by Wendy
A couple of years ago, I realized I was spending a little too much time on CandyCrush and television reruns. So I set a goal of reading at least 12 books a year, kept a list and got back into a habit I didn’t realize how much I missed. As Sunny points out in her excellent post, books inspire trips and provide a window to unfamiliar lifestyles and cultures. When reviewing what I read over the past 12 months, I realized how many are translations or stories that take place in other countries. Reading is in itself a form of travel, and I have loved that aspect since I was a kid. Here are my top favorites from 2015. Not necessarily all published in 2015, but the best ones I happened to read. I haven’t written about books since school, so I’m out of practice. As a result everything below will be brief.
1989 The Berlin Wall: My Part in Its Downfall by Peter Millar – I really enjoyed this memoir by a British journalist who lived and worked in East Berlin during the Cold War. He’s funny, self-deprecating, dedicated and appreciates the value of a neighborhood pub. This is the story of someone doing his job really well. Millar delivered valuable reporting on changing attitudes and historic events during challenging conditions and while under surveillance by the Stasi.
My Struggle Volumes 1-4 by Karl Ove Knausgaard – When I bought Volume 3 at a local bookstore, I had no less than 3 people ask me about Knausgaard, whether multiple volumes of one dude’s bio are really worth reading. All I can say is I can’t wait for Volumes 5-6 to be translated into English. This Norwegian writer was probably my best literary discovery of the year. There is something unique going on here; I’ve never read anything quite like this. Knausgaard writes about ordinary life in a way that is mesmerizing and raw, while also exploring questions and theories about memory, art and what transcends human experience. His writing makes me pay more attention to the everyday. Surpassing my goal of reading 12 books this year is largely thanks to Knausgaard and Ferrante (see below).
The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante – This Italian writer is being talked about a lot. Believe the hype! Reading this detailed account of two friends from Naples almost puts me in a trance-like state. Lila and Lenu are characters you can’t stop thinking about – they feel realistic and larger than life at the same time. Their individual stories are set against the backdrop of a changing post-war world struggling with political and social issues regarding class, power, economic opportunity, the roles of women, and the use of violence. There are 4 books in this series and I just finished novel three. There is no telling what will happen next, as the plot is getting to be quite the soap opera.
The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez – A well-crafted and intriguing novel by a modern Colombian author. This guy can write. I was sneaking pages of this anytime I could steal a few minutes. I picked up this book after finishing the series Narcos on Netflix (the story is compelling, the actors are great, but note that it can be a bit gratuitous). I was thinking about Colombia and this novel was on sale at the World Bank InfoShop Bookstore in DC – perfect timing. While Narcos spotlights the police, guerrillas, politicians and drug lords, the book is a subtle but no less forceful and haunting depiction of how Colombia’s tumultuous past intersects and impacts citizens and residents.
Hotel Florida: Truth, Love, and Death in the Spanish Civil War by Amanda Vaill – While this book is about the Spanish Civil War, it is organized around the stories of specific people working in Spain during that time, such as writers Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, and photographers Gerda Taro and Robert Capa. Much of the book takes place on Gran Via in Madrid, and Jack and I tried to find some of the locations mentioned during our visit this fall. While we aren’t sure if we found the site of the Hotel Florida, we made it to the legendary Chicote bar for a drink.
Shadows in the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – The primary setting for this gothic mystery is Barcelona after the Civil War, with memorable characters and scenes. The first few pages introduces you to the secret “Cemetery of Forgotten Books” – which would captivate any bookworm’s imagination – and keeps getting better from there. It’s suspenseful, dark, imaginative. This is one of those stories you keep thinking would make a great movie. Except the writing is so fantastic, not just the plot. So it would probably be one of those movies you watch and say, “that was pretty good, but the book is so much better.”
Europe on Five Wrong Turns a Day by Doug Mack – A lighthearted, entertaining read. The likable narrator travels to major European cities using an old Arthur Frommer guide “Europe on Five Dollars a Day.” If you are addicted to travel blogs, check this out. Mack offers thoughtful commentary on the travel industry and a reminder why touristy spots and landmark icons may deserve a place on your itinerary. Meaningful travel experiences are not limited to exotic locales.
Please share what you’ve been reading lately – I’m always looking for recommendations. And please let me know if you end up trying any of these, and what you think! I love talking about books!