My Favorite Books, Round 1

Of all of the lists I’ve created for my Must-Have series, this one of My Favorite Books, Round 1, was probably the hardest. Not because I don’t have any books to pull from, or haven’t read enough good ones to put into a list. If you know me at all you know this can’t be the truth. I might just be one of the biggest book nerds you’ll ever meet. I read everywhere and all the time (when I’m not writing or cooking). I am obsessed with books and think the world needs to read more and stop watching so much reality tv so they can expand their minds and gain some empathy. So clearly it’s not because I didn’t have books to add to the list.

It was really because I had too many books for one list. So this list of My Favorite Books (round 1) is just that ROUND 1. I already have Round 2 done and, judging by my Goodreads 4 and 5 stars, I’ve probably got enough for round 3. But you’ve got to start somewhere and this is where we are.

Now a few words before we start. 1) Even though I have Amazon links here and fully support the downloading of audiobooks or Kindle reads if that’s your thing, I would much rather you either patronize your local library (I am a HUGE proponent of libraries across the country) OR shop a local bookseller if you have one. #shopsmall will always be more important than the.$50 I make per sale of anything from the big guys. 2) I am not a  general chick-lit or you-go-girl self-help book reader. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just not me. So you won’t find them here–the closest you’ll get is Kristin Hannah. I like books that change me, challenge me and stretch me. Novels and non-fiction alike. Quite a few of these are going to make you cry (one with laughter) and one will make you rearrange your thoughts on a lot of things based on sheer data and statistics but in a really non-boring way. and 3) A few of my absolute favorites are not on here, notably, I Know This Much Is True, Daisy Jones and the Six, Stitches and Love Does. I’ve decided, after sharing them on social media way too often, to retire them from the promotion rounds. Just know that if you want to start anywhere to get to know my true favorites, start there.

1. Okay For Now: The only technically YA book in this list, Okay For Now leads us off because it’s completely accessible for everyone of all ages and reading levels but it is also a profoundly touching story about relationships, family with an important (albeit heartbreaking) lesson in being kind because you truly never know what goes on behind closed doors in someone’s life. You’ll love Doug Sweiteck and root for him to get a win. As a warning, it took me a few chapters to get into it so don’t give it up if you find yourself struggling. Hang in there. It gets better. Get your copy HERE.

2. Just Mercy: This book should be required reading for all humans. It will profoundly change you. It will peel back the layers about the justice system, racial inequality (read it even if you are convinced this doesn’t exist and have an open mind), and the death penalty. Following Bryan Stevenson, a real-life lawyer, as he founds the Equal Justice Initiative and takes on the case of Walter McMillian, a black man sentenced to death for a murder he didn’t commit. Hard to read at times, enough to make you furious, this book changes you whether or not you believe in the death penalty. It has to. There is no other way. Get yours HERE.

3. The Magic Hour: By now, with the success of both Firefly Lane and The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller. And while I gave both of those 5 stars, I felt it would be redundant to share them since pretty much every single person I know has already read them. But the Magic Hour, one of her lesser-known books, is absolutely equal in all ways to both. A book about redemption and second chances, this one had me bawling big ugly tears at the end. Like, really unattractive ones. It is SO good and even though the story is deep and multi-faceted, the writing is clear enough and the character development deep enough that even non-readers will love this one. Grab it HERE.

4. When Breath Becomes Air: Yall….get out the tissues. Not the little box. Not the travel pack. The BIG box. You’re going to need it. Another non-fiction read, this one was written by neurosurgeon Paul Kalinithi after he was diagnosed with Stave IV brain cancer. Going from saving lives to fighting for his own, Kalinithi begins to ponder the deeper questions of life in the most breath-taking and beautiful depth I’ve ever read. Spoiler Alert: this one does not have a happy ending, yet somehow you will still close this book better and lighter than when you began. After you dry your tears, of course, because those are for sure coming. Grab yours HERE.

5. Their Eyes Were Watching God: When you start reading Their Eyes Were Watching God it might take you a while to get used to the dialect. Don’t let that disuade you from continuing. It’s worth it. This book was one of the first books I ever read that broke me open to the idea that someone of a different race, from a hundred years ago and a completely different place could have the exact same thoughts and feelings I have, here today, as a white woman in 2020. It opened up my heart to the universal nature of the human experience and widened my empathy meter by about 1,000. I loved every last minute of this book and have read it multiple times. It was once a banned novel, which I think speaks highly of the necessary and worthy place it deserves on our literary shelves. Grab your copy HERE.

6. No One Ever Asked: A very timely novel about implicit bias, No One Ever Asked explores a fictional story about a lower-income primarily minority school being bused into a higher income, white, suburban school system. Written from various perspectives so you can see every side of the story, this was a gut-wrenching read about humanity and labeling and how we approach the hard conversations about race and class when they creep into our little “bubbles.” This one hit close to home and left me with a “what would you do” kind of self-conversation that led to some serious soul-searching. Well-written and cleanly executed, this is a quick read that might just change your perspective on a few things. Grab it HERE.

7. Invisible Women: WARNING: This is NOT a light read. It’s got facts and figures and statistics upon statistics. But it is MIND-BLOWING. A deep dive into how our world is primarily created for men by exploring the gender data gap–“a gap in our knowledge that is at the root of perpetual, systemic discrimination against women, and that has created a pervasive but invisible bias with a profound effect on women’s lives.” From government policies to medical research to urban planning to workplaces and technology, the gender data gap reveals how women are continually at a disadvantage by merely being women in a world designed by men. It’s not politicial, it’s all straight data, so it’s eye-opening without being polarizing. Every woman should read it so they understand the world around them a bit better, but men should too. This is the world your daughters are working against. Maybe it’s time we close the data gap for them. Grab your copy HERE.

8. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: This is the perfect book to come after a hard-hitting data book. Mostly because you can’t read it without laughing. From a childhood with a taxidermist dad who does things like brinng home stuffed squirrels dressed in suits to grown-up life in corporate America, Jenny Lawson tells stories that you think can’t be true because they’re too weird and too funny to be real. But they are. I double dog dare you to read the story about her game of tag that ended when she ran right into the open caracass of an animal in her living room and not laugh till you cry. And that’s really all you need to know about this one. Funniest book I’ve ever read. Go get yours HERE.

9. American Dirt: Concerned about the migrant issue at the border and think everyone coming over is a criminal who should be turned away (or worse)? Read this. A heartbreaking tale of border crossing, family and freedom, this one broke my heart. Filled with characters written so well you forget they’re fictional and heartbreaking accounts of border crossings and violence seemingly too close to bear, this is another timely read that asks more questions than it answers yet still seeks to grow our empathy buckets so we do less labeling and more loving. Grab yours HERE.

I tried to grab something for everyone on this list but can’t wait to share more of my favorites just in case I missed you in this round. And as I said, please drop me a line with your favorite books so I can check them out. I am constantly buried in a book and can’t wait to read what is on your bookshelf too.

Peace, love, and books,

Meg

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