Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. P.J. O’Rourke

Since moving to Nevada in 2004 and for the first time in forty years, I’ve not found a book group to join nor met anyone who even belongs to one. In medical terms, while this is not a life-threatening problem, it’s like having a perpetual sprained ankle. And, yes, it’s painful. I miss mixing it up with literary chatter.

That’s the bad news. The good news is my friends, avid readers, themselves, are bookclub-belongers who do send constant, “Mary, you’ll love this book” e-mails. In addition, Judy Grossman and Jean Harding, both francophiles, find foreign-language books to match my French skills. Neighbor Michelle Morgando, inhales cookbooks. Every time she excitedly calls with, “Mary, I just found ……..”, I know it’s going to cost me $25.  And, God Bless Ardyth Sohn, a PhD and journalism professor, who makes sure I don’t lose my scholarly edge!

I love to give books as gifts and, even better, receive them. As I wrote in my last Santa Snap, today’s Post will offer enough book suggestions to read you through 2012. Whether you use your library, buy second-hand, download on a device, or stop by your local and on-line bookstores, these books are available and must-reads. Grab your liquid-of-choice, settle in by the fire, and read on………

 YOU HAVEN’T READ THESE BOOKS? OH, MY! 

In early December I sent this e-mail to the readers in my life: “Because you’re all voracious readers with an appetite for good literature, I am asking for your assistance.  Would you send me the title of ONE of the books you have read this year that you would recommend to an adult audience, 40-70.” 

When it comes to books, my daughter, Melissa, is an addict. She includes more than 30 book ideas in her latest essay, http://flyingnotscreaming.com/2011/12/06/hiatus-report-week-6-my-best-reads-of-2011/. It  is the best 2011 faves compilation available. An opinion from her unprejudiced Mother.

As for me, don’t miss In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and An American Family in Hitler’s Berlin by Erik Larson. I’d also recommend Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent  Education of a Reluctant Chef, by Gabrielle Hamilton. You’ll sit down to a culinary and literary feast. As I move into 2012, I am finishing Ken Follet’s, Fall of Giants and just beginning the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson. It’s delicious. I’m anxious to dig into The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt and John McPhee’s classic Encounters with the Archdruid, both sitting on my bedside table. 

               WINTER IN THE ROCKIES: SKIING AND READING

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. Anna Quindlen

My Colorado friends were all over the literary map with their picks. “I loved March and Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks,” wrote Dexter Cirillo, an Aspen-based writer.  “I would especially recommend Caleb’s Crossing because of the historical perspective it gives on life in the early Puritan settlements in Massachusetts and the interplay between the Native Americans and the settlers. The depiction of Harvard in its infancy is also fascinating.”

Another Aspen writer, Cathy O’Connell, offered an emotionally-compelling choice. “If you’re looking for something a little different,” she wrote, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell, was fantastic.  Nagasaki in 1800 with the Dutch East India Company. There was one scene about a kidney stone surgery that was so intense I literally fainted. No kidding. Ask Fred [her husband]. We were on an airplane, totally jet lagged, and I had drunk two cups of coffee. With the combo, all of a sudden I felt myself getting woozy. The next thing I know I hear Fred saying, “What’s your problem?” as my head is lolling forward. (Loving husband!) Anyhow, fantastic book, great characters and great insight into the closed culture of Japan.”

I always value Donna Grauer’s recommendation. Donna, who lives in nearby Basalt, has a knack for discovering new talent.  She was reading Swedish author Stieg Larsson long before the rest of us could spell his name. “Just finished Field  Work by Mischa Berlinski,” she wrote. “I loved this book, which deals with the intersection of missionaries and anthropologists in the backwater of Thailand and Burma.  What a great story told with some humor and  a very smart book.  It is a murder mystery which may be beside the point but turns out to be the “delivery system” for a great story.”

For Judy Schramm, an Aspen Wilderness Ranger, picking a winner was easy. “I’ve read a lot of books this year but one that stands out to me is Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxio. “The book is so informative about China in  the 60’s and 70″ but, more importantly, how a child is plucked from an impoverished family life and becomes a great ballet dancer.” 

