Category: books & reading

I might not have read a ton of books this month, but all three that I did manage to read were wonderful in their own way. One narrative nonfiction, one classic, one literary fiction. A perfect reading month for me!

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown – The subtitle is Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and what a story. I listened to this amazing narration by Edward Hermann, and for the first half I didn’t get any extended listening time so it was harder to get into. But then I got a good few chunks of time to listen and I was utterly absorbed. I’m not sure there is anything I enjoy more than a story of victory over adversity. Of course I cried. And I can’t tell you how happy it made me that these boys all remained friends the rest of their lives and rowed together every ten years. (5 stars, audiobook)

Les Miserables [Abridged] by Victor Hugo  – This classic doesn’t need much endorsement from me, but I’ll still give it. Prior to reading this, I had only seen the musical. I’m glad I settled on the abridged version (which still wasn’t short, mind you) because I think that overall it told a stronger story. Jean Valjean now joins my list of all-time favorite characters. (5 stars)

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett -Here is a character-driven, beautifully tragic story that was practically written for me. Since it had been recommended many times over I expected to like it, but I didn’t expect to find an entire world within a mansion where terrorists and hostages became friends, and that I’d want to keep living in that world. It was full of the bittersweet juxtapositions that make up life and humanity. Giving it all the heart eyes. (5 stars)

Love Walked In by Maris de los Santos – I read this for postal book club, and it was a super sweet story. It totally lifted my spirits. There were some definite eye-rolly descriptions of characters that kept coming up but, I still really liked it. (4 stars)

Wild in the Hollow by Amber C. Haines – I’ve been following Amber for a long time because I met her way back when I was in high school. I had heard that her first book was excellent and I finally got it from the library. Well, it was. It’s a short memoir of her life and how she was pursued by God despite all her brokenness. It was like poetry and also like going to therapy. Amber and I have very different personalities, but underneath where it matters we are the same. As I read, I cried and I felt loved by God and hope for this life. (5 stars)

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick – The best thing about this book was the thought experiment of what the world would be like if WW2 had turned out differently. There were some aspects I really appreciated, like the language and how it kept me thinking. There was also a subtle theme of finding meaning and joy in the small things, of trying to make what difference you can, even if the greater world seems to be falling apart or destined for destruction and I definitely responded to that. Overall, though, I don’t think the author picked a strong story to carry his world. It just wasn’t interesting enough and the characters weren’t great, so I didn’t love it. I do, however, recommend it for book club reading because I think there will be a lot to talk about. And since it’s now a mini-series, if you’re interested in the idea you might just want to watch that instead. (2 stars)

Right now I’m in the middle of the abridged version of Les Miserables (I had very mixed feelings about going with the abridged, but ultimately decided it’s best for me right now) and also listening to The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. What good books did you read this month?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate, and that you continue to enjoy this winter holiday season! We had a lovely weekend and I am looking forward to the fresh start of the new year. Today and tomorrow I’m talking books: in December I only read a few (hello holidays) but they were good ones!

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – Here is another acclaimed book that totally lived up to the hype for me. I was about halfway through it when I had to put it aside for a few months in order to read book club books and library holds. But when I picked it back up, the details seemed as fresh as ever; it made a serious impression on me. It was slow, vivid, beautiful, intense at times, sad, hopeful, and more. If you love character-driven fiction with a strong sense of place and time, you will adore this. (5 stars)

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick – Having read and highly appreciated Moby-Dick, I was interested in this true story of the tragedy that inspired its writing. And apparently I love a well-written survival story, because I devoured this. (Pun not intended, but enjoyed nonetheless.) (4 stars)

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett – This is actually a novella, coming in at only 120 pages; it’s a lighthearted story of the Queen of England discovering a love of reading at the age of 71. It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours in the car, and it had a slightly surprising ending. (3 stars, audiobook)

Tomorrow I’m excited to share my year in books, including my favorites of this year!

I read some excellent books recently. I haven’t been moving too fast in my reading, but at least I’m choosing good stuff!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce – This was the only book I managed to complete during October, for my book club. I expected it to be light and funny, and although it did have some silly parts to it, overall it was a more serious read. I found it quite sad and heavy in parts, but it was also extremely sweet and it left me feeling like it’s never too late to make a change for the better. (4 stars)

Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton – I read this for our church small group, and I would go so far as to say it was life changing for me. Having grown up in a conservative, evangelical church culture I was afraid to question anything in the Bible for a long time. This book helped me remember that Jesus is the true “word of God” and how to interpret some troubling issues. My faith has been strengthened incredibly. (5 stars)

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery – Slow to start, and I did skim some of the philosophizing, but it added to the overall atmosphere and characterization. I ended up loving the characters and at the end I just wanted to sit and stare and think about how beautiful it was. Seems like this is a love it or hate it kind of book, but I loved it. (4 stars)

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson – It’s easy to see why this is a best seller. It recounts Stevenson’s work with Equal Justice Initiative, the nonprofit he founded to provide legal aide to prisoners who have been denied fair treatment. It’s heartbreaking but hopeful, story-driven and fascinating, describing such important work. So, so glad I read it. (5 stars)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker – I don’t know what I expected of this – I think I was scared to read it for a long time because I thought it might be too depressing – but it actually made me feel incredibly hopeful. Like redemption really is possible. I read it for book club and some people didn’t like it, but we were all glad we read it. (5 stars)

Currently I’m trying to finish All the Light We Cannot See (I’ve been reading it for months in between book club books and library holds). I’m getting to the end and loving it so much!