Mom, got any books I can read?
Ahhh music to my ears. My twenty year old son is asking me for book suggestions… I waltz over to the book shelves in my den… hmmm….What could a 55 year old woman suggest to a 20 year young man?
I’m already thrilled he’s told me he liked The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. I’m pumped to hear this. (I loved that book!) So I gather up a few that I think might work for him:
The 100 Year Old Man Who Jumped Out of the Window and Disappeared
by Jonas Jonasson
A delightful romp that has shades of Forrest Gump. A fun toboggan ride through history from such a crazy perspective.
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
A surreal story where a circus comes to town, and everything, and nothing is real….even the characters don’t know the difference. It’s magical, inventive, and full of love and betrayal, spectacle and shivers.
The Power of One
by Bryce Courtenay
An epic story set in South Africa of an English speaking boy coming of age in a racially diverse and tense society. Enduring abuse and hardships, he aspires to be a boxing champion. The physical landscape is beautifully described in this book that is a snapshot of history, of South Africa, of youth and maturity.
Steve Jobs
by Walter Isaacson
An in-depth, fascinating bio – I learned all kinds of things I didn’t know about Steve Jobs and it was a captivating read.
Skinny Dip
by Carl Hiaasen
A hilarious “B Movie” style narrative. Thoroughly entertaining and fun! So very tongue and cheek and filled with over-the-top characters.
Wild
by Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail while rather unprepared; grieving the loss of her mother and her marriage. She threw herself wholehearted into this quest and her story is fascinating and heartfelt – speaking to themes of weakness and strength.
The Measure of a Man
by JJ Lee
A New Westminster neighbor, that I had the pleasure of meeting at the Vancouver Writers Festival, JJ Lee also writes for the Vancouver Sun on Men’s fashion and style. This story is about a suit, and the history of men’s tailoring, and of his father and their relationship.
The Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett
This story follows a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during tumultuous 12th century England. There is a wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction.
Read on, young man! I love that you love books…