Sadly, I read fewer books in 2016 than in years past, and I did not meet my Goodreads challenge of 45 books for 2016. I took up knitting a little over a year ago, and it’s a pastime that has definitely cut into my reading. However, because of knitting, I listened to more audiobooks (13) this past year than ever before. Still, I read/listened to a total of 33 books in 2016, which isn’t too shabby.
Here’s a rundown of my faves:
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins: a restrained, quietly told story about a college student trying to escape family dysfunction, a dying Vietnam vet convicted of a heinous crime, and an unlikely friendship. Suspenseful and moving. Read my review in its entirety here.
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick: historical non-fiction that reads like a novel as only Philbrick can deliver it. This book centers around the whaling industry and way of life for early nineteenth-century Nantucketers, and specifically the destruction of the whaleship Essex and the survival at sea of its crew. Better than the movie; a stand-out adventure/survival story. Read my review in its entirety here.
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling): in this latest installment of the Cormoran Strike crime novels, Det. Cormoran Strike’s trusty assistant is mailed a human leg, setting the duo on a harrowing hunt for a killer. The characters of Robin and Cormoran continue to develop, as does the complicated relationship between them. Each novel in this ongoing series gets better; I’m eagerly awaiting the next one. Read my review in its entirety here.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena: a riveting psychological thriller of the caliber of The Girl On the Train and Gone Girl, this suspenseful novel centers around a young couple who leave their baby unattended and every parent’s worst nightmare becomes a reality: their baby disappears. Lots of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of her seat. Read my review in its entirety here.
Women Beyond Belief by Karen Garst: an anthology of personal essays written by women from all backgrounds and walks of life who have left religion in favor of personal discovery and liberation. This book is a study of how religion has always, and continues to subjugate and oppress women and girls. If I could get everyone I know – male and female alike – to read this book, I would. Read my review in its entirety here.
For what it’s worth, the worst book 
I read in 2016 was Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. As a devoted but late-blooming Harry Potter fan, I despised this book with the heat of a thousand suns. I reviewed it here.
I’m going to challenge myself to read 35 books in 2017. Read with me!
by Larry McMurtry – I re-read this after about 20 years, thereby confirming that it’s the best book I’ve ever read in my life. An epic tale of a cattle drive from Texas to Montana in the later part of the nineteenth century, Lonesome Dove is about life, love, loss, friendship, loyalty, adventure, good guys, bad guys, and the harsh beauty of life. I remain utterly in love with this story. This fall, I received a Fed-Ex package. Inside was a first edition hard cover of Lonesome Dove which my husband had procured and sent to Larry McMurtry with a heartfelt note explaining what the book means to his wife, and Mr. McMurtry signed the book and sent it on to me. A gift I will treasure always.
by Augusten Burroughs – If ever there was an instruction manual for life, this is it. Told in Burroughs’s witty, no-bullshit style, he offers advice on everything from dealing with shitty people to overcoming trauma, to accepting our limitations and being okay with them. I’m not a fan of inspirational self-help books, but this one stands apart – probably because it’s not inspirational, just the damn truth.
by Armin Navabi – Straightforward, well written responses to the most common arguments for the existence of God. Obviously not up everyone’s alley, but a must read for anyone interested in looking at both sides of the God debate. Leaves one wondering how it is that any rational person can cling to such archaic myths.
by Peter Gray – written by a Boston professor, this non-fiction deconstructs conventional wisdom about schooling children and makes a strong, research-based case for child-directed, play-based learning. This book turned a lot of my ingrained beliefs about school and how children best learn upside down, and has challenged me to approach homeschooling in different ways than I ever thought I would.
by Julius Lester – A collection of interviews with the last of the living former slaves, conducted in the 1930s by the Federal Writing Project, this book, more than any other I’ve read about slavery, depicts the heinous crimes committed against black people by America for hundreds of years. Although aimed at middle-school aged children, this book is entirely appropriate for anyone in that age group through adulthood. This should be required reading by every American.
by Arlie Hochschild – An examination of dual-income couples and the fact that women, even when holding full-time jobs, carry the burden of housework and childcare. Written 30 years ago, unfortunately, not much has changed.
by Vicki Abeles – A well-researched examination of how the current state of education and our obsession with performance and achievement is harming children, and a plea for change.
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