bringing back the blog for one of my favourite times of year (which in German is so aptly called "between the years") - these slow, reflective days just before the year turns, which I use to look back on this past year, as well as plan and dream for the one ahead.
After last year's carefully planned out reading list, I decided not to set any reading goals for this past year (beyond the 24 books that I wanted to hit) and just go ahead and reach for what I felt like. The results of this were...interesting. I ended up reading much more fiction than usual, across a fairly wide range of genres and even started a series or two (which was something I'd been missing for the past few years). But honestly? This was probably my most disappointing reading year in awhile. While I certainly read some gems (all of which can be found on the list below) I also read a ton of books that were just okay.
So in an attempt to change that this coming year, I'm reintroducing a bit of structure. Aside from my standard goal of 24 books that I've had going the past few years, I've also identified a few topics and genres that I'd like to focus on, which I'm hoping will stretch me to find a few new favourites as well as keep me a little more focused when selecting choices this year. In terms of non-fiction, I'd like to read a few books on the Enneagram, as well as some in the direction of "self help" and parenting (I think I may finally be feeling brave enough to tackle Brene Brown again!) For fiction, I'm looking to mystery (a rather new to me genre I discovered late this year) as well as sci-fi (something I always love but for some reason am rarely drawn to). I'd also like to read both more new releases and more books written by women of color.
best re-read: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Schafer & Annie Burrows)
most surprised to love: The Alice Network (Kate Quinn)
hardest to put down: Career of Evil (Robert Galbraith)
most relevant to my daily life: The Course of Love (Alain de Bottin)
most quotable: In the Company of Women (compiled by Grace Bonney)
most loveable characters: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (Gail Honeyman)
most heartbreaking: The Immortalists (Chole Benjamin)
best memoir/biography: My Berlin Kitchen (Luisa Weis)
best craft related book: Folk Fashion (Amy Twigger Holroyd)
the one that kept me up at night: The Underground Railroad (Colson Whitehead)
the one I'm still telling everyone about: Station Eleven (Emily St. John Mandel)
every year I do a little reflection here on the blog of my favorite books that I've read this year. This year I set a goal to read 24 books (2 per month) and was a little more intentional- I aimed for 50/50 fiction & non-fiction. I managed to meet this goal, and quite enjoyed picking the books for each month, though I did find it a little restricting at times- I didn't read any series this year, which is something I certainly missed. I also was sharing over on Instagram using the hashtag #whatruthisreading2017 which was fun, but not something I think I'll do again (I'll probably just share the highlights...) This year I'm also going to shoot for 24 books as it feels like a good number for me right now (not easy, but not unrealistic either) though I think I'm going to plan less and absolutely let myself read (and finish!) some series... and maybe do a bit more re-reading (Harry Potter audio books anyone..?)
So as per usual- here are my own personal "book awards" for this year. (If you're curious to see all the books I read this year, I've listed them all under my reading challenge on Good Reads- there were certainly some duds, but I did read a good many more that didn't make the below list that are worth checking out!)
best re-read: Anne of Green Gables (LM Montgomery)
most surprised to love: Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier)
hardest to put down: Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) (though I feel like I also have to mention John Krakauer's Into Thin Air here, which was definitely most likely to send you down a Wikipedia rabbit trail...)
most likely to change my daily life: Present Over Perfect (Shauna Niequest)
most quoteable: Big Magic (Elizabeth Gilbert)
most in my wheelhouse: The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern)
most heartbreaking: Everyone Brave is Forgiven (Chris Cleave)
best memoir/biography: Lab Girl (Hope Jahren)
best crafty related book: WOODS (Making Stories)
the one that kept me up at night: Half of a Yellow Sun (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
the one I'm still telling everyone about: Wonder (RJ Palacio)
So what's up next? Well, I'm currently reading Little Women for my bookclub and am hoping to finish before the new year. Then I'm planning to read The Crosswicks Journals by Madeleine L'engle (and maybe also re-read A Wrinkle in Time to get ready for the movie...) What about you guys? Read anything good lately?
So I actually don't have quite as long of a list of Summer Reads as I had hoped to. A few abandoned books definitely found their way into rotation and I just ended up reading a little less than I had thought. BUT that being said, I read some real gems this summer- some of the best books I've read all year, and I wanted to share a little round up with you today of what I did manage to read.
