The bloggers and staff at YMC read a lot of books you'll want to read this year.
Some of us read over 50 books and some of us barely made it through one. From time travel to an opinionated tortoise, from survival and love on a deserted island and learning how to embrace your vulnerable side, the books are edgy, eclectic, funny, heartfelt, and awesome. We wanted to share our favourite books we read this year—the books that captivated our hearts and minds, and the books we know that you'll want to sink your teeth into this coming year.
Here's more information about 11/22/63...
Here's more information about Come, Thou Tortoise...
I loved this book because it really helped me embrace my vulnerable side. It encouraged me to honour who I am, and use that voice to work with others.
Lean In is about women in the workplace. Sheryl Sandberg discusses how women with high positions balance work and family using lots of examples from her personal experience working as well as other women she has hired herself or worked with. I found Lean In inspiring and never wanted to put it down. Sheryl Sandberg offers advice on how she would have handled situations she encountered herself differently and how balancing work and family life is not necessarily for everyone, difficult but definitely possible. I highly recommend this book.
Here is more information about Lean In...
Edenbrooke starts off as many an Austen knock-off with a plucky protagonist and a haughty leading man. A debut (shocking) by Utah writer Julianne Donaldson, the Regency period novel starts off with Marianne mourning her Mother's passing the year before from a horse riding accident and the flight of her grieving Father to France. After living with her diabolical aunt in Bath, she is suddenly set free and get a formal invitition for an extended stay at the country estate of her Mother's old friend.
The rest of the book is set at the Countess' estate where Marianne meets her marriage adverse son and quickly twirls into romantically charged scenes that will make you gasp without even a kiss. You'll have to read the book to understand the significance of her twirling!
This is not your typical, formula romance novel. While i admit it's not going to win the Booker, I've re-read the book three times in the past year and still devour it over a weekend. Why?
1. The writing is so good you'll want to say the words out loud and let the words roll off your tongue. This is what cuts it above your standard romance.
2. The character development is well-done and will take you to another place without any heavy cerebral lifting.
3. it's got several of the most seductive but sweet love scenes I've ever read. I'm a hopeless romantic and love how this book ends with a true happily ever after.
Delightfully entertaining and a refreshing escape for moms:)
It's technically YA but the characters were incredibly charming and clever, so it didn't feel juvenile at all. Though the idea of a Romeo & Juliet who both happen to have cancer is depressing as hell, the story was funny and moving. Also: first time in a while that a book has induced tears (that weren't due to poor writing!)
Kristine shares her inspiring personal story of raising her remarkable son Jake. Originally given a devastating diagnoses of severe autism, Kristine ignored the professionals and trusted her gut in how to connect with her son. Kristine's steadfast belief in Jake and her unconventional parenting philosophies unlocked the key to her son's incredible genius. Truth is way better than fiction.
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