2018 Reading Challenge Results

Woohoo, it’s a new year! Happy 2019, everyone. Waaaaay back in 2013, I realized I had seriously fallen off the reading bandwagon and felt like I was barely reading at all.  I decided to start tracking the books I finished and discovered at the end of the year, my grand total was 12. The worst part was, it wasn’t even a dozen books I was excited about and they were almost all on audio. Some of them were winners (Madame Secretary by Madeleine Albright, some Malcolm Gladwell selections), but not much. I was barely interacting with actual paper books I loved. My tracking method was ultra simple: a note in Evernote, which I could download as an app on my phone and carry with me everywhere. Going into 2014, my goal was to greatly increase the number of finished books and I did it! I read 31 books in 2014, including re-reading the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder series and all of Liane Moriarty’s books. Those were almost the only fiction I read, though, so going into 2015, I really wanted to step away from my beloved memoir and history books a bit and find some new fiction and complete a few more books. In 2015, I participated in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Annual Reading challenge for the first time and really enjoyed it. I read 37 books and found many fiction selections and authors I loved. Notably, Sarah Addison Allen and Kate Morton. In 2016, I set the goal of 52 books, or 1 book per week for the year and I managed to finish 57! Progress, friends. In 2017, I finished 51ish books (I counted the entire Beverly Clearly Ramona series as 1 book). In 2018, I hit my lowest number in years: 48. Still a very good number of books finished, but I am so disappointed to have come so close to my goal and miss it again. A few factors contributed to this. I was pregnant for most of 2018, and there was a long stretch where I fell asleep every time I sat down to read. Then we had an extended hospital stay and a newborn, and well, life happens.

The adorable reason for a slower than usual reading pace.

I didn’t meet my goal or finish the MMD Reading Challenge, but I did read books in most of the categories and a few categories I actually read more than 1 book. And so, friends, here are those titles:

Category
A classic you’ve been meaning to read		Anne of Avonlea
A book recommended by someone with great taste		Hannah Coulter
A book nominated for an award in 2018		None
A book of poetry, a play, or an essay collection		Calypso by David Sedaris
A book you can read in a day		Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Dream More by Dolly Parton
A book that’s more than 500 pages		None
A book by a favorite author		Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
A book recommended by a librarian or an indie bookseller		Station Eleven
A banned book		A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A memoir, biography, or a book of creative nonfiction		Born With Teeth by Kate Mulgrew; The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot; Becoming by Michelle Obama
A book by an author of different ethnicity, race, or religion than your own		The Hate U Give, Americanah

Just for posterity’s sake, here’s the complete list of everything I read in 2018. I don’t have time to edit this so hopefully the format is readable!

1. Born With Teeth by Kate Mulgrew-1.7.18-library

2. Hannah Coulter by Wendell Barry-1.22.18-library

3. Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey-2.9.18-audio

4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith-2.12.18-mine

5. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Gouge-3.1.18-kindle (book club)

6. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls-3.8.18-library (book club)

7. Still Me by JoJo Moyes-3.14.18-library

8. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer and Annie Barrows-4.9.18-library (book club)

9. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny-4.30.18

10. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas-5.8.18-library (book club)

11. Dream More by Dolly Parton-5.12.18-library

12. Mr. Poppers Penguins-5.15.18-audio

13. The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie-5.24.18-audio

14. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling-5.25.18-audio with kids

15. The Beverly Cleary Collection-6.4.18-audio

16. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh-6.5.18-mine (book club)

17. Educated by Tara Westover-6.6.18-audio

18. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel-6.11.18-library (book club)

19. Like Living Among Scorpions by Jennifer Fulwiler-6.14.18- Kindle

20. Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody-audio-6.15.18

21. One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler-6.16.18-audio

22. Something other than God by Jennifer Fulwiler-6.21.18-kindle

23. Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist-6.24.18-audio

24. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling-7.1.18-audio

25. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg-7.7.18-library (book club)

