2019 was the year of quirky, raw, haunting, and lyrical novels for me. Of the fiction list noted below, Family of Origin by CJ Hauser was the most notable novel of the year for me – the writing was fresh and gorgeous, and the main characters, with all of their flaws, were spirited and empathetic. A close second was Rushdie’s Quichotte, with its fantastical appeal.
Fiction
Golden Child by Claire Adam
The Book of Dreams by Nina George
Family of Origin: A Novel by CJ Hauser
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Rules for Visiting: A Novel by Jessica Francis Kane
Quichotte by Salman Rushdie
Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout
Before We Were Yours: A Novel by Lisa Wingate
Among nonfiction books, David Epstein’s Range with its counterintuitive premise, was inspiring and eye opening for me. As someone who has shifted between careers, I was quickly inspired by Epstein’s view that success is often the result of learning different things versus focusing on one skill with an aim to perfect it. Epstein argues that diverse experiences are what help us to succeed in everything from parenting to sports to business to music to science.
In the endurance sports arena, Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me took top prize, and his cult-like following on social media is an indication that I’m not alone in my view. The audio version of his book is wonderful, complete with author and reader dissecting and discussing each chapter before going on to the next.
Finally, with the passing of Dr. Richard Alpert, popularly known by his spiritual name, Ram Dass, Experiments in Truth, a collection of his lectures available on audio, is worth noting. I’ve been listening to these lectures for over the last decade on a monthly basis, and never cease to learn and grow from his timeless observations and wisdom.
Nonfiction
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Experiments in Truth by Ram Dass
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World by Jamil Zaki