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Oh my goodness, the ladies at The Broke and the Bookish have given quite the challenge this week! They've asked for your top ten books in the last three years. I've been working on this for weeks, but I'm going to top out at nine. Choosing that tenth book is impossible. It's, literally, a 14-way tie. The top nine, however, didn't give me much trouble at all.
Laura Hillenbrand is at the top of my list of phenomenal writers. Seabiscuit is my favorite read of the last three years, and might be my favorite read of all time. (Perhaps tied with Pride and Prejudice.) And it's sacrilege to not list Unbroken.
One of my favorite writers, Michael Perry, grew up not far from where I did, and his characters are my people. We went to the same university, and our paths crossed through the years when we gave readings together (I read my poetry, he read his nonfiction and humor pieces). His books are full of down-to-earth people, humor, and heart. Plus, brilliant writing.
Two of my favorite biographies of the past few years are Elizabeth the Queen and Destiny of the Republic. Both are wonderful in every way.
I love reading about history, and I especially enjoy books that take one episode of history and expand it into a big juicy book. My two favorite recent history reads are In the Kingdom of Ice and One Summer: America, 1927. I loved every moment of both.
And my favorite novel of the past three years was my re-read of To Kill a Mockingbird (read before the recent "new novel" bombshell, I might add). I really can't imagine a better work of fiction.
What are your favorite reads of the last three years?
Wow, great choices -- ALL of them. So glad you chose Destiny of the Republic -- a wonderful book that I think has been overlooked. And I adore Michael Perry's writing. I got to sit next to him at a luncheon at Winter Institute last year and he was delightful. I think he has a new book coming out soon?
ReplyDeleteOh, I hadn't heard about a new Mike Perry book! I still need to read his children's book, but I'm ready for another adult one.
DeleteI just adore Destiny of the Republic. Any author that can make history come to life like Millard did is tops in my book. Her The River of Doubt is on my TBR.
I don't read a lot of non fiction, it always seems to put me to sleep, but a biography is a different story. Since I love HF, biographies give me details about a person and place that fiction doesn't.
ReplyDeleteHad I known about memoirs and biographies (and non-fiction in general) as a child and teen, I would have become a reader much earlier. I still remember the revelation I had when I stumbled upon "Madame Curie" late in high school. From then on, I was hooked on "real" stories. Like you, I enjoy the details of a well-researched biography.
DeleteFiction too often is just too unlike human life, too unpredictable (or worse, predictable), to interest me. But once in awhile, I find a novel that blows me away. I know I'm in the vast minority there.
Great list! I still haven't read Unbroken, but I really need to. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you do. :) It made my stomach turn, but it's worth it in the end. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it sure got snubbed by the awards.
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