26. Calypso by David Sedaris-7.8.18-library

27. Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD by Pinsky-7.16.18-mine

28. Know and Tell by Karen Glass-7.17.18-borrowed

29. The Little Oratory-David Caldwell-7.18.18-borrowed

30. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot-7.21.18-audio

31. Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery-7.22.18-own

32. All of a Kind Family by Sidney Taylor-8.7.18-audio with kids

33. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie-8.10.18-library

34. Rethinking School by Susan Wise Bauer-8.19.28-library
35. How to Raise the Perfect Dog by Cesar Millan-9.3.18-library
36. Dr. Dolittle -9.14.18-audio
37. An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter-9.26.18-audio
38. I’d Rather be Reading by Anne Bogel-10.7.18-mine
39. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny-10.14.18-kindle
40. The Importance of being Kennedy by Laurie Grabam-10.22.18-kindle
41. In Julia’s Kitchen by Pamela Heyne-10.27.18-borrowed
42. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty-library-11.17.18
43. Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly-11.20.18-library
44. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah-11.30.18-kindle
45. Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo-12.19.18-audio with kids
46. Becoming by Michelle Obama-12.21.18-library
47. The Peaceful Parent by Lisa Smith 12.22.18-kindle
48. Make Your Bed by William McCraven-audio-12.27.18

Summer 2018 Books

This year, like the last 3 years, I set a goal for myself of reading 52 books. Well, I made it to the end of May and had finished only 14 books. That was pretty far off pace, and I started to think that perhaps my goal was a little too big for this season of life. Not one to be a quitter, though, I made up my mind to try and close the gap as much as possible this summer before our next baby is born in the fall and my reading life gets a little, well, unpredictable. As of today, July 25, I just finished book #31! I’m so thrilled that I’ve been able to slash a few long-time standouts on my to-be-read (TBR) list and put my 52 book goal back within reach. It’s yet to be seen if I make it, but I’m really hoping to keep this pace up! Here’s what I’ve read so far this summer:

 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

This was a book club book but had also been on my TBR list for awhile. I really enjoyed it! Though I think my enjoyment was strengthened by a discussion with good friends. It’s a great conversion story, beautifully written, and English. What more do you need?

Educated by Tara Westover

This was similiar to the Sound of Gravel and The Glass Castle in that it told a coming of age story from the POV of a child who had a very unconventional upbringing and yet grew up to be a functional, successful adult. This book, however, was much more frank about the role of mental illness in her parents’ lives, which I really appreciated and found interesting. This is a newer book and there are several great interviews available online with Dr. Westover as well.

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel

This was a book club pick for the second book club I’m in and I really enjoyed this book. I almost put it down 1/3 of the way through because it felt too dark, but I’m glad I stuck with it. There is redemption, and it really becomes a page turner about 2/3 of the way through. The writing is stellar, the story is interesting and well thought out, and the characters are compelling. Just be prepared for a bit of darkness because it is about the survivors of an epidemic that wipes out 99.9% of Earth’s population.

Like Living Among Scorpions by Jennifer Fulwiler

This is a memoir written by a mother of 6 young kids, so it was pretty relatable for me! Fulwiler is hilarious and very, very honest about life among many little guys. Of note, I think this was an early edition of what became One Beautiful Dream on re-release. There’s a lot of overlap and honestly, One Beautiful Dream was stronger and had better editing.

Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody

We listened to this on audio through a family road trip and it was a hit with everyone, but most especially my non-book loving husband. It’s a great nostalgic father and son story, but the ending is sad so be prepared.

 One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler

Something other than God by Jennifer Fulwiler

This is going on my lifetime favorites list. Fulwiler tells the story of how she went from lifelong atheism after being raised by an atheist father and agnostic mother, to her conversion to Catholicism along with her husband. It is so interesting, so well written, so honest and raw. I really loved it and found so many of her discussions of how she grappled with different aspects of faith helpful in reflecting on my own faith.

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

I really felt like this book could have been summed up in one blog post…it was a series of essays on the same thing over over. I really don’t like Niequist’s writing style, either. That being said, I loved Bread and Wine. This one just really didn’t land with me, but maybe it will with you?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling

Obv. this was incredible and we loved it. Listening to the HP books for the first time with my kids has been such a joy so far. We are just taking our time and savoring the experience of meeting Harry and everyone in his world for the first time!

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

Another book club book! This was another one that started to annoy me about half way through and I almost put it down, but…book club. So I stuck with it and ended up really enjoying it! A good slice of Southern fiction for the summer if that’s your bag. Very memorable characters, hilarious dialogue, and it sounds like there are big differences from the movie that would keep it fresh as a read for you.

