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Reading is Vital to My Conscientious Resilience!

Estimated reading time: 27 minutes, 7 seconds
Reading is a Vital to My Conscientious Resilience!

In 2024, I Read
One Hundred Books!

Reading isn’t just about the number of books you devour; it’s about the joy of diving into new worlds and ideas. Can one ever read too much? I don’t think so, though I might have pushed the boundaries in 2024! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could tackle a hundred books in a year. My journey into more frequent reading began after I retired from full-time work at the end of 2018. Before that, my literary consumption was modest, with a few books here and there, but my true passion lay in reading newspapers and in the pages of The New Yorker and The Atlantic. Now, I’ve opened the floodgates and embraced the adventure that reading brings!

Immersing myself in a captivating book is my secret weapon for conscientious resilience. Each page I turn strengthens my mind and nourishes my spirit, equipping me to tackle whatever life throws my way. My reading journey predominantly traverses the enchanting realm of fiction, where I dive into an eclectic mix of genres.

For 2024, I’ve curated a diverse reading list that delves into the depths of love, loss, faith, hope, and grief, among other poignant topics. I revel in the thrill of discovering chart-topping bestsellers and hidden gems recommended by fellow book lovers. I’ve eagerly devoured all five finalists for the National Book Award for 2024 and can’t wait to share my thoughts on which one deserved the top honor. Additionally, I’ve explored the full slate of the New York Times best fiction books of 2024, and I’m excited to discuss some of the stories that have left a lasting impression on me in this post. Join me on this literary adventure!

Before I dive in, I want to share how profoundly reading has become a cornerstone of my conscientious resilience. My journey took a significant turn in 2019 when I fully embraced books. However, everything changed with my wife’s lymphoma diagnosis, which transformed me into a full-time caregiver—a role that became the most meaningful aspect of my life. After her passing in May 2021, I was left feeling adrift, unsure of how to navigate a world without her.

In the wake of that loss, I gravitated towards walking, reading, worship, and volunteering, even when I didn’t fully understand the reasons behind it.

Richard Reading

I prioritize carving out time for these activities, reflecting a conscientious effort to bolster my resilience. This journey, rooted in faith and love, has helped me cope and shaped me into a better version of myself.

Can conscientious resilience be a universal solution? I can’t say for sure, but it has been a lifeline in navigating grief. This powerful mindset has guided me to rediscover life after loss and inspired me to embrace every moment. It transformed my journey, helping me survive and thrive with meaning and purpose.

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Daughter: A Novel

Read: September 2023

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Daughter: A Novel

by Claudia Dey

I started reading “Daughter: A Novel” by Claudia Dey today. According to Mona Dean, to be loved by your father is to be loved by God. Mona is a playwright, actress, and daughter of a man who is famous for a great novel. However, her father’s needs and insecurities significantly impact the women in his family, including Mona, her sister, her half-sister, and their mothers.

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Shred Sisters

Read: January 2025

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Shred Sisters: A Novel

by Betsy Lerner

Today, I dove into Betsy Lerner‘s debut novel, “Shred Sisters.” Lerner is also known for her acclaimed work, “The Bridge Ladies.” This gripping story beautifully unravels the intricate tapestry of family bonds, mental illness, and the tumultuous relationship between two sisters. It’s compelling enough to have earned a spot on the longlist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

The tagline resonates deeply: “No one will love or hurt you more than a sister.” When one family member is unstable, the entire family feels the impact. Enter the Shreds. Olivia, the sister in the spotlight, finds her once-stunning confidence becoming erratic and unpredictable, causing chaos in her wake. Her younger sister, Amy, is cautious and studious, believing in facts, proof, and empirical evidence. Yet none of that can explain what’s happening to Ollie, whose physical beauty and charisma hide the mental illness that will ultimately disrupt Amy’s carefully constructed life.

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“Shred Sisters” is an intimate and bittersweet story that explores the complexities of sisterhood, mental health, loss, and love over two decades. In the end, Amy learns a valuable lesson on her journey to self-acceptance: no one will love or hurt you more than a sister. I can’t wait to see where this emotional journey takes me!

When you purchase a book through one of my links, I earn a small commission that helps support my passion for reading. This contribution allows me to buy even more books to share with you, creating an incredible cycle of discovering great reads together! Your support truly makes a difference!

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Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Read: October 2021

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Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

by Katherine May

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May is “an intimate, revelatory book exploring the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.”

Two quotes that resonated with me were:

That’s what grief is – a yearning for that one last moment of contact that would settle everything.

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I recommend this book without reservation.

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Playground: A Novel

Read: December 2024

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Playground: A Novel

by Richard Powers

I started reading “Playground: A Novel” by Richard Powers today. This remarkable new novel comes from the Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author of “The Overstory” and “Bewilderment.” Even more astonishing is that this marks my three hundredth book since I embarked on this reading journey on January 1, 2019! I’m also enjoying “Judaism Is About Love,” which means “Playground: A Novel” will be my 98th or 99th book in 2024.

In this sweeping, panoramic novel, four lives intertwine, showcasing Richard Powers at the height of his skills. Twelve-year-old Evie Beaulieu finds herself at the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal, strapped to one of the world’s first aqua lungs. Ina Aroita grows up on naval bases across the Pacific, finding solace in art as her only home. At an elite high school in Chicago, two opposites bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game: Rafi Young gets lost in literature, while Todd Keane’s work leads to a startling breakthrough in artificial intelligence.

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When you purchase a book through one of my links, I earn a small commission that helps support my passion for reading. This contribution allows me to buy even more books to share with you, creating an incredible cycle of discovering great reads together! Your support truly makes a difference!

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The City We Became

Read: October 2021

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The City We Became: A Novel

by N. K. Jemisin

The City We Became: A Novel by N. K. Jemisin is my first science fiction and urban fantasy novel in quite some time. It is a story of culture, identity, magic, and myths in contemporary New York City. Jan and I had lived in New York City, and the book brought back fond memories.

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I recommend this book without reservation.

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Read: August 2023

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Study for Obedience

by Sarah Bernstein

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The Jan Lilien Education Fund sponsors ongoing sustainability and environmental awareness programs. Gifts made this month; I will match dollar-for-dollar. All donations are tax-deductible.

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I receive a commission when you buy a book or product using a link on this page. Thank you for supporting Sharing Jan’s Love blog.

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