Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted (Suleika Jaouad)
"Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick." – Susan Sontag
This is the quote that inspired this book's title. This is a book about how you can only truly appreciate health when you are not well, how healing goes well beyond when your body improves, how the idea of "normal life" can be taken from you in an instant. Jaouad was nearly 23 when her diagnosis of leukemia came. And with it, the life she had imagined for herself gone in a flash. It's truly one of the most beautifully written memoirs I've ever picked up.
Kurt Vonnegut: The Making of a Writer (Dan Wakefield)
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., author of Slaughterhouse-Five, Cat's Cradle, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, and many more, is one of my all-time favorite writers. So when I learned about this biography, I knew I had to pick it up. Written by a friend and mentee of Vonnegut, this book beautifully covers the impactful moments of his life and how he channeled these experiences into his writing. If you enjoy Vonnegut's work, I highly recommend learning more about his life through this book.
Also, this might be the only book I've ever read that is written in the second person. It takes a little getting used to, but the "You..." sentence style creates such a uniquely intimate way of telling Vonnegut's story.
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (Alfred Lansing)
I love reading tales of epic survival, and this one just shot up to the top of my list of favorites. This book walks you through the absolutely harrowing and unbelievable story of Ernest Shackleton's attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914. When the boat got stuck (and subsequently crushed) by the ice, Shackleton and his 27-man crew were stranded in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. A great story about how resilient humans are and what it takes to be a leader under such terrible circumstances.
All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor (James Herriot)
This is quite simply a delightful book that is packed with interesting tales about creatures with tails.
In this memoir, James Herriot shares stories from his life as a country veterinarian in Yorkshire, England. Herriot gives readers a glimpse into the daily life of treating farm animals, filled with both the joys and the challenges that come with the job. If you've ever wondered about how cows give birth (i.e. calving) – or even if that thought has never once crossed your mind – this is the book for you.
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window< (Tetsuko Kuroyanagi)
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is a memoir written by Japanese writer Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. The book tells the story of Kuroyanagi's childhood and her experiences attending Tomoe Gakuen, an unconventional and innovative school in Tokyo. At Tomoe Gakuen, students were encouraged to be creative and independent, and the school had a strong focus on nature and the outdoors. The book is a heartwarming and inspiring tale about the power of education to nurture and empower children.
A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
This is a book that I read in high school and reread in adulthood and continue to think about to this day. It's a book about fate, faith, and friendship. It's one of the most endearing, unique stories I've read and it grips you from its first few lines:
"I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice—not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother’s death, but because he is the reason I believe in God."
Even if you don't consider yourself to be a religious or spiritual person, this book is well worth its time to explore these themes through the characters.
The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life and Legacy of Frances Perkins – Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, and the Minimum Wage (Kirstin Downey)
Frances Perkins is not a household name but she should be.
The first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet, Frankin D. Rooselvelt's Secretary of Labor was a tireless advocate for the working class and is credited with helping to create Social Security, unemployment insurance, and the minimum wage. Her personal life story and tenacity in fighting for the working class is astounding. I'll admit this book is dense at times with all the interesting details of Perkins' life, but it's well worth a read if just to really appreciate the protections and social safety nets we take for granted today in America.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (Laura Hillenbrand)
This book gets hyped up a lot, and I'm here to tell you it's absolutely worth the hype.
This non-fiction account follows the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner, as he enlists in the army and is sent to fight in the Pacific theater of World War II. I won't spoil the story, but the book displays the incredible resilience and unwavering spirit of Zamperini in the face of insurmountable adversity. This may have been the fastest I've ever read a book because the story was so gripping and unbelievable. It's also a movie, but the book is better.
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (Anthony Bourdain)
If you're looking for a behind-the-scenes look at the culinary world, Anthony Bourdain's (RIP) memoir. Bourdain candidly shares his experiences as a chef, from his early days as a dishwasher to his rise to fame as a successful chef and television host. The book is filled with colorful stories and characters, and it gives an intimate and unvarnished look at the hardworking, passionate and sometimes wild individuals who work in professional kitchens. It's a witty, unflinching and a highly entertaining read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend the audiobook version.
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness (Meghan O'Rourke)
I just finished reading this book and found it to be an incredibly illuminating and, at times, heartbreaking account of what it's like to live with chronic illness and autoimmune issues. The book spans personal reflections, the latest medical breakthroughs (and wide gaps), and history of how our culture views disease and health. With a dizzying array of symptoms that are nearly impossible to diagnose in certain cases, people with chronic illness face marginalization and neglect from the medical community. Through its blend of lyricism, empathy, and critical analysis, The Invisible Kingdom offers hope, solace, and a call for a radical shift in our approach to disease.
A Single Man (Christopher Isherwood)
Fiction: This is a beautifully written novel that explores grief, loneliness, and identity through the journey of a middle-aged, gay English professor named George Falconer. Set in the 1960s, the book follows George as he grapples with the loss of his partner and reflects on his emotions and life. Through his daily routines and interactions with the world around him, George navigates the ups and downs of his emotions.
It's a reminder of the beauty and importance of life, even in its most difficult moments. There is incredible prose throughout the novel, capturing the smallest details of life: "The perfect evening...lying down on the couch beside the bookcase and reading himself sleepy...Jim lying opposite him at the other end of the couch, also reading; the two of them absorbed in their books yet so completely aware of each other's presence."
The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine (Janice P. Nimura)
Janice P. Nimura's biography of Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell tells the captivating story of the first female doctors in the United States. Against all odds, the sisters broke barriers in the medical field, persevering through rejection and ridicule. Nimura's writing captures their fierce determination and unwavering commitment to healthcare reform. The Doctors Blackwell is a testament to the power of persistence and serves as an inspiration for anyone facing adversity.
The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West (Carrot Quinn)
Did you know people still hop trains to hitch rides? Do you want to know what it feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like? Boy, have I got a book for you! This is a wonderfully descriptive tale of the author's experience riding the American West while being a train-hopping vagabond. It is written as a memoir that draws you into the author's life and gives you an intimate sense of her challenging upbringing and desire for a life on the road. I very much enjoyed reading this book, and I hope you do too.
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II (Sonia Purnell)
This is the remarkable, true story of Virginia Hall, an American spy who played a critical role in the French Resistance during World War II. Despite being a woman with a prosthetic leg, Hall worked tirelessly to gather intelligence, recruit agents, and sabotage Nazi efforts. This is a great book if you're into reading about people who don't have name recognition yet played a pivotal role in history (like I am).
Tip for reading this book: There are a lot of people in this book, many of which have aliases because ... they were spies. Eventually I gave up trying to recall exactly who was who and just went off of the vibe of the description. Still a fun read!
Poonachi: Or The Story Of A Black Goat (Perumal Murugan)
In this touching and emotional story, you explore the world through the eyes of a small black goat named Poonachi. The book highlights the challenges Poonachi faces as she navigates through life, and the joy she brings to the people around her. If you love goats as much as I do, you will enjoy this sweet book.
15 Books to Learn About an Interesting Life
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