6 Books I Recommend – October 2024
“Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.”
– Charlaine Harris
Here are 5 nonfiction books and 1 novel I recommend from my recent reads.
[See previously recommended books here]
FICTION
1. The Covenant of Water
by Abraham Verghese
If you are patient with the slow start, this beautifully written, multi-generational family saga set in India is worth its 720 pages. It’s full of ups and downs, much of it centered around the Condition, a family curse involving water. I really grew attached to the characters, which happens when a long book is also a good book, which this one is. Now I know for myself: this book is worth the hype it’s receiving.
NONFICTION
2. Good People
Stories From the Best of Humanity
by Gabriel Reilich, Lucia Knell
We all need to hear more uplifting stories, not just depressing news. This book is a series of personal stories from Upworthy readers, “the kindest place on the internet.” It reminds me of something I know but need to hear again — the world is actually full of wonderful people.
[See my review here of Good People]
3. Spiritual Bypassing
When Spirituality Disconnects Us from What Really Matters
by Robert Augustus Masters
If you wonder whether you use religion in an unhealthy way, this book will help you explore that. Spiritual bypassing—using beliefs to avoid facing painful issues—is common but not necessarily healthy. I found this book to be valuable in questioning my own spiritual practices and highly recommend it for anyone else who seeks greater self-awareness in their spirituality.
4. Stand Your Ground
A Black Feminist Reckoning with America’s Gun Problem
by Roxane Gay
Why do people choose to keep a gun at home? In this extended essay, Roxane Gay explains why she finally decided to buy a firearm after years of resistance. This book is a thoughtful reflection on her experiences with gun culture in America. I appreciate the nuance with which she discusses the highs and lows of gun ownership.
5. How Not to Be Afraid
Seven Ways to Live When Everything Seems Terrifying
by Gareth Higgins
For those with anxiety, the world can often feel unsafe. This book offers seven fresh perspectives on fear, helping us put our own fears into a more appropriate context. I had several aha! moments while reading about Higgins’ own struggles and how he’s learning to reframe them.
6. Why We Remember
Unlocking Memory’s Power to Hold on to What Matters
by Charan Ranganath
I often wonder why we remember certain things, forget other things, and how our memories shift over time. This book dives into the latest scientific research but is still easily accessible for the non-scientific reader to help us understand how memory really works. Even though some of the findings are unsettling—like how easily our memories can change over time—I found this material both fascinating and enlightening.
WHAT I’M READING NOW
- The Life Impossible
by Matt Haig - Wintering
The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
by Katherine May - Lovely One: A Memoir
by Ketanji Brown Jackson - The Violent Take It by Force
The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy
by Matthew D. Taylor - Briefly Perfectly Human
Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real About the End
by Alua Arthur - Collateral Damage
Changing the Conversation about Firearms and Faith
by James E. Atwood - Hope in the Dark
Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities
by Rebecca Solnit
What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.
I do love the books you’ve recommended here, Lisa, as they all sound intriguing. Blessings!
Oh wow, Why We Remember sounds amazing. I have run into the ideas that our memories are less reliable than we think in books exploring how eyewitness memories about crimes are not very trustworthy.
I am glad you enjoyed The Covenant of Water! I love it when a novel really draws me in and the pages fly by. Your non-fiction picks all sound fascinating, as usual. I really need to learn about “how not to be afraid”. And I know my memory is unreliable, but it would be good to know more about why.
Whenever I come here I always go home with a take-away. Always! Thanks, friend.
Hi, Lisa –
I’ve read Covenant of Water as a buddy read with my husband. We both greatly enjoyed it and had wonderful discussions throughout. At 736 pages, its a bit of a hefty read but well worth it (and not quite as long as Anna Karenina, 864 pages, which I am currently reading and also highly recommend).
Good People is currently on my Libby Hold’s list. <3
I’m really glad to see your thoughts on Covenant of Water. I also loved the characters and enjoyed the little Easter eggs around Dr. Brand.
These all sound very interesting, Lisa. I just finished reading “Gather the Olives” by Bret Lott. Probably the best book I’ve read all year. 🙂
Oh Good People sounds like a good one! I love reading uplifting stories because while it can be so easy to get sucked into the gloom and doom and all those parts of our country that seem so out of our control it’s nice to reminded that there are still so many good people left that are willing to help and reach out and pitch in.
These all sound so interesting, although, I don’t think I could read a book as long as the first one, ha! Thanks for linking up with us!
Why We Remember sound like an interesting book to read.
Have a great October.
I read Covenant of Water and loved the story, but it was just so long! It could easily have been a two or even three-book series.
These all sound great, Lisa! I haven’t heard of the fiction book, which isn’t that surprising. I’m usually one of the last ones … I always enjoy seeing what you’re reading.
Lots of good books, the way our memory gets hazy as we grow older is such a pain. All your books sound really worth reading.
Lots of good choices here! I have to admit the reason I haven’t read The Covenant of Water is due to its length! I tend to get lost in long books.
I’m participating in non-fiction November next month and some of the ones you have here look like good options!
It sounds like you had a great reading month! I need to read some novels by Matt Haig. His novels sound very interesting.
Lisa, thank you for sharing your book recommendations. I’ll be sure to take a look at some of those mentioned here in the post. Thank you for sharing your post with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #58.
I loved The Covenant of Water. If Abraham Verghese writes it, I will read it.
Stand Your Ground sounds interesting. We have friends here in Canada who fled America in large part because of the gun culture there. Thanks for the heads up about Why We Remember. I’ve added it to my must read list for 2025!
An interesting selection of books! I must say I much prefer fiction to non-fiction though. I like the sound of The Covenant of Water and totally agree with you about a really good, long book. I’ve read one myself recently – The Bee Sting – and it was probably the best book I’ve read this year.
Popping over from Book Worms Monthly.
Hi Lisa, I think we all should read ‘Good People’ especially at the moment when there is so much negativity and war in the world. As always you have a great mix of books to review and thank you for sharing with us at #WOYBS? x
These sound great Lisa, heading to check some of these out now.
Thanks’ bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month.
xo
The Covenant of Water sounds interesting, but at 720 pages it’s quite the commitment! I enjoyed Wintering and am reading The Life Impossible at the moment. Thanks for linking up.
Thanks for joining us Lisa, I always enjoy your reviews and this post is no exception.
The why we remember sounds interesting. So does Wintering!
A very interesting selection of books, thanks for linking up to bookworms monthly, I will be featuring your post on my November link up.
I’ve heard great things about The Covenant of Water but I think I need to be in the right place to be able to do 720 pages, hehe. Hoping to get to it eventually! Intrigued by Why We Remember + interested in your thoughts on The Life Impossible! I really liked The Midnight Library.