Show Us Your Books April 2021

Unread books…

April was a prolific reading month for me, but I ended up with a lot of dark titles. I’m hoping for lighter reads in May. Here are my stats:

Beginning TBR: 852 Ending TBR: 839
20 books read in total, 8 audio 12 print
#AuthorAMonth2021 1 book
#ReadingAsia2021 3 countries: Nepal, Israel, Palestine
#FoodAndLit Isreal 1 book read, much pita bread eating
#BookspinBingo 1 real bingo, 2 if you count bails
#ChunksterChallenge 65% done with Les Miserables

(Hashtags are from Litsy.)

Favorite of The Month

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward - The content of this book was heartbreaking and hard to read, but that doesn‘t stop it from being a masterpiece. Wow. I will hold this family in my heart for a long time.

Memorable Memoirs

Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson - Interesting insight into what it takes to become a master chef.

After The Wind by Lou Kasischke - There have been so many books about the 1996 Everest disaster, but I‘ll never get tired of them. This one is a worthwhile addition to my collection.

The Honey Bus by Meredith May - I have mixed feelings about this one. The writing was beautiful, and the parts about bees were fascinating. However the parts about her childhood were frustrating and hard to read. Also I felt like she totally absolved her father. It was the times I guess.

Non-Fiction That Left My Brain Spinning (In A Good Way)

A World Without Email by Cal Newport - A World Without Email is a catchy title, but I feel like the real take away here is to figure out what‘s sucking up your time. If that‘s email then you should figure out a way to make it less painful. If you‘re good at your job you can get away with doing what it takes to control your time. Poor Cal Newport. I feel like some of this will already be dated in a post Covid workplace.

The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan - A history of Israel and Palestine from the 1940‘s on with vignettes of the lives of Bashir and Dalia throughout. This book gave me a lot to think about.

Shakespeare In A Divided America by James Shapiro - This book explored Shakespeare as a canary in a coal mine for American politics. I loved it as an audiobook, and plan on buying a paper copy so I can underline.

Fabulous Fiction

She Would Be King by Wayetu Moore - This book was sad and depressing so I can‘t say I liked it, but it was so well written it is a pick. I have so much to think about after reading this book, and I will definitely be reading more about the history of Liberia. I ended this book with a similar feeling to the one I had when I read Salvage The Bones even though the subject matter was much different.

Murder At Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd - This was a fun retelling of Mansfield Park as a murder mystery. It worked since the characters in Mansfield Park weren‘t particularly likable. Shepherd could do what she wanted without ruining the memories of any beloved characters.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - A really good book that tells some of the stories from the Book of Genesis from a woman‘s perspective. I’m probably the last one on Earth to read this, but I’m including it anyway.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

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May TBR

I know there’s still ten days left in April, but I’m already thinking about May. Summer reading season is almost here so I’m going to take the month of May to catch up on all my TBR read books from the winter and spring that I haven’t been able to get to.

Show Us Your Books March 2021

I can’t believe it’s mid-April already. I know I say this every year, but this year really is going uncomfortably fast. That said I’ve weirdly been staying on task with my reading goals and lists. I always spend so much time in December coming up with goals, lists of books I’ll read each month, and signing up for challenges. I last until about halfway through January until I forget all about it. This year I’ve appreciated the time my past self has put into finding these books for me and have been sticking to my schedule. Will it last? Who knows.

Best of the Best In March

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese - This was such a beautiful book. It was a chunkster - 23 hours on audio - but there’s not a second of it I would cut out. In Ethiopia Marion and Shiva Stone are the twins of a mother who died in childbirth and a father who ran away. They are adopted by hospital staff and come of age surrounded by medicine.

What The Heck Just Happened?

The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - Eventually I’m going to need to read this one again because I got to the end and it totally wasn’t about what I thought it was. But that was the beauty of it. I’m still not even sure what happened. Rose Baker’s job as a typist at the city precinct takes a turn when the mysterious and beautiful Odalie comes on board.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier - March must have been my month for unresolved endings because this was another book that left me with more questions than answers at the end. Philip’s uncle has died in Rome shortly after marrying the mysterious Cousin Rachel. Was it just bad luck, or something more…

Three More Good Books I Recommend You Read

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters - This one had so many of the themes I loved: motherhood, found families, and the role of women. It deserves the hype.

