The Language of Emotions (Wendy P.): This is very self-helpy. The author narrates it in a sicky-sweet voice and giggles at her own jokes. It really makes you feel like you are in a new age workshop. All that said, if you can get past that, there is actually way more substance here than I expected. A survivors or early childhood trauma, the book is mostly about managing traumatic responses and present as big emotions. I actually kind of liked it. I probably would have liked it more in print, though.

Recommended by Wendy P.


​***
Wendy: ​I like it in print, because the voice is my own. As a survivor of lots of big trauma, who doesn’t want to avoid feelings, it’s in alignment with my ideals of letting them flow and offers practical tools and perspectives for that, I think. I also love the refuting of shame as it’s used by our culture and the reframing of it as a tool to gauge whether or not we are living our own values. Using anger to recharge my boundaries has also been immensely helpful. Glad you checked it out.

The Tour (Erin): I really liked this one I thought it was going to be non-fiction, so was surprised to find it a sweet little novel that tells the life stories of the people on a ritzy coach tour of Ireland. It was light, with some Irish history & cultural information thrown in as the tour guide talks & as the stories unfold. Recommend as light fare. Perfect for reading while recovering from surgery.

Next up, back to non-fiction since I thought that’s what the last one was: The Language of Emotions.

​Recommended by Erin, after several other suggestions were rejected.




​
​***
Comments:
Me: I love The Tour. Good recommendation. Did the read the other one in the series? The reviews are terrible, but I was thinking of reading it after the end of my list.
Erin: Oh I'm so glad you like it! I have not read the other one, but I think if you like this one, ignore the reviews and try it for yourself. I sometimes really disagree with book and movie reviews-- to each his own!

Small Gods (Judah): So many people I know and like loved American Gods and this book is a lot like that. I feel like I am letting down the people who love these books, but I just couldn't get into it in exactly the same way I couldn't get into American Gods. I think I might not be cynical enough about religion or something. Anyhow, I can't say I liked it. Next up: The Tour.
​

Recommended by Judah (who used to work in my office): You don't need to read any of the other Discworld novels. It's heartbreaking, hilarious, and timely.
Me:  Added. Are you seriously thinking I can read the 13th book in a series without reading the series? This will be on the "Do something scary every day" list as well!
Judah: This is a one-off book that does not follow any of the character arcs found in his other books. Totally appropriate to read alone.
Gabriel (the spouse of a friend I went to elementary school with): I read The Color of Magic (and then The Light Fantastic) this past year, and they were excellent intros to Discworld. I regret not discovering the series earlier. (The for-TV movie they made of it is surprisingly faithful to the humor, also.)
Judah: Those are two of his weaker books! If you liked them, you're in for a real treat. I strongly recommend getting into the Sam Vimes arc next.
​

Here's what you should read instead: 

