Ann Patchett wrote something in The Wall Street Journal which resonated with me. She said people walk into a bookstore and “feel utterly lost in the face of all those titles, and so they walk out empty-handed.” She combats this problem by recommending books she likes to anyone who listens. I’ve decided to do the same.
I can’t promise a review of the books I recommend since that takes a lot of time and thought. However, when I read a book I like–of any genre–I will tell you what it is and try to pique your interest in some way. Since I’m a big fan of alliteration I’ve decided to title my picks “A Nod from Nancy”. Catchy, eh?
Here’s my first “nod”:
The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
I like horses but plenty of folks I know who aren’t particularly taken the the four-legged beasts have enjoyed this novel. It’s set in Oregon in 1917. The main character is a young woman who travels around various ranches and farms, gentling their horses. She’s a cross between a bronco-buster and a horse-whisperer. The story is about people though, as she gets drawn into the lives of the horses’ owners. There’s love, death, and plenty of other drama, yet the book has a wonderfully calm rhythm which reminded me of riding a horse.
If anyone else has read this book, I’d love to hear what you thought.