So, here goes:
Present Over Perfect // Shauna Niequest
This has been on my TBR list for what feels like ages and ages (it only came out last summer...) When I saw it was a pick for the Solly Baby book club, I was reminded of it and am so glad I was! It was a perfectly timely read for me. I mistakenly thought going in that this topic was one I had already wrestled with and had a handle on- NOPE. Still so much to learn. This book was written with so much wisdom and grace- I cried my way through and will definitely be picking it up for a re-read in the not too distant future.
Murder on the Orient Express // Agatha Christie
Our book club summer read. I breezed through this in 3 days and really enjoyed it. I didn't have much prior experience with Agatha Christie and after reading this, I'd love to pick up a few more titles.
Wonder // RJ Palacio
Another book club pick. Wow you guys- this book. Not only is it a great story well told, but it's also a great conversation starter (and would be an excellent book to read with kids, or to discuss with them...) This is the sort of perspective-giving book that can really make a difference.
Big Magic // Elizabeth Gilbert
So I basically highlighted and bookmarked and dogeared my way through this entire book. So much good stuff- this is the sort of book that makes me wish I still kept a physical quote book so that I could jot down all the wisdom I gained from it!
Yes Please // Amy Pohler
A bit of a bonus pick, I read through this quick, fun read while in Berlin. I wouldn't say it was the greatest book I've ever read (not even my favorite comedian/celebrity memoir) but I did enjoy it and appreciated Pohler's perspective at several points throughout.
So that's a wrap. I am ALL about Fall reading and closing off this year of books strong. I'm on track with all my reading goals for the year and have a few picks for the next few months that I'm really excited about (I'm currently reading the books in the photo above) How about you, fellow bookworms? How's your reading life these days?
Over the past few months I've managed to squeeze in quite a bit of reading time, between the cracks of my days and evenings. I've been sharing (most of) the books I'm working my way through over on Instagram under the hashtag #whatruthisreading2017 but I don't tend to share much of what I thought of a book, and a few of the books in those pictures ended up being swapped out for others.
I'm still working on my goal of reading one fiction and one non-fiction book per month, with an end total of 24 books for this year, and that has been going really well. A few of these have been picks for my book club and I've enjoyed stretching myself and picking up a few titles I might not have otherwise gotten to. So without any more chatter, here's my Spring book report!
Let's start with the books from that list:
Anne of Green Gables // LM Montgomery
Read this while in Canada this March and it was lovely. Perfect for Spring and perfect for reading while at home.
As Always Julia // Julia Child & Avis DeVoto
I did enjoy this but I ended up skimming through parts of it. While interesting, it was just very very long and I slogged my way through the second half. I would recommend it if you enjoyed My Life in France but keep in mind that it's a collection of letters and not a memoir...
Lab Girl // Hope Jahren
LOVED this. Easily the best book I've read this year so far.
The Magic of Motherhood // Ashlee Gadd (Coffee & Crumbs)
I really enjoyed this one as well. It's a collection of essays on motherhood written by different women and I found a lot to relate to in these pages.
And here are a few other titles that I managed to read:
A Monster Calls // Patrick Ness
This is YA short fiction and it totally sucked me in. Read it all in one night.
Rebecca // Daphine Du Maurier
Read this for my book club and (although I suggested it) I was a bit skeptical at first. It took me a bit of time to get into it but then I was hooked. It made for a great discussion!
Half of A Yellow Sun // Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
This one is this month's book club pick and I've not actually finished it yet. Though it's well written I'm struggling a bit, as it's quite heavy reading. I'm definitely learning a ton about Nigerian history that I wasn't aware of before.
At Home in the World // Tsh Oxenreider
Really loved this one. It was perfect summer reading and just a good story. I really related to parts of Tsh's spiritual journey and her thoughts on home as she travelled around the world with her family and even found myself tearing up in a few spots. I did the audio version, which is read by the author, and I'd recommend that for sure.
Got some books currently on my nightstand/coffee table/e reader that I'm super excited about getting to over the next few months. I'll be sure to share a little list soon. What are you guys reading this summer?
This year I decided to mix thing up a little and get more intentional about the books that I'm reading. In my pre-baby days I used to average about a book a week, depending on what was going on and what season we were in. Last year I read less than half of that, and honestly, I'm completely okay with it. However I was looking for a way of picking better books- going for quality over quantity I suppose. My hope is, like many a reader I'm sure, to read not only widely & deeply but also interestingly- to choose a variety of things that will help me learn and grow and broaden my horizons.
