This week’s theme for Top Ten Tuesday over at ThatArtsyReaderGirl is a freebie. So here are ten thirteen (+) wonderful books to celebrate sons for National Son’s Day (some I have read, others I have wanted to forever). Regarding the day itself, it seems to be celebrated on March 4 as well. As far as I am concerned, any day and everyday is a day to celebrate our children, right?

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Books to Celebrate Sons

Today’s list is an eclectic mix – of fiction and non-fiction, of the very profound and serious to the light-hearted, across ages and it is not always sunshine and rainbows, just like life.. But it is what the post title says, a list of books to celebrate sons, to celebrate families, and more.

Lucky Boy

My Thoughts

I discovered it by chance (or fate) in the new reads section on one visit to our local library a couple of years ago now (or maybe three?). Once I opened it, I could not stop reading it. Sekaran effortlessly weaves the stories of two mothers, and imbues it with feelings that tug at heartstrings throughout.

A must-read indeed..

The Shadow of the Wind

My Thoughts

This is yet another of my current reads (I know, I know, I have so many current reads already from my chai time list of books last week, but what can one do?) The only issue I have so far with this book is that it is book one of a trilogy. Well, not really an issue since it means I will have three amazing books to read overall, but then again, three books on my reading list in one shot?!

Zafon’s writing is magical; and is truly a work of love written for book-lovers everywhere. If you are not a devourer of books already, this book is bound to make you one!!

Cutting For Stone

My Thoughts

What can I say about this book that I have not said already? You can check out my complete review here, but believe me when I say, this is a not-to-be-missed-read!! Simply image the “not-to-be-missed-read” is highlighted, caps locked, underlined, and more. Oh well, here you go — NOT-TO-BE-MISSED-READ!!!!

Between the World and Me

My Thoughts

A book and an author that I am yet to read but both have been on my reading list forever (or so it seems like) now. I hope to read this book at least before this year ends. If any of you have read the book, I would love to hear your thoughts

Room

My Thoughts

I am sure this book is bound to leave me in tears, while enveloping my heart in warmth and with a full-of-feelings hug. This is one of the reasons I have been hovering between wanting to get going on reading the book and completely skipping it (I have not seen the movie based on this yet as well for similar reasons).

So what do you think, dear readers (especially those who might have read this or similar books)? Should I go ahead and read this one? Let me know… For now, I continue to be conflicted.

You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me

My Thoughts

While I had known of Sherman Alexie for a long while now, I had not read anything by him (yes, including The Absolutely True…..) until a couple of years ago. I had taken a writing class at the local community college, and one of the short reads was by Alexie. It was brilliant, and I wondered why I had put off reading his books for so long. So when I came upon this one, I knew I had to read it.

Since it is made up of short essays and poems, I read them randomly; and while I am yet to finish all of them, Alexie’s writing, as before, dazzles and shocks, informs and inspires, makes you laugh and cry, and so much more. The book is so many things in one package, takes readers through a whole roller-coaster of emotions, and all I can end this short review with is by saying, go read it now.

Note that this is not at all a rosy read; no, it is harsh reality and while Alexie’s mom was far (way-far away) from any ideal of a mom, there is still familial warmth there.

The End of Your Life Book Club

My Thoughts

A mother-son book club? A book that talks about discovering happiness in the everyday no matter what life throws at us? Well, this book is promising to be both of this and so much more. I am drowning in current reads but could not resist this one, considering that a) my son and I sort-of have a mother-son book club (well, we recommend books to each other and very often pick the same ones to read – preplanned of course); b) it reminds me of my journey with my dad during the last few months of his life after he was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the gall bladder in 2018

This book is certainly warming my heart and helping me in so many ways as I read it (still only a couple of chapters into it at this time of writing). I certainly recommend this to anyone who loves books.

