I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb
This is the 20th and final book I read this year. The story of a Pakistani teenager who dared to speak against the Taliban, was subsequently shot in the face, and survived easily topped my fave reads.
The Lowland by Jumpa Lahiri
The book reminded me of a favourite film released in 2004, The Best of Youth. Both tackle the same subject, two brothers who grow apart because of differing ideologies. While the film is more political, the book is more personal. Both are heartbreaking.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
A young boy survives but loses his mother on a museum bombing. While trapped in the rubble, he steals a painting that brings him to the world of art and thievery. Exquisite writing, I tell you.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
World War II. A blind Polish girl. A German soldier. A precious stone. Nazi. Holocaust. A book I could not put down and so easy to read I finished it in 2 days.
The Circle by Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers perfectly captures the pros and cons of social media, of the penchant of people to broadcast their one-for-the-books lives, their hunger for attention, and the euphoria of getting the likes they so desperately crave.
The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro
The first of 3 books written by Munro in this list. In this short story collection, she writes stories of her family and how they came to be.
Runaway by Alice Munro
The second short story collection written by Munro in this list. The collection contains 8 stories about women and their many lives, loves, and losses.
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro
The 3rd and final Munro book I read this year. The book contains 9 short stories about men and women, some middle-aged couples, and the lives they live.
Silence by Shusaku Endo
I’ve been hoarding Japanese literature for the past two years and this is only one of two books I’ve read – the other book’s title escapes me as of this writing. Silence is about two missionaries who go to Japan to spread Christianity, the persecution and hardship they get, and ultimately the compromise they have to pay.
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
I’ve always wanted to read this book since I watched the movie with the same title starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore. The book is about an extramarital affair, a bitter and heartbroken man, of religion and of faith.
Scud In Real Life 