Last year’s book review was published in time for gift shopping.
Perhaps this year’s list can either be used as a “last minute” guide or as a way to use that gift card you received.
One of the first books I purchased in 2024 was a gift I bought myself during my first-ever visit to Fabled Bookshop & Cafe in Waco. Lovely place for book lovers and coffee connoisseurs.
The Narrow Road Between Desires
by Patrick Rothfuss (2023)
Just over 200 pages, this book is an “obsessively re-written” version of ‘The Lightning Tree’ published 10 years earlier in an anthology, according to the author.
Patrick Rothfuss is, by the way, one of my favorite crafters of words.
I would recommend his work, even If all he ever produced was copywriting for the back of cereal boxes. He is that good.
For those familiar with his fantasy tomes, this is an off-shoot story of a day in the life of a trickster character named Bast.
Interacting with Bast is always tricky, and slightly dangerous.
Yet, the children of the village dare to do just that, as there is always the promise of a desirable reward, but only if you make your request very carefully.
One of the children makes a rather reckless demand, and the weaving way it is answered made me alternately nervous and enthralled.
And of course, the story being a “day in the life” of the charming, mischievous character meant that there was much fun to be had along the way.
Ultimately, the satisfying conclusion of this particular quest, for this particular boy, stayed with me for months.
I found myself reading the concluding passages over, and over again, so that the words could soak in deep.
This book is a quick and enjoyable read, but it will touch you in ways that may be hard to shake off.
Like Bast, full of fun, but slightly dangerous.
Too Much and Not Enough: Sacred Thoughts Said Out Loud
by Karen Shock (2023)
I am a Quoirling.
Meaning, an avid reader and reviewer of books released by Quoir Publishing, a boutique publisher owned by authors, for authors.
Quoir Publishing looks for writers “that aren’t afraid to take on the hard questions of faith with brutal honesty, and books that explore the mystery of life without fear.”
This book – and this author – fits the bill superbly.
Karen and I share a troublesome first name, both have the same love/hate relationship with the word “cute,” and we both constantly entertain deep thoughts.
Shock, on the other hand, wrote a book about it – in verse.
(My goodness, I love that last name!)
Done by any other Karen, I would be massively jealous.
Instead, what this author has done is so impressive, I can’t do more than applaud from the sidelines.
Well done, you!
I just may be a fan for life.
If you long to fully embrace questions about life and spirituality, if you are slightly ashamed to look truth and authenticity straight in the eye, then let me encourage you to pick up this book and ingest it cover to cover.
You will be better for it, and it may even inspire a bit of bravery in all of us.
Survive the Night: A Novel
by Riley Sager (2021)
This thriller author was recommended to me by my youngest, and she definitely does not disappoint!
This was my first of his books to read, and it is everything you would ever want in a thriller.
A college student, with an excellent reason for leaving in the middle of the term, meets a stranger through a ride share board.
As they share their stories during the long drive, nagging discrepancies begin to add up to the possibility that this newly-met person may actually be the serial killer that has attacked at least three people on campus.
The dark atmosphere, the twists and turns of both the drive and the plot – it was enjoyable to read, and the ending was completely satisfying.
While I knew there were twists to be revealed, most of them surprised me. I like when that happens.
Riley Sager became a new favorite this year. Enjoy.
The Land of Little Rain
by Mary Austin (originally printed 1903)
Following a lovely weekend visit, my new friend Taylor gave me one of her books saying, “this book is meant to go home with you.”
I must admit, she already knows me well.
At least when it comes to books.
As a child of the ‘70’s, many of my weekend evenings were spent watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom on television. Hosted by Marlin Perkins, the show provided commentary about wildlife encounters, and the natural environment in which they were observed.
Now, picture what that would look like before television, or even before radio.
That is what this book does for the creatures and natural surroundings of the Mojave Dessert.
The book is a series of stories that read more like vignettes, setting the scenes of abundant life that can be found in seemingly desolate places.
From the ants to the coyotes, and even the humans – all the life that finds a way to scratch out an existence that is both remarkable in its ingenuity and intricately beautiful in its simplicity.
This book reminds me of why I enjoy the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe, the photographs of Ansel Adams and the writings of John Muir.
Nature lovers, all.
This is a book meant to be enjoyed over a long, lazy afternoon.
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it
by Chris Voss (2015)
While covering an exhibition this Fall of ‘Classic Wheels’ created in watercolors and 3-D mediums, I received a book recommendation after spending barely five minutes with the artist.
It took several months before a copy became available through my library app, but once reading commenced, I was glued for the next several days.
Normally, I have little patience with the type of self-help books you might find on the bookshelves of a “car” salesman.
This book is different.
Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, the book takes the skills of negotiation to a high-stakes, life-changing level.
More than that, it describes methods that actually work in real-life scenarios, through the hard-learned experiences of the author.
His stories were fascinating.
And I took great delight in how some of the more popular ideas (and buzz words), that make great sense on paper, were flat out rejected because they simply missed the mark in producing even the lowest bar of desired outcomes.
After all, when lives are on the line, splitting the difference to come up with a win-win scenario for both sides is definitely NOT an acceptable option.
Plus, I found myself totally absorbed by the astute understanding of human behavior and motivation presented in the book.
I want more.
Which is probably the best recommendation to give a book.
So, those were the books that made the biggest impact on me this year.
What have you been reading?
