Anxious People – Loved the book and movie A Man Called Ove so decided to pick up Backman’s latest book Anxious People.  I have not read any of his other books but both of these definitely have the same cadence and story telling.  His insight into people is unique.  His attitude seems to be people in general are just good although quirky even if they are having a bad day.  It was a fun quick read.

Monogramy – Tracing a woman’s life after her husband’s sudden death where she finds out he had been having an affair.  I wanted more.

Fall On Your Knees – Multi-generational saga that takes place in Cape Breton, Canada at the turn of the century.  Nothing comes easy for this family.  Hard lives in those times.

A Small Town – Murder mystery thriller that turns the pages.

Go Tell It To The Mountain – Baldwin was so before his time.  An incredible book.

Eat A Peach – A truly authentic memoir.  I loved it.

The Lying Life of Adults – Her theme is consistent around young women finding themselves.  Always a good read.

Homeland Elegies – Akhtar is an incredible writer.  This book is a personal examination of America, race, prejudice, and immigration.  A must-read.

Transcendent Kingdom – If you have not read Gyasi’s first novel, Homegoing, read it.  Transcendent Kingdom is a story of family, addiction, history, and race.  A worthy read.  She is an incredible writer.

The Keepers of the House – Seven generations of a white Southern family’s long-buried secret comes to light.  A story of family, racial injustice and history.  Grau won the Pulitzer for this book in 1964

Kindred – A black woman from the 20th Century, who is married to a white man, is brought back in time to her slave-owning ancestor.  Butler uses science fiction to make us all wonder how could anyone be a slave.  An incredible read and certainly notable for this time although written in 2004.

The Book of Eating: Adventures in Professional Gluttony – Adam Platts first adventures as a kid in the global world of food to today.  He takes us through the history of dining from the 80s until now and how it is changed.  Definitely a worthy read as we start to think more about what is the future of hospitality going to look like.