In November of 2009 I made the optimistic goal of reading 60 books by the end of 2010. That meant a book a week. I was, perhaps, overly ambitious, but I accomplished the goal with about five minutes to spare.
It was a phenomenal year, as it got me back to loving reading more than watching television or movies in my spare time. I have always loved to read, and I still love movies, but I think reading is a better use of free time than screen staring. (Notice I also have a page devoted to movies, so don't think I'm getting preachy or anything.)
It was a phenomenal year, as it got me back to loving reading more than watching television or movies in my spare time. I have always loved to read, and I still love movies, but I think reading is a better use of free time than screen staring. (Notice I also have a page devoted to movies, so don't think I'm getting preachy or anything.)
(Really good children's chapter books also included at bottom.)
The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck
One of my top three favorites for sure. Story of a man who is trying to provide everything his wife and children want, but struggles with his morals in his attempt, and finds out he might not be the honorable man he thought he was. If you've read another of Steinbeck's books and not liked it, give this one a try anyway. It seems to be quite different than his other works. I think so, anyway.
Room by Emma Donoghue
The story of a boy who has lived his entire life inside one room because his mother was kidnapped years ago and held captive there - in the place he was born - and to him, there is no world outside it's four walls.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Scout, and her brother Jem, grow up in the South amid racial strife and a spooky neighbor who never comes out of his house. Who has not read this book??
Love Is Eternal by Irving Stone
The life and love of Mary Todd Lincoln, her difficult life and how it all turned out. A sometimes tedious, but very worthwhile read.
One of my top three favorites for sure. Story of a man who is trying to provide everything his wife and children want, but struggles with his morals in his attempt, and finds out he might not be the honorable man he thought he was. If you've read another of Steinbeck's books and not liked it, give this one a try anyway. It seems to be quite different than his other works. I think so, anyway.
Room by Emma Donoghue
The story of a boy who has lived his entire life inside one room because his mother was kidnapped years ago and held captive there - in the place he was born - and to him, there is no world outside it's four walls.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Scout, and her brother Jem, grow up in the South amid racial strife and a spooky neighbor who never comes out of his house. Who has not read this book??
Love Is Eternal by Irving Stone
The life and love of Mary Todd Lincoln, her difficult life and how it all turned out. A sometimes tedious, but very worthwhile read.
Cheaper By The Dozen by the Gilbreths
The life of one amazing, large family, told by two of it's members. Therapeutic to read if you're feeling overwhelmed by your own life.
Belles On Their Toes by the Gilbreths, again
The Gilbreths have another winner with this one, but Cheaper By The Dozen is better. This is still worth a read, as the story continues after the head of the family is gone and Mom takes the reins.
The life of one amazing, large family, told by two of it's members. Therapeutic to read if you're feeling overwhelmed by your own life.
Belles On Their Toes by the Gilbreths, again
The Gilbreths have another winner with this one, but Cheaper By The Dozen is better. This is still worth a read, as the story continues after the head of the family is gone and Mom takes the reins.
Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt
Excellent story of a governess sent to tend a mysterious child in a gothic mansion. Similar to Jane Eyre, I would imagine, but not as daunting. Keep in mind I haven't yet read Jane Eyre, but it's on my list.
Excellent story of a governess sent to tend a mysterious child in a gothic mansion. Similar to Jane Eyre, I would imagine, but not as daunting. Keep in mind I haven't yet read Jane Eyre, but it's on my list.
Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Unbelievable story of a girl hiding in an attic with her Jewish family during WWII. But you knew that, right? Please tell me you knew that.
Unbelievable story of a girl hiding in an attic with her Jewish family during WWII. But you knew that, right? Please tell me you knew that.
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis
Sci-fi adventure about a man kidnapped by space explorers from his own planet and taken to a strange world... Sci-fi is not my thing, but this was pretty interesting.
