Well, it has now become a custom that at the end of the year I share the books that I read!  And you might be wondering…it is November…so why now?  Because I think that we are all starting to think about Holiday presents and what a better gift for someone who loves to read than a good book?   

Anyway, this year, I have been encouraged by my adorable reading club to go beyond my comfort zone when it comes to choosing books to read, so you will see some titles that are not “my cup of tea” but that I have enjoyed and some other titles that, if you have seen my prior lists you can easily recognize as “MV’s preferred topics”.  

Why sharing a reading list? Well, I love recommendations of everything!  New restaurants, new products, new places, traveling tips and of course, books. So, this list is shared in the spirit of sharing.  Nothing more!  Of the very little newsletters that I read, the ones that never fail to disappoint are those that have reading recommendations (even if I don’t necessarily end up reading any of them).   

I come from a family of readers…and my love for reading dates to my youth when my paternal grandfather kept an amazing library full of titles of all kinds which I would browse eagerly on Sunday afternoons and leave his house with a few under my arm (that he demanded they be returned in perfect conditions).  My maternal grandfather loved to read as well…but he was a medical doctor, and his library was then full of books more on the medical side! 

To this day, my parents are one of the most impressive sources of book recommendations (and in the house where I grew up, the library was perhaps the most important place…next to the kitchen of course!).  Both read several books at the same time (a behaviour that I seemed to have inherited).   

Like many things, genetics definitely play a role, and I love to see that my daughter shares this passion and if we are together with time on our hands, you can find us at Indigo browsing books and mugs (or at any local bookstore when we travel)!  And my son, to my delight, has also become a good reader.   

So, if this is your “jam”, browse the titles below and I hope you find some inspiration for your next book or a gift for a friend or family member (if I happen to be on your list…there is a section in the end with a list of books that I plan to read next year…so go ahead…I will be eagerly waiting!) 

Note: all links provided are to Indigo stores, as I am a firm believer in supporting local businesses.  

Historical Fiction Novels 

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon – This was the first book of 2024, and it gained its place as the top of my list. Of course, like many of the books I read, it is centered around events during WWII, but this time is the story of a real life hero called Nancy Wake, also known as The White Mouse or Madame Andre, an Australian who becomes part of the British SOE program and goes on to work with the French resistance.   

The Bucharest Dossier by William Maz – I saw this title at the library one day and was immediately attracted to it.  It is a spy-style novel about the events that took place during the last days of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s brutal communist regime.  It was hard to put down! 

The Bucharest Legacy by William Maz – This is the second part of The Bucharest Dossier, in which the hero Bill Hefflin returns to Bucharest years after the fall of Ceaușescu to finish some pending business.  As someone who comes from a current communist country (Venezuela), it was easy for me to spot some resemblance in the post-revolution society.  

Poland by James Michener – This was a choice of my book club, and I loved every page.  It is slow and sometimes hard to get through as it is the story of Poland through 8 centuries.  Unfortunately, it ends just before of the fall of the communist regime.  I learned so much about Poland and its people that I was left with a huge desire to visit.   

The Boy with the Star Tattoo by Talia Carner – while the title seems to point towards another WWII novel, the book centers mostly on the events known as the Cherbourg Project which involved the escape of some Israeli military boats from France’s port of Cherbourg.  Of course, it does have some jumps to the past right in the middle of Nazi-occupied France which I enjoyed. 

The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron – this novel jumps between WWI and WWII and covers the events of the Coventry Blitz during WWII that devastated the city of Coventry.  While I ended up reading another book from this author (see below), I have to confess that I wouldn’t go for a third one.  I found her style a bit too descriptive and complex for my taste.  However, the underlying story was beautiful.  

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron – Similar to the previous title, the story was engaging and new to me (Paris fashion during WWII and the role of so many collaborators). Give it a try.  You may find it easier to read than I did. 

The Berlin Apartment by Bryn Turnbull – I simply love this Canadian author who does not disappoint!  The Berlin Wall, the efforts of so many people trying to escape the East Berlin regime, the efforts of those in West Berlin to help so many people scape and the unbelievable things that one can do under desperate circumstances.  Loved this book! 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – This is simply a gem. Perhaps some think of it as a children’s book but far from it.  A beautiful, fun, entertaining and of course, extraordinarily written classic.   

El nino que perdio la guerra by Julia Navarro (The Boy who Lost the War) – Another incredible book by this amazing Spanish author.  This is her newest release, and it is amazing! The story navigates between Spain post-civil war and Stalin’s Russia and a little boy who is sent to Russia to be protected by a family and all that happens to the two families involved.  (link is to Amazon because the title is not available at Indigo). 

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – by the time you read this newsletter I am 70% into this book…which I started in January. That should tell you all!  This is my second attempt to read a Dostoyevsky book, and I won’t call it a failure unless I can report that I didn’t finish it which I am trying to avoid at all costs!  Stay tuned.  