Calypso by David Sedaris

I could not put this book down and tore through it in 24 hours after resolving to streeettttch it out and savor it. This is more like Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim than Sedaris’s more recent books and I just loved it. He writes about his sister’s suicide and his mother’s death throughout the essays, but I wouldn’t call this book dark or depressing at all. His humor shines through but more importantly, his honesty.

Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD by Pinsky

I am in full school year planning mode over here and this was a great book that gave me several great ideas for reorganizing our play room and school room.

Know and Tell by Karen Glass

Another great homeschool prep book, this is on the skill of narration. We use a Charlotte Mason model in our homeschool and this book was incredibly interesting and helpful in understanding how children’s listening, speaking, and writing skills develop.

The Little Oratory-David Caldwell

I borrowed this book from a friend and really found it helpful in figuring out practical ways to build prayer and more of our faith into our daily routine. I’m hoping to make the liturgy of the hours and the rosary much more consistent parts of our lives and this book gave me so many great ideas for doing just that!

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I’ve been wanting to read this for such a long time and I’m so glad I finally did! What a fantastic piece of science writing. Such an interesting, layered story about cell biology, the history of cancer research, bioethics, and just a fascinating family story.

Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery

I try to read an Anne book every summer. Anne of Green Gables is still my all time favorite, but this was sweet, funny, and just what I wanted to curl up with on summer afternoons. Since so much of the book focuses on Anne’s career as a ‘school ma’am,’ it was a nice little shot in the arm for homeschool prep as well.

That’s my list for the summer so far! I’m currently reading Americanah and really enjoying it, and I have a stack I’m hoping to work through when we go on vacation next week….if our van is ever fixed. Fingers crossed.

Let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you thought!

My Lifetime Favorites

I have so many books to share and talk about that I’ve read this year so far, but for now, I wanted to get this list of my lifetime favorites out there. A couple of book club meetings ago we started talking about our lifetime favorites and it inspired me to finally put a list together. These are in no particular order, just the order in which I thought of them.  I would love to hear if we share any favorites, and to see your favorites as well!

1. The World According to Garp by John Irving

2. She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb

3. Bossypants by Tina Fey (audio is a must)

4. The Boys in the Boat by

5. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

6. Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

7. Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

8. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

9. The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan

10. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? By Maria Semple

11. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (audio is a must)

12. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

13. Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

14. An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter

15. 11/22/63 by Stephen King

16. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

17. Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume

18. The Joy Luck Club by Any Tan

19. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

20. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

 

In Which I Fall Woefully Short: The 2017 Book List

Here it is! My final book list of the year. I am so sorry to have slacked so much on my monthly book posts, but here’s the whole shebang in all its glory. If you recall back to this time last year, I set two goals.

1.) Read 52 books-Didn’t happen (finished 51 books. *twitch*)

2.) Finish both Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenges (finished Reading for Fun, did not finish Reading for Growth)

I’m pretty annoyed that I didn’t finish either goal. It was a busy year, yes, but still. To come SO close? That smarts a little. Technically I guess I really did finish more than 52 because I counted the entire Beverly Cleary Ramona series as 1 book (read aloud to my children), but let’s not mince technicalities, Lindsay Partridge. *twitch*

 

Alright, enough whining. So, thoughts on what I read this year. I feel like I read more diversely that is typical for me, and I’m very happy about that. There are several books on this list that I never would’ve picked up in previous years, but this year I had the mindset of reading things beyond my comfort zone that I thought would help me to see a different perspective. That mindset served me very well, as those are some of my favorite books from this year.

I’m also happy with how much fiction I read this year. For years, I barely read fiction and thought it just wasn’t for me anymore. Boy, was I wrong. Boy, was I reading the wrong fiction.

Anyway, I have a lot of thoughts and words about this list that I will save for another (imaginary, given the frequency of my posting) post. Here’s the list for now.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these, and see your own lists!

