One of my favorite
past times is reading. Most nights, as soon as I get the kids in bed, I
climb into my own bed with a book. It’s really my best way to unwind, relax and yes…
escape to somewhere else for a little while. I’m fortunate to have a couple of
friends that are great readers and also to be part of a book class. This is the
way I get my recommendations for great reads - which I always hugely
appreciate. Here are a few of my current favorites, in case you have some extra
time this winter to curl up with a good book:
Family Matters - By Rohinton Mistry
This one was
written in 2002 but is one of my all time favorites and a gift I’ve given to a
couple of my friends. Set in Bombay, Mistry’s novel tells the story of Nariman
Vakeel, a retired professor of English literature gradually deteriorating from
Parkinson’s disease, and his children who take turns looking after him. It portrays the effects of religious bigotry and rigid
traditionalism through generations of a family. The
family relationships in this story are difficult but incredibly rich. There’s
definitely opportunity to learn about yourself or your own family in this book
and the language is rich and beautiful. If you have never read Mistry, this
book is a great introduction to his work!
The
Kitchen House - By Kathleen Grissom
This was a really
interesting read that really drew me into the vivid lives of the characters.
The story centers around Lavinia, a seven-year-old girl who comes to a Virginia
plantation as an indentured servant in the 1790s. Lavinia is an Irish
immigrant whose parents died during the ship voyage. She’s adopted by the
family of slaves that work in the Big House and in the Kitchen House. It’s
very descriptive of the home life of the slaves and the white family on the
plantation and allows you a sense that you’re there with them. The book is at
times troubling and violent, but all with a purpose.
Clara
Callan - By Richard B. Wright
This book and its
Canadian author are not as well known in the States as they should be and I
look forward to reading more of his writing. Clara Callan is the story of two sisters in
the 1930s. Clara, the central character, lives and teaches school in a small
Ontario town. Her younger sister Nora has moved to NYC, where she's a
successful radio star. The story is told through letters that they exchange
over the years as they try to find their place in the complex social
expectations for women at that time. It’s
a wonderful evocation of both place and time and besides being an all
around great read, it made me grateful that I was born in this era!
The
Language of Flowers – By Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Victorian
language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for
devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, the
lauguage of flowers has been more useful for communicating grief, mistrust, and
solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to
get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers
and their meanings. This book is beautifully written and will make you put a
bit more thought into buying flowers for someone or for your home.
I’d love to know
your current favorites so leave a comment below!
Thanks,
-- Jill
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