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty - My reading friend at work has been telling me to read this fantasy trilogy for years, and I’m so glad I finally did. I can’t wait to read the rest.

A Woman In The Polar Night by Christiane Ritter - The fascinating account of a woman who spent a year in the Arctic just before WWII. I really enjoy this type of memoir.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday

It’s easy to walk and walk when you have interesting things to look at! We took a very weird, isolated, socially distant road trip last week. It was different and fun!

We saw:

We listened to:

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March Reading Stats

Mabry Mill

March was a great reading month. We had a few days that were perfect for reading outside, plenty of audiogardening, and a short road trip that supported my reading habits. I noticed I was quick to bail on books that didn’t grab me right away. I have mixed feelings about bailing on books, but overall I do think it allows me to read more books that I like.

Total Read: 17 books read - 6 audio and 11 print. As I mentioned I bailed on five others.

TBR: Started at 849 and ended at 852. Could I have really added 26 books to my TBR? I guess so. I really need a month off to read.

Challenges: Reading Asia -1 (Nepal), Food and Lit - 1 (Ethiopia), Bookspin Bingo - 5 Bingos!, Reading Canada - 1, Chunkster Challenge - 52% done with Les Miserables

April should mean warmer weather for gardening and reading outside, but it also means spring sports for the kids so we’ll see. I have some good books planned for the month, so that should keep me motivated!

Walking Wednesday

Spring is really here now. I love how this time of year every time you go out the landscape has changed drastically. Flowers that weren’t out of the ground the day before are suddenly half a foot tall and in full bloom. Glorious.

Here’s what I’ve been looking at while walking:

And here’s what I’ve been listening to:

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Walking Wednesday

I haven’t done one of these in a while. I was still walking, but everything always looked the same. Finally though it’s spring and things are starting to bloom. Yay!

Here’s what I’ve been looking at on my audio walks:

And here’s what I’ve been listening to:

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Show Us Your Books March 2021

Happy March. I went back to my post from last year to see if I had any profound just before quarantine thoughts to share, but it turns out I was just complaining about how many library books I had out at once. Guess what? After a year of so much change and strife I still have too many library books out. Some things will always remain constant.

My Favorite February Read

I put off reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee forever, and I can’t figure out why. I absolutely loved this chunky story about a Korean family in Japan. It was everything I want in a book: sweeping, multi-generational, wistful, and touching.

Almost Favorites

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas - Angie Thomas is so good. I really don’t think she would even be capable of writing a bad book.

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout - More tales about Olive Kitteridge in Maine. Strout treats getting older with dignity, and I appreciate that.

A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson - This thriller was fast paced from the beginning, and then 3/4 of the way through something totally bonkers happens. I really loved it.

Some Good Non-Fiction

Without You There Is No Us by Suki Kim - The memoir of a reporter who went undercover to teach in North Korea. I was extremely nervous for her the whole time.

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton - I listened to the audiobook for this one, and loved hearing Dolly talk about what was going on when she wrote her songs.

The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone - Books about women doing awesome things during WWII that men get the credit for are becoming more and more common, but that doesn’t mean we should stop reading them. This book about code breaking was fascinaing.

This post is linked to Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit.

Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

February 2021 Stats

Stock photo that is way more pretty than the endless frozen rain/sleet/mush that fell in February here

Read: 19 books (8 audiobooks, 11 print)

Challenges:

Reading Asia: 3 books

Reading Europe: 0 books

Food and Lit: February was Vietnam. I read 1 novel and 2 cookbooks. I cooked three dishes. More on that later.

Bookspin BINGO: 19 read, 1 bail, 2 BINGOs

Chunkster Challenge 2021: 40% through Les Miserables (We’re kind of slowing down through this section, but still plugging along)

Beginning TBR: 839

Ending TBR: 849

Great reading month! Thank you weather.

Friday Top Five

It’s Friday! I know it’s been a while since I have posted. Life took over. I’m hoping things are getting a little back to normal?

Food And Lit

This month’s #FoodAndLit challenge from Litsy focuses on Vietnam. YUM. I got a few cookbooks out of the library, and we all have really been enjoying my efforts. This is my first dinner- hoisin chicken and sweet potatoes. I’m hoping to make pho from scratch this weekend if I can find the ingredients.

