For three years I failed to reach my reading goal of 50 books, and so come 2024, I was determined to hit that target. In the final hour of the year, I crushed my goal and then committed to never doing it again; this year I’m setting the somewhat more reasonable goal of 30 books. However much you are aiming to read this year — whether it’s a specific number or just “more,” here are five books from my reading quests that could help you in yours.
The Last High(2020) by Daniel Kalla
Written by David Kalla, who has been an ER physician for 20 years, this medical thriller set in Vancouver takes the reader through an extensive and empathetic exploration of the opioid crisis. This was the first book I’ve read where I’ve been to the setting before. Knowing that I have walked the same streets as the characters — and even more so, knowing that many people I have walked past on those streets live the reality Kalla depicts — made this book all the more haunting. This is not for the faint-hearted; I can wholeheartedly say I have carried it with me since reading.
Path of Deceit(2022) by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland
Marda Ro believes that manipulating the Force leads to disastrous consequences. Kevmo Zink is a Jedi Padawan on an investigation to find lost Force artifacts he believes Marda’s community has stolen. For better or worse, their paths intertwine in a new era of books from a galaxy far far away.
It is a Star Wars book that you don’t need to be a Star Wars fan to read. I loved the exploration of the Force via the two young devotees of opposing religions. The book can stand on its own, or if you’re looking to knock another book off the list, it has a satisfying sequel: Path of Vengeance (2023).
People We Meet on Vacation(2021) by Emily Henry
For 10 years, polar opposite best friends Alex and Poppy have taken one blissful week of vacation together. But two years ago, it all went wrong, and they haven’t spoken since. This year Poppy is determined to make it right with one last chance vacation.
Though flawed and frustrating at times, I was entranced by the characters’ chemistry. Set over the span of 12 years and told in a non-linear fashion, Henry takes the reader on vacation, then invites us back home. If you are looking for a fun romance to chase away winter blues, this is the book to pick up.
Braiding Sweetgrass(2013) by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Plants and animals are our oldest, wisest teachers, and we need to listen to them more. This is what Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer says in Braiding Sweetgrass, a book that weaves together Western scientific method and Indigenous teaching through vibrant storytelling. It asks us to step outside, see what we have been given, and ask what we can give back. Through tales of maple trees, moss, strawberries, and more, it made me weep and reshaped how I view not only current climate issues, but also my relationship to myself, our earth, and my community.
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet(2021) by John Green
Brought to you by the internet’s favourite history teacher comes a collection of personal essays on our shared human experience. Each chapter in this book is a review of a different facet of the modern age on a five-star scale. Topics range from the Icelandic hot dog stand Bæjarins Betzu Pylsur, the smallpox vaccine, our capacity for wonder, and John’s favourite: diet Dr. Pepper. Adapted from his podcast by the same name, the essays in this book are heartfelt and rich with detail. A story, lesson, and laugh in each one. The short chapters and accessible storytelling make this a good read for those who typically don’t like non-fiction.
Books open doors to escape. They encourage us to try and understand ourselves and those around us. So head over to the library, open the page, press play on the audiobook — slow down, and let’s see that New Years resolution through.
