Five Books
This year marks eleven years of working in public libraries. In the last decade, I volunteered in libraries from New York to California, went to grad school to get an MLIS, became an amateur bookstagramer, book reviewer and book hoarder of 80s/90s tween lit. I’ve spent most of my life thrifting young adult literature from the 70-90s, and kind of became an expert on the subject. But I’ve also become a non-fiction (and “New Adult Fiction“) addict, from Wim Hoff, Anne Helen Peterson and Gabriele Bernstein to Andie J. Christopher and Josie Silver, I got you!
Bottom line: I feel pretty confident in my book recommending abilities, especially if you have a thing for youth literature of the past. I love recommendations, so here are five favorite books that have nothing to do with children’s literature (oh and please share yours!).
Let me begin by saying, I could NEVER choose just five books. But of the many books I’ve loved, here are five titles that are worthy of favorite status.
Lots of Candles and Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlin
In a nutshell, Anna Quindlen is my life coach. It’s become a little tradition to read through this book every December. My mom had a few of her books around the house growing up and I kind of look up to her, like I do Oprah. She just seems to know so much and has an incredible gift for writing about everyday life so eloquently and wisely. This book reads like a wonderful conversation between two friends. Every time I read her books (especially this one) I feel so relaxed and inspired.
Garlic and Sapphire by Ruth Reichl
I first stumbled across Ruth’s books when I was volunteering at the library. I shelved her books a lot and ended up finding several titles for less than a dollar and in immaculate condition at a library book sale. This is such an entertaining memoir about Ruth Reichl’s stint as the New York Times food critic. She would dress up in crazy costumes so restaurateurs wouldn’t recognize her. Her costumes transformed her into an old lady, a blonde divorcee from the South, a red-haired hippie, the list goes on. Her book is hilarious, and also has beautiful insights about food and relationships.
I can’t even remember how I came across Helene Hanff but I want to be her when I grow up. I first read 84 Charring Cross Road in my early 20s, and then read it another hundred times. I want a relationship with a British bookseller who will talk about obscure books with me. Q’s Legacy is a memoir on how she came to write 84, Charring Cross Road and how the success of that book changed her.
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
I came to know Amy Krouse Rosenthal reading her picture books in story times. When I found this book, she had already passed away and I remember flying to the east coast to visit my sister and I sobbed the entire flight while I read this. Amy just gets life, she turns every day life into the extraordinary. I found the experience of reading this memoir to be a magical one. I want to create an encyclopedia of my own life! If you are not sure where to start with this list, I HIGHLY recommend starting with this book.
The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Banks
I remember hearing a lot about this book when I was in high school in the early 2000s, my eleventh grade English Teacher raved about it. I eventually found this book at a library book sale for 50 cents many years later, I devoured it and fell in love. The novel’s narrator, Jane, explores life as a teenager, dating in your 20s, career and heartbreak. A wry and wonderful read, I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
