I love these sort of posts--both writing them and reading friends'. I'd resigned myself to not having one for 2016 because, well, it is MARCH and the moment has passed...but then my friend posted hers just this Monday--I drew courage and finished this. I love the idea of writing a monthly version, but, knowing my blogging record, I'd better stick to annual for the time being--if I get ambitious I'll keep an updated draft here, or make it a semi-annual thing :)
Also, my goal (paltry to most of my English and book friends) to read 50 books? I did it.
Also, my goal (paltry to most of my English and book friends) to read 50 books? I did it.
Till We Have Faces--C.S. Lewis
I read this twice this year and kept a list of quotes to blog about because it tempts you into thinking about harder aspects of the bigger picture versus our own small perspective. Not usual Lewis stuff, but then at the end you hear echos of his musings: love as a devouring force, the common human experience of living as an individual, intention intention intention with self confession. Great book to read and discuss with someone else.
The Sleeper and the Spindle--Neil Gaiman
This is a super short one, but my first exposure to Gaiman. Thought he was awesome. Liked the girl power and flipping the fairy tale. Negative: has that feeling of surfacing after being pushed into a freezing lake and not knowing where you are or who shoved you in that I hate about short stories.
The Wide Sargasso Sea--Jean Rhys
This book did a good job of describing the panic that comes when fate careens out of your grasp, leaving you unable to make your own choices. I didn't like the way it interacted with Jane Eyre, but I appreciate what it wanted to do.
This book did a good job of describing the panic that comes when fate careens out of your grasp, leaving you unable to make your own choices. I didn't like the way it interacted with Jane Eyre, but I appreciate what it wanted to do.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe--C. S. Lewis (Rosie)
This was the first "long" book I read aloud to my kids. My oldest was enraptured and still talks about it. I'm so glad to have a fellow Narnia fan in my kids. It's been hard finding a read-aloud book to compare.
This was the first "long" book I read aloud to my kids. My oldest was enraptured and still talks about it. I'm so glad to have a fellow Narnia fan in my kids. It's been hard finding a read-aloud book to compare.
Brisinger--Christopher Paolini [Audio] and Inheritance--Christopher Paolini [Audio]
I enjoy fantasy, but I don't know if I would have gotten through this series without the audio book. It made it entertaining and let me multi-task (laundry, prepping dinner, etc.) while enjoying the story.
I enjoy fantasy, but I don't know if I would have gotten through this series without the audio book. It made it entertaining and let me multi-task (laundry, prepping dinner, etc.) while enjoying the story.
Cybele's Secret--Juliet Marillier [Audio]
Continued my great experiences with audio books. This is Marillier's second book. Both leave some depth and unpredictability to be desired, but are engaging stories.
Continued my great experiences with audio books. This is Marillier's second book. Both leave some depth and unpredictability to be desired, but are engaging stories.
Yes Please--Amy Poehler
My first in a string of celebrity books this year--an attempt to read what others were discussing. I wish I'd watched more of Amy (didn't start P&R until months after) before reading this. It was good, but I enjoyed reading Tina's better.
My first in a string of celebrity books this year--an attempt to read what others were discussing. I wish I'd watched more of Amy (didn't start P&R until months after) before reading this. It was good, but I enjoyed reading Tina's better.
Charlotte's Web--E. B. White (Rosie)
I'd never read this, and it was fun to do the animal voices with my kids.
I'd never read this, and it was fun to do the animal voices with my kids.
My Life on the Road--Gloria Steinem
Again, trying to read what was being discussed at the time. I loved the first half of this book, of hearing how Gloria came to where she is, but I hate to admit that the second half left a bit of distaste in my mouth. So much "us" and "them," and a tendency to abandon those with less bold and brassy talent but who still want to join the team.
Again, trying to read what was being discussed at the time. I loved the first half of this book, of hearing how Gloria came to where she is, but I hate to admit that the second half left a bit of distaste in my mouth. So much "us" and "them," and a tendency to abandon those with less bold and brassy talent but who still want to join the team.
