Coming to you today with two more incredible Julia’s Picks!
I am beyond proud to give my stamp of approval to both of these. They are completely “unputdownable” and I’ve recommended them both to countless people.
I know it’s been a while since the last installment… but I’m still on my quest to become Heather Reisman, so the Julia’s Picks must go on.
Welcome to the Departure Lounge by Meg Federico
This is an extra-special book because it’s written by a friend’s mom! I bought my copy based on a recommendation from my old roommate Leah, and I laughed and cried the entire way through. It’s a witty and poignant account of caring for parents with dementia. More funny than it is sad, the unbelievable-but-true stories had me roaring with laughter on public transit, in my place of work… everywhere. I even read passages aloud to a couple girlfriends. This is the perfect feel-good read for any time of year, but I would definitely suggest it as a gift for anyone who has cared for a parent or grandparent.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
You know those books you can’t stop thinking about, even after you’ve finished it? This is one of those. I was thinking about this book for weeks after I’d read it (I even named my goldfish after one of the characters). In all seriousness, it touched me in a way very few books have done. Hosseini’s character development is unparalleled – his stories are touching, without being clichéd or predictable. The best way to describe it is as the girls’ version of The Kite Runner – and not because it’s girly, but because it’s about two women instead of two men. They, Mariam and Laila, have seemingly separate lives, until Rasheed comes into the picture… and I cannot tell you any more because you absolutely must read this book as soon as you possible can. It’s beautiful, haunting and evokes every emotion a great novel should. For that reason, it’s probably my favourite book ever. And that’s saying a lot.
Have you read either of these? What did you think?