So. All that being said, I decided this year to read one fiction and one non-fiction book a month. These past few months, I've found that my picks have been complimenting each other nicely and I'm really enjoying what I've been reading. Here's a little list of what I'm hoping to get to over the next few months:
Anne of Green Gables // Lucy Maude Montgomery
I'm a little embarassed to admit that I've never actually read this one. I've seen the movies and even read an abridged young readers edition when I was learning to read BUT I've never actually read the actual novel. When I saw it on my mom's bookshelf while in Canada last month I decided it was time to pick it up. I'm so enjoying it- such a good Canadian classic.
As Always Julia // Julia Child & Avis DeVoto
This book is the collected letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto. I'm enjoying this and would recommend it to anyone who likes Julia Child or who enjoyed My Life in France. It's pretty long though- and I find myself skipping over a few of the sections when they're referring to mutual acquaintances of their's.
Lab Girl // Hope Jahren
A little out of my wheelhouse but I'm excited to give this a try.
Flight Behavior // Barbara Kingsolver
The newest novel from Kingsolver (though already several years old) that I found in a second hand bookstore on Commercial Drive in Vancouver last month. I've not read anything by her in ages and I'm excited to start this one.
The Magic of Motherhood // Ashlee Gadd (Coffee & Crumbs)
So SO excited for this. Seriously.
Wonder // AJ Palacio
Heard about this on a podcast recently. It's a middle grade novel (of which I read few to none) so I thought I'd give it a try.
Everyone Brave is Forgiven // Chris Cleave
Been hearing lots about this one. I've read a few of Cleave's earlier books and found them well written, entertaining and sensitive in dealing with not all too easy subject matter. So I'm exited to give this a go.
Four Seasons in Rome // Anthony Doer
Have been wanting to read this one ever since I finished All the Light last spring. It's a memoir of the year Doer spent living in Rome, working on that book, with his wife and newborn twins. Fascinating!
To see all the books I've been reading this year, you can check out the hashtag I've created on my Instagram: #whatruthisreading2017
Somehow I thought I was really killing it with my reading list, but in looking back over the past 6 or so months, I've really not read all that many books. But still 8 is better than none and so here they are today, all lined up for you in a nice neat list!
I've been really enjoying doing these little book reports seasonally (well, twice a year) and this year I've set a reading goal for one fiction and one non-fiction book per month. Hopefully those books will start showing up in these lists but if you'd like to see more you can follow along on Instagram (where I set up a handy hastag for the project of course!).
let's start with the books from that list:
Talking as Fast As I Can // Lauren Grahame
Okay, so this was a fun read. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes Gilmore Girls stuff (both on the original series and the new Netflix episodes), and hearing more about Lauren's story and early days. One thing I did not like however was how she knocked knitting not once but TWICE. I mean... come on Lauren! More Americans knit that golf... get with it!
Death on the Nile // Agatha Christie
Waldi and I listened to this audio book while in Scotland and it was a lot of fun. The story was engaging and I didn't figure out whodunit until the very end, which is always fun. Such a good memory from our trip. We're hoping to get a few more of her stories in audiobook form to listen to as well.
Longbourn // Jo Baker
I borrowed this from my mom over Christmas, who received it from my dad, who purchased it from Chatsworth house in England this summer (where the BBC Pride and Prejudice was filmed...) which is kind of fun. I'd heard mixed things about this one but I actually quite enjoyed most of it and thought it was a really interesting perspective on a beloved classic.
I Capture the Castle // Dodie Smith
Heard about this on the WSIRN podcast and ADORED it. Seriously. It was lovable and quirky and well written and perfectly British. Also, it's by the same woman who wrote 101 Dalmatians so that's pretty fun. (and it's listed as JK Rowling's favorite book so, you know, there's that...) Very glad I picked this up.
and here are a few other titles I managed to work my way through:
Knitlandia // Clara Parks
Loved this. I thought Clara's stories were a perfect tribute to this community and the fact that it did so well is also further proof that we knitters are presence out there not to be overlooked- this is where I first heard that stat about the golfers that I mentioned above. If you're going to read this, I would recommend listening to this interview after. It compliments the reading experience nicely.
I Am Malala // Malala Yousafzai
This was a book club pick and I thought it was moving and well told and inspiring. Malala is a force to be reckoned with and it was a very valuable experience to me to read a bit more of her story. I also learned a lot more about the recent history of this specific region in the world from hearing it told from her perspective.
