Today was the first sign of snow here in Santa Fe. All day I was dreaming about getting cozy and warm and curling up with book. I love books. This year, I set a goal for myself to make the time to read more. It’s been really great. I’ve been able to read, and finish, a lot of books that have been sitting on my to-read list for far too long.
Whenever I hear of an interesting book, I get on the waitlist for it at the library. It’s great to have a line up of interesting books waiting for me to pick up. I really appreciate receiving book recommendations, so I thought I’d share some of mine here. Here is part one (Jan. - Mar.) of my year in books.
*a note, I’m only including books here that I recommend, which is most of the books that I read. I tend to not finish books that I don’t like. Also, I get most books from the library, libraries are amazing! I also enjoy listening to audio books when I’m working in the studio, which definitely helps me get through more books.
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss - I can’t remember where I found this recommendation, but I stayed up way past my bedtime reading this one cover to cover. Un-put-down-able. So of course as soon as I finished it, I moved onto another Sarah Moss book!
Cold Earth by Sarah Moss - A spooky read, set in Greenland with a team of researchers looking into an old settlement during the Arctic Summer. I like the mystery in her books, as well as how she shows the complicated sides of archaelogy, and digging up the past.
The Witch Elm by Tana French - I loved all of Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad mysteries for their dark complexity. This one is a standalone mystery that is dense and confusing, and very vivid. I will read anything Tana French writes, always.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng - I listened to this as an audio book, and when I think back to the story, I remember walking around listening to this on headphones, feeling as if I was walking around with all of the characters in 1970s Ohio. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to reading Ng’s second book, Little Fires Everywhere.
Melmoth by Sarah Perry - This was a lovely literary horror story. I was going to write that it was delicious, but I’m not quite sure that’s the right word, or that I’m confident enough to say that about a book. It’s scary and lonely and spooky and full of beautiful details.
An Edited Life by Anna Newton - A bit of a twist on Marie Kondo, this one tackles editing closets, dealing with too many emails, and more. I actually found the chapter on money the most helpful. Most things that I read about budgeting have been discouraging and shaming. This book had a way more thoughtful and inclusive approach that I found useful.
Salt Lane by William Shaw - I’m always looking for a good mystery to read before bed, and this was a good one. A rural police procedural with a strong female detective lead, it was throroughly engaging. (If the library had a searchable category for “strong female leads” like Netflix does, I would be all over it!).
Upstream by Mary Oliver - I love Mary Oliver. She has such a way with words. I’m not usually a huge fan of poetry - I find a lot of it difficult to access - but Mary Oliver is like no other for me. I love all of her writing!
There There by Tommy Orange - This one was recommended by everyone, and it didn’t disappoint. I often find multiple narrators challenging to read, but I was engaged the whole way through, and loved the narrative structure. This was a powerful book, and so beautifully crafted.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh - I heard about Otessa Moshfegh on the High Low podcast (my favorite!). They often talk about the books they’re reading, so it’s a great one for recommendations. I really enjoyed this book. Set in the early 2000s, it’s about an aimless protagonist who doesn’t want to do much in NYC. The early 2000s pop culture references and art world critiques were especially awesome.
When All Is Said by Anne Griffin - A tale of a whole life, told in five toasts in one night at a bar. And also a story about how Ireland has changed through the generations. An impressive first novel.
After You by Jojo Moyes and Still Me by Jojo Moyes - I watched Me Before You one night when Sonia was out of town, and definitely cried at the end. The next day, when I was aimlessly scrolling through the Santa Fe Public Library’s audio book selection, the sequel popped up. I never read the first book, but I enjoyed reading both follow up books.
How to Not Always Be Working by Marlee Grace - I’ve been following Marlee Grace on instagram for years, since back in the day when she used to run a art/bookstore and I sent some of my SHE IS RESTLESS zines there. This tiny book focuses on maintaining hobbies, nourishing creativity, and taking time outs. A good reminder. I should probably read this one again soon.
Read 2019 in Books, Part Two, 2019 In Books, Part Three , 2019 In Books, Part Four