Two months ago now I asked for MillersTime readers to send in a favorite read that you had since the beginning of 2020 (and a favorite listen if you listen to books on tape/audible). Thirty-seven of you responded, and the result was Favorite Reads in Time of Self-Isolation, April 2020.
Now let’s do that again.
- Here’s the drill this time: From either the last two months or, if you wish, going back to Jan. 1, pick TWO favorite reads (and up to TWO favorite listens) to share with each other. These should be different ones from any you sent in previously.
- Send me the title, author, and whether the book is fiction (F) or nonfiction (NF).
- Write just three sentences about each favorite read or listens so others may know more than just the title.
- Send me your contributions over the next week, by May 25th, so I can compile them and post them at the beginning of June. Use my email (Samesty84@gmail.com) to convey your two choices.
Please follow these few instructions as it makes my job of compiling the list easier. If you only have one book or one listen, that’s fine too.
Nancy Cedar Wilson said:
I just finished Louise Erdrich’s latest: The NightWatchman–based on her grandfather’s journals concerning his battle to save the Tribal Rights of the Chippewa Indians in Minnesota, when they were under attack–led by a self-righteous Mormon Senator in the ’50’s. She develops a fascinating cast of characters, well drawn and believable-
It’s great read, filled with mystical Indian lore –I highly recommend this book!
The second book I liked, tho not quite as much, was Isabel Allende’s-A Long Petal of The Sea–another book of fiction based on actual historical events–the Spanish Revolution and the more recent, too brief, Chilean Revolution The whole recording of human aspirations turned into war and dashed hopes of social change, as seen through the eyes and lives of a few memorable characters. It was a rewarding read too!
Carrie said:
My first recommendation is Born a Crime by TREVOR NOAH. This is a true story of his growing up in Africa. He is a wonderful comedian
Second book is Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family.This was written by Robert Kolker. True story of a family and the research which was done on Schizophrenia
John Dietsch said:
Highly recommend Michael Beschloss’s Presidents of War, an excellent and wonderfully written study of the use and expansion of presidential power. Who knew that presidential overreach began with the otherwise undistinguished James K. Polk? And guess who was the son of Capt. George Morison, leader of US naval forces during the Gulf of Tonkin incident?
Also recommend The Spies of Warsaw or any of Alan Furst’s spy novels set in Europe on the eve of World War II. Furst fills his books with attractive characters in murky situations. He has a mordant sense of humor and like his mentor, Georges Simenon, can really describe a meal!
Romana Campos said:
One of my favorite recent reads is “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens (F). It’s about a young girl growing up in isolation in the marshes off the coast of North Carolina. She learns to survive by observing how the wildlife survive and she is seen as an outcast and odd girl, although a natural beauty, so she catches the eye of several men and that’s where the plot thickens. I read this while on vacation in Costa Rica and I could hardly put it down.
The other book I just read is called: Nature’s Best Hope: A new approach to Conservation that starts in your yard.” by Douglas Tallamy (NF).
Basic premise of the book: the combined acreage of the National Parks totals about 20 Million; our combined lawns take up 40 million acres; why not convert lawns to conservation corridors and wildlife habitats? It’s so easy to be pessimistic about climate change and our declining ecosystem. There are some practical things we can do and Chapters 10 and 11 have lots of good details and suggestions. Right now, this is the best book, in my humble opinion (as a Master Naturalist and Tree Steward), of practical conservation that’s doable.
Phoebe Goodman said:
The Goldfinch. The movie was awful – the book was great!
Also Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – although this one is heavy (they both are) so perhaps wait till things don’t feel so grim.
Phoebe Goodman said:
Sorry I didn’t follow the rules of the submissions. I didn’t read them till after I offered 2 quick sentences on books I’ve liked.
Ben Shute said:
These Truths by Jill Lepore (NF). Still working my way through it – it’s long and for some reason my reading time seems limited – but it’s the history of our country that we need now, and she writes engagingly. I’m rapidly becoming a Jill Lepore groupie – I don’t know where she gets the time (professor of History at Harvard, New Yorker staff writer, and now even a podcast!)
Maid, by Stephanie Land (NF) – at a time when we’re understanding “essential workers” in new ways, and discovering all the tears in the safety net, this account of the life and struggles of a “cleaning lady” is sobering.