Favorite books

Are you an avid reader? i was. As a child i would eat books. Nowadays, I must say that i read way less but that doesn't mean that it's not on my ever-growing to-do list. And while the torrent of everyday life oft swipes me away from leisurely pursuits, i am always looking for new inspiration. So i ask of you: what are your favorite books? Please tell me! I am dying for recommendations. Here is my list. If you haven't read any of them, i encourage you to do it. Promise, you won't regret.

Jeanne, fille du Roy (the King's Daughter). My favoritest. Read this in high school (i am French Canadian) as it was part of our curriculum but i am still as much in love with it today as i was then. It is a young adult novel but yet, it is so relevant and beautifully written. Set in the 1670's the story follows Jeanne, a fierce orphan, on her way to Quebec. As a orphan, French girls had two choices back then: become nuns or get married to strangers and help populate the "new country". I probably have read this 10 times. That's how much i love it.

There's no English equivalent to this book, unfortunately but if you speak French, please read this. I really enjoy books that highlight the beauty of my province and this takes just about the cake. Set in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, where the sea begins, this novel reworks the beauty and the beast story. As much as Quebec is marked by its distinct French and English cultures, so is this novel: Maybel the protagonist falls for William, a disfigured young man of Scottish descent. The book's depiction of nature and life in those days is poignant and sincere. A literary gem.

A true masterpiece. The first non-fiction novel. The book that fueled my love for murder stories (i know, im a creep). Just read it.

 

I read this for a litterary journalism class and never got over it. Didion's is undoubtebly a master of neurosis and self-analysis. This book depicts how she survived the year following her husband's death and her daughter sudden illness (that would eventually lead to her death too). When you experience such tremendous loss, where do you go from there? Didion answers the question.

Wish list:

Aching to read this follow-up (kind of) to The Year of Magical Thinking. In this one, Didion explores the life and untimely death of her daughter Quintana Roo.

A wonderful collegue of mine gifted me with this lovely book. She said this changed her output on life. I can't wait to read it. xox