All the Bright Places // Jenifer Niven
I picked this up on a total whim and though I don't normally read much YA I must say I really enjoyed this. I thought it was a sensitive and nuanced handling of a difficult subject and it was honestly the type of story that made me want to write. It just felt like a book with weight and meaning to me- but I should definitely give a tear-jerker warning with this one!
Lady Crawford // Julie Cameron Grey
I'm almost finished with this lovely little book (pictured above) and I'm really enjoying jumping back into poetry again. I'm finding the poems to be unique and layered with meaning and often find that I have to pause after reading one and let it marinade for a few days before coming back to it again. If you're a fan of poetry I'd definitely recommend giving it a try!
I'll be back at the end of the month to share a list of books I'm planning to get to over the next few months, but for now I wanna know- what have you been reading lately?
can hardly believe it's that time again, but here goes:
best re-read: The Paris Wife (Paula McLain)
most surprised to love: The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (Jonas Jonasson)
hardest to put down: The Rosie Project (Graeme Simsion- not exactly suspenseful but I do remember reading it in two days..)
most likely to change my daily life: Daring Greatly (Brené Brown)
best non-fiction: I Am Malala (Malala Yousef)
highest recommended: I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith)
best memoir/biography: When Breath Becomes Air (Paul Kalanithi)
best crafty related book: Knitlandia (Clara Parks)
best foodie book: A Homemade Life (Molly Wizenberg)
what's up to be read next: Talking as Fast as I Can (Lauren Graham)
This year I managed 14 novels, 7 memoir, 2 other non-fiction books, one play and one audio book. That's a whole lot less than most years but a whole lot more memoir than I usually read and I really enjoyed adding it into the mix. I hope to continue that this year, as well as read a whole stack more poetry.
you can see previous book lists here: 2013 | 2014 | 2015
also to follow along with what's on my bookshelves (and night stand and coffee table...and recently, e-reader!) see past posts here.
so it's that time again- time to share a new reading list! I've put together this list for the coming cooler months and I am super excited about it. Back in July, my mom gave me a Kobo e reader (the Canadian version of a Kindle) and it's been amazing. I previously struggled to find a lot of books (particularly new releases) in English. I would often add a book to my TBR list, or one of my book lists for the blog, with every intention of reading it, only to struggle to find it for several months before I forgot completely about it! So, I've included a lot more newly released books on this list than normal because I now know exactly where to get them.
Also, as a bonus, I've gone back through my previous lists to find those books that slipped through and got forgotten but that I'd still really like to pick up. You can see those at the end of this post, and you can see my previous book lists here.
Alrighty, so without further chatter, here's what I'm hoping to read over the next few months:
Present Over Perfect // Shauna Niequest
Okay so I loved LOVED Shauna's book Bread and Wine and have been anticipating the release of this one for ages. From the blurbs, reviews and sample chapter I've read, I'd say it's got a message that I really need to hear and I'm so excited to dive in deeper.
Talking as Fast as I Can // Lauren Grahame
This is the newest new release on this list- it doesn't come out until November, but you can bet I'll be downloading my copy asap. I read Lauren Grahame's first book several years ago and really enjoyed it, and I am (of course) a massive Gilmore Girls fan. I've been re-watching all the old episodes, in preparation for the new ones, and so the release of this book feels very timely.
Commonwealth // Ann Patchett
A new Patchett novel? I'm so in! This one just came out this month and I'm really excited to dive in soon.
Four Seasons in Rome // Anthony Doer
Recently I've been really interested in books about writing, particularly if they're by authors I know and respect. After reading All the Light We Cannot See this past spring, I was excited to find out about this book. Doer tells the story of how he and his wife (and their newborn twins!) pack up and move to Italy for a year of writing. I think this sounds lovely and fascinating, especially since the novel he's working on is All the Light (which apparently took him 10 years to write!). Super interesting stuff and I can't wait to pick this one up.
Murder on the Nile // Agatha Christie
Planning to listen to this one as an audio book with Waldi on our trip to Scotland. Seems like the perfect cozy mystery for driving through the highlands.
Longbourn // Jo Baker
I've been hoping to read this book for AGES and my mom just told me she's got a copy of it that I can borrow when we go home this Christmas. I think it sounds like the perfect holiday read and I'm really looking forward to it.
