Book Thoughts from Bed is 3 years old this month. I have truly enjoyed interacting with new friends I’ve met through the blog and old friends that I have reconnected with (some from high school and college!). To all my blog readers, thanks for indulging my need to talk about books!

Occasionally I scan through my older posts and it reminds me that I have read some really amazing books in the last 3 years. Here are some of my favorites.

The Big Short by Michael Lewis. This is the book that started the blog. After reading it, I thought, “OMG, I really need to talk to someone about this book!” Starting a blog was my way of doing that. It recounts the events that led to the housing bubble and subsequent recession of 2008.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. A truly fine piece of literature and definitely worthy of the Pulitzer Prize it was awarded in 2015. Set in WWII, it tells the stories of a blind girl and a young German soldier who have vastly different but equally poignant war experiences.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. This nonfiction gem tells the story of the unlikely American team that won gold in crew at the 1936 Olympics. It’s a profile of perseverance, teamwork and greatness that left me wondering about our current culture (ie, no safe spaces or play-doh therapy for these college guys!).

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. This is the book that made Amor Towles one of my favorite authors. The titular gentleman is a Russian aristocrat who is confined for decades in Moscow’s Metropol Hotel following the Bolshevik revolution. It’s a story about human dignity and grace.

News of the World by Paulette Giles. An interesting premise and great storytelling made this novel one of my favorites. Set in Texas in the 1870s, it tells the story of an ageing widower who is hired to bring a young girl several hundred miles to reunite with her relatives. The bond between man and girl, based on trust and decency, really appealed to me.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Wildly imaginative and beautifully told, Peace Like a River easily made my list. It tells the story of a close-knit family struggling with life, but doing it with love and hope.

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. This novel of suspense switches back and forth from 1941 to 2011, as it slowly reveals and solves a mystery. It is very well written, with great character development and lots of atmosphere. But a big part of why it made this list is because of the surprise ending. Didn’t see that one coming!

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn. I would be remiss if I didn’t include a really good thriller on the list and this one is… a really good thriller! Featuring a pill popping, wine chugging, agoraphobic nosy neighbor lady, The Woman in the Window offers a tight plot line and wholly satisfying twists.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. This is a romance with a lot of heart. Yes, I really just said that. The hero is an academic with Asperger Syndrome who sets out to, very methodically, find a wife. It takes him awhile to figure out that bartender Rosie is the one. In the meantime, there are many funny and touching moments.

Educated by Tara Westover. This remarkable memoir left me a little stunned. Tara Westover shares her story of perseverance and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds against her including survivalist parents, a physically abusive brother and a lack of a formal education. I’m still a little stunned!

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. I didn’t expect to like this 34-year-old book so much, but it’s hard not to love something so amazing. Larger than life characters, rich Old West atmosphere and plenty of action made this one of my favorites.

So there you have it – some of my favorite books from the last three years of blogging. I hope to be able to post another list on the blog’s fifth birthday. In the meantime, thank you so much for reading!