It's that time of year! This is the third installment of the TWELVE BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS. Typically this post comes on a bit earlier during the twelve days after Christmas, but the Parker household has been full of activity this season. We all want to wish you the very best of seasons. May the new year be full of happiness, cheer, and love.
And now for the countdown.....
1. The Obsession by Nora Roberts. Naomi Bowes knows what it is like to learn about family secrets. Her father had plenty of secrets until Naomi stumbled upon them. Now she has another name, and is living far away from those nightmares - or is she? This book was recommended by Andrea Hess. The book had her hooked from page one...
2. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt.
"This book is about why it’s so hard for us to get along. We are indeed all stuck here for a while, so let’s at least do what we can to understand why we are so easily divided into hostile groups, . . Politics and religion are both expressions of our underlying moral psychology, and an understanding of that psychology can help to bring people together...." The author is a psychologist and studies Morals. This book explains why everyone does not have the same opinion on, well, most things. This book was recommended by my former student, Kelly Castetter, who found it helped understand human nature during an especially difficult election year.
3. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. Some of you may have read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. If you have, you know the book contains dark subject matter. Dark Places is no different. Libby Day was seven when her sisters and her mother were murdered. Libby testifies that her brother Ben is the killer. Many years later, a group approaches Libby to get more information about the famous crime. Libby agrees to become involved - for a fee- and she finds out more than she bargained for. This was recommended by Shea Rafferty, a former student and colleague.
4. Kathy Griffin's Celebrity Run Ins: My A-Z Index, by Kathy Griffin. Who doesn't like gossip? If you don't, then this book is not for you. If you love to hear stories about Hollywood types and their lives, then you will love this book. Kathy Griffin is a comedienne and is known for her standup comedy. This book was recommended by Michael Weaver, who states that the stories are true, and Griffin is a riot.
5. The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. David Ponder is down on his luck. He has been given the opportunity to visit several people from history and learn lessons from them. He realizes these are Seven Decisions for Success. If your life needs a boost, then this book might be beneficial to you. This was recommended by my former (across the street) neighbor, Elizabeth Carlson.
6. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. Friends are so important in our lives. As we go through our school years, we especially are impacted by those friendships. Sometimes those friendships shape who we are, and who we become. Sometimes those friendships last for a lifetime. Tully and Kate meet in 8th grade, and they become fast friends. This book spans their three decade friendship and explores how we are hurt and heal one another. This book was recommended by a high school friend, Ellen Paris.
7. But What if We're Wrong? Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past by Chuck Klosterman. In the words of my former student, Donna Bailey, "This book attempts to view the current times through the lens of someone a few hundred years in the future. It's full of thought experiments that challenge a number of "commonly accepted" views (ie how long until team sports die out? Who will be remembered as the greatest author/musician/TV personality of our era? What scientific truth that we "know" to be true now will be proven false?) These lines of thinking touch on a number of philosophical questions as well, which one might recognize in other forms. The book is a thoughtful read without being overly intellectual and difficult to read." It's on my reading list.
8. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Life is much easier for Wade if he stays in the virtual world of gaming. Wade studies puzzles. The creator of the puzzles offers fame and power to anyone who can unlock their clues. However, there are others who want to unlock the secrets, and they are willing to kill for the knowledge. This book was recommended by a high school friend, Mecheal Boen. This book is also on the Rosie list.
9. The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells by Andrew Sean Greer. Greta's twin brother has died, and she and her long time lover have broken up. To help her deal with the depression, she undergoes a radical treatment which ends up transporting her to the years 1918 and 1941. She sees how each of her lives differs, and realizes that she has some control over the outcome. What will her choice be?
This book was recommended by a high school friend who is still one of my great friends, Sue Folley.
10. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Theo Decker becomes an orphan at thirteen, and he is taken in by a wealthy family. He ends up clinging to one item that reminds him of his mother, a small painting. I have heard from many people that this isn't an easy book to read. It was recommended by a friend, Pat Clark, and this is what she had to say about it. "A bit troubling, and I sometimes considered not finishing, but glad I did."
Are you up to the challenge?
11. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Ove is a curmudgeon. He dislikes all of his neighbors and doesn't understand why people can't follow routines and have strict principles. When the new neighbors move in, Ove learns to open his heart and mind and make changes within himself. This book is another recommendation by Pat Clark.
12. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. "This story uses fantasy to help the reader understand coming of age, see the sadness and secrets within a family, and learn to embrace what makes a person different." This book was recommended by Sadie May Moulton who is a former student.
Do you have more than twelve days for your Christmas?
Here are three more books recommended by former student, Brittany Adkins.
Here are three more books recommended by former student, Brittany Adkins.
The Light of the Fireflies by Paul Pen.
The Ghosts of Tullybrae House by Veronica Bale
Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchinson
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
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