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn – I have loved every Kate Quinn book since “The Alice Network”, but I must say that I didn’t particularly like this one.  While it is entertaining, I didn’t find it engaging.  It does have a good surprise towards the end…but you have to get to the end…I would still recommend, but just be mindful that if you have read any of her other titles, you may not fully enjoy this one (or at least that was my perspective) 

Other Novels 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – to my surprise, I sincerely liked this book (but I was the only one who did in my book club).  While the topic of game design is completely foreign to me, I loved each of the characters and how they grew over the decades.   

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – another choice of my book club that I enjoyed!  The plot twist was totally unexpected.  I think I read this book in three days (and a movie is coming, so I suggest you give it a try before Hollywood makes its usual disasters…). 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang –  I am neutral about it.  I couldn’t stop reading it because it is addictive, but it was a little dark for my taste.  I still enjoyed it. 

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – I am late to this book, and I never saw the movie.  All I can say is that if you have not read this book, then please do yourself a favor and buy it.  It is absolutely beautiful.  

Verity by Coleen Hoover – Ok…I really didn’t want to put this book on the list…From a plot perspective, the book is great (it will keep you engaged until the last page).  However, I don’t know if it is an “age” thing, but I was amazed by how little vocabulary this author uses and her constant use of trash language which I find a little off putting.  Having said all that, this was the most hilarious book club meeting I’ve had! 

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh – This is a cute book which I enjoyed (another book club choice), but it is way too long (600 pages more or less) and I think the story could have been told in less than half, but if you want a mindless read, this is a nice one (it is in the young adult category). 

The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah – This is another solid book from Kristen Hannah who definitely is a gifted storyteller.  Centered around events surrounding the Great Depression, it is a beautifully story of resilience.  Highly recommended.  

Work related  

How to Calm your Mind by Chris Bailey – I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand a little more about the mind and strategies to quiet it down.  It is full of research presented in a simplified way and anecdotes which I personally enjoy.  Another strong Canadian author. 

Sleep Well by Fionna Brennan – A great, interactive book that will help you master your sleep in 8 weeks.  It includes hypnotherapy sessions that work amazingly. The book is well researched, and it will not trigger stress (which most of the books about sleep do) but rather it will bring some peace and acceptance to this activity that we all do every day. 

Calm your Mind with Food by Uma Naidoo – This is Dr. Naidoo’s second book and while I enjoyed it very much, once you read the first one, I found this one a little repetitive. Having said that, from the perspective of the work we do at The FlipSide, it provided amazing resources which I appreciated. 

Ultra-Processed People by Chris vanTulleken – I must say that this book should be mandatory in High School.  While we all hear how bad it is to consume ultra processed foods, this book goes into the actual detail of what happens to your body and brain when you choose to eat these foods which, unfortunately, are readily available on every corner.  

Unstressable by Mo Gawdat – Well, I found this book at an airport and bought it immediately.  If you are looking for practical solutions when it comes to stress management, I wouldn’t suggest this book.  However, if you are looking to understand your body and mind as they are impacted by stress, then this is your book. 

The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi – From all the literature that is out there discussing menopause, I would certainly insist that this is the only book you may want to read.  It is easy to read, full of science that is not overwhelming and with practical and science-based tools to navigate this inevitable transition.  

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport – This book is great if you are an entrepreneur and have (almost) full control over your schedule.  It is easy to read but at times a little unrealistic (for me at least). 

Limitless by Jim Kwik – I like Jim Kwik, his podcast and his interviews, but I found his book to be repetitive.  

Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday – This book should be a must read for anyone in a leadership role or looking to grow professionally. Like other books from this author, he uses ancient and modern history characters to build on topics that will lead you to reflection. Of course, the title of this book has also become an ongoing joke at my house every time someone self-compliments! 

What is next on my Goodreads list of “Want to Read”? 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig- I’ll be reading this by the time you get this newsletter. 

The Lost Souls of Leningrad by Suzanne Parry 

The Seige by Ben Macintyre 

Every Time We Say Goodbye by Natalie Jenner 

Las Tres Heridas (The Three wounds) by Paloma Sanchez Garnica 

The Last Hours in Paris by Ruth Druart 

La voz de los Valientes (The Voice of the Brave) by Rafael Tarradas Bulto 

The Son of the Reich by Rafael Tarradas Bulto 

Churchill’s Secret Messenger by Allan Hlad 

The Storyteller of Auschwitz by Siobhan Curham 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles 

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel 

The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili 

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See 

There are more but you need to work and so do I!  

If you have not realized, this is my favorite Newsletter to write as it allows me to think about the books I read and the ones I am looking forward to reading. 

I hope you enjoy.  I hope you find some inspiration to read and that you encourage someone younger than you to read!  

Have a wonderful day…and remember…other than The Last Days in Paris…all other books remain on my Christmas gift list! 😊 

MV