Walking in the Light

Dear friends,

Today, I’m going to offer five book reviews for five books that I really love and highly recommend. If you’re looking for a winter read, I think any of these will fulfill that need. These aren’t necessarily my favorites, but a lot of them definitely fall into that list. So, without further ado:

1) The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett – This book is amazing. It’s a historical fiction novel set in England in the middle ages. The story revolves around the construction of a Cathedral, but it’s totally character-driven. In this one (admittedly large) volume, you have so many stories. This is one of the few books that I flat-out couldn’t put down. I read it straight through the night – several nights in a row. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Also, for anyone interested, Starz made a miniseries that’s pretty accurate and completely awesome.

2) Black Swan Green, David Mitchell – Black Swan Green is a sad, sweet, beautiful coming of age story. It follows the main character Jason through a year during his adolescence, where he faces relatable problems like bullying, peer pressure, love, friendship, and the breaking apart of a family. Mitchell is a master of this kind of narrative. This book is really relatable and engrossing. I would say this is my required reading for boys.

3) Wizard’s First Rule, Terry Goodkind – The first book in Goodkind’s magnum opus, The Sword of Truth series. In some ways, this book is your typical High Fantasy adventure; in many ways, its messages about life, freedom, masculinity, femininity, loyalty, faith, and society absolutely garner it a unique place all of its own. Read this book. Trust me. You’ll learn so much from it, about the world around you and about yourself.

4) Paradise Lost, John Milton – This one’s not just A classic, it’s THE classic. It’s the book that men memorized all the way up until the internet came. It brought inspired Patrick Bronte to work his way out of the fields of Ireland into Britain, birthing Charlotte Bronte, one of the world’s most renowned writers. It’s actually literally the hinge upon which all English literature turns. It changed the world of writing forever. Milton is a genius, and if his insights on theology, philosophy, humanity, etc. don’t entice you, read it for the incredibly well-crafted characters, the heartbreaking story, and the achingly beautiful language Milton uses to create his Eden.

5) Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris – This is a collection of essay memoirs, and easily the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in print. Sedaris’s voice is familiar, clear, and above all, hilarious, as he wins readers over with his self-deprecating humor and endearing sarcasm. This book is a portrait of David, his family, and, especially, his time in France. If you’re looking for a laugh, look no further than Me Talk Pretty One Day. Be warned, though – Sedaris’s other works don’t even come close to approaching the genius that is this one.

So there you have it. Hopefully this has inspired you turn off the tv (or log off of hulu) and pick up a good read for the beautiful weather!

Stay strong, guys.

Kori