One of my favorite end-of-the-year traditions is all the “Best of” lists that come out in December. With no further ado, here is my list of the 13 best books I read in 2013.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
I normally don’t read war books, but this one was absolutely fascinating. Olympian Louis Zamperini crash lands in the Pacific while serving in WWII, and the events that happen next would be unbelievable if this weren’t a true story. Truly a testament to the human ability to endure and survive.
*****
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
I loved the premise of this book ~ a slowing of the earth’s rotation leads to ever-lengthening days, until “nighttime” and “daytime” each last over 48 hours. While the coming-of-age story for the 11-year-old narrator is touching, I found the parts about how people tried to adapt to the long periods of sun and darkness to be the most intruiging and thought-provoking parts of the book.
*****
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
I’ve written so much about this book. It’s about vulnerability and courage and authenticity and teaching and parenting and living wholeheartedly… and it’s just awesome. So read it, okay?
*****
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
I would love to be able to work the English language the way Tartt does. “It would have been better if she had lived,” says narrator Theo, about his mother who died in a terrorist attack when he was 12. This book is a coming-of-age story, at once tragic and inspiring, and takes us to New York City, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, and the world of lost youth, and arts and antiquities dealers, and the criminal underworld. It’s almost 800 pages, but I could not put it down. A heart-breaking story told beautifully.
*****
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Harold Fry decides to walk the entire journey from southern England to Scotland to visit an old friend who is dying. The reflections on his life, the musings of his monkey mind, and his observations about actually seeing the world as he’s slowing down and simply walking are beautiful.
*****
Quiet by Susan Cain
Being introverted is not the same as being shy. I learned that and so much more from this book. It made me think differently about the quiet students in my classroom. It helped me understand myself and my daughter better.
*****
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
I read this for a teacher book group this summer, and found it fascinating as both a teacher and a parent. It is very readable, about the latest research on what truly makes children succeed (things like grit, character, curiosity, perseverance, and self-control) and what teachers, parents, and policy-makers can do about it.
*****
Devotion by Dani Shapiro
I adored this book. Shapiro describes herself as a “yogi, a tentative Buddhist, a meditator, a mom searching for meaning.” This memoir of motherhood and spiritual searching is full of gems about living mindfully and finding the sacred in the every day. My copy is marked up and highlighted, and I return to it frequently.
*****
Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton
I just discovered Momastery recently, and I loved reading Doyle Melton’s collection of essays, especially “Namaste” (about seeing the Divine in everyone), “Don’t Carpe Diem” (on not enjoying every single minute of parenthood), and “A Mountain I’m Willing to Die On” (about religious toleration). A quick, but deeply satisfying, read.
*****
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
For someone who doesn’t read war books, I read several this year! This is a work of fiction, based on Marlantes’ real-life experience as a marine in Vietnam. I could not put this one down ~ it made me think deeply about what the 18- and 19-year-old kids, yes, kids experience when we send them into war. {I also recommend Marlantes’ nonfiction work, What It Is Like to Go to War}.
Children’s Books
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My daughter and I loved this book about the gorilla Ivan, who lives in an animal exhibit in a mall, and observes the behavior of humans with the insight of a Buddha.
*****
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
This book is funny for kids and parents ~ little interrupting chicken just can’t sit through a whole story, and has to warn Chicken Little and Little Red Riding Hood about the ending of their stories. Lots of bedtime laughs!
*****
Older Than the Stars by Karen C. Fox
This is a lovely picture book, written in a poetry-like style, that tells the history of the universe beginning with the Big Bang. And ends with stardust.
Honorable Mention
Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple
I’m listing this as an honorable mention because I haven’t finished it yet, but it is a fun and fast read. Bee’s mother Bernadette disappears a few days before Christmas, and Bee pours through the emails, doctor reports, and other evidence to try to figure out what happened. I love the approach of telling the story through documents as we gradually learn more about Bernadette’s life.
*****
What were your favorite reads of 2013?
- A Mindful Approach to New Year’s Resolutions - January 13, 2020
- Just This Next Step - December 16, 2019
- WAIT: A Mindfulness Practice for Waiting in Line - December 9, 2019