Seriously... I'm Kidding--Ellen DeGeneres [Audio]
Ellen is funny and has a casual easiness about her. Good person, but I don't remember much of the book.
Housekeeping--Marilynne Robinson
Robinson's Gilead and Lila both make my best books ever list. This book is very different from those, but sent me off in throes of thoughts: I realized yet again how scary it is to be a mom--you give birth and become mutually imprinted souls that exist in an alien or separated state from each other; the struggle between choice and fate, or pre-fated choice, or whatever; the loneliness that being human is.
Ellen is funny and has a casual easiness about her. Good person, but I don't remember much of the book.
Housekeeping--Marilynne Robinson
Robinson's Gilead and Lila both make my best books ever list. This book is very different from those, but sent me off in throes of thoughts: I realized yet again how scary it is to be a mom--you give birth and become mutually imprinted souls that exist in an alien or separated state from each other; the struggle between choice and fate, or pre-fated choice, or whatever; the loneliness that being human is.
Less Than Human--David Livingstone Smith
Nonfiction research and discussion about how we de-humanize those around us and how the most catastrophic moments in our history come from seeing others as not just different but inferior and non-human. Important points and scary possible repercussions.
Nonfiction research and discussion about how we de-humanize those around us and how the most catastrophic moments in our history come from seeing others as not just different but inferior and non-human. Important points and scary possible repercussions.
Bossypants--Tina Fey
Funny, enlightening, best of the celeb reads, but not super gripping.
Funny, enlightening, best of the celeb reads, but not super gripping.
Jesus the Christ--James E. Talmage
A reread from the copy my grandfather sent me during my college years. Interesting interpretations of Bible passages and moments in the Savior's life. A lot of opportunity to appreciate and re-appreciate Christ's life and eternal legacy, good reminders of my time in the Holy Land, and points of scripture and history to ponder.
A reread from the copy my grandfather sent me during my college years. Interesting interpretations of Bible passages and moments in the Savior's life. A lot of opportunity to appreciate and re-appreciate Christ's life and eternal legacy, good reminders of my time in the Holy Land, and points of scripture and history to ponder.
Catcher in the Rye--J.D. Salinger
Not what I expected at all, and I liked it better by the end than I did when I started. And better after talking to the geniuses that frequent my book club.
Not what I expected at all, and I liked it better by the end than I did when I started. And better after talking to the geniuses that frequent my book club.
Calling on Dragons--Patricia Wrede and Talking to Dragons--Patricia Wrede
Great childhood series, loved it again.
Great childhood series, loved it again.
Unbroken--Laura Hildebrand
Long, but good. I love historical biographies that dramatize important moments in our history.
Why Not Me?--Mindy Kaling
I'd fazed a bit on my celeb reading by this point, and she didn't quite grip me with this, although her desire to be loved and in really resonate with me.
I'd fazed a bit on my celeb reading by this point, and she didn't quite grip me with this, although her desire to be loved and in really resonate with me.
I am Malala--Malala Yousafzai
Little Women--Louisa May Alcott [Audio]
The Graveyard Book--Neil Gaiman
Love Gaiman. I want to read more and more. This is a super fun book.
Love Gaiman. I want to read more and more. This is a super fun book.
Catch-22--Joseph Heller
I get what he is doing with it. I appreciate the moves. But it is soooooo long and sooooo uneventful...sigh, I should appreciate these things more.
I get what he is doing with it. I appreciate the moves. But it is soooooo long and sooooo uneventful...sigh, I should appreciate these things more.
Scarlet--Marissa Meyer
A fun series--I like following different characters through an overarching story.
A fun series--I like following different characters through an overarching story.
Misty of Chincoteague--Maugerite Henry (Rosie)
Tried to live my childhood through this one with my kids--maybe not a huge success.
Tried to live my childhood through this one with my kids--maybe not a huge success.
Cress--Marissa Meyer and Winter--Marissa Meyer
The Book Thief--Markus Zusak [Audio]
This was the first audio book I regretted. I think I'd've liked it better reading it as a book. Couldn't connect with the girl.
