Thanks so much for the recommendation! I really appreciate it.

My single greatest recommendation for this year would be, Stephen Cope’s book, The Great Work of Your Life – A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling. It was such a great read, I started reading it again as soon as I finished it the first time! Wonderful stories of people who have followed their dharma and lived their true lives. inspiring and a delightful read. ~sarah

So glad you enjoyed it, Sarah. I always get a little nervous when suggesting books because such recommendations are always a matter of TASTE! So glad that yours seems to match mine! Now, do YOU have any recommendations for me and my readers?

Thanks for sharing your book list and sharing the reasons you like something. I too, do not normally lean toward fantasy, and have actually never read a Harry Potter book … but this one was really amazing – especially for a first novel!

It’s always good to get new reading ideas from a trusted source!

~sarah

Sounds like an interesting book, Catharine. Thanks for sharing!

It’s the story of Gyong-ho, a factory worker whose life is incredibly hard even by North Korean standards. She is eventually trafficked into South Korea and forced into prostitution, and I won’t tell more of the plot to avoid spoiling the story. (How an American man who’s never been to North Korea gets into the mind of a female Korean factory worker/sex worker is beyond me – but it works.) Despite the fact that it’s a very tough tale, it’s not a slog to read. He tells the story in a straightforward way, without self pity, and the writing is captivating and even heart-warming. After I finished the book I kept wondering about Gyong-ho and how her life unfolded – even months later she still pops up in my mind at odd moments. To me, there’s no better compliment to a writer than to still be thinking about a character months after putting down the book!

Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve loved every Barbara Kingsolver book I’ve ever read (The Poisonwood Bible is my fave) so will definitely give Flight Behavior a try! Michael Polan’s book sounds really interesting, too.

Nonfiction: Cooked by Michael Pollan.As he learns how to prepare using four classic methods (roasting, braising, yeast raised bread, and fermenting), the reader learns about human development, culture and the history of food preparation. Fascinating and a fun read as well, made me want to run into the kitchen and start baking my own bread again.

Thanks for the suggestions, Patty. I also loved Cutting for Stone. Haven’t read any of the others. Well, except for Wild, which I really didn’t like. Life Among Giants sounds particularly interesting.