1.) Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton-Kindle-1.3.17

2.) What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkamp-kindle-1.4.17

3.) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben-audio-1.17.17

4.) 11/22/63 by Stephen King-library-1.19.17

5.) First Women by Kate Brower-library-1.25.17

6.) Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham-kindle-1.27.17

7.) Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson-kindle-2.8.17

8.) Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple-kindle-2.15.17

9.) Different by Sally Clarkson-paperback-2.21.17

10.) Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance-audio-2.24.17

11.) Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleaves-library-3.3.17

12.) A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny-kindle-3.12.17

13.) The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner-library-3.14.17

14.) Wonder by R.J. palacio-kindle-3.15.17

15.) The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead-library-3.25.17

16.) The Lake House by Kate Morton-kindle-4.5.17

17.) The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood-kindle-4.17.17

18.) So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson-kindle-4.30.17

19.) At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider-kindle-5.7.17

20.) Peter Pan by JM Barrie-5.8.17-read aloud to Gus

21.) Homer Price by Robert McCloskey-audio with kids-5.10.17

22.) The Mothers by Brit Bennett-kindle-5.13.17

23.) How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adel Faber-kindle-5.17.17

24.) Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons by Lorne Landvik-library-5.27.17

25.) Lab Girl by Hope Jahren-audio-6.1.17

26.) Who Thought This was a Good Idea?  By Alissa Mastromonaco-audio-6.20.17

27.) This is how it always is by Laurie frankel-kindle-6.24.17

28.) Jackie’s Girl by Kathy McKeon-audio-7.4.17

29.) Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Cron-kindle-7.11.17

30.) The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith-library-7.17.17

31.) 20 and Counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar-audio-7.21.17

32.) The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion-library-8.1.17

33.) Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Larson-library-8.8.17

34.) How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp by Shawn Smucker-kindle-8.8.17

35.) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion-library-8.17.17

36.) Born a Crime by Noah Trevor-audio-8.17.17

37.) Trim Healthy Mama by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allyson-mine-8.22.17

38.) The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines-audio-8.23.17

39.) The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Fenollera-library-8.30.17

40.) Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker-audio-9.18.17

41.) The Restless Flame by Louis de Wohl-own-10.2.17

42.) Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin-10.9.17-kindle

43.) Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner-11.13.17-own

44.) The Ramona Series by Beverly Cleary-11.13.17-audio with the kids

45.) Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris-11.24.17-library

46.) Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence-11.28.17-library

47.) Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager-11.28.17-audio

48.) Revelation and A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor-11.28.17-library

49.) A Brutal Telling by Louise Penny-12.2.17-kindle

50.) The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Ruben-12.6.17-library

51.) Reading People by Anne Bogel-12.29.17-bought

 

 

Summer 2017 Book List

Ok, no time for chit chat-there are books! Since this covers the whole summer, the list is much longer than usual. Some books were more memorable than others, so in the interest of time, commentary will be brief on those. What are you reading? Any thoughts on these? Love hearing from you guys.

• Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?  By Alissa Mastromonaco

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it-it is read by the author which is always a plus to me. Word of caution, lots o’ swearing and some adult content, but nothing too intense. Mastromonaco worked for President Obama way back before he even decided to run for presidency, so her ‘from the beginning’ perspective was interesting. This book is more of a how-to-climb-the-professional-ranks book for women more than a political memoir, but plenty of behind the scenes content as well.

• This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This book has received a lot of buzz and raves and that is what led me to check it out. It is the story of a family and a child working through gender identity. I thought it was interesting and gave me some insight into a world I don’t know very much about, but honestly, the writing was pretty lackluster. The dialogue was often trite, the author obviously had an agenda but she really beats the reader over the head with it, and it just really fell flat for me. I’m still glad I read it for the perspective, and it’s a quick and easy read, but don’t go into it expecting stellar writing.

• Jackie’s Girl by Kathy McKeon

This was another audio book and it was fantastic-the reader has a beautiful Irish brogue! This is a memoir written by a personal assistant to Jacqueline Kennedy. It’s also an immigrant story, and a day in the life story from 1960’s America. It’s interesting, well written, and a different perspective on one of the most famous women in the world.

• Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Cron

A coming of age story written by a man with severely dysfunctional parents. He struggles with faith (he is raised Catholic) and an alcoholic, abusive father.

• The Nine of Us: Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith

I was on a Kennedy kick this summer. This book was just a fun, interesting read from the last surviving Kennedy sibling. I love stories about big families (personally invested, haha) and this one was sweet and lovingly done. I loved getting to ‘know’ Rose and Joe from the perspective of one of their children.

• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

What a fun book! A highly intelligent man (not diagnosed with Asperger’s/high functioning autism, but think Sheldon from Big Bang Theory) sets out to find the perfect wife. Funny, sweet, interesting, well written….this is a good, easy read.

• Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Larson

Here we go with the Kennedy’s again. Look, I just had to know more about Rosemary after the first 2 books. This gave interesting insight into the life and treatment options available to individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the 20th century, and how health care evolved.

