What's the best book you read this year?

[GrayMatterWife]

"How Doctors Think."

I got a lot out of it. It helped me understand how DH reasons through issues professionally--which, of course, pours over into how he thinks in nonprofessional contexts. It is very different from how I think as a lawyer (which also, of course, pours over into all aspects of my life).

[HouseofWool]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

"How Doctors Think."

I got a lot out of it. It helped me understand how DH reasons through issues professionally--which, of course, pours over into how he thinks in nonprofessional contexts. It is very different from how I think as a lawyer (which also, of course, pours over into all aspects of my life).

Gonna have to see if I can get my hands on this.

I have to admit, I don't have much time to read, but I do listen to audio books all the time on my commute.

I really like In the Company of a Courtesean and The Birth of Venus, both by Sarah Dunant

[DCJenn]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

What is this book thing of which you write?

I read the next book in the Stephanie Plum series (13) and I think that's it. For the entire year.

Jenn

[MrsK]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I re-read "A Tale of Two Cities" and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

Also, I recommend "The Children of Henry VIII" but Alison Weir. It's a non-fiction historical account complete with footnotes. But it is absolutely facinating.

We read "Water for the Elephants" last spring which was also excellent.

Some of my other favorites, though not read this year, are "Middlesex" by Geoffory Eugenides, "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith, "Oryx & Crake" and "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, and "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahari.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I love reading! I think that comes from no kids, a long distance relationship, and lots of plane flights for work.

Some of the best:

Omnivoure's Dilemma
The World Without Us
Better, A Surgeon's Notes on An Imperfect Science
Salt
Eat Pray Love
White Coat
A Walk in the Woods
1776

Some I didn't like as much:
The Mother Tongue - Bill Bryson, I found it to be kind of boring
Left Behind Series - Love the premise, but the prose and some of the supporting details were implausible because they were trying to make a point which didn't make for very good reading
The Know It All - Jacob Akers?
Cod - I forget who wrote this one
John Adams - McCullough

White coat and Better definitely helped me understand better what DF is going through/will go through and I found them fascinating. What else did people like? I need book recommendations!

[ladymoreta]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I've been reading The Wheel of Time series for over a year now, so I can't really pick a favorite... (First time through - no spoilers please!) I can definitely say that it's my favorite series of all time. Although I'm going to be really ticked if they don't release the final book, whoever ends up writing it

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I actually read a few books during the first couple of months with Jack when we were camped out on the couch. The best one was also a Kingsolver and I keep referring back to it and telling people about it "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle".

Have not read a thing in the past 6 months. I miss books so much

[Vishenka69]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

The three books this year that stand out the most are:

The Commoner, by John Burnham Schwartz
Petropolis, by Anya Ulinich
The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch

There might have been something in the first half of the year (the 3 above are from last 6 months) but I can't remember any of them, so they must not have been that good.

[houseelf]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I fall in love with about half the books that I read and probably overinflate most of my recs. The good news is that I love to read.

I just finished "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell. I could NOT put it down. I loooooove this type of nonfiction trivia/marginalia books. It's like reading the transcript of a favorite college professor's best lecture. Among many other things, I liked that he touched upon the taboo subject of cultural legacies. One of the many examples he gives is why the communication patterns in the Korean language and culture contributed to an increase in airline crashes until 2000. I'll cut to the chase, Koreans are very concerned with hierarchy and politeness rendering American Air Traffic Controllers unable to discern the true message embedded in polite "suggestions". As Americans, we practically glorify individuals who stand up for his or her rightful place at the table (think: Erin Brokavich (sp?) and Norma Rae) and as a consequence we can inadvertantly miss entire meanings of conversations. I found it wildly interesting that Gladwell touches upon the unspoken cultural legacies which shape our destinies but are rarely acknowledged. My slight criticism is that he fails to offer enough empirical evidence to support some of his points. I found myself wanting to read more on this subject.

Also, particularly relevant to me was the first chapter regarding birthdates and their unintended consequences, from professional sports to education. I will not spoil an otherwise rolicking read, however, if I was ever on the fence about sending my late August baby to kindergarten the first year she is eligible, the statistics he cites made a damn compelling case.

In answer to the original question, I don't know that I could name a single "Best" book. :huh:

Kelly

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

Also, I recommend "The Children of Henry VIII" but Alison Weir. It's a non-fiction historical account complete with footnotes. But it is absolutely facinating.

I own a copy of every book she's published. LOVE her. Not so academic as to be exclusive or impenetrable, but not conscending to the reader either (like some history authors can be when writing for common consumption, apparently assuming that one must write in monosyllabism for those of us without a Ph.D. in medieval history to be able to follow their argument! Uh, you can use SAT words when necessary to be concise and precise and it won't keep you off the New York Times Bestseller Non-Fiction list...).

I was so impressed with Eleanor of Aquitaine after I read Weir's biography of her that we gave Ava-Marie the middle name "Eleanor."

[Sheherezade]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

Also an Alison Weir fan. I haven't read the children book yet. I will have to get to that one. She is fantastic. Iwas wondering if Antonia Fraser is similar? I know that Ladybug has been reading her biographies. Some history writing is so dry I can't get through it. Weir is great. Recommended.

[MrsK]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I'm reading "The Lady Elizabeth" now. I enjoyed "Innocent Trader" but I still think Weir's non-fiction writing is better than the fiction. The "Children of Henry VIII" was facinating because of its sympathetic treatment of Mary I.

[fluffhead]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

Some of the best:

Omnivoure's Dilemma
The World Without Us

That's so funny - I assigned my AP Environ Sci class readings from both these books this year.

[Thirteen]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

I have made "categories" --

The Life of Pi
The Alchemist
Three Cups of Tea

Passing
Beloved
Sula

Water for Elephants
The Red Tent
Middlesex

A Dog Year -- (you know, before all the dog-type books took off: you WILL cry)
Plague Dogs
Watership Down

(I'm a Lit major, so I'll stop there) *LOL*
:guilty:

[MrsK]

Re: What's the best book you read this year?

Holy cow people! Where does everyone find the time to read? I can barely make it through an entire recipe before I get interrupted. I think my big read this year has been Cesar Millan's latest book, gotta love the Dog Whisperer.

I can't speak for everyone else --- but like ekrater, I'm childless and spend oodles of time on airplanes. Also, no cable TV!