As we settle into a new year, we usually take stock of the past 365 days and all that happened, both good and bad. It’s also a popular time to look for the hot new books on the horizon, since most of us are trapped inside due to frigid temperatures. But instead of jumping on the “be the first among your friends to read this” bandwagon, I thought it would be fun to take a minute and highlight some older books that still deserve some attention.
First I would like to highly recommend listening to Meryl Streep read Heartburn by the indomitable Nora Ephron. It was written in 1983 and made into a movie in 1986, but don’t let its age get in the way! Streep does a wonderful job of breathing life into Ephron’s story of a chef and pregnant young mother trying to figure out what to do with her life when she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Plus, Ephron includes some recipes throughout the story that all sound delicious, so you can give those a try when you finish the book. And if you need more Ephron (because trust me we always need more Ephron), I would also suggest I Feel Bad about My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman and The Most of Nora Ephron.
Let’s hop back into our DeLorean and travel a bit farther back in order to meet Ave Maria, Iva Lou, Fleeta, and theunforgettable characters that fill the pages of Adriana Trigiani’s Big Stone Gap during the late 1970s. Sometimes the right book comes along at just the right time. I truly enjoyed diving head first into the world of this small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trigiani’s storytelling and narration were full of warmth and affection. Ave Maria is struggling to figure out what to do with her life now that her mother has passed away and she seems to have no family or ties to her hometown any longer. But along the way she discovers that sometimes exactly what you want is hiding in plain sight. And if you just can’t let go of the characters once you finish the book have no fear, it’s the first in a trilogy!
Our final stop on our time traveling journey will take us to America’s heartland. Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler has a closer to present day setting, but throughout the stories of Hank, Lee, Kip, and Beth you will find yourselves traveling back to their childhoods as the characters reflect on how the choices they made lead them to the lives they currently inhabit. Just like any good country western song, this book is filled with love, heartbreak, and redemption; and it illustrates the bonds and depths that true friendship bestows upon us. And for a more in depth look at the this great read, check out Raidene’s post from a few years back!
So while everyone else is waiting for the newest, latest book to come in for them, why not check out one of these oldies but goodies.
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Until next time, happy reading!