My sister recently mentioned that a former high school classmate maintains a list of the books he reads during the course of a year and then shares said list with friends. What a great concept!  I am stealing his idea, but with a Joan twist.  I will publish my recommended reads on a quarterly basis.  Here is a compilation of books I have read January through March 2017:

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance-This is my first memoir of the year, and one with local ties. Mr. Vance chronicles his life in Middletown, Ohio where he was raised mostly by his Kentucky native grandparents.  The book covers alcoholism, drug abuse, poverty and much more.  It is a rag to riches kind of story, with the “riches” being his ability to graduate from both The Ohio State University AND Yale Law School.  I devoured this book in a matter of hours, and highly recommend it.

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller-Continuing with the memoir theme, I stumbled upon this book on a Google search.  Ms. Miller is an only child raised by her hoarder father and shopping addicted mother, who has hoarding issues of her own.  Her home definitely qualifies for an episode of Hoarders with its endless stacks of paper, trash, rat infestation and more.  This was another easy read and one that held my attention as the depths of her parents issues became worse with time.

Difficult Women by Roxane Gay-This a book of fiction, though one that reads like a memoir or an anthology on the trying and traumatic lives of women.  This book is not for the faint of heart as it contains graphic depictions of sexual violence, adultery and more.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi-This memoir was recommended to me from two separate sources.  The book is the story of a 36-year old Neuro surgery resident who learns that he has a terminal form of lung cancer.  He chronicles the details of his diagnosis and treatment as a physician who has now become the patient.  The book reminded me of Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Album and The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch.  Read all three if you are so inclined, but be sure to have a box of Kleenex nearby.

Memory Man by David Baldacci-This is my second book of fiction this year and a murder mystery.  While not my typical read these days, it is a page turner.  The story revolves around a former detective whose life becomes unraveled with the murder of his family.  A school shooting sucks him back into police work as he and his former colleagues work to solve two mysteries in their small town.

In addition to books, I also gobble up my monthly issue of The Sun, a magazine overflowing with great stories-both true and fiction-poetry, and photography.  It contains zero advertising.  I have subscribed to this little gem for many years and highly recommend it.  However, reader beware.  The magazine leans to the left, so may not be suitable for those who lean to the right.  I also flip through the monthly issues of the Costco magazine and the AARP Bulletin.  The latter is addressed to Mr. Joan.  AARP tracked him down as he turned 50, but I remain off of their radar.  Perhaps that is due to the fact that I was granted a do-over of my 40’s and therefore am a mere 46 years of age.

A big thank you to Mr. F., my former high school English teacher, who shared a must-read book list with me.  I intend to seek out several of the titles for my future reading pleasure.  Also, a thank you to family members who loaned me a few books from their own collections.  My neighborhood public library has been a great source of reading material as well.  If you know of any good reads, especially memoirs, shoot me a text, email or a message on Facebook with your suggestions.

Happy Reading!

It has come to my attention that my reading focus of late has been the memoir.  Just this year alone, I have read four or five books by Jen Lancaster, two by Jennifer Lauck and another pair by Anne Lamott. (Apparently, I have a preference for memoirs written by women whose last name begins with “L.”)  The memoir has become my preferred genre.  In my younger days and into my thirties, I mostly devoured books of fiction.  It was escapism in its purest form.  In my mid-thirties, I switched to non-fiction, a move that thrilled my non-fiction-fanatic late husband. (I landed in the New Age/Spiritual section, and gobbled up countless books as I became awakened to my spirit. ) The memoir is appropriate for my grown-up taste in books that are true. As I continue to take teeny-tiny baby steps with my writing, the memoir, one written by and about me, seems like a possible long-term goal.  Everyone has a story worth telling. The trick will be to find the time, words, confidence, patience, humor, humility and freedom to dare to write it all down.

The lawn has gone dormant and the jingle bells have ceased clanging ringing.  This can mean only one thing-I FINALLY have time to indulge myself with books. (Our community built a brand-spanking new, fancy-schmancy library just five minutes from our home. Thanks to falling leaves begging to be raked and nonstop holidays, it took us nearly two months to enter its doors.)  In the past month or so, I have managed to knock out four books (some on loan from afore-mentioned library), and have started a fifth. LIFE IS GOOD! So, here’s a brief synopsis of what has been (or currently is) on Joan’s nightstand:

have a little faith by Mitch Albom.  This is my fourth Mitch Albom book and one that I purchased so I could add it to my collection.  It is the true story of Mr. Albom’s encounters with his Rabbi (who asks him to write his eulogy) and a Detroit pastor who ministers to the poor and homeless in his community.  It is yet another “little book” with a BIG message!