This was the first audio book I regretted. I think I'd've liked it better reading it as a book. Couldn't connect with the girl.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child--J.K. Rowling
I SO loved sitting down with a snack, a blanket, and a Rowling book again! I liked having it in play form--it kept it separate from the HP series nicely for me. Fun glance into the characters' older lives, but at the end of the day, it read like a fan fiction and not HP #8 (which of course it wasn't).
I Am America, And So Can You--Steven Colbert [Audio]
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up--Marie Kondo
Found the first third motivating enough to get some good DI and trash bags leaving my house. But she is ridiculous and way over the top for my level of desire in invest in home-ifying my surroundings.
Found the first third motivating enough to get some good DI and trash bags leaving my house. But she is ridiculous and way over the top for my level of desire in invest in home-ifying my surroundings.
The Kiss of a Stranger--Sarah Eden
Cards on the Table--Agatha Christie
As a teenager I went through a Queen of Mystery phase, and it was fun to read this as my sister-in-law read Christie's ENTIRE published works.
As a teenager I went through a Queen of Mystery phase, and it was fun to read this as my sister-in-law read Christie's ENTIRE published works.
Cranford--Elizabeth Gaskell [Audio]
Anne's House of Dreams--L.M. Montgomery
Moments of the Anne series resonate with me. Especially going back every ten years or so and seeing how similar so many aspects of our lives have been (minus her tragic beginnings). Montgomery's writing is often over the top, but every once and a while she offers up a passage that is absolutely riveting and moment-making.
Moments of the Anne series resonate with me. Especially going back every ten years or so and seeing how similar so many aspects of our lives have been (minus her tragic beginnings). Montgomery's writing is often over the top, but every once and a while she offers up a passage that is absolutely riveting and moment-making.
The Secret Garden--Frances Hodgson Burnett
Another classic I'd never read. Wonderful.
Another classic I'd never read. Wonderful.
Out of the Silent Planet--C.S. Lewis
Can't say enough for Lewis when he uses fiction to explore human nature. I wish people read more of this side of Lewis and included it in their love of his works.
Can't say enough for Lewis when he uses fiction to explore human nature. I wish people read more of this side of Lewis and included it in their love of his works.
The Horse and His Boy--C.S. Lewis (Rosie)
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet--Jamie Ford
Loved the dramatization of an historical moment, but very wrapped up tidily by the end.
Loved the dramatization of an historical moment, but very wrapped up tidily by the end.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz--L. Frank Baum (Rosie) [Audio]
Wives and Daughters--Elizabeth Gaskell [Audio]
Even better than Cranford.
Even better than Cranford.
Ender's Shadow--Orson Scott Card [Audio]
Fantastic audio book. And I LOVED seeing a parallel overlapping perspective to Ender's Game.
Fantastic audio book. And I LOVED seeing a parallel overlapping perspective to Ender's Game.
Fairest--Marissa Meyer
The Woman In White--Wilkie Collins [Audio]
Way too long. But fun to read after hearing it mentioned so often by my Victorian lit professors.
Frankenstein--Mary Shelley
The Shepherd's Crown--Terry Pratchett
A mildly disappointing finish to an utterly brilliant series--one that my kids will all grow up knowing and loving, I hope.
A mildly disappointing finish to an utterly brilliant series--one that my kids will all grow up knowing and loving, I hope.
David and Goliath--Malcolm Gladwell
Seriously wish I could take a seminar from this guy. Every book I read of his gives me great points of conversation (thank you, Dustin, for your patience).
Seriously wish I could take a seminar from this guy. Every book I read of his gives me great points of conversation (thank you, Dustin, for your patience).
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever--Barbara Robinson
The Thief--Megan Whaler Turner
Again, a fantastic book; part of a fantastic series. Great authorial moves in making an interesting plot with unique characters.
The Simeon Solution--Anne Osborn Poelman
Made me wish I received revelation in such a direct way, as this author and many individuals I know do.
