Books, the stories they weave and realities they create are magical. I read an awful lot of what I would call “fluff” books after Brian’s passing, but those fluff stories were one of the few ways I could dive into a happier reality. Sprinkled between the light reading, however, lay some true gems.

Below are a few of my favorite books from the 84* I read and listened to this year. (*as of Dec. 27)

As always, you can see my full year of reading, as well as my ever-growing to-read list, on my Goodreads profile.

Horse
By Geraldine Brooks

This is hooves down one of the best books I’ve read ever. Period. The author did a great job of telling Lexington and Jarret’s story in the past and Jess and Theo’s story present-day and how it all intertwined. Jarret’s character was admirable and compelling and I loved seeing his growth, abilities and ever-present kindness in the face of slavery in the deep south. As a former equestrian myself, I also loved reading of the bond between Jarret and Lexington.

Art was also a huge part of this book, from when an artist painted Lexington multiple times, to the 1950s when an art dealer in NYC came across the portrait, to present day when Theo discovered the long-neglected piece, which eventually leads him to Jess at the Smithsonian. In a small-world moment, Jess is examing the bones of a long-forgotten equine skeleton–Lexington. The novel described how much information scientists can glean from bones and CT scans. I didn’t know any of that and it’s just fascinating what we can learn about the past through modern technology.

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
By Caitlin Alifirenka

My niece read this a couple summers ago for a school assignment, and my sister-in-law and mother-in-law read it soon after. I finally picked it up to read it for myself. It is a beautiful, touching story about friendship, family and the worlds it can span and hurdles it can overcome. Philadelphia-area middle schooler Caitlin writes to Martin, a student in Zimbabwe, as part of a school penpal assignment. The two forge a close friendship over years of writing letters and as Martin shares about his poverty and his dreams of pursuing higher education in America, Caitlin and her family not only helped Martin realize his goals, but also helped his entire family.

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women
By Kate Moore

This was such a good book. I listened to the audiobook because I needed an immediately available audiobook and am so glad I picked this. I had no idea about the history of the radium girls, the horrifying illnesses they went through and the ultimate impact on today’s workplace safety and current scientific knowledge. Their stories were told factually, compellingly, with care and really gave life to these remarkable women.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By Bessel van der Kolk

I started this book earlier this year, then picked it back up again recently to finish. It’s a really interesting and well-researched study of the physical and mental impacts of trauma. Even emotional trauma has profound physical impacts, as I’m learning and experiencing firsthand. It was a lot to digest and a book I’ll likely return to down the line and re-read. I hope he might write a follow up or addendum to this book with updates of research since its initial publication.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9)
By Diana Gabaldon

The Outlander series is one of my favorite series. Gabaldon created an entire family of compelling characters and every time I finish one of her books I actually feel rather melancholy the Frasers aren’t close friends of mine. (Or even real people.) This wasn’t my favorite book of the series; the older Jamie and Clare get and the more their family expands and with it their storylines, the less the book focuses on Jamie and Clare. That said, it’s still a wonderful, engaging storyline and I can’t wait for the next book in the series, which I think might be the final or penultimate one. Starz translated the series into a TV series, which is definitely worth watching again and again, too.

In the Likely Event
By Rebecca Yarros

This was a romantic story, which I usually enjoy but don’t usually make my list of top reads. Two strangers are immediately thrown together (literally) when their plane crashes moments after takeoff. Life tears them apart, then reunites them in the most unexpected of places.

The Book Spy
By Alan Hlad

I gravitate toward World War II historical fiction books and I thought this one was exceptional. It was inspired by the true events of librarian spies, who microfilmed Axis papers and other publications to help the Allied cause. This particular book chronicled the fictional Maria who ends up befriending and working with a Portguese bookstore owner, who also helps Jewish refugees with forged documents. The story of these two individuals and their efforts, and knowing so much of this is based on real people, was very much worth the read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures
By Shelby Van Pelt

This book was such a pleasant surprise. I find octopuses to be unendingly creepy, which turned me away from this book for a long time, but after a lengthy wait to borrow the audiobook it popped up as ready to listen and I figured I’d give it a try. The narrators were fantastic–especially Marcellus, who was delightfully witty–and I really enjoyed the sweet, family-oriented storyline.

