7 Must-Read Backlist Novels
Book Recommendations
FABULOUS BACKLIST BOOKS
I spent the month of January reading almost exclusively backlist books. While I love reading new releases, it was such a treat to finally read some of the incredible books that have sat unread on my shelves for years.
A few of the books featured in this post I read recently, some of them I read years ago, but I truly cannot recommend all seven of these books enough! Swipe to see all my recommendations.
NOTE: The term “backlist” refers to older books (aka the opposite of new releases, which are referred to as “frontlist”).
THE RED TENT by ANITA DIAMANT
Published in 1997, this powerful historical fiction book is based upon a character who is briefly mentioned in the Bible. This female-driven story is all about family, womanhood and coming-of-age as the author invents a rich and moving backstory for Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob.
The book begins with the story of Dinah’s four mothers - all of whom become wives of Jacob. While each of the woman has her own backstory and distinct personality, the four women share a deep bond, which is largely built and strengthened during their time spent in the Red Tent (which is where all the women in the community rest and honor their feminine power during menstruation and/or childbearing).
While Dinah serves as the narrator (even before her birth), it’s fascinating to see how her perspective and the family dynamics change once she enters the story. Despite Jacob’s many wives and children, Dinah is the only daughter, which comes with both opportunities and challenges.
Once Dinah officially becomes a woman (and is welcomed into the Red Tent as an equal), she quickly falls for a boy of high-standing. While Dinah believes that her kind and loving companion was gifted to her by God, her brothers hold a very different view. Before she knows it, a series of tragedies alter the course of her life and create an inseparable rift between Dinah and her family.
I’m so glad I finally read this one, as it was such an engaging and beautiful story. At it’s core, this is a story about coming-of-age, stepping into your power and determining your fate. It’s also a testament to the power and strength of women throughout the ages.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Released in 2006, this spectacular historical fiction novel - which is narrated by Death - takes place during WW2 in Nazi Germany. The book follows Liesel, an orphan, whose world opens up when she begins stealing books and befriends the Jewish man hidden in her foster family's basement.
While historical fiction books set during WW2 are a dime a dozen, this one truly stands out, as it’s one of the most original and well-crafted books I’ve ever read. Despite the heavy subject matter and tragic elements of the story, the prose is absolutely beautiful and the entire story feels quite poetic.
Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
A must-read for sci-fi fans, Dawn is the first book in the Xenogenesis trilogy. When Lilith wakes from a long slumber aboard an alien spaceship 250 years after the destruction of Earth, she's told that she is among the few survivors of the human species. Forced to trust her extraterrestrial saviors, she's tasked with awakening a group of survivors to rebuild Earth.
This book captivated me from the very first page. I love a good sci-fi story and I especially loved learning about Lilith’s extraterrestrial saviors. Although… there were some eyebrow raising alien/human sex scenes - which, logistically confused me, lol.
I also recognized and appreciated the parallels the author drew between her fictional world and our own, as Lilith and her fellow humans struggle to accept and trust a species that looks and behaves so differently from their own.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
One of my all time favorite books! This book is full of so much wisdom; it’s not surprising that it’s been translated into more than 80 different languages.
The book follows Santiago, a Shepard boy, as he travels from his home in Spain to the pyramids of Egypt in search of a mysterious treasure. Along the way, he meets an interesting cast of characters that guide him in his quest to fulfill his “personal legend”.
As Santiago learns to “read the omens” and “listen to the language of the world”, he discovers something much more valuable than the treasure that inspired his journey.
My favorite quote from the book: “To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation.” Perfection.
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
While the Sympathizer is a work of fiction, its historical and political commentary is quite masterful. Beginning in 1975 at the tail-end of the Vietnam War (or the American War, as the Vietnamese refer to it), the book opens with our narrator and his “allies” fleeing to the airport in hopes of escaping Vietnam as Saigon falls to communist rule. After surviving numerous bombings at the airport and successfully fleeing to the United Sates aboard one of the last flights out of the county, our narrator - a communist spy serving as a captain in the South Vietnamese army - starts a new life in Los Angeles. Far from home, our protagonist is tasked with keeping an eye on the resistance as he maintains relationships with his fellow South Vietnamese refugees and reports back to the Viet Cong…. because “wars never die, they just go to sleep.”
I’ve read several Pulitzer Prize winning books that I enjoyed but didn’t necessarily feel were worthy of the most prestigious literary award. However, The Sympathizer deserves all the high praise. Not only does the book shed incredible light on the legacy of the Vietnam War in literature, media and politics, but it’s laced with humor and self-deprecating satire as well as difficult-to-read historical evidence that proves no party is ever innocent in war.
One of the most interesting parts of the book, for me at least, was the reflection on the US involvement in (and sudden withdrawal from) the Vietnam War. The author, a Vietnamese American, leaves no party unscathed in his critique on the war and American culture.
“After all, nothing was more American than wielding a gun and committing oneself to die for freedom and independence, unless it was wielding that gun to take away someone else’s freedom and independence.”
If you are remotely interested in history, politics, international relations and/or just excellent literature, this is a must read!
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Although this book is a work of fiction, it perfectly demonstrates the racial injustice that plagues the judicial system in the United States.
The story centers on Roy and Celestial, young newlyweds whose lives are irrevocably changed by the wrongful conviction of an innocent black man. Due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time (while black), Roy is sentenced to twelve years in prison. Through alternating narrators as well as letters, we see the devolution of Roy and Celestial’s relationship during Roy’s time in prison.
Five years into serving his sentence, Roy’s conviction is overturned. He leaves prison ready to resume his life in Atlanta with the wife he left behind. However, he soon discovers that his time away changed everything.
This is a beautifully-written imperfect love story, one that so adequately captures the sad reality of those wronged by a prejudiced society. This book very much reminded me of If Beale Street Could Talk, although with a very different outcome. I found that the middle portion of the book dragged a bit; however, it was still a highly captivating read, one with exceptional character development and an incredibly important issue at it’s core.
station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
If you enjoy post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction, you HAVE to read this one (if you haven’t already... I’m a few years late to the party on this). This book is truly a masterpiece.
Station Eleven begins with the very public death of world-famous actor, Arthur Leader. Mere days after Arthur’s death, a lethal virus takes the world by storm - killing 99% of the population - leading to the breakdown of civilization practically overnight. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, we learn the stories of various survivors and how they managed to endure the decimation of the human race and modern society. While each character has their own unique story and past, they all ultimately intersect.
I can't say enough good things about this book - I absolutely loved it. The way the author created a link between the characters that tied everything together in the end was truly masterful. Not to mention the incredible world she imagined where everyday essentials like credit cards and cell phones become entirely obsolete. This is certainly a new favorite for me.
If you’ve already read (and enjoyed) Station Eleven, I encourage you to pick up The End of Men by debut author Christina Sweeney Baird. Another incredible post-apocalyptic story about a plague that decimates modern civilization. Clearly I have a thing for books about the end of the world… 😅
That's all for now! Stay tuned for more fabulous book recs. And in the meantime, hop on over to The Bookmarkparty Shop to check out my bookish merchandise and gifts for book lovers.