2) Yay For Readathons!

This past weekend was a two readathon weekend- my favorite kind!

3) The Best Kind of Valentines

I opened my Valentine’s swap box on Sunday. The candy is all gone, but the books will keep me company for a while!

4) Audio Painting

I needed something to listen to while I was painting my son’s room over the long weekend. I have a ton of books already downloaded, but comfort reading won!

5) Reading Buddies Say Leave Us Alone When We Are Trying To Read

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!

Linked to The Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer and It’s Monday What Are You Reading

Walking Wednesday - Pink Skies In The Morning

My motivation to walk continues- helped on by a yearly physical and a walking competition at work.

This week I listened to:

And I saw:

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Show Us Your Books February 2021

It’s winter and we actually have winter weather. This has been great for my reading, although my mindlessness of 2020 still creeps in from time to time. There are a few book on my January list that I had no memory of until I looked them up. Granted January was a really bad month for my family, and a stressful time to live just outside DC, but I was really hoping to leave that kind of thing in 2020.

Oh well, there were quite a few excellent books that I do remember, so I’ll just focus on those.

The Best of January 2021

I had two five star reads in January- one that I read on a whim and one much anticipated audiobook.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout - The story of Olive, a cranky old lady living in Maine. Her story isn’t so much of a story as a series of vignettes in which she touches other people’s lives in various ways. In reading reviews this seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate, and I loved, loved, loved this book.

Gone Crazy In Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia - When I found out I would be driving from Cleveland to DC with my kiddos I knew I had to have this audiobook to get me through. We all love this series about three sisters just trying to grow up. This is the third and final (for now?) book in the series, and I think it was the best. You can tell kids what it was like for African Americans in the 60’s but these books show in a way that is humorous and engaging for them, and powerful and sobering for adults. I can’t recommend these books enough no matter what your age.

Perfect For Long and Cold Days On The Couch

These were all library holds that I had to binge read in the few days before they were due back. That rarely works out for me, but I’m happy to say it did in January.

The Cold Millions by Jess Walter - I had to get over the fact that this was different from Beautiful Ruins, but once I did I enjoyed this book. I loved how Spokane, Washington almost became another character, and it’s now on my post COVID travel list. I’m a great lover of epilogues and this had an amazing one.

The House In The Cerulean Sea - The most heartwarming book featuring the anti-Christ I’ve ever read. This book deserves all of the hype it has gotten.

The Awakened Kingdom by NK Jemisin - I wasn’t sure I’d understand this Novella since it’s a sequel to a trilogy I haven’t read yet. But it was what the library had when I was looking for a book by Jemisin so I took it. Turns out I really loved the young godling Shill, and all of her mischief. This was a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Re-Reads That Stood Up To Time

These were both books from last year’s Project Re-Read that I didn’t get to. Why? They’re so good.

The Farm by Tom Rob Smith by Tom Rob Smith - Two Londoners can’t afford to retire, so they sell their business and move to a farm in Sweden. Things don’t go so well. This book is creepy and atmospheric- give it a go on your next snow day.

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi - Two women separated by 100 years in Afghanistan. This book will punch you in the gut. It’s long, but I could have kept reading for another 200 pages.

Linked to: Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit

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Walking Wednesday - FINALLY Some Snow

All of the snow this week has re-awoken my walking routine. It’s so pretty and I love it. Winter In Paradise popped up on my holds list, and the timing is making me smile.

This week I listened to:

And I saw:

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January Stats

Finally gave in and set up a home office, and the cats wasted no time in taking it over.

Read: 18 books (11 audiobooks, 7 print)

Challenges:

Reading Asia: 1 Book

Reading Europe: 1 book

Food and Lit: January was Brazil. I bailed on the one book I tried, ate Brazi bites, and listened to some Brazilian music which I enjoyed.

Bookspin BINGO: 15 read, 2 bails, 2 BINGOs

Chunkster Challenge 2021: 30% through Les Miserables (Really love this book)

Beginning TBR: 843

Ending TBR: 839

Overall a prolific month, but I still feel distracted. I was hoping to leave that in 2020, but the year is young.

Show Us Your Books is next Tuesday, so I’ll share favorites then!