​Gretchen, a friend from Soroptimists, made two recommendations so one had to be abandoned: "I just read When the moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi and really liked it. Have you read Exit West by Mohsin Hamid yet? Really good." Since I made her pick, she went with, "Exit west is on Obama list of best reads for last year so go for that one!"
***
My Name is Lucy Barton was suggested by a friend of someone who I tagged in the original post, Catsi, but I had already read it, so she suggested Manhatten Beach.
​***
Emergent Strategy is another one for which there is no audio version, so Cee's suggestion was rejected.
***
All The Light We Cannot See was suggested and rejected twice.  Once by Nadine and once by Pam.
***
Bear Town, recommended by Lora, who ultimately recommended The Painted Girls instead, was rejected because there is no audio version.  She also tried to recommend a second book, The Woman in Cabin 10, but the rule is only one per person!
***
Lisa recommended Cruddy, Lynda Barry, but there's no audio version, saying, "It’s a quick read, a ‘teen’ graphic novel. If you have the opportunity to hold a book in your hand, pick it up. Have you read Glass Houses by Louise Penny yet? It’s beautiful. Her best yet."  Me, "I love Love love the Det. Gamache series. Mina turned me on to them. Anything else?"  so, she came up with Last Call.   
***
The Goldfinch, recommended by Kat, didn't make the list.  That was another book I previously read and really, really loved.
***
Alexi Sherman had multiple suggestions that weren't in audio format: Indian Killer (John), The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight Into Heaven (Becca).
​***
More banter about recommendations:
Leah: Anything by Louise Erdrich. I especially liked Tracks, and Four Souls
Me: I liked Round House, but neither of these have an audio version. What about LaRose or Future Home?
Leah: I haven't read either of those but have heard good things about LaRose! I haven't had time to read much for pleasure in the past couple of years so all my recommendations are fairly dated haha. Another recommendation though (and completely different) is American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Probably my favorite novel.
Me: Just finished American Gods last month. What else do you have for me?
Leah: If you're into Gaiman, I liked Neverwhere
Me: Don’t recognize the name, but added it to the list.
Leah: I'm currently listening to Gaiman's narration of his book of Norse Myths. And Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson (again totally different from the others). I haven't finished it but so far it's good! Also I'm curious what you thought of American Gods!
​Me: American Gods was okay. I had a hard time with some of the graphic violence.
***
Harry recommended two, but then didn't pick one before the list was completed, so The Treasure of the Sierra Madre by B. Traven and The Sirens of Titan by Vonnegut both didn't make the list.
***
You Are A Badass, also rejected because I had already read it.  Shelby picked Beyond Belief after her second choice, Escape- Lauren Palmer, Carolyn Jessup, had no audio version 
***
Jodi: Misfortune by Wesley Stace, Perfume by Patrick Suskind and Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue, The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman
Me: You only get one.  I haven’t read any of these, so you have to pick just one.
Jodi: Ok. I am a very-well read librarian so it is very difficult for me to pick just one. They are all fabulous but if just one, Perfume by Patrick Suskind.
Me: Sad to report it is not available in English in audio format. Runner-up?
Jodi: Try Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue if not try the others, if all not ask me again because I definitely want to participate in your quest
Me:  Is the English title The Wonder?
Jodi: No that's a different book
Me: The Dress Lodger is added!
***
Catherine recommended The Nightingale.  Me: I loved that book so much. Give me another one.
Catherine: And did you see that there is a latest Royal Spyness mystery?
Me: Why, yes, yes I did. I love that series so so much. What else do you have for me?
***
Neil Gaimen was also a popular author who had multiple recommendations, including Norse Mythology.  I read Neverwhere and really decided he is not an author I like at all.
​***
Always unwilling to comply with the rules, John suggested an entire library:
John: lexi Zentner, "Touch," Colum McCann, "Let the Great World Spin," Denise Giardina, "Storming Heaven," Orhan Pamuk, "My Name Is Red," Patrick Chamoiseau, "Texaco," Richard Powers, "Generosity," Sigrid Nunez, "For Rouenna."  If you've got the stomach for its intense brutality (never gratuitous, though), Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" remains my favorite work of fiction.  As an audio book, I recommend Roberto Bolano's "The Savage Detectives". I don't know if I would have made it through an attempt to read the book itself, though. It takes quite a while before anything really happens in it, and that's alleviated by the excellent narration. In that form, the dozens of narrators whose first person accounts flesh out the protagonist become very engaging.
Me: John, You only get one. What’ll it be?
John: I didn't pay attention to that part. "Touch", because I think you'd really like it. If that's not on audio, "Blood Meridian". If you don't want a book with dozens of murders depicted in it, "Generosity".
Me: Touch is added.
***
Leonora tried to add one. but the list was full: "No Name on the Street" is the one I'm currently reading. James Baldwin is such an original and amazing intellect.
***
Tiffany tried The Secret Life of Bees and Their Eyes Were Watching God,  both books I had read already.  Then she added Angel of Repose, but then tried to add Anything by Pema Chodron. She only got one, though, she Angel of Repose it was. I didn't catch that it was the same author as the already added Crossing to Safety.
***
Breakfast with Buddha
***
Dodie: Reading A Fighting Chance by Elizabeth Warren. An interesting read about her life growing up in Oklahoma to her becoming a lawyer teaching bankruptcy law at Harvard, fighting to develop a consumer financial protection agency as part of Dodd-Frank, to becoming a US Senator. A well-written and enjoyable book.
