Last year I set myself the goal of reading some of the books from my to-read shelf that had been hanging around a long time. Some of the bigger books I'd put off reading. I was glad I did. This trio of books from people I admire were all great reads.
Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela
As expected, reading this book is incredibly humbling. He had such a fantastic attitude to life despite what he'd been through. Almost all his thoughts on any subject make me feel close to tears. His life is a lesson to us all. Trite, maybe? I can't help it, it's so great! I'm only sorry I waited until after his death to read it.
A Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett.
A collection of non-fiction essays and letters by one of my favourite authors. Equal parts hilarious and sad it had me laughing and weeping throughout the book. His take on illness and death has given me lots to think about. What an insightful man we've lost, although his wisdom will live on through his books long after he's gone. Another book I didn't read until after it's author's death.
The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry
I was pretty determined to read this while he was still alive but felt fearful of news of his death all the way through. Nothing bad happened though! An uncomfortably honest book which again made me cry and laugh in parts. I felt he was brave to share so much and admired him for it. Another great book.
The next set of books are all fiction books I've particularly liked.
A Bell For Adano by John Hersey
Written in 1944 and a pulitzer prize winner. A story about the town of Adano who has it's bell taken during the war to be melted down to make bullets. An American officer decides to make it his mission to find another bell for the town. A lovely tale of compassion and justice.
Elizabeth is missing by Emma Healey
One of my favourite things about reading is the experiencing of life through someone else's eyes and mind. An old woman in early stages of dementia is convinced her friend has gone missing. Heartbreakingly sad and a fascinating insight into memory-loss and aging.
The Sea The Sea by Iris Murdoch
I didn't enjoy this book at first but came to love the descriptive writing style of the author. Another story about how life changes as you age and how youth is remembered. An aging actor becomes obsessed with his first love after meeting her again many years later.
I've read a lot of books this year, some good and some bad but even the bad ones can teach you something at least. This year I'm hoping to read more non-fiction and have set myself the task of reading at least 5 non-fiction books. See you back here next year to find out if I managed it. :D
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