The Zimzum of Love // Rob & Kristen Bell
I'm a huge fan of Rob Bell (he had me hooked at Velvet Elvis and really won me over with Love Wins) but I've not picked up either of his newest books. I've recently started going back and listening through the archives of his podcast, and I listened to one episode where he chats with his wife about this book, which they wrote together over a year and a half. Super intrigued about this- not only because of what it's about, but also because I cannot imagine writing a book with my significant other, haha!
And, as promised, I'm hoping to get to the following titles from previous lists:
I Capture the Castle // Dodie Smith
Planning on ordering this one for our trip to Scotland and I've got images of being curled up with it in front of a roaring fire with a mug of cocoa on a rainy evening...ahhh Fall...
Career of Evil // Robert Galbraith
I've been waiting for my local library to get a copy of this in English for ages (they have the first two in the series) and it's just not happening, so I may have to take things into my own hands and order this one as well...
as always, I would love to hear your recommendations. what are you guys planning to read this fall?
So back in early Spring when I put together this list, I mentioned that I was not expecting to have much reading time. Well, several things conspired to really change that fact: first off- nursing. In the early days I read a ton while nursing C. I also read a lot when he was fussy and would only fall asleep on my chest- can't complain about being stuck on the couch, with cuddles and a good book, that's for sure. I also found I didn't have much energy for my other hobbies in the first weeks (like writing, knitting, or going for walks...) so I would pick up books in any free moment I had. The final thing that really changed my reading life is that my mom gave me an e reader while she was visiting me. All of a sudden, I had access to all the books I had struggled to find here- and all in my own language! It was (is) almost too good to be true.
So all that to say, I managed to plow my way through most of my list and then pick up a whole bunch more books. Today I'm sharing a little bit about what I've been reading and what I thought of each book.
lets start with the books from that list:
Americanah (Chimamanda Adiche)
This book was thought provoking, with Adiche sharing many of her honest observations on some important topics. While I quite like her as a writer, I must say I didn't like this one quite as much as some of her other writing. But on the whole, it made me think and gave me a new perspective on several levels and for that I'm glad to have read it.
Delancy (Molly Wizenberg)
Though I didn't love this as much as Molly's first book (A Homemade Life) I found it fascinating to read about her experiences in opening a restaurant with her husband and plowed through it at incredible speed. Can't wait to try a few of the recipes, and who knows? Maybe we'll make it down to Seattle on one of our trips home to stop in and have a pizza...
Bringing Up Bebe (Pamela Druckerman)
As I mentioned, Waldi and I were reading this aloud together before Caleb was born. We found it interesting and it sparked many a conversation between us, though we aren't planning to follow everything in it to the letter.
All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doer)
So glad I finally got my hands on this! It's a sweeping story, set during WW2 in both France and Germany and told through multiple perspectives. Doer is an excellent storyteller and I enjoyed the multiple storylines and how they crossed over together.
Daring Greatly (Brené Brown)
Loved this book- and now I'm only asking myself why it took me so long to read it? I've shared a few thoughts on this book in a previous post so today I'll just say I learned a ton and gained some insight into my own life. At several points I put the book down, amazed to realize that others experience some of the same thought processes I do, and that there is a name for them and a conversation happening about them. So glad I picked this up.
and here are a few more I managed to make my way through:
The Paris Wife (Paula McLain)
Interesting perspective on the story of Ernest Hemmingway and his first wife Hadley. I enjoyed getting lost in the setting and time period- overall a quick and fun read.
The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (Jonas Jonasson)
Picked this one up just a few days before Caleb was born and read it while breastfeeding those first few intense weeks. It's been on our shelf since Waldi read it several years ago and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, as I had thought it wasn't for me. Reading this also has me thinking I should try and pick up more books in translation...
Vanessa and her Sister (Priya Parmar)
My aunt gave this to me, and though I'd never heard of it before, it was a quick and interesting read. It's a fictional account of Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell, and the Bloomsbury group- a gathering of writers and artists that met regularily in London in the early 20th century. I wasn't blown away but I did enjoy it.
When Breath Becomes Air (Paul Kalanithi)
This is a heartbreaking memoir by a young neurosurgeon who is diagnosed with cancer. (seriously heartbreaking- his wife writes the epilogue after his death...) Well-written and brave, it's one people will be talking about for awhile, I'm sure.
