6 Books You Might Have Missed

I love reading, it’s my favorite hobby of all time. Actually, it’s really more of an obsession than a hobby. The last year or so I have stumbled into some great books I haven’t heard of before, and though some of you may have I am really excited to share my ‘discoveries’ that made for some great reading. Who knows, maybe you haven’t and you’ll find your new favorite book on this list. So here are six of my recent favorites, I hope you enjoy.

1.)  We Were The Mulvaney’s by Joyce Carol Oats

This one was introduced to me by an English teacher a few years ago, but I never got around to it until last summer because it was featured in Oprah’s Bookclub, and I was snotty teenager who turned my nose up at the sticker. It was given to me by my mother in law who never read it herself (what a nice gesture) but I gave it a shot and fell in love.

It is about a prominent family in a small town as told from the perspective of the youngest son. They are the average American family suddenly turned upside down by a tragedy and the shame surrounding it. I don’t want to say too much so not to give too much away, but it shows the family disintegrate and drift apart in the shadow of said tragedy, and is definitely worth the read.

Say what you will about Oprah, but she has good taste in books (or some assistant does.)

2.) Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill

This is one of scariest books I have ever read, with interesting characters and a chilling plot, definitely his best book so far. The writer is the son of Stephen King, and it seems he is surpassing his father when it comes to giving me the creeps, and I have been an avid King fan since childhood.

This book revolves around an aging rocker who collects oddities. His assistant finds an apparently haunted suit on the internet, they buy it, and all hell breaks loose. It is fast paced, suspenseful with a mystery element added to the paranormal that makes it interesting to anyone who is a fan of every sub-genre of horror.

3.) The Hundred Hearts by William Kowalski

This book will make you sick but you can’t help but turn the page. I read this book in a day and a half, and it has stuck with me ever since.

A pot smoking Afghanistan war veteran turned teacher struggling with PSTD in a house already damaged by war (the grandfather is a Vietnam vet) an over worked mother, and a handicapped cousin of our main character all living under one roof. The author gives an unflinching look into the mind of someone who suffers with PTSD and creates an all to believable account of a stressful environment in which our hero returned to, and a tragic, unsettling ending. A stunning book by a great Canadian author who I would be excited to see more from.

4.) Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Wells

The author of The Glass Castle writes what appears to be an autobiographical book written by her (Wells) but from the perspective of her grandmother Lily Smith. I believe this was on the New York Times Bestseller’s list not too long ago but I have only encountered a handful of people who have read it (maybe I am hanging out with the wrong crowd?)

It begins in her grandmother’s childhood, which arguably is as strange as Jeanette Well’s childhood herself, and chronicles her life as something of a frontier woman and career woman when that was far from easy to be. It has an element of humor and the positive attitude of Lily’s character pulls you through even the darkest parts.

Also, I recommend Well’s other book which appeared around the same time ‘The Silver Star.’

5.) Drunk Mom by Jowita Bydlowska

This one is memoir, supposedly written as an apology to her son about her slip back into alcoholism shortly after he was born. It is told with humor and she does not shy away from making herself out to be the mess she was at the time this took place. You will laugh at her, root for her, but a lot of the time hate her as she describes being a new mom with a drinking problem. Pumping and dumping, lies, rehab, and awkward situations all around.

6.) The Orenda by Joseph Boyden

A thrilling historical piece that takes place in the earliest days of the settlement of Canada. Taking place in Northern Ontario we meet a Chief recently rocked by the death of his family. The book starts off with a battle between his tribe and their biggest rivals, tagging along with the chief is a French priest (the crow). During the battle they take a child of the rival tribe for the chief to adopt, a willful, angry young girl with special abilities to become his new daughter. The story of their lives, relationship and the changing face of Canada by settlers takes place over the years, filled with excitement as well as being historically accurate.

I also recommend Three Day Road, and Through Black Spruce by this author. They all include The Orenda focus on one family (the Birds’) throughout the generations — including present day, and the first world war.

This is my list, and I would like to see suggestions from other readers, and what you’d recommend from your personal reading list.