Recommended books: Winter 2016 | Publication Coach

reading time: about 4 minutes

Are you looking for some recommended books in time to make Christmas gifts? here’s my semi-annual summary, this time of the books I’ve read since June.

You are reading: Books to read this winter 2016

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my goal is to read 52 books every 12 months and my habit is to publish the names of them twice a year. Last June, I told you about the 25 titles I had read up to that point. Now, here is a description of the other 28 books that I have enjoyed in the rest of my reading year. yes, I actually read more than one book a week. I’m giving you this list in early December to help you with your Christmas gift book shopping plans or for your own Christmas reading.

I name the books I really liked in the “recommended” parts of the list. the books I didn’t really enjoy (remember: reading is personal) I put in the “other” list. keep in mind that I don’t generally read mysteries/thrillers (although there is one here this time), sci-fi, or fantasy. I don’t judge those who do; my tastes just don’t go in that direction.

recommended fiction (in order of preference)

1. smith, dominic.sara de vos’s last painting. This compelling story of an illegally copied painting, told across generations and continents, offers a riveting plot with very fine, layered writing. Easily the best novel I’ve read this year. (detail of the cover, in the photo above).
2. donoghue, emma.the marvel: a novel. Based on the true story of a young Irish girl who stopped eating, shortly after the potato famine, this fictional account of the nurse who is paid to watch the girl is gripping and sad. donoghue is a very observant writer who also has a fantastic ear for dialogue.
3. lee, jonathan.high dive: a novel. a novel based on a 1984 true story Brighton bomb attack on Margaret Thatcher. excellent story told with beautiful writing. almost impossible to believe that this is the author’s first novel. how smart!
4. baume, sara. spill, simmer, wobble, wilt. I like cats, not dogs, but I couldn’t stop telling this exquisitely told story of a (troubled) man and his one-eyed dog. He had some of the best figurative language I’ve come across this year.
5. Hello, Elizabeth. a meteorology student. the story of two sisters in a small town in Saskatchewan and a man who enters their lives. beautifully written with a riveting plot.
6. cline, emma. the girls: a novel. this author really knows how to write and the plot, based on the murders of charles manson (with names changed), was interesting enough, but something in the book didn’t quite work for me all. .
7. danler, stephanie. sweet bitter. this woman writes like a dream but plots like a nightmare, although i was interested in the story: life in a high-end restaurant in new york. so much great writing in the service of such an unconvincing little story.
8. terrible, michael.the remains. I read this novel while in Newfoundland, where the book is partly set. It also takes place in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II. crummy is an excellent writer, but i thought the plot was a bit over the top.
9. alexis, andre.fifteen dogs. the story, about 16 dogs suddenly given human consciousness and speech, didn’t move me, and the writing seemed a bit too distant apart from a very charming segment towards the end. but the book has won many awards.
10. mcewan, ian.a few words. the story of a fetus waiting to be born. Smart idea but maybe too smart, given that her mother and her boyfriend intend to kill someone. spectacularly written but the plot left me yawning.
11. groff, lauren. destinations & Furies. This book tells the story of a marriage, first from the husband’s point of view, then from the wife’s. She’s a good writer, but I especially didn’t enjoy her dialogue, which was too flimsy for me.
12. Theroux, Paul Murder on Mount Holly. an early theroux that I’ve never read before, it’s a very short book, often very funny, but not particularly memorable.

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other fiction

1. form, gayle. let me.
2. parkurst, carolyn. harmony.
3. flynn, gillian. the adult.

non-fiction (in order of preference)

1. szalavitz, maia.intact brain. an incredibly thoughtful and sensitive exploration of how we should understand addiction not as a moral failing or disease, but as a learning disability. wonderfully written by an award winning science writer who used to be a junkie.
2. klaff, pray.throw anything. very well written book with inspiring and useful ideas on how to sell . klaff is a former investment banker who really knows what he’s doing and writes about it in hilarious ways. (I’d love to see one of his performances.)
3. marsh, henry.do no harm. After hearing Marsh interviewed on a Fresh Air podcast, I ran to the library to ask for his book. Both depressing and uplifting, I found his book to offer a very nuanced view of the life of a neurosurgeon and his patients. he’s also a charming writer.
4. martin, steve.born to stand: the life of a comedian. interesting and thoughtful reflections on the merits of hard work versus talent and on the celebrity lives. martin is a fine and clear writer.
5. long, priscilla. the writer’s portable mentor. If you’re a writer looking for a gift, for yourself or someone you love, you can’t go wrong with this wonderfully thoughtful and helpful companion. the book is remarkably useful, particularly for its well-selected excerpts.
6. scamvougeras, anton. disconnected. This unusual paperback coffee table book features black and white artwork, interspersed with quotes, from H.G. Wells to Pope Francis, reflecting on how the use of smartphones is negatively affecting our lives. very well done.
7. rosa, daniel. selling is human. some interesting and useful ideas here, but not as well written as it should be. i’m kind of surprised by all the fuss that’s been made about this author.
8. bailey, chris.the productivity project. I’m a productivity fanatic who found this book a bit disappointing because the writing was so-so (there weren’t enough stories) and because it was difficult to understand his advice and make it practical. which, he said, offers a great perspective on the difference between time and energy + attention.
9. steinem, gloria. my life on the road. this memoir recounts the life of gloria steinem through the lens of his many, many travels. She’s an interesting woman, but I was surprised by her writing style, which I found mediocre.
10. jiang, jia.rejection test. a pretty good non-fiction book about a guy that he was working in a fortune 500 company but had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. however, doubts plagued him, so he decided to embark on a “100 days of rejection” experiment.
11. cuddy, amy. presence. I have long been a fan of Amy Cuddy, the person who demonstrated in her lab how standing like Wonder Woman for two minutes can improve her performance in job interviews and public presentations. Unfortunately, her book does not allow her ideas to shine. maybe you better watch her ted talk about her.
12. schoemperlen, diane.This is not my life. Some women date bad men. others date convicted murderers. this memory offers one of those cases. moderately well written but the writer’s profound lack of insight amazed me.
13. moxley, mitch.apologies to my censor. the story of a canadian reporter working in china for three years . he seemed a bit self-indulgent. plus, he needed a much better editor.

What have been your favorite books of the year? We can all learn from each other, so please share your thoughts with my readers and me in the “comments” section below. and congratulations to gaye lindfors, this month’s book award winner, make what you say pay by ann miller for a nov. 22 comments on my blog. anyone who comments on today’s post (or any other) before December 1st. on 16/31 a copy of fifteen dogs will be raffled, by andre alexis. To leave your own comment, scroll down to the section directly below the “related posts” links below. Please note that you do not have to join commenting software to post. see here for information on how to post as a guest.

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