2020 has been a year. Ups and downs, challenges and surprises….and sometimes so much of a year, we can’t seem to find words to describe it. Despite these challenges, my local library found ways to stay open – delivering books safely through curbside pick-up. I am grateful for the solace and enjoyment books have provided this year. And though I’ve read a lot more than the ones listed below, here are a few of them.
The Taliban Cricket Club – Timeri N. Muari
When the Taliban came into power, life in Afghanistan changed overnight. Rukhsana went from dancing with friends and working as a journalist, to remaining in her home or under a burka. This book is a story of a family struggling to survive with cultural changes and protect one another. And when cricket provides a way out of danger, Rukhsana is the first to leap for it. There’s only one problem….She is a woman.
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology & The Business of Keeping us Hooked – Adam Alter
Irresistible makes you pause and think. Throughout his book Alter examines the various ways technology keeps us hooked: including the “like” button on Facebook, the endless Twitter feeds, and the immersive world of gaming. He discusses the psychology behind the specific strategies used by technological companies, and why they are so successful in keeping us addicted to our phones and gaming consoles.
Rose Under Fire – Elizabeth Weir
It was suppose to be a simple mission. But everything changes when Rose’s plane is shot down over Nazi Germany. Interned at Ravensbrück, Rose finds herself struggling to retain hope, survive, and protect those around her. This young adult book is a powerful and emotional look into a concentration camp, and the lasting impact that kind of experience has on individuals.
The Missing Wife – Shelia O’ Flanagan
Imogen has a plan. And if she sticks to it, her husband will never be able to find her. No one will understand; they all think she has the perfect marriage, but no one knows the truth. In some ways this book is about a marriage, but mostly it’s a story of a person who has lost herself, and desperately needs to find herself again. Ironically, the only way to do that, is to disappear.
Jerusalem: A Cookbook – Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi.
Jerusalem is a love-letter to the city in form of a cookbook, and perhaps my favorite book this year. It is an exploration of a city through its diverse cuisine and complex cultures. Ottolenghi is from the “Jewish west” of the city, and his friend, Tamimi, is from the “Muslim east”. Together, they share their love for Jerusalem, and the recipes that are so closely connected to their childhood memories, history, and culture.
And you?
What have you been reading lately?
Tea & Hiking Boots 