***
Melissa: Have you read "Before we were yours"? Really loved this book.oops--just saw that your list is full. I'm going to sneak a peek to get some good ideas, when I'm done reading James's OBOB books anyway.
***
Heather: The care and handling of roses with thorns
***
Leah: How about The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert?
***
Mina: One more, one more! I can't believe I didn't think of this. Very recently I listened to A STUDY IN SCARLET WOMEN, by Sherry Thomas. It's a REALLY good new take on the Sherlock Holmes saga, feminist style. It gets a bit wordy, shall we say, but it's infinitely worth it, and the performance is great. I listened while I was stalking the streets of Bloomsbury in the mornings, waiting for traveling companion to wake up....perfect.
Me: Luckily, I’ve read this one already! Mina, since we have similar taste in mystery, have you read the Her Royal Spyness series or the Detective Martinelli series by Laurie King? I think you’d like both of them.
Mina: Yes! I’m so sad that Laurie King seems to have abandoned Martinelli. But hey, her prerogative. I think I’ve read one Royal Spyness— NAUGHTY IN NICE — and now you’ve reminded me that I’ve got a few more to read. I’m just now listening to a Maggie Hope mystery (Susan Elia MacNeal) — but the narrator is driving me crazy. Not sure I can do another one with the rise and fall in each sentence. Ugh. 
Mina: Actually, I may give up on the MacNeal. I rarely do that, but....life is short.
Mina: Now, the Jacqueline Winspear series....that’s a keeper. (OK, I’ll shut up now.)
Me: Hold your recommendations for me. It’s going to be awhile before I’m ready for another recommendation.
​***
Michele: The Long Earth
***
Eric: I'm also putting my list together for 2018 (albeit with a much smaller goal). I'll offer Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Gettings Things Done by David Allen
***
Dan: If you like wine this is a pretty good true crime story... quick read, got through it in two plane rides.
Me: My 2018 list is full! I'm flying through it, though, finishing up #16 soon. But I am staying focused on getting through the list before I take any other recommendations. I'm currently really loving The Rules of Magic.
​*** 
​Kathy: I am enjoying "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See.
Me: Hi, Kathy! That one isn’t in the list, which is closed. If you scroll up, you can see the 50-book list. I’m ahead of schedule, though, so if I have all 50 done by July 1, I might take another 50 suggestions. So, stay tuned.
Julie: I just listened to a Lisa See book, with hopes of recommending it to you next year but NAH. Since I only can recommend one book, I do so with love and caution. So funny how the recommendation came about. I was telling somebody on the treadmill that I am in a book club for audible books. (Book club is you...that my book club.) So somebody joined the discussion and offered the book that I am not recommending. I think I need you to start a new post with your reviews. Hard to find out where you are.
Me: I can't start a new post. I have hundreds of comments on here! I love this post. Right now, I am reading The Painted Ladies. But, the new Marvel Jessica Jones came out and I had to change gears to read Untangled (which, if you haven't read, you might absolutely love & wish you had read five years ago or more).  Also, I love that we are a book club of two--that never get around to even meeting in person!
Julie: Good point on this post. I love it too. I just get lost. Just finished the Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and now listening to Being Mortal. (Total Downer but required reading with end of life parents. Take your calcium and wash your feet).
Me: If someone has the capacity to start a blog for me, I can migrate these comments & my reviews to that format. I have never made a blog & the idea of setting one up seems overwhelming, but the maintaining of one seems manageable.
Stacey: I could do this someday
Me: Don't forget this is on your "some day" list...like when your kids grow up!​ 
***
David: The Maddadadm trilogy by Margaret Atwood. Start with Oryx and Crake.  
***
Just read Brain On Fire, loved it.
​**
Suz: “My Life on the Road” by Gloria Steinem is a powerful account of her years doing political organizing and stepping outside her comfort zone numerous times — co creating the national women’s constitutional, and learning about the different, non- heirchical ways native American leader govern. Powerful and eye opening ...
Suz: “Tabloid Prodigy” is a fascinating autobiography of the world of Tabloid journalism. Another fascinating read . . .
Me: Those both sounds great. My list is so long right now.
​***
​For next year, not fiction, I’m reading The Patterning Instinct by Jeremy Lent right now. About 1/4 of the way in. Fracturing my assumptions about language and culture and thought and the mess we’ve made.
***
​ i recommend re-re-re-reading "Being Mortal"
***
Amy: Lorena, I just finished the finest novel I've read in years, The Overstory by Richard Powers. It won the National Book Award last year so perhaps you've already read it but if not I highly recommend it. The book is set largely in the Pacific Northwest during the timber wars of the 1980s. The premise of The Overstory is that the trees speak to a few chosen people about what ethics, community, meaning, and survival mean in a trees' much longer framework of time and evolution. Lots of great botany here, changing how you see the forest all around us in Oregon. Plus a great story and a deep compassion for humanity's beautiful fragility and tragic blindness.
Me: Oh, this sounds fabulous, too! So many books. I wish I could be a professional reader. I’ll have to add this to my list...which of course is really long. But I am determined to get through the original 59 this year for sure. Only 7 to go & still 4.5 months. A couple of them are really long, though, & not in my regular genre so I’ve been bumping them to the bottom.
Sequoia: Amy, if you liked that book you should read The Golden Spruce! It is about Pacific north west and British Colombia history of logging, native American culture, and a particular incredible tree and a particular incredible man. Very engaging and factual.
***
Diego: Couple of months of reading.
Right now “a Higher call” by Adam Makos. Worth reading it.
In a few hours back to the AirPort...
​