Sci-fi adventure about a man kidnapped by space explorers from his own planet and taken to a strange world... Sci-fi is not my thing, but this was pretty interesting.
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Corrospondence between one of Satan's demons and his nephew in charge of winning the soul of one good young man. Highly thought-provoking.
Corrospondence between one of Satan's demons and his nephew in charge of winning the soul of one good young man. Highly thought-provoking.
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Adventure taking place in Washington DC involving the Masonic Order and their secrets. Captivating.
Adventure taking place in Washington DC involving the Masonic Order and their secrets. Captivating.
Classic and beautiful from open to close.
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Kinsella's best book, if you ask me. Most of Kinsella's books are purely entertaining, but I thought this one had more meat to it. It's about a young woman who knows nothing about her recently deceased great-aunt, until that great-aunt comes back to haunt her.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
An old man takes the fishing trip of his life.
In Praise of Stay At Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Pretty much what the title says. And I concur.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A spoiled, lonely little girl finds herself in the care of a distant relative, and while exploring the grounds of his mansion, finds new friends, a secret garden, and something inside herself that she never knew was there.
Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Serial killer on the loose in Virginia, and medical examiner Kay Scarpetta in on the case, along with a mans-man detective.
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
A little girl, who lives with brittle bone disease, and her family move through the motions of a wrongful birth trial.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Young girl sent to boarding school misses her father tremendously but is the kind of child who never complains and makes the most of everything, even when her world is turned upside-down.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Possibly the last man on Earth battles his own demons as well as the tangible ones who lurk outside his shelter at night.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Very addicting book that we all can relate to - the boss from hell at a job we feel inadequate for.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
A fascinating book written entirely in letters. It dabbles in the effects of WWII and the German occupation of an island in the English Channel; friends are made and lives are changed.
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
A sadistic lottery throws a young girl into a "fight to the death" arena sponsored by her nation's capital.
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
A teenage boy is sent to an island by the last words of his violently killed grandfather. The boy finds that the strange stories his grandfather told him as a child might not be fiction, and that he might have a tie to the people he meets there. This book is quite bizarre and the pictures add a bit of realism to it. It is a science fiction story, which I normally despise, but I found it enjoyable.
Like Family: Growing Up In Other People's Houses by Paula McLain
A memoir of growing up in the foster care system in Fresno, California during the 70's. The book is sad, heart-breaking, but also beautiful.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Story of Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway's first wife. Their relationship and story. I'm not sure if this is slow or boring, but I thought it was mostly insightful. McLain makes you feel what her characters feel.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Two black sisters who's lives part in their teens write letters to each other even though there's no hope of sending them. They each take a path on which they mature and grow into themselves, and finally find each other.
One Day by David Nicholls
Em and Dex meet and spend one day together at the end of their college careers, then go their separate ways. But the connection they found on that one day together draws them continually back to each other over the years. We get to read about their evolution individuals and the changing depth of their relationship on that one day each year. Favorite Children's Chapter Books
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
A lovely children's story of four siblings who devise a plan to make some of their deepest desires come true as each takes his turn at having a Saturday adventure.
A lovely children's story of four siblings who devise a plan to make some of their deepest desires come true as each takes his turn at having a Saturday adventure.
The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
Charming sequel to The Saturdays - the family moves to the country and finds joy in the simple life.
The Twits by Roald Dahl
Two vile people get what's coming to them.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Brilliant young girl, oppressed by her idiot parents and tyrant principal at school, adores her teacher and finds she has a special gift beyond intelligence.
Danny, Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
A boy and his father living in a gypsy trailer and running a gas station dive into the world of pheasant poaching. Dahl is charming as always.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The town hooligans take over the traditional Christmas Pageant and change it for the better.
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
During a carefree summer spent with her cousin, Julian, Portia stumbles upon a ghost town and a charming old woman who lives there with her brother.
If only I had the time to read like that. I am in the middle of Loving Frank and find it a bit....conservative. But it is the time (1900)
ReplyDelete