Back to the Book Blog!!!

After seven years, we've returned to Emma and Lilly's book nook! We are, as ever, your faithful readers and sharers of good books. Our delight is finding and sharing the finest literature with our dear readers. 

It's not an easy task to review seven years of reading, so we will simply do what we can and promote the books that we believe deserve praise. 

Now, without further ado, may I present Emma's favorite reading in the last little bit!! 

Fiction: 

My Grandmother Told Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrick Backman 

Lovely, fun, witty, funny, and serious. Adventures of a girl and her grandma as well as other beloved characters and surprises. 

The Blossom and the Firefly by Sherri L. Smith 

Historical fiction about two Japanese teenagers during world war 2. One works at a factory and the other is a kamikaze pilot. Great way to learn about the Japanese perspective on WW2 since I often heard more about the American perspective or German perspective. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

I finally read this book and I did enjoy it! 

A Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds 

Free verse poetry in the style of a Christmas Carol about a boy possibly breaking free from a cycle of gang violence. Another great way to learn about a different/place/culture/perspective. 

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders 

I read this book because I edited an essay about it and I found it fascinating. It is told from the perspective of thousands of narrators in a theater script format. It's about the ghosts who live in the cemetery where Abraham Lincoln's son Willie is buried. The ghosts are kept in the cemetery, which is called the "bardo" which is the Tibetan term for the afterlife until they can confront the pain/trauma they are running from in their past and come to terms with it. They heal through empathy. This is a book that seems like such a crazy idea which makes it all the more impressive that George Saunders pulled it off with such elegant and meaningful writing. 

Displacement by Kiku Hughes 

Graphic novel about a girl traveling back in time to the Japanese Internment Camps in Utah where her grandmother lived. Educational! 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 

Interesting book about a woman who decides to end her life in part because she regrets so many of her life choices. She's given the opportunity to try many other ways her life could have gone and discovers that every life has pain and challenge and beauty and joy. 

Self Help: 

Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind To Yourself by Kristen Neff 

This book has been extremely helpful to me! Highly recommend at least the practice of self-compassion because that's the important part. 

No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz 

Talks about the many parts within ourselves and how we need to offer them compassion instead of exiling them in order to not be at war with ourselves and grow in the way we want to grow. I think it's very wise. 

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig 

This is part memoir/part self-help, but really the author is just discussing his experience of having depression in a very comprehensive and clear way which makes it much easier to understand for those who don't have depression and makes it easy to feel understood by those who do. The author also offers his perspective on what has helped his mental health. 

What Happened to You by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce R. Perry 

Interesting book about how our past affects our present and what we can do about it. 

Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John and Julie Gottman 

I would call this an extremely important book and I would like to read it at least several times throughout my life. I recommend it to everyone, regardless of their relationship status because I think the tips are helpful for every kind of relationship in life. 

Eight Dates by John and Julie Gottman 

Another helpful relationship book, although this one is more specifically for couples and works to condense some of the info in 7 principles. 

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc Brackett 

It's a good one. 

How to Relax by Thich Nhat Han 

I literally read this while I was feeling a bit stressed on a beach and it helped me relax!

Nonfiction/Memoir: 

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi 

A fascinating medical memoir about a man who searches for meaning all his life and finds it in loving his family. 

March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin 

3 book series in graphic novel format about the civil rights movement from John Lewis's perspective. Extremely readable for all ages, educational, and moving. 

Without the Mask by Charlie Bird 

Finally read this book and of course, I loved it! 

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan 

A collection of well-written essays 

Educated by Tara Westover 

Interesting! 

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez 

Interesting! 

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone by Lori Gottlieb 

Beautiful stories from the perspective of a therapist who goes to therapy and her clients and thoughts about healing. 

Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment, and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte

One of my very favorites! Fascinating essays from a poet on what words mean

Religious: 

The God Who Weeps by Terryl and Fiona Givens 

Amazing!!!!! 

The Christ Who Heals by Teryl and Fiona Givens 

Amazing!!! 

All Things New by Terryl and Fiona Givens 

Amazing!! 

The Crucible of Doubt by Terryl and Fiona Givens 

Amazing!!! 

On Being Enough by Chieko Okazaki 

Fantastic!!