The Getaway Car (Ann Patchett)
Quick little glimpse into the writing life of one of my favorite authors. Enjoyed reading her perspective on her work as a writer and learning a little more about her journey.
and of course:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (JK Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne)
Because how could I pass up the chance to revisit my favorite magical world? Okay, so like many HP fans, I'm sure, I've got lots of opinions on this one. I think the fact that it's a play and not a novel is helpful because I was already prepared for a different reading experience than I had with the other seven books. I don't want to give too much away for those who haven't read it but I will say that I appreciated that we got a little bit of a different perspective (both positive and negative) on several characters who I felt were pretty one dimensional in the series. It was fun seeing Harry and the rest of the gang as parents as well- what they did well and where they were struggling. So all in all, I enjoyed it.
so, what's next? I'm currently reading All the Bring Places by Jennifer Niven (as recommended on this podcast, of course) and I'm putting together a new reading list for Fall that I'm very excited about. I'll be sure to share soon, but in the meantime, what have you been reading? I'd love to add any suggestions to my ever-growing TBR list!
Obviously I'm aware that my reading time is going to decrease dramatically in just a few weeks time. And I've got no romantic delusions about making my way completely through this list. But I do hope to take some time over the next weeks and months to make it through a few books, to find a quiet moment here and there to flip through a few pages and hopefully feel a little like myself. So, here's a list of books I'm hoping to have ready and on hand when one of those moments presents itself this summer:
I Capture the Castle // Dodie Smith
Heard about this one first through this podcast and was intrigued both by how it was described and by the fact that it's apparently JK Rowling's favorite book. Hopefully I can find an English copy around here somewhere.
Americanah // Chimamanda Adichie
I'm a bit behind in reading this but I've been hearing such good things and have loved everything else I've ever read/seen from this author so I thought I would add it to the list.
Delancy // Molly Wizenberg
this has been on my list since reading (and loving) Molly's first book A Homemade Life earlier this year. This one is the story of how her and her husband opened their first restaurant in Seattle.
Bringing Up Bebe // Pamela Druckermann
So we've started this one already but I thought I would include it on the list. Recently, Waldi and I have been reading this together in the evenings before we fall asleep. It's fascinating and informative and is sparking some great discussions. I'm curious to see how many of these ideas we decide to try out once our little one arrives.
All the Light We Cannot See // Anthony Doer
I'm not sure if it's cheating to include this book, as it was on my last book list as well. But since I didn't get to it (and really want to) I thought I'd add it again.
Daring Greatly // Brené Brown
So I added this book on a bit of a whim, and we'll see if I manage to get to it. But recently I keep coming across Brené Brown and her work, and I thought it was time to maybe give it a try. This isn't her newest book (though I'd like to read that at some point as well) but I've heard it's a great place to start so I'm starting here.
So there we have it. A nicely balanced list of fiction and non-fiction this time around. We'll see how many of these books I managed to get through over the next half year or so.
As always, please feel free to share any recommendations you have. I love adding books to my TBR list!
I guess it's no big surprise that I didn't get to many of the books on my Winter Reading list. I seem to write up these lists and then promptly forget about them. And I must admit that none of the books I did make it through were really winners for me. I did, however, manage to fit in some reading (and even found some gems) so I thought I would share a little book report of what I did manage to get to.
Let's start with the books from that list:
The Goldfinch // Donna Tartt
So I was slightly disappointed by this one. I did think it was well written, and it was certainly an interesting story but I guess I just found it a little depressing.
Great Expectations // Charles Dickens
I'm sort of on the fence about this one as well. As I mentioned in that original post, I picked this up after realizing that the only Dickens I'd ever read was A Christmas Carol. While I didn't love it, I'm not quite ready to give up on Dickens yet and hope to pick up another one of his books at some point in the future.
Tender Hooks // Beth Ann Fennelley
Again, I was a bit disappointed with this one. This is a book of poetry by the same author who wrote Great with Child (which I LOVED), covering a range of topics but centering mostly around motherhood. There were some gems in here, but overall just not one of my favorites.
Just a note on two more books from the list: I've still got both All The Light We Cannot See and Career of Evil on my radar. Just waiting on Waldi to finish one and my library to get the other and then I'm good to go!
And here's what else I've been reading:
The Rosie Project // Graeme Simsion
I really enjoyed this one and tore through it in just a few days. It was funny, entertaining and endearing.