Guiding Your Child Through Grief
By James P. Emswiler

Oh how I hope no one ever has to read this book. How I wish this book never needed to be written. Guiding your child through grief is gut-wrenching. This book did a good job of explaining how kids process and express grief at all ages, even babies. It mentions how their grief matures and develops along with them and how they’ll experience grief in new ways as they get older. The author shares actionable ways to help children. Learn more about children and grief from my recent blog post about Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

The Last Green Valley
By Mark Sullivan

I was excited to read this book after enjoying “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” so much. Mark Sullivan doesn’t disappoint; he finds remarkable historical stories and crafts really compelling historical fiction novels that remain true to the characters. He researches thoroughly and cares deeply about recreating their stories and writing character depth that shows the true colors of the people that actually existed and lived through these events.

The Hot Young Widows Club: Lessons on Grief from the Front Lines of Grief
By Nora McInery

Terrible title aside, this was one of the first books I read related to grief and widowhood. It’s hard to find books from young widows with young kids and I appreciated reading the perspective, insights and honesty of one who has been where I am.

The below excerpt from Nora’s TED Talk about grief is excellent. Please take four minutes out of your day to watch this. Her perspective is spot on. Her words are those I wish everyone knew. Words I want to force in front of everyone’s face who asks me how I am and if I dare tell the truth (“bad”), then have the audacity to truly seem shocked that I’m still–and likely will remain for some time–in a phase of grief that gets harder nearly every single day.

Pachinko
By Min Jin Lee

I listened to this book and really enjoyed reading the journey of one family through several generations. The relationships–between sisters, between husband and wife, between parents and children and more–were all dynamic and real-life. I also appreciated learning more about the Korean and Japanese cultures and how those influence family dynamics.

This Place of Wonder
By Barbara O’Neal

Barbara O’Neal is becoming a go-to author; I also really loved “When We Believed in Mermaids.” She crafts wonderful characters with compelling stories that intertwine beautifully. This book was told from the perspective of three women, all drastically different on the surface, but really very alike when you dove down a bit more. Each woman had her strengths, weaknesses and was very real. They all grew through the course of the story and banded together beautifully to confront death, loss, disease, traumatic pasts and more. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: An Introvert’s Year of Living Dangerously
By Jessica Pan

The title alone makes me laugh and I can so relate–I often don’t want to go places because it feels so overwhelming as an introvert. Although I can’t imagine personally embarking on a journey like the author did (even the thought of doing stand up improv makes me nearly melt), the book was an inspiration to get out of my comfort zone, go more into deep talk, be bolder with meeting and engaging with new people and try to expand my circles. I listened to it and the author narrating it really added character. 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
By Gabrielle Zevin

This was a beautiful story following a friendship through decades. “It’s rare to find a true collaborator in life” was one of the quotes that stuck with me. This sentiment was illustrated well through the course of this novel and holds so much truth in real life. The author did a nice job developing the storyline and depth of character, especially in Sam and Sadie. She also made a topic that I have little interest in (video game development) extremely interesting and fun to read about. I appreciated the realness and rawness of the characters.

The Invisible String
By Patrice Karst

Although marketed as a children’s book, this book is helpful for anyone experiencing grief. We are always connected to those we love, whether on Earth or in heaven. Landon and I talked about the invisible string with some regularity. “Can you feel it tugging on your heart?” I ask him. He replies in the affirmative and then turns the same question on me. Yes, always. Walking in the woods. A quiet moment at home. The first sip of a single-origin coffee he would’ve loved. We are always connected.

---

Honorable Mentions

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard By Tom Felton

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot By Marianne Cronin

I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Death of a Loved One By Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair

One True Loves By Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Gifts of Imperfection By Brene Brown

The Bridgerton Series By Julia Quinn

Want more? Check out Laurie’s Reading Recommendations from the past several years.