Skip to content

Reading Off the Radar

During our pandemic closure, I discovered so many amazing books on Overdrive. Now that we’re open again (YAY!), you can finally get them in print too. Here are some of my favourites!   ~ Sue

     

 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: One of my favourite books. It’s not an uplifting read but so well written & the characters are so well developed that you’ll begin to think of these people as your friends.

 

 

What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim by Jane Christmas: A travelogue about the author’s experience on the Camino. This book played a part in inspiring me to walk the Camino Portugues last year. You can plan your Camino for when this is all over 🙂

 

 

The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian: Historical fiction about the Armenian genocide. Very well researched and haunting read.

 

 

The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian: A family saga set in war-ravaged Tuscan in the 1940s.

 

 

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff: Historical fiction combined with a modern murder mystery. Delves into the mysteries of the fundamentalist Mormon church in Utah.

 

 

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: Set in 19th century China, the story of a friendship where they share experiences such as foot-binding, their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood.

 

 

Room by Emma Donoghue: A haunting novel narrated by five-year-old Jack. ‘ Room’ is Jack’s entire world: it’s where he was born and where he spends all of his time with Ma. Except when he is locked in the closet when Old Nick visits.

 

 

Five Quarters of the Orange and Chocolat by Joanne Harris: This author’s books have been described as a ‘feast for the senses’. She combines fiction with delicious descriptions of food!

 

 

If you like Barbara Kingsolver’s novels why not try her non-fiction: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is her family’s experience after they vowed for one year to:  ‘only buy food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it’. This is an often hilarious and always heartwarming read.

 

 

Do you have the new Bill Bryson book, The Body on hold? Bill has many other entertaining books available to borrow such as: A Walk in the WoodsA Short History of Nearly Everything and At Home: a Short History of Private Life.

 

 

Do you have Michael Crummey’s new novel The Innocents on hold? Why not try some of his older works such as: Sweetland or River Thieves

Looking for something light?

 

One Day by David Nicholls: A friendship that begins in the 1980s. Each chapter is a snapshot of where the two main characters are in their lives on one day every year.

 

Anything by Marian Keyes: There are several titles available in Overdrive and many in print at the library. All her books are highly entertaining. Jocelyn is reading Keyes’ latest, Grown-ups. Although hefty at over 600 pages, she says it’s a lot of fun.