• How to Use a Runaway Truck Ramp by Shawn Smucker

A memoir about a family traveling cross country for several months with their young children in an RV. The writing drove me bonkers (very show-offy) but it was a cute story and I finished it just to see what sights they saw and what happened.

• The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

I just had to pick this up after loving The Rosie Project so much. It was similar to the first book but just didn’t have the same heart. Still, it was a fun read about Don and Rosie settling in and growing up together.

• Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

The audio is read by Noah and it is fantastic. Easily one of the most important books I’ve ever read on racism, poverty, apartheid, black culture, Christianity…on and on. Just read it. You must. But be warned, lots of language and some very graphic, disturbing scenes.

• Trim Healthy Mama by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allyson

What can I say, I’ve birthed 5 babies. I loved the book and found it extremely well researched and interesting, and I’m down 9 lbs so far and really enjoying all the recipes,

• The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines-audio

This was another audio book read by the authors. The hosts of “Fixer Upper,” I was curious about how they started out and grew to such fame. Their back story was pretty interesting, and the book is short and sweet.

• The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Fenollera

This was a book club book and it was fantastic. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year, and will probably go on my all-time favorites list. You read it and decide if it’s a love story, a conversion story, an ode to faith, a manifesto against busy living, or something else entirely. Lovers of classical literature will really enjoy the references, and it will inspire you to go back and reread Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott. Such a lovely, gentle, but very thought-provoking read about a woman and her encounters living and working in a village that is quite out of the ordinary. Special shout-out to homeschoolers, you will enjoy the lifestyle descriptions!

 

May 2017 Book List

Well THIS post is a bit tardy. Sorry about that. End of pregnancy, childbirth, and a newborn have taken over life around the nest lately, but hopefully I can click-clack out a few thoughts before returning to the recliner with this little love.

So, the books.

At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider-  

This book was written by the blogger and podcaster behind The Art of Simple.  It chronicles the round-the-world, 9-month long journey Tsh, her husband, and 3 children took a couple years ago. It’s full of reflections on world cultures and seeing the world from a child’s perspective, descriptions of incredible sounding food and exotic locales, but also day-to-days of settling into a new culture, even temporarily, with a young family. There are even some great travel tips. I really enjoyed this book and recommend finding Tsh on Instagram so you can go back and look through her photos from their year of travel. We enjoy traveling with our kids and look forward to doing it more and more, especially now that we have the Party Bus (12 passenger Sprinter) to accommodate all that a family of 7 entails. It’s a quick read and a great pool-side escape that isn’t fluff.

Peter Pan by JM Barrie- 

I read this aloud to my oldest son (7 years old) over the course of this month and we both really enjoyed it. We were familiar with the Disney version, but I don’t think I had ever read the original text. The vocabulary was rich but full of context so that he was not overwhelmed and didn’t have to stop me for explanation very often. It is not drastically different from the Disney version, but definitely a bit darker with subtleties only adults would pick up on as is the case with most classic children’s literature.  This made a great read aloud as well with chapters that were a good length-10-15 minutes, which is about my limit at 8pm!

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

The kids and I listened to this on audio in the car this month and enjoyed it. It definitely held my oldest son’s attention the most. My girls would tune in and out of it, but it didn’t grab them the way the Little House and Ramona audiobooks have. That being said, if your kids enjoy the Ramona books, they will probably like this book because it is also a charming glimpse into 1950’s suburbia with a protagonist who has a heart of gold, often oversteps, and finds himself in hijinks.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett–

Wow, this book was incredible. I heard a lot of buzz about it on the What Should I Read Next? podcast and finally picked it up, and I’m so glad I did. Fair warning, this book deals with abortion, and I almost put it down at that point seeing as I was 9 months pregnant and all. However, the author did a beautiful job of showing how that one “choice” continued to impact those involved and spread to a wider and wider circle of people, over time. Mostly, this is a compelling coming-of-age story of race, tragedy, and female friendship.

How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adele Faber

Keeping this brief…parenting book….you can skim it or just read the cartoons in every chapter and get the gist. Nothing too revolutionary but good reminders mainly about how to effectively communicate and create an empathetic environment.

Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons by Lorna Landvik

A story of friendship that starts in 1960’s suburban Minnesota and follows the group of friends for 40 years as they raise their families. This was a fun, easy read that reminde me of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

This was my audiobook for the month. Of note-if you also listen to the audio, I recommend speeding it up to 1.25x. Jahren has a slightly lethargic reading pace. This was an autobiography of a scientist (botany) and professor, and her journey through academia. It is also her story of dealing with severe bipolar disorder. It is a fairly easy read and not overly dense on the terminology and scientific explanations at all, and Jahren’s love of nature really shines through and encourages the opportunity to look at the natural world around you differently.

 

April 2017 Book List

April in Maryland turned out to be beautiful this year, a lot nicer than May is shaping up to be so far, and so my reading took a hit in garden-planting, sun-seeking endeavors.

I only have 3 books to share with you this month, sorry about that, but they were good ones, at least.

The Lake House by Kate Morton

I’ve really enjoyed all of Kate Morton’s books, but this one might be my favorite. It’s a page-turner centered around a family on an English country estate and a decades-long family mystery. I don’t think I’d call this a mystery in the traditional sense, and you can probably figure out the ending pretty early on, but it’s still fun to take the journey with the characters and see how everything wraps up. Just a word of caution, however, it has a *very* tidy ending that may annoy some people. The imagery and descriptions of English summers is beautiful in this book. A few trigger warnings: the story centers around the loss of a young child, and while it is heart-wrenching in the beginning, I think it’s well worth soldiering on. Overall, I think this is a great book to curl up with on a rainy summer day.

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

I alternated between audio and Kindle for this book (hurray for Whispersync!), though I think the narrator was good and added to the story. I just grew impatient and can read much faster than listen! Anyway, this book was slow for me and I often had to make myself pick it up and keep going so I could finish already, but I ended up feeling glad I’d read it….if that makes any sense? It centers around a young boy who seems to have high-functioning autism (though I don’t think that label is ever used) and his relationships with a few adults, and how those relationships intermingle and grow in his absence. It also tells the life story of 104-year old Ona Vitkus, and offers some fascinating insight into aging. There is some heaviness and sadness in the story, but mostly it is a story of friendship and family.

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson

Shame seems to be a buzz word in the last few years, maybe stemming from Brene Brown’s popularity? This is another perspective into the world of shame, centering around social media shamings. So often there are disclaimers on social media posts, “No judgement, please!” etc. because it is unusual at this point to see comments that don’t judge or even outright insult even the most benign posts. Ronson tells the story of several people who were publicly shamed via social media, mostly Twitter, and how they dealt with the aftermath. This is a great read to better understand intellectual property and also the mindset that allows us to say things ‘anonymously’ on the internet that we would *never* say in a face-to-face encounter.

On the docket for May:

Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis (book club)

Tsh Oxenreider’s new book, At Home in the World

Something great on audio? I’ve been plugging away at Hamilton for quite awhile, but need to break it up a bit.

March 2017 Book List

March turned out to be the month of very little listening to audiobooks and emotionally challenging reads. So, here’s an image that includes some of my favorite spring flowers (hyacinths) before we dive into the heavy stuff.

So pretty. They smell like heaven, if you can find some and get a whiff. Now, shall we?

1.) Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleaves

The writing in this book was phenomenal. Cleaves is a master with dialogue and whitty turns-of-phrase. I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend it for any Anglo-philes, WW2 readers, or even anyone who would enjoy a glance at life in London during the 1940’s. Though there is a lot of tragedy (it’s a war book, no skirting around that) there is also so much humor and love. While anything having to do with wartime can be difficult to read, there was really only one passage that I would describe as gruesome or gory, and that is probably 2/3 of the way through the book when the German pilot crashes. That’s not a spoiler, don’t worry, and you’ll see what I mean when you read it. But please do-read it, that is.

2.) A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (only $2.99 on Kindle as of 4/2/17)

I started reading Louise Penny’s books last year after hearing them described as murder mysteries that really just use the murder to probe the human psyche. I’ve also heard that this book, #4 in the series, is where she really hits her stride and I’d have to agree. This is a great summer read, as all her books (that I’ve read so far) rely heavily on seasonal themes and this one takes place in the heat of the summer. If you’re new to murder mysteries and are squeamish or very sensitive to violence as I am, you will probably enjoy these books.