Call The Midwife // Jennifer Worth
Waldi gave me this for Christmas and after watching the BBC series, I couldn't wait to pick it up. I really enjoyed both the story and the author's writing voice. It's also special to me since my own Grandmother was a midwife in the UK during this same time period, though she didn't work in London's East End. This adds just an extra layer of meaning to an already excellent memoir.
A Homemade Life // Molly Wizenberg
I first heard about this book through the WSIRN podcast, and ordered it immediately based on the way it was described. I throughly enjoyed it. I certainly always enjoy a good book about food, and this one had it all- laughter, tears, and plenty of delicious recipes to try out. Plus, it's set partly in Paris, San Fransisco and the PNW- all places I know and love.
The Paper Sky // El Gruer
This was one of the best books I read over the winter months. I've mentioned it several times before (and even interviewed the author here) but I thought I would throw it into the mix one more time.
I've also been reading several books on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, which I'm thinking of sharing in a separate post soon. And there will most likely be a new reading list for Spring/Summer soon because even if I don't manage to get all the way through them, they still are fun to write!
If you're curious, currently I'm reading The Alchemest by Paulo Coelho, and I've just checked out The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith from the library.
best re-read: Emma (Jane Austen)
most surprised to love: The All Girls Filling Station's Last Reunion (Fannie Flagg)
hardest to put down: Never Let Me Go (Kazou Ishiguro)
most likely to change my daily life: Great With Child (Beth Ann Fennelly)
favorite classic: Agnus Grey (Anne Brontë)
best non-fiction: The Paper Sky (El Gruer)
highest recommended: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
best memoir/biography: A Moveable Feast (Ernest Hemmingway)
best crafty-related book: Home and Away (Hannah Fettig)
most loveable characters: Me Before You (Jojo Moyes)
most likely to be re-read: The Opposite of Loneliness (Marina Keegan)
You can see previous Best Books lists here: 2014 // 2013
Also, to follow along with what's on my bookshelves (and coffee table, and night stand...) join me on Goodreads.
I'm really pleased with how my Summer Reading list really kept me on track with what I was reading the past few months. I chose books with intention, made some adjustments and additions and all in all managed to get to quite a few books that I'd been meaning to read for ages.
So I thought I would compile a similar list for the Winter months as well. Since I tend to do much more reading during the cold winter months (something about curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket and warm drink that just isn't the same in the summer...) this list is a little longer than the last one. As always, this is just a starting point, but I'd be thrilled if I managed to get to some of these books this winter:
The Goldfinch // Donna Tartt
As can be seen in the above photo, I've started this already. I'm just a few chapters in and am really enjoying it so far. I bought this for Waldi last Christmas and he really enjoyed it, and I've been meaning to read it since then. Glad I finally picked it up!
Little Women // Lousia May Alcott
This is a reread, and one of my favorite books from my childhood. To me, it's the perfect book to reread around Christmas time (and the movie is good to watch around the holidays too!)
Great Expectations // Charles Dickens
Several weeks ago, I was thinking about how I've only ever read one Dicken's book (and it's A Christmas Carol). It's past time to change this, and I thought I'd start with this one because, well... I already have it. But also, I've heard great things.
Career of Evil // Robert Galbraith
I'm excitedly awaiting the day when my local library will get this lastest book from Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling). I've read and enjoyed both previous books and am sure this one won't disappoint.
As Always, Julia // Julia Child
About a year and a half ago, I read Julia Child's memoir My Life in France. It really is such a lovely book and I enjoyed it so much. This one is a collection of her letters and I've been dying to get my hands on it for the past several months.
All the Light We Cannot See // Anthony Doerr
I have heard only good things about this book. Waldi wants to read it as well, so I'm thinking maybe early Christmas present for us? We'll see...
The Night Circus // Erin Morgenstern
This is a bit of a whim, but I stumbled across a copy of it in a large (English section of a) bookstore in Frankfurt several weeks ago, and was intrigued. Hopefully I can find a copy soon!
Tender Hooks // Beth Ann Fennelly
I've been wanting to get back into reading poetry for a little while now. It can be such a great way to start the morning- a quiet moment with a cuppa and a poem or two. I've enjoyed Beth Ann Fennelly's other writing so I thought I may give this collection a try.
What are you guys reading recently, or hoping to read over the coming Winter months? If you've read any of the books on this list I'd love to hear your thoughts about them!
