Ursina's Shelf - 2019 Books in Review
Issue 1
Welcome! Reading allows me to discover new stories, characters, and worlds. Books also let me discuss and share these discoveries with family and friends. This newsletter hopes to do just that. Thank you for joining me!
Top Three Reads in 2019
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
My Description: The hero and protagonist of this tale is Count Alexander Rostov, who is under house arrest at Moscow’s Metropol Hotel. His journey is not hindered by this confinement, as he travels through both the hotel’s spaces and Russian culture and history, while encountering friends and foes and many more along the way.
My Take: Spellbinding writing with a main character I would love to meet and spend more time with. A plethora of mesmerizing scenes, immense character depth, and on top of that Tchaikovsky, Stalin, good wine & drink, human nature and so much more. I smiled, laughed, and worried along the way.
Bonus Tip: Listen to the audio version beautifully narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My Description: A novel storytelling mechanism lends this fictional story of a band, its members, and their rise and demise a real life feel. This book feels like Rock ‘n’ Roll with all the grit, glamour, and guitars.
My Take: The book chronologically tells the tale of this band through interspersed snippets of interview responses of each the main characters. I was hooked right away. Readers experience several perspectives and get a close-up look at how we all remember and even experience the same moments differently. I felt like a total groupie, cheering for the band and wishing for each member’s happiness and success.
Bonus Tip: Read all the lyrics at the end of the book. They are pure magic.
Factfulness by Hans Rosling with Ola Rosling and Anna Rosling Rönnlund
My Description: This work of non-fiction will change how you think about the world we live in. It combines a hopeful message on humankind with simple guidance on avoiding the dangers of statistics and biases. Written by a Swedish professor and his family with a bold vulnerability.
My Take: Inspiring, eye-opening, yet still easy to digest. I would have loved to meet Hans and thank him for sharing not only his knowledge, but also his deeply personal stories. I learned a lot and will keep learning more because of this book.
Bonus Tip: If you like this book, also check out Melinda Gates’ The Moment of Lift. No surprise these two met and were friends.
2019 Long List
For a story of two suburban families that will ensnare you like the fires of its opening pages: Little Fires Everywhere by Celest Ng (fiction)
For a practical guide to redirecting your life and career: Designing your Life: Build a Life that Works for You by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans (non-fiction)
For a whole lot of motivation and a fascinating and personal look at the world of runners going really long: The Rise of the Ultra Runners: A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance by Adharanand Finn (non-fiction)
For any naturalists, animal lovers, and Yellowstone National Park fans: American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee (non-fiction)
For aficionados of dark grizzly mysteries (in German): Todesfrist and subsequent Maarten S. Sneijder and Sabine Nemez books by Andreas Gruber (fiction)
Special Shout-Out to Vera. My mom read all of my top three books and discussed them with me, letting me relive them as she read them. Thank you for sharing your love of books with me now and always.
Thank you for reading this issue. In upcoming issues, I will dive into my favorite detective sleuths, business books, sports and running stories, and much more. Please send your thoughts, recommendations, and feedback to ursinab@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.