Wonder

My Thoughts

If you have not read this book already, do it now. This is one of my mother-son book club reads; and one we both loved! You can read our thoughts about the book and the movie here

Little Men

My Thoughts

I had to include this book here. Alcott’s Little Women is one of my forever-favorites, and I loved both Little Men as well as Jo’s Boys too. While Little Women is certainly a book that will make it onto a future list for books for daughter’s day in the future, Little Men deserves a spot here. This book is not as popular or as much-read, but it is full of life. Well, I think that says it all, in a way.

Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You

My Thoughts

Oh what can I say about this simply beautiful book – both in its words and its illustrations. With my son just having moved out of our home and to college barely two weeks ago, Tillman’s words ‘so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . .‘ strike all the chords in my heart, and more.

A perfect book to gift to parents (new and those who have been parents forever already), and to young ones too.

When Stars are Scattered

My Thoughts

My review of this powerful read is here. Here is how I summed it up earlier:

This book is heartbreaking, raw, powerful and at the same time full of hope, inspiration and awe for the strength that is in each one of us as humans. A must-read for all ages (ignore the age recommendations completely) and a book that will stay with you for a long time.

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook

My Thoughts

Okay, though I did not want to do it, I am currently reading this one too. How could I not? The combination of the cover and mention of the books Wonder and When You Reach Me captured my interest completely. Based on all the reviews and what I have read so far, this book is wonderful indeed!!

Born a Crime

My Thoughts

I read this book earlier this year and somehow failed to review it here. It is heartwarming, humorous, heart-strings-tugging, and more, all at the same time. An exploration of family, race, friendships, community, and ourselves – all this and some more.

Related Reads and Additional Reads

• 15 Books to Gift Dad for Father’s Day
• 15 Children’s Books For Mother’s Day
• 19 Books (and My Life) Featuring Wonderful Dads
• Of course, I need to mention the Harry Potter series here
• and so many more I am sure I am forgetting or don’t know about

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A Poetic Pub Attempt

It has been a long long while since I visited the Poets Pub at dVerse. But I did so today on an impulse and found a delightful Poetics Prompt I wanted to try.

This is just a first draft I kind of went overboard on with the birthday hits and one that needs a lot of polishing; but here it is, keeping the theme of my own post in mind as well..

The Poem

Ode by Birthday Hits
Love will keep us together
dear one, from sunup to sundown
that’s the way love goes – forever.

Whether you rush rush past tha crossroads
cause you think ‘I want to do it on my own,’
Or you choose to go step by step
down the old town road, my son,
simply remember, I’ll be there,
be with you, for that’s the way love goes.

Everytime and anytime you need me,
simply remember, I’ll be there,
be your bridge over troubled water
be that ever present lean-on shoulder…

And if you ever ever wonder, baby,
‘Do I make you proud, mom, do I?’
you can call me maybe?!?!
And I swear, I’ll sing it out loud
pounding out those ebony and ivory keys
though it will be no unchained melody..
I will sing it out clear,
“You to me are everything, you,
my boy, and well, your sister –
too, are what make me feel,
What a wonderful world it is”
~ Vidya Tiru @LadyInReadWrites

The Song List

(for my July 2nd birthday – a mix of hits from the US and the UK, though I technically should also check hits in India in the early years!)

(1974) – Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot
(1975) – Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille
(1976) – You to Me Are Everything by Real Thing
(1982) – Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
(1986) – On My Own by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
(1988) – What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
(1990) – Step by Step by New Kids On The Block
(1991) – Rush Rush by Paula Abdul
(1992) – I’ll Be There by Mariah Carey
(1993) – That’s the Way Love Goes by Janet Jackson
(1994) – I Swear by All-4-One
(1995) – Unchained Melody by Robson Green & Jerome Flynn
(1996) – Tha Crossroads by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
(2000) – Be With You by Enrique Iglesias
(2006) – Do I Make You Proud by Taylor Hicks
(2004) – Everytime by Britney Spears
(2012) – Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
(2015) – See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
(2017) – Bridge over Troubled Water by Artists for Grenfell
(2019) – Old Town Road by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you read any of the featured books? As always, I welcome your thoughts and recommendations for books to celebrate sons, and daughters, and family!