3.) The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

I picked this up after hearing several podcasters rave about it. It’s the life story of a woman who grew up in a polygamist (fundamentalist Mormon) community. It was very interesting to get the insight into a different and often secretive religion and culture. There were many parts that were sad and difficult to read because of widespread abuse and neglect that seemed to be rampant in their community, but overall it was a fairly quick, enlightening read.

4.) Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder was my Young Adult pick this month, as I’m trying to read at least one YA selection each month. We’ll see how that pans out. This book was fantastic, and I intend to purchase a copy to keep on hand for my kids when they are older. It is told primarily from the perspective of a boy named August who was born with a rare medical facial deformity, which he refers to as “mandibulofacial dysostosis”, more commonly known as Treacher Collins syndrome and a cleft palate. The story also shifts perspective to August’s sisters and friends as well. It’s a great read for a kid’s perspective on disabilities, bullying, friendship, and adolescence.

5.) The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The Underground Railroad was the biggest challenge of the month for me. I had to re-read almost every page in an attempt to hopefully absorb all that Whitehead was trying to convey. The writing is masterful, certainly what you’d expect from a National Book Award winner. It tells the life story of a woman born into slavery in Georgia, Cora, and her experience with the Underground Railroad. This book is so different from anything I’ve ever read about this era, however, because of how Whitehead reimagines the UR as an actual train. I don’t think I’d classify this book as dystopian, but there are definitely elements. It can be very violent and gruesome, as the institution it describes would dictate, but it is so very worth reading anyway. Just be prepared to take your time with it and really process. This is one I’d love to chat about, if any of you pick it up!

In process:

Audiobook-The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood (only $4.95 right now!)

I’ve heard such good things about this book, but I’m having a hard time getting into it. The narrator is fantastic and I suspect this is a book that is better on audio, but it still has been slow going for me. Hope to have a review by next month!

The Lake House by Kate Morton-I’ve read almost all of Kate Morton’s books and this one is probably my favorite so far. I’m about 2/3 of the way through, so maybe I’ll feel differently with the ending, but so far I love it! It’s a great mystery/romance/coming of age/character study.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen– First classic of the year. Confession: I’ve never actually read this whole book. I know. I KNOW. I’m trying to fix that this year, ok? I’ve started it soooo many times. I’m going to do it, guys. Keep me accountable.

February 2017 Book List

February turned out to be kind of a light month for reading. I’m not really sure why, but I suspect “Victoria” may have been a factor…

Well, here’s what I did finish.

Gods in Alabama-I started this while we were on our trip to Florida thinking it would be something light, and it sort of was. While the overall subject matter ( a personal tragedy of a teenage girl growing up in small-town Alabama and how it influenced her adult relationships) was on the heavier side, the writing was funny and light, and even insightful at times. I’ve started one other book by Joshilyn Jackson and abandoned it, but decided to give this a try anyway. I think it would make a good easy read for vacation or the pool, but if you are highly sensitive, this may not be a light read for you. It may have some strong emotional triggers as well.

Today Will Be Different-“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” was near the top of my favorites list from last year, so I was eager to read more by Maria Semple. I really loved “Today Will Be Different,” as well for many of the same reasons. Semple is hilarious and dry and writes motherhood so honestly and well. Her character development is really impressive….you go on quite a journey with her female protagonists and they turn out to be not at all who you thought they were in the first few chapters. This is a particularly poignant sister story as well.

Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him-The subtitle says it all for this book. I enjoy reading parenting theories and methods, but I don’t always make it through entire books. This one was very different because it is written in alternating voices by Sally and her son, Nathan, who is now a successful adult. Nathan was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder as a child, and this is their story and reflection on his childhood. They are very honest about some difficult periods for both of them, but also share a lot of information about what worked well to manage Nathan’s behavior but also, so importantly, to improve his quality of life. This is the missing link in a lot of books for me. There is a lot of focus on managing behavior and improving the parent’s life, which, arguably, also improves the child’s life. However, I really appreciated Sally’s perspective on looking at the WHY/root cause of Nathan’s behavior and feelings, and how their family could accommodate and offer appropriate replacement behaviors when necessary. I highly recommend this for anyone with a challenging child, for whatever reason, even if he or she does not have letters assigned to them.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis-This book has received a lot of press lately because it was named by the NYT as one of the “6 Books to Help Understand Trump’s Win.” That was a factor in why I wanted to read this, but I was also curious and hoping to understand more about poverty and America’s working class. Charlie and I started this as an audiobook on our road trip but had to abandon it quickly because little pitchers have big ears and the hillbillies in this story swear quite a bit. I finished it on my own eventually and really loved it. The first part is interesting just as a family story, but Vance does not leave many breadcrumbs early on to his later success. Charlie’s big question after listening for awhile was, “Ok, so this guy went to Yale, but what has he actually done of merit in his life?” I think Vance may have done this intentionally, but it is a little maddening so-spoiler alert- after growing up in a very unstable, poor home, Vance enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2012. His description of how the USMC changed his life and self-worth is the real meat of his story, and it is fantastic. He also champions for educational reform and placing a higher value on military service, vocational, and on-the-job training programs as alternatives to college-a cause very near and dear to Charlie and I both (RJP Memorial Fund).

