In Bia's Library

This morning on Facebook, the lovely Wendy from Of Books and Boys nominated me to share seven favorite books over a period of seven days. A writer and true bibliophile, Wendy posts honest, well-written book reviews (per her suggestion, our newly founded book club selected Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine for our very first meeting). 

Since I’m going to be in and out next week, I thought I’d post all seven at once. Now, many of my favorite books have already been mentioned (The Book Thief, The Kite Runner, A Man Called Ove, The Light Between Oceans), and I didn’t mention classics because they would ALL be on my list (Jane Eyre being my absolute favorite), but here is an eclectic list of some books which have found a place on my bookshelves …

Anna and the Swallow Man (by Gavriel Savit)

A book about a man and a little girl wandering the Polish countryside during WWII. Full of tenderness, beauty, and quotes which inspire you to ponder your place in the universe: "A question holds all the potential of the living universe within it …"

A Gentleman in Moscow (by Amor Towles)

Absolutely fascinating. I learned more about Russian history than I ever did in school. And it was done in such an intriguing way, as told by a count placed on house arrest at the Hotel Metropol in Moscow.

Bel Canto (by Ann Patchett)

A lavish birthday party in the home of a vice president somewhere in South America, a beautiful opera singer, an international guest list, and a band of gun-wielding terrorists who take everyone hostage. Despite terror-filled days, music becomes a springboard for beauty and hope.

The Blind Assassin (by Margaret Atwood)

Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale, so you know this book is going to be different. And it is. It’s a complex novel (story within a story, with several story lines, flashbacks, and multiple time schemes) but it’s one which keeps your interest until the very end.

Nightwoods (by Charles Frazier)

This is the author who wrote the critically acclaimed  Cold Mountain. I liked this book more. It’s sad, violent, beautiful, and redemptive. If you listen to it on audible, the narrator Will Patton is phenomenal.

Christy (by Catherine Marshall)

This book is just pure goodness. Despite dirt, poverty, ignorance and superstition, this book set in the Appalachian mountains reaffirms the basic goodness of humanity.

The Wilderness Series (by Elizabeth Donati)

Escapism at its best, and a story well told. You will want to read the entire series as the characters become like family. In the last book we learn what happens to everyone, and when I finished I was in tears.

Honorable mention

Lost For Words (by Stephanie Butland)

A bookshop, a cast of quirky, flawed characters … and just like that I was hooked. The story is just so beautiful, and when you turn the last page you feel satisfied at having just finished a really good story. And despite tragedy and violence, this is another one of those books in which goodness, generosity, and love shine through.


Now, what are you waiting for? 
Go. Read.