Judy Zanin, my hiking soul mate, who also lives in Aspen, picked her book club’s recent choice. “My book club just finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebeca Skloot, she wrote. “Was very interesting.” 

Occasionally, I receive an e-mail  suggesting a book to read, an article not-to-be-missed or “a concept” to embrace, from Mary Berglund, a valued friend with both Iowa/Colorado connections. She makes me think. “Last year’s reading faves were all over the place,” she writes.  “From the classic “big” novel to some shorter works that could add a bit of diversification to your list. #4 below is a quick read as each chapter is pretty self-contained and very interesting to almost everyone—I give this book as gifts.

1. On everyone’s list of course!  Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Jim [her husband] loved it too.
2. I read a lot of non-fiction related to my economics training that is probably a bit boring for your needs but one financial book is pretty accessible: The Big Short  (one of the better books about the past financial melt-down) by Michael Lewis. [I read it, too, and agree.]
3. Love the Scandinavian thrillers, too: The Snowman  by Jo Nesbo  (translated in 2010 from Norwegian)  His earlier book was great too:  The Redbreast.
4. Outliers  by Malcolm Gladwell. It is several years old but If you haven’t  read it, it is about successful people and how the story of success is quite complex. Each chapter shows some of the different elements that have affected the lives of these outliers (those unusually successful people). If I’d only known one of those “secrets” (the ten thousand    hours), it might have improved my life!

 Cutting for Stone was also my Aspen neighbor and library board member Austine Stitt’s choice. “It is the novel I have enjoyed most this year,” she wrote.  “An Indian nun gives birth to twin boys in Ethiopia.  We follow these boys from their childhood through their adult years.  Both become doctors, living on different continents.  The nun dies in childbirth.The boys’ quest for their father takes different paths.” 

My globe-trotting friend, Nancy Alciatore, is a Bridge aficionado and woman-of-many-interests. That’s why I’m interested to read her choice by Louis Sachar. “My favorite book of the last 90 days or so was The Cardturner,” she says. “It’s a real page turner (no pun intended) especially for Bridge players, but anyone will enjoy this book.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see it made into a movie because it would have great roles for character actors. You’ll be thinking about who will play each character as you read the book. I’m suggesting Joan Cusack for the mother.”

Betty Schermer and her husband, Lloyd, two treasures in my life, are always reading big books – those tomes with 400-to-600 pages. Although Betty liked reading Dragon Lady: The Life and Legend of the Last Empress of China, she chooses another. “I think I will recommend “Fall of Giants” by Ken Follett, the first of a trilogy. It follows five families through World War I and is very informative. Can’t wait for the next one.”

For newly-retired Ann Harris, a former Dean at Colorado Mountain College, it’s all about author Lisa See. “Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy-about the same family of 2 sisters,” she explains.

MOVING ON FROM COLORADO READERS  

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. Charles W. Eliot

Mary Ann Foust will meet me in Iowa next Fall to celebrate our 50th high school reunion. [Translation: we’ve been reading together a very long time.]  “Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand—–wonderful read—a book you “can’t put down” once you begin it,” she says.

Another high school friend, Gayle Fader recommends all books by her daughter, successful author Molly O’Keefe.  http://www.molly-okeefe.com/  Gayle is one proud Mama. [note to all: Molly’s books certainly spice up my life!]

Former Iowan and chef Mary Sue Salmon, who owns Cuisine Cooking School in Moline, Illinois, has me intrigued with her choice. “My favorite book among many this year is Pope Joan by Donna Cross. It will no doubt be very controversial and that is the fun of it. The author does a good job at the end of the book telling how her research supports this as true.”

When my neighbor, Michelle, a lawyer, judge and chef, finds time to read is a mystery. But, she writes “I just finished  The Violets of March by Sarah Jio, a wonderful story that combines love, history and a mysterious red velvet diary. I loved it!”

Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend.  Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.   Groucho Marx