Walking Wednesday - Cold AF

A lot of my walking has been in my basement this week, and all of my walking buddies have abandoned me until Spring! I did make it out a few times though.

This week I listened to:

And I saw:

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February TBR

January has passed in the blink of an eye, so it’s time to plan for February. Here’s my TBR. See anything you like?

Show Us Your Books January 2021

Goofball cats

December feels like a million years ago, but here are my favorite books from the month of December 2020.

Best of the Month

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle — I loved this book. I stayed up half the night and read it just to see what happened. I thought it would be a fluffy December romance, but it turned out to be about friendship and the cost of perfection.

Five Star Christmas Reads

Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson -- I absolutely loved this book of short stories, recipes, and essays. It’s really hard to explain, but it’s worth reading.

How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny -- My favorite book from my favorite series. It takes place around Christmas time, which adds to my annual December re-read.

Four More Worth Reading

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis -- I read about this thanks to the Show Us Your Books link up! This is the Alaskan legend of how two elder women survived after they were abandoned by their people. Old ladies for the win- you should read this one!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo -- I feel like I’m the last person on Earth to have read this, but I’ll add to the chorus that it was really good.

Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan -- A wonderful memoir about motherhood and life in the 90’s. I read this before, but it’s totally different now that my kids are a little older.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon -- Based on the true story of Nancy Wake aka WWII‘s Socialite Spy. I really enjoyed this book, and was inspired by Nancy. I‘ll have to add more by Ariel Lawhon to my TBR.

Linked to: Show Us Your Books and Quick Lit

Links to amazon.com are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

Walking Wednesday - Welcome 2021

Welcome 2021! Here’s to more walking and reading!

This week I listened to:

And I saw:

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Food and Lit Month 1 - January

I’m looking forward to starting the Food and Lit challenge from Litsy this month. Basically we read books and eat food from a different country each month. This is a challenge that isn’t really much of a challenge for me!

This month we’re traveling to Brazil. I plan on reading My German Brother by Chico Buarque and I plan on cooking Feijoada and drinking Brazilian Lemonade. YUM.

If you’re on Litsy and would like to join please do. This is a fun group and a fun “challenge”.

Year End Reading Stats And Goals For 2021

So, I don’t really care about my stats this year. I read 208 books, but for some of them I was so distracted and checking Twitter every 1.5 seconds. It’s a high number, but it doesn’t mean much. Still it is interesting to me to see what my reading year looked like so that next year I can compare.

I like to binge read certain authors

There were 8 authors that I read three or more books from this year. In 2020 these eight authors made up 18% of my reading: Stephen King (8), LM Montgomery (7), Louise Penny (7), Jane Austen (4), Frederik Backman (3), William Kent Krueger (3), Ann M Martin (3), Colson Whitehead (3)

Audiobooks Were My 2H2020 Coping Mechanism

I went crazy with the audiobooks this year, mainly in the 2nd half of the year. When I couldn’t sit still to read I could put my ear buds in and listen while I walked or puttered. In 2020 45% of my reading was via audiobook.

I Felt Like All I Did Was Re-Read, But It Wasn’t As Much As I Thought

My re-reading this year wasn’t as high as I thought it was- only 17%. I don’t take issue with re-reading like some people do, but I am glad to see that more than 80% of the books I read helped take some of the stress off my TBR.

Non-fiction Isn’t That Hard

Again, this stat surprised me. I didn’t think I would have had the patience to read much non-fiction this year, but it was actually 22% of my reading.

2020 Challenges

No I’m not talking about the challenges of a crazy year. I’m talking about the challenges I signed up for.

• I read books from 20 countries and 34 states

• I read and cooked from 9 different cookbooks (dropped this one when getting groceries got hard)

• I read books from 11/12 #AuthorAMonth authors from Litsy. I skipped Mary Roach. One of her books almost made me vomit on metro once. This was my favorite- it was challenging and fun at the same time.

• I read books that started with every single letter of the alphabet.

2021 Goals

I set my overall goal for 200 books again, but in 2021 I want to read more chunky books, be more intentional about reading from my TBR, take part in #AuthorAMonth again, and take part in various Litsy challenges like Litsy A to Z, Food and Lit, Reading Asia, and Reading Europe.

I’m looking forward to a better year in all sorts of ways for 2021!