First Read of 2017
We asked contributors and friends of Hupdaditty the question “What is the first book you intend to read in 2017 and why?” Here is what they had to say.
“Curious to see how, in this revised edition, the 30-year-old Hilary looks back on the book about her bipolar disorder that she wrote when she was twenty-four.” – E. Maisel
Het paneel van Vlaanderen; original title: “la tabla de Flandes” by Arturo Perez-Reverte. This is available in English as The Flanders Panel.
“It is a novel about Flemish history, medieval paintings and it is a detective story as well. All ingredients I am interested in.” – ML
“I plan to catch up and read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and The Nightingale. And I just finished Rachel Cusk’s novel Outline.” – AB
“I am starting to read “Soldados de Salamina” from Javier Cercas. It is a romanced essai (ensayo novelado) in which fiction and reality come together to talk about the Spanish Civil war and its impact still in 2000. In English this is Soldiers of Salamis. It is fact based novel. – Loreto
“A House in the High Hills” by Selina Scott “I enjoy reading books written by people who have left the UK as I did, to pursue a new life abroad, particularly Spain. I imagine the book is well written due to the author’s journalistic skills, we shall see!” – Janis
“I am trying to re-evaluate my approach to Christianity.“ – JM
The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
“I have heard a great review of these chilling tales on radio 4 so it will be the next book on my list” – Suzette
Cosmos by Michel Onfray
“I’m curious to discover a different approach on the influence of philosophy on our daily lives.” – CN
Hard Times by Charles Dickens
“Because it seems to reflect where we are and I’ve forgotten it.” – Rachel
Mindfulness on the Run by Dr Chantal Hofstee
“I want to make Mindfulness a centre part of my life, changing how I react in moments of stress, and learn how to control my thoughts pattern in order to switch from negative to positive mode and engage my energy in the things that really matter.” – Teresa
Mount by Jilly Cooper
“I’ve adored all her books and because it’s a world I’m very familiar with!” – Tessa
The Incarnations by Susan Barker
“I’m reading it because, like the novel i’m working on, it takes place in China, is written by a laowa i(a foreigner), spans multiple time periods and has multiple POVs.” – Nancy L. Conyers
On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner
“Since I want to lead writing classes and workshops, I want to reread this book, which I remember to be an excellent one on writing.” – Marj
“Tears to Triumph (the spiritual journey from suffering to enlightenment) is by Marianne Williamson and where she argues that we—as a culture and as individuals—have learned to avoid facing pain and by doing so, we are neglecting the spiritual work of healing. Can’t think of a more positive way to start the New Year, can you? “ AnnA
What’s The Matter With Kansas by Thomas Frank.
“Since being blown away and somewhat depressed by the election this November, I have been reading most everything I could get my hands on in order to understand how it is that nearly half the country voted against their own interests—be they economic, moral or religious.“ – Lisa
“Perhaps you will indulge me by allowing two choices. The first is Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron. I found her first book, Wired for Story immensely helpful and look forward to this one. Making Life Easy by Christiane Northrup
I have read her books for years, most recently Goddesses Never Age, and find the books life affirming and encouraging.” – Jude
Thanks to everyone who participated. 