For Christmas, a friend sent me the second book written by Jeannette Walls, Half Broke Horses. (Ms. Walls is the author of the bestseller, The Glass Castle.) Her latest book is the embellished story of her maternal grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, born in 1901 in west Texas. This is a great “chick read”, as it captures the story of a strong, courageous woman with perseverance that is admirable.

My next two reads are by an author that had somehow escaped my literary radar. Jen Lancaster managed to release several hysterically funny biographies without so much as a blip on my screen. Over the course of nine bedtimes, I managed to whip through Pretty in Plaid and Such a Pretty Fat. I have finally found a woman who swears TONS more than I do! The books were an easy read, and offered many opportunities for laughing out loud.

My current book-of-choice is Grace (Eventually)-Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott.  I just started the book last night, but was a fan early on after reading a quote by Kathleen Norris, which is included on page 11 in the Prelude. Ms. Norris says, “Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can’t imagine.” LOVE THAT! I have read two other books by Ms. Lamott, and have never been disappointed.  I’m sure that this one will make number three.

I hope that the slower pace that January tends to offer has left you with time to pursue your hobbies/passions. Before you know it, the birds will be chirping and the grass will be growing, and I will once again be a slave to my little plot of land. ARGH!!!!

A co-worker loaned me a book this past week. It turned out to be a can’t-put-it-down kind of read. I am referring to the novel, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” by Garth Stein. Very early on, you realize that the story is being told through the voice of a dog. I was hooked already! Enzo longs to be a human with thumbs and a tongue that can form spoken words. He shares his story of life with his owner, Denny, who happens to race cars. The tale brings both smiles and tears, and has hints of spirituality woven within the pages. I gobbled up Mr. Stein’s style of writing, and plan to read two more novels scribbled in his pen.

This book has left me wondering what my own canine, Lexi, would say if she could speak. Does she like it here with us, her second owners? Does she really get miffed when I have her coat shaved at the groomers, or am I just imagining that she pouts in the car when I pick her up? Is she really training for the lead dog in the Iditarod, or does she just enjoy pulling me through the neighborhood on our daily constitutionals? These are just a few of the many questions I would ask Miss Lexi if given the opportunity to converse with her. Meanwhile, I give Enzo two thumbs up for sharing his story!

I just finished the book, Boom !, a bestseller written by Tom Brokaw. The book chronicles the events of the 1960’s, as described by the people who had been there and done that. This work of non-fiction covers the Vietnam War, the civil and women’s rights movements, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, politics, music, and illegal drugs.

I was born in 1960, so I was just a newbie earthling for most of that decade.  I was more concerned with learning to walk and talk, skipping rope and playing with dolls, and was therefore fairly oblivious to the pivotal events that were occurring around me.This book provided me with a way to catch up on those early years of my life. There was so much change and controversy that took place in that ten-year span. This type of book is not my “usual” choice of a read, but I was most pleasantly surprised. It was a history lesson that did not bore me in the least, and one that I looked forward to reading at the end of the day.

I love to read AND write.  Are most writers readers?  Which came first? The chicken or the egg?  The cart or the horse? Reading or writing? Whatever!

In honor of the recent Academy Awards, I give you my nominees for favorite authors:

Category: FICTION   The nominees are:

Pat Conroy for Beach Music

Nelson DeMille for The Gold Coast

John Irving for Cider House Rules

Wally Lamb for She’s Come Undone

Mitch Albom for the five people you meet in heaven

If I had to pick a winner in this category, it would probably be Pat Conroy.  In my next lifetime, I want to write like him.

Category: NON-FICTION   The nominees are:

Mitch Albom for Tuesdays with Morrie

John Grogan for Marley & Me

Dan Shapiro for Mom’s Marijuana

Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley for Final Gifts

Randy Pausch for The Last Lecture

The winners in this category for me are Mitch Albom and Randy Pausch. Their books contain life lessons that all of us can learn from and be inspired by.  (They probably belong in the “spiritual category”.)

Category: SPIRITUAL   The nominees are:

Debbie Shapiro for The Bodymind Workbook (This is required reading in the Religion of Joan.)

Neale Donald Walsch for his series Conversations with God

Louise Hay for You Can Heal Your Life

Eckhart Tolle for The Power of Now

James Van Praagh for Reaching to Heaven

There are no losers in this group.  They are all winners.

Let me know what books are on your nightstand.  I am always looking for a new, can’t-put-it-down read!