christmas (one of several presents). He used to be an avid reader. i'm hoping Dreams would re-ignite that spark. If you've read any African books that took your fancy in 2011, please share at
http://aduraojo.blogspot.com
Happy New Year to you and yours.
I've read 4 out of your list - Tayari Jones, John Grisham and Barack Obama. Great books indeed.
Happy New Year in advance.
Some good choices. I dont have a reading list (except learning French, and Farsi-language books) but I need to make a list as well.
I did read Dreams from my father.
@daij Yes. Your blog inspired me to purchase the book, and it was a great read.
@MyneWhitman I didn't know what to expect what Tayari, but it was a compelling read. Grisham is a master, I'd read anything he writes. Happy 2012 to you as well.
@adura Happy New Years to you as well. I believe it's a good thing for you to give your son Obama's book. I wished I'd read these types of books as a child, myself. I will make a note of everything African-American I've read. Off top, The Souls of Black Folk and Bluest Eye come to mind. I found out about Tayari on Twitter and couldn't believe she tweeted me back.
@mrstdj I am definitely planning on reading the novel. All I needed was a solid co-signer, and you just provided the interest. Good stuff @ as your instructor.
@FantasyQueen Isn't The Litigators such a wonderful read. You'll enjoy The Confession as well. I like Grisham's storytelling ability and the way he brings the storyline home at the book's conclusion.
@Val Same here. I can't tell you how many times I've stood in a bookstore and read the first chapter of a book, no matter the genre, and bought and now it's sitting around the crib, collecting dust.
@LadyNgo I usually read well during the winter months. Not too much of anything to do besides hang around the crib and do as much.
@HisDaughter83 Hey Natasha. Oh. You spend your time reading the most important book of them all - The Holy Bible. And it's admired.
@DrReginia Interesting, I just wrote how I found Jones via Twitter as well. I guess Twitter has its benefits.
@Traci Yes. I already know you're an avid James Patterson fan. You turned me onto him and I have one of his books, but never finished reading him. Coelho's book is a cult classic. You know I'm liable to read anything, so be careful. Lol.
@Lisa You're welcome and Thank You for your list as well. I see some goodies on yours that I will be checking out. Your son sounds like the one, reading all those books. Good luck to him.
@TheMochaPeach Yep. She states that it's her "baby" and she picked a good topic and wrote a strong storyline that gives the book such strong legs to walk upon.
@25champ You're welcome. I believe you will enjoy many of the books listed. Also, let me know if you've read any good sports autobiographies.
I brought Tim O'Brien to my old college to speak about the The Things They Carried. Interesting fellow. Interesting read. Tough for me as war makes me uncomfortable. But the vulnerability of men in combat is illuminating, disconcerting, and humanizing all at the same time.
@neith Once again, we think alike. I'd never believe I'd ever find myself reading such a book. But after it was recommended by someone whose opinion I value tremendously, I read the book and it was (as you stated) an illuminating read.
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