Books

Good Reads

Longtime favorites mix with recent good reads in a list of recommended books to entertain, enlighten and uplift.

by Laurie Williams Sowby

Our ward recently hosted a talent/hobby night, with emphasis on talents other than the performing variety. What we got was an astounding array of interesting things, from fly-fishing (a display with a waders-clad fisherman on hand to explain it) to mountain climbing gear, oil paintings and photography to carved wooden bowls and crocheted afghans, and even a demonstration on medieval sword fighting.

One table displayed a few books along with lists of favorites submitted by ward members who are known aficionados of the written word. Here are 10 from my list:

John Adams, by David McCullough — This excellent though thick biography lauds the unsung hero’s role in our nation’s independence and early history in a narrative that brings facts to life. Readers will also come to appreciate Abigail Adams, a woman outstanding for her time or any time.

Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather’s Blessings, both by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. — Soothing, uplifting essays about the joy of life and living, from the pen of this Jewish physician who lives with a chronic disease. Great bedtime reading!

Safe Journey, by Glenn L. Pace — Heartfelt, sometimes humorous, and powerful testimony of the Lord’s work and the growth of the LDS Church in West Africa as the Ghana Temple was in process.

Endurance, by Alfred Lansing — Amazing true story of the crew shipwrecked in Antarctica and their survival for more than two years, about 1915, in the days before communication technology and easy rescue. (Read the book before you see the IMAX movie about Shackleton’s adventure!)

Into Thin Air, by John Krakauer — The true story of the tragic May 1996 expedition to Mt. Everest, when a dozen people (including two experienced leaders) died, is an excellent study of human behavior in trying circumstances. Beware of some PG-13 language. (The movie, “Everest,” is the all-time best-selling IMAX — with good reason.)

A Distant Prayer, by Joseph Bank with Jerry Borrowman — This LDS man’s story of survival as a P.O.W. in Germany during World War II is filled with miracle after miracle, wrought by prayer. An absorbing read as well as testimony to the power of prayer.

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger — Deft prose, memorable characters and a surprising plot — and, refreshingly, no profanity in the author’s substantive first novel. Everyone in my book group loved it!

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith — Just plain fun stories (four volumes so far) featuring a self-taught woman detective in today’s Botswana. Beautiful descriptions of the country, evolving characters, and a highly moral yet resourceful and dignified main character make it highly readable. I dare you not to smile as you get engrossed in these little novels.

A Woman of Independent Means, by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey — One of my all-time favorites, this book features a strong, independent main character in the unusual format of her letters, which tell her story and reveal her personality over a lifetime.