By Heidi Simmons
I love to read a good story.
Few things compare to being completely engaged in a compelling narrative. Reading is an intimate, personal experience that can take you from where you sit while reading into an alternate universe.
In this literary other-world, we meet people we like and hate, people who do amazing and shameful things. Whether we love or loathe them, whether fictional or real, we can learn from them at a safe distance.
For this column, I read every genre. I read an average of two books a week. As I looked over the 52 weeks of book reviews, I realized this year I read more fiction than nonfiction. But, no matter its form, I crave story.
Below is my list of the year’s best reads. It is a little like having to choose which of your children is your favorite. If you have time to read, everything on this list is well-written and entertaining.
Nonfiction
Deep Dark Down by Héctor Tobar is the story of the 33 Chilean Miners who were trapped under tons of rock, a mile underground, for ten weeks! This is an incredible story of survival. Tobar totally gets it. He reports the terror, suffering and the triumph. Top favorite.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is the WWII story of an Olympian who survives a plane crash only to suffer as a Japanese POW. Besides the tremendous lens on WWII history, Hillenbrand does an astonishing job telling a story of forgiveness and redemption.
Lawrence in Arabia by Scott Anderson is a detailed and fascinating history of the Middle East. This is an important book and enlightening if you want to understand why the current problems that exist there.
Jacky’s Diary by Jack Mendelsohn is such a joy and delight because it’s all about the simple pleasures and innocence of a child who tries to comprehend the world around him. This book is the complete cartoon series of the same title, which ran in syndication around the world from 1959 to 1961. Written and illustrated by Mendelsohn, this colorful and timeless book will bring a smile to your face. Mendelsohn includes an introduction with photographs about his career working with creative giants in the animation field that is equally entertaining.
Fiction
Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert is a wonderful character driven narrative of a bright and independent, albeit homely, woman who struggles to become a successful horticulturist where women, in any science are rare and mostly unwelcome. The story is her search for an understanding of the complicated nature of life, existence and love. Top favorite.
Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar is the story of a young artist who is in the land of opportunity illegally. She is denied her gifts and judged unfairly because of her immigrant status. However, through a tragic misunderstanding, she discovers her dignity and strength. This socially provocative story is by the same author of Deep Down Dark. Tobar is a brilliant writer.
The Circle by Dave Eggers worked on me in a different way than other books on this list. I didn’t like the protagonist, but the subject matter still haunts. The story centers on a powerful tech corporation that‘s basically Google. You want some insight on that corporate monster? Well, this is the book.
Bark by Lorrie Moore is a collection of short stories and is filled with powerful and poignant tales of men and women in a world we recognize. Of the eight stories, “Wings” is my favorite.
Raw: A Love Story by Mark Haskell Smith is an entertaining read of lust, fame, literary genius and reality TV. Haskell Smith has a gift for writing about the inane and making it meaningful. Your brain and funny bone are both stimulated.
Labyrinth by David Ulin is a meditative novella that takes the reader on a journey of discovery where a sometimes snarky protagonist finds maturity, wisdom and acceptance. Ulin’s tone is literate and introspective here.
Let Me Be Frank With You by Richard Ford and The Laughing Monsters by Denis Johnson are both great reads. Ford and Johnson are two of my favorite authors. I’m including these books for male readers who won’t – for whatever reason – read women writers or stories with female protagonists. Both these books have fairly macho lead characters.
Biography
Barbara Stanwyck by Victoria Wilson is as engaging a read as the movie star subject. Don’t be intimidated by the thickness (over 1000 pages) of this incredibly detailed and utterly fascinating book. This is only part one. It covers the years 1907 to 1940. I can hardly wait to read about the rest of Stanwyck’s fantastic life. If you didn’t love Stanwyck before, you will after this read. Top favorite.
Kate Remembered by A. Scott Berg is a wonderful and honest tribute to his good friend. Berg came to know Hepburn well and over the years he became a trusted confidant and eventual biographer. So well-written and detailed, I swear you will hear Hepburn’s voice.
For the full review of these books visit the coachellavalleyweekly.com/category/book-review.