When I'm Gone (Palmer): There are captivating themes of domestic violence and child abuse as the book twists and turns in ways that are predictable in their unpredictability, which are the misleading forecasting and dramatic revelations. It was just too much in some ways. Not a bad read, but given that I fell asleep 10 minutes from the end of the book, that says something about its inability to really grab me. Ultimately, it is not on the recommend list.



​On to Trauma & Memory. (Did you know that I typically alternate fiction with non-fiction? I don't know how that will play out at the end of the list because I haven't figured out the fiction/non-fiction ratio yet.)

Recommended by Palmer.  When I first put up the Facebook post for recommendations, I tagged some of my friends who are dedicated readers.  This meant that the post showed up on some of their friends' feed. This was one of the three books added by friends of friends from those original tags. 

***
Comments: 
Becca: This one was dark, but good. I have it in paperback if you want to borrow.
Me: No paper for me. All audio!

Promise Me, Dad (Julie): If you need your sinuses cleared out, this book is for you. Knowing how it (his son’s cancer and the election) turns out isn’t a spoiler because he assumes you know. This reads like talking to an old friend you lost touch with because they were focused on a loved one’s illness & now that they have some time, they are telling you the details of what happened. It’s really moving. I loved how it went back & forth between his son’s treatment & his job—Like real life where you are having to keep your act together while your heart is breaking. Recommend.

Next up is When I’m Gone.





Recommended by Julie: Promise Me Dad, by Joe Biden - is a typical book published by a politician at the end of a career. Biden reads it, so it is a lovely listen. He captures a great deal of his Irish upbringing and it was quite similar to mine - so I liked that too. It is a cautious recommendation, as I am a huge Biden fan. I'd make Amy Poehler look calm in a similar scene.

Comments:
Julie: I think I recommended that one❤️❤️❤️
Me: You did! I would never have picked it out to read & I am glad I read it. That’s what I like about reading lists like this , it gets you out of your ruts.​