Best of....

You-tubers, bloggers, and many other writers often post their best-of lists. The lists can highlight everything from backpacks to chainsaws to air fryers. For the record, I am not an expert on anything in particular so I will spare you the farce of a definitive endorsement of products. I am, however, a reader so here is my list of favorite books for 2022, in no particular order. (Be forewarned. It seems I had a maudlin bent in my selection of literature last year.)

1) A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold (memoir)--Sue is the mother of Dylan Klebold who was one of the teen killers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999. Sue's heartfelt account gives the reader an insightful look at the events leading up to the tragedy and the years following that horrific day, from a mother's perspective. The book is certainly not a feel-good book but I appreciated her courage to write about a topic that comes at the risk of sounding defensive on her part. Her goal in sharing her story is to help others recognize mental distress and shed light on the challenges that come from such an onerous task.

2) The Far Land by Brandon Presser (nonfiction)--If you are a fan of Mutiny on the Bounty, this book is for you. If you are not necessarily a fan of the Mutiny tale, such as myself, this book is still an entertaining read. Unbeknownst to me, there is a very small and remote island in the South Pacific that to this day has inhabitants who are ancestors of some of the mutineers from the good ship Bounty. The author takes an arduous trip to the island and spends time with the quirky and secretive residents. The book inspired me to brush up on my Bounty history and ponder questions about leadership and the existence of an island paradise. The book also reminded me of another favorite book of mine, Lord of the Flies. Self-government is not always a good thing.

3) Best Land Under Heaven by Michael Wallis (nonfiction)--Wallis takes another look at the infamous Donner party and their disastrous winter of 1846 as they attempted to cross the Sierra Mountains. Wallis acknowledges that many of us think of cannibalism when we hear the words Donner party. His book attempts to give a deeper insight into the families involved in that fateful tragedy and how they got to the moment when profound decisions had to be made. I was challenged to take a deeper look into my preconceived notions about the characters in this tragic tale.

4) Lake Wobegon Virus by Garrison Keillor (fiction)--I am a complete sucker for Garrison's work. This novel is the perfect antidote for the wicked plague we have been experiencing. There are very few books that make me laugh out loud but this one kept me chuckling all the way through. A mysterious virus scourges its way through the residents of Lake Wobegon. The virus causes a lack of inhibition so the actions of the characters become very puzzling and at times, a bit embarrassing. The source of the virus is finally identified and, spoiler alert, it involves Norwegian cheese. The book is a quick read and I recommend reading it with a hunk of Velveeta.

I hope you find a few good books for the year 2023. As the famous author C. S. Lewis stated, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."