6 Important Novels

Can you relate?

We move pretty often. The longest we’ve lived any one place in 14 years of marriage is just under 4 years. Due to the frequent need to pack (and stay under a pre-determined weight limit!) I’ve done a lot of book decluttering. I’ve spent hours at my bookshelves, running my fingers over the spines of old friends, deciding which can stay and which must go. It isn’t just that the books contain valuable or inspiring wisdom, it’s the connection each story or topic has to my life-

…This one I read as a sleep-deprived new Mom, desperate for information on how to make sure I wasn’t messing my innocent child up for the rest of his life.

…This one opened my eyes to a new way of looking at the world when I thought my creativity had run dry, or during that really hard move to a place where I didn’t know anyone.

Books are heavy though, so I made the tough cuts and have been doing most of my reading on my Kindle for the past few years. Now, I’m feeling a pull to go back to buying physical books. The ability to flip back and forth to re-read, or underline, or connect one point to another is unrivaled with physical books. Not to mention the way a new book smells, and the tactile pleasure of flipping the page to get to the next thought thought in a story that won’t let me sleep. Perhaps I’m just going to have to do a better job of being a book gifter. Someone who passes along the joy of a good book. Or maybe, I could cut some shoes out of my collection in favor of more books. We’ll see.

Here are 6 important novels that I’ve read within the past year. Each has themes and images that stuck with me long after reading.

The Orphan Master’s Son

The story of a man in fictionalized North Korea, as he moves from an orphan to the highest ranks in the government. The emotions and rationale the author relates through his character are plausible and give some comprehension of how an isolated kingdom can continue and how it may eventually begin to crumble.

Small Great Things

This novel has the potential to be life changing. Considering circumstances and social mores from perspectives other than your own can only help to strengthen the sense that as a whole, modern society has more growing to do. Centered on the touchstone of racial injustice, Picoult’s novel will move and convict you. Others’ experiences do not mirror your own.

The Light We Lost

A twisty, turny, real- because of the way that decisions are questioned- love story. Prioritizing vocational passion over love, or vice versa, is a relatable dilemma and this book takes the reader through an engrossing look into one woman’s experience of life.

1984

Classic and just as relevant as ever. If you didn’t read this one in school, maybe now is the time to do so. A look into a fictional dystopian society, where the government has complete power and truth is not a concern, desired or allowed, for the citizens.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Yes, I’ve been on a bit of a kick of filling in the blanks spots in that book list of “Must Read for College and Life” that our AP English teacher handed out at the end of senior year. No time like the present! This novel is gripping. Allowing for disagreement and debate, and living with the acceptance of differing perspectives is truly essential to a modern society.

The Physician

For some reason I hesitate to say that historical novels are my favorites, but then, I find that my Kindle library is just about 50% historical fiction. This is a sumptuous example of the genre. A young boy is tragically orphaned and through a series of events finds himself absolutely dedicated to the calling of becoming a medical doctor. His dedication to receiving the best training takes him on long journeys of danger, deceit and commitment.

 

I just finished up a few non-fiction books and am looking for my next novel. What have you loved, lately?

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