Ok, that’s it for me this month. What are you guys reading? What have you loved recently?

January 2017 Book List

Just to reiterate my reading goals for this year, I’m hoping to read 52 books and complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2017 Reading Challenge: Reading for Fun (MMD 2017 Challenge). That works out to a book a week, and is usually pretty on-target for me. This month, I managed to finish 6 books as of Jan. 27…I’m posting a little early because we are leaving on a trip and I wouldn’t want you to have to wait with BATED BREATH until the second week of February. See, I care about you fellow readers, I really do. Anyway, here’s what I read this month, some quick thoughts on each book, and what I’m planning to read/listen to on our upcoming trip.

1.) Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton-read on Kindle

I really loved this book and Glennon’s story. I’ve never read her blog or followed her on social media, and I honestly hadn’t even heard of her until the media storm around her in the fall. However, I read a brief review that this book is her memoir of addiction, depression, and mental illness and it piqued my curiosity. All of those topics are near and dear to my heart, as they are for way too many people. I was impressed with how real and raw her description of spiraling into a deep depression read. I’m pretty sensitive and censor my media consumption carefully, and there were definitely some triggers in this book, but overall, I could  handle it and enjoyed it.

2.) What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkamp-read on Kindle

Several bloggers that I follow rave about this book, and it’s a pretty quick read. I am very much not a morning person, but I really wish I were and this book had some good tips and ideas. Life changing? Not for me. Not even all that memorable. But I could see how it could provide some great strategies for some.

3.) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben-Audio book

I love, love, love this book and re-read it every year or so. I especially love Gretchen Ruben’s books on audio because she reads them herself. I am a devoted listener to her podcast, Happier, and I’ve incorporated SO many of her resolutions and strategies into my daily life over the years. It is extremely practical and actionable. I highly recommend this along with her other books, Happier at Home and Better Than Before.

4.) 11/22/63 by Stephen King-hardback from library

I’ve had this checked out for a few months and never got around to reading it. I kept hearing how good it is, but I’ve never read any Stephen King and I was really nervous about it because I’m a pretty sensitive soul. I had a hard time putting this book down, and I carried it everywhere with me even though it’s HUGE-almost 900 pages. Definitely a page-turner, it is a time-travel story that centers around the Kennedy assassination. If you read it for nothing else, read it for the glimpses into daily life of 1950’s and 1960’s America.

5.) First Women by Kate Brower-hardback from library

I picked this up on a whim during a quick trip to the library on Inauguration Day. It was really interesting, and I love reading about life in the White House. It was a little repetitive in parts, and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Margaret Truman’s book First Ladies, but it was still worth reading and I like that Michelle Obama was included. It piqued my interest about our former first lady, and I found I really know very little about her.

6.) Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham-Kindle

If you are a Lauren Graham fan, this book is written exactly how she, or her characters I suppose, speak. This will either be endearing and awesome, or it will drive you crazy. It drove me crazy. It was still interesting to get the behind-the-scenes peaks at Gilmore Girls and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, but I’m glad this book was pretty short and quick to read. (Sorry, Lauren! I still love watching you act!)

So what’s on my list for February?

We have a long road trip coming up and Charlie and I always look forward to a good audiobook or two while the littles binge-watch Disney Nature DVD’s. When the kids get tired of DVD’s, they love a good audiobook as well.

Here’s what we are planning on listening to:

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance for us

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle for the kids (and us, let’s be honest)

For my personal reading, I’m hoping to read:

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

Different by Sally Clarkson

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (book club pick for the month)

Let me know if you’re reading or have read any of these, and your thoughts!!

 Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy!! February Quick Lit Link Up