As this month winds down, I'd like to share some of my favorite things from 2012—things that range from music to books to tastes to those little moments that have stuck with me. Today it's all about books.
I didn't read nearly as much as I wanted to in 2012—the samples of books I've downloaded to my iPad but never purchased always stare at me judgingly when I open the bookstore app. Sadness.
But that said, I really enjoyed what I did read: Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, for example, or Julia Child's My Life in France, which I know has been out for years but which I raced through for the first time in November and loved (what a great reminder that pursuing your passion can truly pay off). Even Gone Girl, whose ending I found really disappointing, was engaging.
My favorite book of 2012 sneaked in under the wire, though, and it is The Art of Fielding, by Chad Harbach. Confession: I actually started reading this book a few months ago and put it down; I guess I wasn't in the right head space to commit to it (does that ever happen to you?). But I picked it back up again and loved it. It's about baseball, yes, but it's also about what happens when you're just about to achieve your dreams, just about to get everything you ever wanted or worked hard for—and then suddenly find it all out of reach and have to figure out what to do, either temporarily or permanently. Certainly something we can all relate to.
I was worried about needing to know a lot about baseball when I started this book, because I don't—but I didn't have to; though I'm sure there are some nuances I missed that an avid fan wouldn't've, I never felt lost or like I didn't understand what was going on. That's due, in great part, to Harbach's writing: It's simple and straightforward, and it makes you feel like you're part of what's going on and emotionally invested in the story without getting too wrapped up in its sentences. I loved it. I loved this book. You should absolutely read it.
What was your favorite book of the year?
P.S. My favorite album of 2012...
Photo
Yep - this was one of my favorites too! I'll have to look back through my list and see if it's at the tippy-top. :-) Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? It's a tear-jerker, but man is it good. Also loved A Visit from the Goon Squad, and Pulphead Essays.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have not read The Fault in Our Stars but it's going on the list immediately. I'm currently reading This is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper, and really loving it. Next up is Zadie Smith's NW, I think. Hooray for books!
DeleteI have heard such good things about this book. I might just have to buy it.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture too.
I have read so much more since I joined the book club, but a couple of books i've really enjoyed outside of that have been 'the homecoming of samuel lake' and 'mudbound'. I am not sure if they are new books but I loved them.
If you're looking for 2013 book ideas, our latest reading list is here http://www.ohgoshem.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/a-year-of-reading.html - its a mix of oldies and newish books! x
Thanks, Em! Definitely going to check out that list. xoxo
DeleteOooh, yay, books! Some months I hardly have time to read at all. Other months, like this one, I've read three books in two weeks. Going off memory, I'd say that Cheryl Strayed's Wild, Deborah Feldman's Unorthodox, and John Green's The Fault In Our Stars are among my top picks. If I think of some more, I'll be back... ; )
ReplyDeleteOK, so two people have now mentioned The Fault in Our Stars in this post's comments alone--definitely going to have to look into that one! Thanks, A.!
DeleteI just though I'd add in a couple more books that came to mind today: Little Bee by Chris Cleave and also The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer.
DeleteI really liked the book. It surprised me. Some parts I wished were different, but mostly I just loved it. My favorite part of the story is the utter despair that occurred when the one thing Henry thought he was about was gone. It was written so well, that you could just feel his anguish. I love that kind of writing. xoxo
ReplyDelete