I began writing Sonderbooks in 2001, so I’m celebrating 20 years this month!
I’m looking through all my Sonderbooks Stand-outs posts and highlighting some extra-special books I read and reviewed each year. Today we’ll look at 2006, which was the year my husband separated from me, we left Germany after ten years, and I moved to Virginia.
But let me get straight to the books!
Once again, I’ll start with relationship books.
You Don’t Have to Take It Anymore: Turn Your Resentful, Angry, or Emotionally Abusive Relationship into a Compassionate, Loving One, by Steven Stosny (Later retitled to Love Without Hurt)
This is an amazing book if you’re in a verbally abusive situation, to help you stop the cycle and change your own attitude. It helps you turn your resentment and hurt into compassion, thus feeling much better about yourself. This was my introduction to Steven Stosny’s writings, and all his insights are tremendously helpful.
Forgive for Good: A PROVEN Prescription for Health and Happiness, by Dr. Fred Luskin
When trying to deal with my husband leaving me, I read many books on forgiveness. This one was by far the most helpful. He reminds the reader that forgiveness is good for you. Why should you let someone continue to harm you?
How We Choose to be Happy: The Nine Choices of Extremely Happy People–Their Secrets, Their Stories, by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks
This was another book that helped me adjust to all my major life changes. I got to choose to be happy while I faced it all, and this book helped remind me that’s what I wanted.
Waking the World: Classic Tales of Women and the Heroic Feminine, by A. B. Chinen
Another book of fairy tales from Allen Chinen, this time an international collection of tales featuring strong women changing the world.
NOT “Just Friends,”: Protect Your Relationship from Infidelity and Heal the Trauma of Betrayal, by Shirley P. Glass, Ph.D.
By this time, I’d learned that my husband had an affair. This book is outstanding for helping me work through that revelation and get on with healing.
I’m Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers, by Tim Madigan
This is a beautiful and inspiring story about a man going through hard times and the help he got from Mr. Rogers being who he is.
Diary of a Medical Intuitive: One Woman’s Eye-Opening Journey from No-Nonsense E.R. Nurse to Open-Hearted Healer and Visionary, by Christel Nani
I was surprised how much this book moved me and helped me. A very personal story with lots of insight into life and health.
Busting Vegas: The MIT Whiz Kid Who Brought the Casinos to Their Knees, by Ben Mezrich
This is a second book by Ben Mezrich about brilliant kids using math to beat the casinos — and getting in danger because of it.
Now for Fiction:
The Canterbury Papers, by Judith Healey
Amazing historical fiction with suspense, romance, intrigue, and a smart, capable heroine.
Jane Austen in Scarsdale or Love, Death, and the SATs, by Paula Marantz Cohen
A retelling of Persuasion about a modern-day high school guidance counselor.
The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner
Oh, how I love Megan Whalen Turner’s books! I read the first two before I started writing Sonderbooks. Every single one is a treat.
River Secrets, by Shannon Hale
The third in the Books of Bayern series. Another series I love.
Ptolemy’s Gate, by Jonathan Stroud
And yes, another third book, this time the culmination of the Bartimaeus trilogy, where I enjoyed each book even more than the one before.
Hit the Road, by Caroline B. Cooney
A wild intergenerational road trip novel about a 16-year-old inexperienced driver behind the wheel as her grandma makes plans for a reunion with her friends, complete with a kidnapping caper.
Happy Reading!