Favorite Reads of 2019
Updated: Nov 19, 2020
I (Tracey) am a book lover since always. This year I’ve read several books both fiction and non-fiction that I’ve enjoyed and a few that I’d really recommend. I’m going to share a few of the ones that stood out for me; maybe you will enjoy them too!
Dirty Genes
by Dr. Ben Lynch
I'm always intrigued by books that claim to have insight into the root cause of illnesses and this book is one of them. I've followed Dr. Ben Lynch at mthfr.net since my diagnosis of an MTHFR genetic variant or SNP (pronounced "snip") several years ago. Last year he published Dirty Genes and I picked it up at the library hoping to learn new things about what makes us sick and how to improve health. I had a hard time putting this book down. Dr. Lynch talks in depth about seven key SNPs or "dirty genes" that can lead to a variety of health problems anywhere from a lack of joy to chemical sensitivities or prematurely gray hair. He delves into what makes each of these genes dirty (what causes the SNPs) and how to “soak and scrub” them clean and help them to stay clean for life. I like his focus of the ongoing process of cleaning up our genes as well as the hopeful tone of the book. I usually read these kinds of books and get to the end feeling a bit hopeless, but not this time. I finished the book feeling encouraged, excited and ready to start--and I did! Those posts are in the works!
Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
by Alexis Kornblum Davidson
I’ve followed Lexi’s website lexiscleankitchen.com for a while, but picked up her cookbook for the first time this summer. Her story and the fact that she is a trained teacher turned health food blogger gives me hope that my story might inspire others too. It’s wonderfully organized and beautifully photographed. Her recipes have not disappointed our family and having a collection of them all together in one book is a great resource. My favorite feature of the cookbook is the “serve with” icons at the bottom of some of the recipe pages. Lexi includes a picture and page number of another recipe in the book that pairs well with the recipe that you’re reading. Our favorite recipe from this book: classic baked chicken nuggets!
Eat Right 4 Your Type
by Dr. Peter D’Adamo
I first read this book at the beginning of my healing journey after seeing it on the shelf at my allergist’s office. I checked it out at the library and found it to be intriguing; I even recommended it to a few friends back then. I picked up the revised addition this summer and was reminded of why I enjoyed it so much the first time. The book is centered around the 4 different blood types and discusses the foods and exercises that benefit each blood type as well as their tendencies toward certain diseases (including cancers). While I don't think the information in this book is something we should strictly adhere to, I do think it is a good resource. It's a good reminder that we’re all different people with different needs emotionally, physically and nutritionally.
The Death of Mrs. Westaway
by Ruth Ware
Just so you don't think that all I do is sit around and read books about health, although a lot of the time I do, here's my favorite fiction book from this year.
Harriett (Hal) Westaway a twenty something, penniless tarot card reader has reached a new low. The loan sharks are making threats for her to pay up and it seems she's not going to be able to dodge them again. With her future uncertain, she receives a letter notifying her of a large inheritance left to her by her grandmother. Strange, because her late mother had told her that her grandparents both died before Hal's birth and Hal knew nothing of her father. She decides the money is worth the risk and she takes on the role of the long lost granddaughter. Claiming the inheritance leads her to the dark and sprawling estate of the late Mrs. Westaway where the family has gathered together to say their goodbyes. After seeing the house and meeting the family, Hal is sure that something is very wrong, but she just has to make her story stick until she signs the papers...
I thought I had this one figured out fairly early and almost gave up on it; I'm glad that I didn't. Ms. Ware has a fantastic ability to make you feel like you're right there in the thick of things: dodging the magpies and being scared for your life.
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