Books I've been meaning to read 2016

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate

I can't believe I haven't read this yet. From the publisher: "Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller, this stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships."

Half of a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

In 1967 Nigeria, the Igbo people of the East seceded to form their own nation of Biafra, inciting a bloody three-year civil war followed. This novel from the author of the wonderful Americanah tells the story of that conflict, known as the Biafran War—an event largely forgotten outside Nigeria—through the eyes of five diverse characters: a university professor, his privileged girlfriend, their servant boy, her twin sister, and her British journalist boyfriend. This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Libro.fm

The Shape of Mercy

by Susan Meissner

A friend with great taste pushed this paperback into my hands and told me to read it as soon as possible, which is my favorite way to discover a great book. Publishers Weekly calls this novel "potentially life-changing," saying it's "the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges." That's hard to resist.

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance

by Jennifer L. Scott

Joy in the Morning

by Betty Smith

Most well-known for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith has written other books worth reading. After Annie meets Carl and falls in love, she decides to move to the Midwestern university where he’s studying law so they can get married. (The setting is widely assumed to be Ann Arbor.) The story follows them over the course of their first year together as they deal with poverty and little community in this new town. It’s ultimately an uplifting account of young love and the ways spouses can care for and support each other.

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

by Alexander McCall Smith

Fans adore this series, and in each book they accompany Mma Ramotswe as she meets her interesting clients, always with very interesting problems. Readers can't help rooting for Mma Ramtoswe as she solves her mysteries; she's funny, smart, and loves to buck convention—very, very tactfully. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel: the tone of this novel wasn't quite like anything I'd ever read, and it was easy to read, in the best sense. I'm looking forward to getting to know these characters better in the series' subsequent installments.

Watership Down

by Richard Adams

I needed more than a few nudges to finally pick up this 1972 classic about a brave band of rabbits in the English countryside and their quest for survival against the threat of humans. But I’m so glad I finally read it. I’ve never read anything else quite like it. This British classic powerfully probes love, courage, loyalty, and human nature, and by turns includes both gorgeous scenes of the idyllic English countryside and encounters of great violence.

Books I've been meaning to read 2016

The One and Only Ivan

Half of a Yellow Sun

The Shape of Mercy

Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance

Joy in the Morning

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

Watership Down

a gateway

to reliable joy this summer

Buckle Up!

summer reading starts May 16th