Bookworm Cottage Style

A friend fairly pointed out that many of the books I recommend in my monthly mood reading posts are new releases that often have library waitlists. So this month, I took that as a challenge to browse my shelves for backlist books that are at least 10 years old and aren’t really in the zeitgeist anymore. And to avoid recommending 84, Charing Cross Road for the umpteenth time this year, I focused on titles that I have not yet mentioned on my blog or Instagram. Though many of these books are on the heavier side (I suppose emotional, powerful books are what stick with me over time, more so than beach reads), there is a wide range in genres represented here, and a few light-hearted picks too.

The Memory Police (1994, though not translated into English until 2019, 272 pages)  // This dystopian suspense novel is sure to join the ranks of 1984 and other social sci-fi works in its masterful ability to challenge authoritarian surveillance states and warn against the dangers of forgotten history. I cannot believe it was written thirty years ago, as it feels so incredibly relevant right now in the U.S. Although I can’t say I absolutely loved this book, as it was pretty dark and haunting, it is a timeless classic and would be fantastic for anyone who enjoys dystopian novels or novels that make you think.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007, 372 pages) // In this story, set during the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, a teenage girl named Laila forms a sister-like bond with a thirty-something woman named Miriam when Laila finds herself reluctantly joining Miriam’s violent household. This is a chilling, painful, beautiful portrait about women supporting women during the darkest of times. It is not an easy read due to the violence and pain, but it’s an incredibly powerful one. I liked this book even more than the author’s best-selling debut novel, The Kite Runner.

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (2012, 355 pages) // This fun page-turner is set in Boston and is a fictionalized mystery/thriller inspired by the real life unsolved heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. When Claire Roth, a young artist who makes a living painting reproductions of famous works, is sent the long-missing Degas painting to reproduce, she ends up on a winding adventure searching for the painting’s origins. A very fun read, especially for my fellow New Englanders who enjoy thrillers! 

The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee (2010, 571 pages) // A nearly 600-page history of cancer may not sound like your ideal summer read, but hear me out. The author weaves the history of cancer and cancer treatments alongside a story of one of his own cancer patients in a beautiful, propulsive, humanizing book, which even won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction. If you enjoy narrative medical nonfiction or are at all interested in healthcare, you will absolutely love this book. It is fantastic and really well done! 

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloane (2012, 288 pages) // This is a delightful book about a mysterious and magical bookstore that is so much more than it appears. If you’re looking for a fun and lighthearted adventure and are a fan of quirky contemporary mysteries and magical realism, don’t skip this one. I enjoyed the novel Sourdough, also by this author, but would recommend Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore more highly.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova (2007, 292 pages)  // This novel is centered around Alice, a middle aged Harvard professor and mother of three adult children who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease, so I was worried that this book might be too emotionally heavy for me to handle or become invested in. To my surprise, I could not put it down. As Alice’s disease progresses, her relationship grows more distant with some family members but closer and more beautiful with others. If you enjoy books that make you FEEL, you won’t regret picking this novel up! The author creates a beautiful, loving, humanizing portrayal of the heartbreak of dementia. (Note: There is a 2014 film adaptation starring Julianne Moore but I haven’t seen it.)

This little exercise has also brought to the forefront of my attention older books that I’ve long been curious about reading, such as The House of the Spirits and The Secret History. Maybe I’ll pick one of these up soon!