Best of 2016: Books
Goodreads tells me that I read 44 books in 2016 and although falling short of my somewhat arbitrary goal of 52 books, 44 still feels like an accomplishment. There is almost nothing that makes me happier than getting out of work, scoring a seat on the train and tucking into a great book for my hour-ish commute home. The subway will always be one of my favorite perks of living in New York, and the ability to spend 2+ hours a day reading instead of driving feels like the ultimate luxury to me.
2016 marks another year in which I resisted the inevitable e-reader purchase, but I just can't quite make the leap yet. However, I did just start reading Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital—a 558-pg hardcover library copy—and when I compare how I look holding a massive book next to Kindle readers, I do feel like a silly luddite. Regardless, books are wonderful things—even when they're boring or needlessly wordy or disappointing—and here are some notable reads from my 2016 stack:
Overall best:
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
First published in 1959, Alfred Lansing's book about the Shackleton voyage to Antarctica may be one of the very best books I've read—not only this year, but in my entire life. The true story is riddled with moments that will make you think "no. way." or "holy shit" and—unlike the actual voyage—the book just flew by. Any time I'm cold or remotely uncomfortable I think of Shackleton's crew and the trials they endured and I try to conjure up even a fraction of the humor and grace that they were able to find while enduring some of the worst conditions imaginable.
Best non-fiction:
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
I stumbled upon a series of photographs taken in modern-day North Korea and immediately became obsessed with knowing everything I could about the bizzaro conditions there. The country is notoriously sealed off from most of the world and its public-facing side is mostly propaganda and farce. To get information about the "real North Korea," author Barbara Demick spoke with six North Koreans (spoiler alert: all of which left the country at some point) covering a span of fifteen years. The idea that truth is stranger than fiction definitely applies to the story of North Korea, and even after reading so much straight from the source, it's still hard for me to comprehend that this place exists.
Best Fiction:
Based only on my interest in Carter the Great's incredible show posters, I picked up this novel in the dollar section of the Strand a few years ago. I try to alternate fiction and non-fiction and my fiction stockpile is always dreadfully low, but it's a shame that this sat on my shelf as long as it did. This was another book that inched me closer to e-reader land—although my copy is a paperback, it was long and unnecessarily large. But I was instantly drawn into the story—part mystery, part historical-fiction—and by the end of it I was grateful that it wasn't beholden to Carter's biography because in this case, I would bet that fiction is better than the facts.
Best in Science / Medicine:
Months later I'm still thinking about this book, and I doubt I'll forget it anytime soon. Sherwin Nuland managed to write a book about the scientific mechanisms of death that is neither morbid nor confusing. I found his explanations and case studies to be hopeful, enlightening and entirely fascinating. Death is the one thing that unifies us all—it's also terrifying, mystifying and completely unavoidable. I hate surprises, so while it's good practice to try to live in the present, it's oddly comforting to me to be a bit more knowledgeable about what's ahead.
Honorable Mentions:
Most Joyful:
The French Chef in America: Julia Child's Second Act
A follow-up to one of my all-time favorites, My Life in France, The French Chef isn't quite as iconic (and was written without Child, after her death) but Julia Child's life is admirable and her joyful attitude—especially in the face of difficulty—is endlessly inspirational.
Funniest:
How To Be a Woman by Moran, Caitlin (2012)
I've seen this advertised as "the British Bossypants" and that's a great way to describe Moran's musings on everything from underwear to childbirth. I actually left this in the seat pocket of a plane (I was so annoyed with myself) and bought it again just to finish it—it's that good.
Tailor Made for Me:
Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital
I've been searching for a history of Bellevue (ever since I creeped on the hospital a few years ago during my lunch break), and this one was published recently and was better than I could have even imagined. New York history? Check. Body snatching? Check. The evolution of medical practices including bloodletting, leeches and antiseptic germ theory? Check, check and check. Every single chapter had me thinking, "man, I love this book," and I was sad when it ended, which is the true mark of a great read.
I'm aiming to increase my book total in 2017 and spend even more time reading and less time aimlessly browsing social media (me to me: good luck with that). I never tire of chatting about books so let's be friends on Goodreads or leave a comment if you have any good suggestions!