Reading List
I always think I should read more, and I’ve often thought that “if I had more time” I would. Well, it’s time to prove that theory, so I’ve been doing my best. This page will be updated from time to time with new books, and hopefully the complete list won’t be too embarrassing by the end of the year!
Books in progress
The Power of Questions. Enter graduate school. It’s required reading on teacher research for my final masters course.
On Writing Well by William Zinsser. Zinsser has a way with words and makes it easy to read about writing. I’m only a few chapters in so far.
Writer’s Market Companion. I’m outing myself, I think. This collection of essays outlines the business and art of the writing process. Writing is something else I thought I’d do more of “if I had more time.”
Books I’ve completed
Books about France
Almost French by Sarah Turnbull. This book tells the story of an Australian woman who met a Frenchman and went to visit him for a week - and never left. Eight years later, she’s written her story with all of the bumbling cultural miscommunications and a few lessons. It’s a fun read with some helpful tips.
A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke. This book had me laughing out loud. Sometimes a bit over the top, Clarke’s fictionalized account of Paul West’s year working in Paris is based on true events. The writing is full of wit and sarcasm, and I’m hoping to get my hands on his second book, In the Merde for Love.
General non-fiction
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. The back cover of the book sums it up well: “In this brilliant and original book, Malcolm Gladwell explains and analyses the ‘tipping point,’ that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviours cross a threshold, tip and spread like wildfire.” If you are a fan of Freakonomics, put this one on your list next.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Kiyosaki gives advice on becoming rich through the story of his “two dads,” one who was highly educated but died poor and the other who had little education but great financial intelligence. He suggests a complete change of thinking if you want to get rich, with the underlying theme that your money should work for you, instead of you working for your money.
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan. This is true story of an Ohio housewife who supported her ten kids by entering contests and writing jingles. It’s amazing what she was able to win to support her family!
What is the What by David Eggers. This is the true story of Achak Valentino Deng, one of the Sudanese Lost Boys who fled his home on foot and spent years in refugee camps before finding asylum in the United States. It is moving, full of both despair and hope. I highly recommend it.
Books about writing
Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know about Writing by Patricia T. O’Connor. This book is a quick read covering the do’s and don’t’s of the English language. It is full of examples of both good and bad writing, though they’re sometimes corny.
Fiction
A Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie. A revolution in the Middle East and a reputable English boarding school - how are they linked? When the murders begin, the detectives have their work cut out for them figuring out who everyone really is.
Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie. A nervous woman is convinced someone wants to kill her. The twist at the end is masterful.
Endless Night by Agatha Christie. This one really had me pondering premeditation and evil. A young couple buys a beautiful piece of land and builds their dream house. But is there actually a gypsy curse on the property?
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. Suspect everyone! No one is above suspicion in this whodunit!
Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie. The narrator meets a crazy old woman on the train, bumbling on about a killer in her sleepy town. But when the woman dies in a freak accident, and the person she predicted was next to die turns up dead, the narrator goes to investigate.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I enjoyed this novel for its take on the Wizard of Oz story, though there were parts of it that I found more interesting than others. I’d be really interested now to see how it was adapted to the musical.
Books I set aside without finishing
Atonement by Ian McEwan. After seeing the movie, I just had to read the book. I wanted to compare my impressions of the movie with its original version. (My impressions of the movie were that I loved the vibrant beginning, but felt the later parts stagnated a bit. Still, the story was powerful.) So far I am enjoying the lively beginning of the book, which is full of intelligence like young Briony in the movie.
Books I’d like to read next
Any recommendations?
