Show Us Your Books January 2023

This isn’t my cat. This is my neighbor’s cat. He sits by my back door and gives me dirty looks most days. It’s kind of the way I feel about January in this area. Too warm to snow, too cold to garden. Oh well, at least it’s good for reading.

Here’s the best of the best from December.

Five Star Reads:

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - I read this slowly trying to make the time to the next one as short as possible until I couldn’t take it any more and rushed through to the end. What a ride. This installment was more dark and twisted than usual and I‘m here for it.

Four Star Reads:

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley - I loved this book- the characters and the setting. One of those books that they call YA because of the age of the main character, but it’s not really. (I got this from the library, but I see it’s free on Kindle Unlimited right now.)

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes - I used to love reading Linda’s reviews on Television Without Pity, and I’m happy to say I enjoy her books just as much. I really liked the story line here. There was a whole decoy duck subplot I just got a kick out of.

Search by Michelle Huneveno - After spending the last year hiring in various capacities and on assorted committees this book was so relatable.

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa - On an unnamed island things just disappear, and the Memory Police make sure it stays that way. This book was haunting. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I really liked this book and will read more by this author.

Maggie-Now by Betty Smith - This was the last of Betty Smith‘s books that I had left to read, so finishing it was bittersweet. Like Smith’s other books this one took place in Brooklyn and explored the push and pull between what women want and what society expects.

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On My Nighstand December 18, 2022

Friday was my annual work holiday party (out at a restaurant!) That traditionally means the end of my busy season. I’m still working for the rest of the year, but pretty much everyone gives up on deadlines, and things are much slower. I thought I would have a relaxing weekend, but yesterday the long ago paid guys showed up to replace our roof at 8 am. Grateful to have a paid for new roof that is actually getting installed, not so grateful to have to get dressed at 8 am on a Saturday on my first non-work day off since August. My son had a job about 45 minutes away that he needed a ride to so my daughter and I decided to pivot and spend the day at the very fancy Target near there.Target is fun when you don’t really need anything. We also tried a new to us dumpling place for lunch, toured an outdoor Christmas market, and watched a bit of the World Cup on the huge outdoor TV. We went in a bookstore and I didn’t buy anything! I am evolving. It was a great day, and we came home to a mostly done roof.

Today I got up with plans to start baking only to find a clogged sink full of dishes. OH WELL. Here I sit with my tea while I wait for the Draino to kick in. Why do I always forget that this is what December is like?

Assuming my roof and plumbing are in order this week, and my kids don’t take any more jobs on (what might as well be) the moon I hope to catch up on my blog reading, and post my reading wrap up for this year as well as my goals for next.

Last week I posted about my best fiction reads from November.

Why did it take me three tries to spell November even with spell check? I need a nap!

Have a great (and restful) week!

This week I’m reading:

Taste by Stanley Tucci - This has been fun to listen to while I run Christmas errands (and sink willing cook.) It’s pretty much a love story to food.

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - My favorite series. I’ve been taking my time with this one, but I should finish this week.

Tru & Nelle A Christmas Tale by G. Neri - I have been wanting to read this one forever. Looking forward to it!

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nighstand December 4, 2022

As I write this post I’m in between batches of cookies in the oven. I’m just starting with a few favorites this weekend so we have proper fuel for decorating. Next weekend the baking starts for real.

This is my best time of year for reading, although once again I had to abandon a print book for an audiobook because the print was too small. I am getting old! Oh well, there’s plenty of other books to curl up with by the tree, and plenty of audiobooks to listen to while making cookies. (If your curious the book is Search by Michelle Huneven - really good so far! I’ll hopefully get to the audiobook next week.)

Have a great week!

This week I’m reading:

The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley - I’m abut 70% through this audiobook now, and wow is it good. Seriously, I did extra laundry just to keep listening. I got the audiobook from the library, but just saw it’s included with Kindle Unlimited if you’re a subscriber.

A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny - I made myself hold off a few days on this one since it will be such a long wait for the next. I think I’ve waited long enough though, and will start this week. This is my favorite series, and I read the books over and over.

Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian - I heard rave reviews about this book, but it might just be too grim for me right now. I’ll read about an hour more, but if I’m still struggling I’m going to save it for another time.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Two Books Inspired By The Dionne Quintuplets

In 1930’s rural Canada five babies were born at once and captured the curiosity of the world. The Dionne Quintuplets were a reality show before there was such a thing as reality shows. They starred in movies and were visited by celebrities like Shirley Temple and Amelia Earhart. A viewing platform was built so that the public could watch them play outside. Their fame brought in huge amounts of money, a lot of which couldn’t be accounted for later. Then they grew up and people forgot about them.

I had never heard of them until I read Louise Penny’s book How The Light Gets In. This is my favorite book in my favorite series, but it took me a few reads to catch on that Penny’s Ouellet quintuplets were based on a true story. When I saw the cover for The Quintland Sisters by Shelley Wood I knew I had to read it based on my love of Penny’s book. This is another worthwhile read. The main character got on my nerves a little, but the back story is just so darn fascinating.

If you’re looking for a fiction rabbit hole to fall down you can’t go wrong with these two. I promise you many hours of wikipedia research will follow!

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Show Us Your Books October 2020

Reading along the shores of Lake Michigan

It’s my favorite day of the month, Show Us Your Books day! September was a good reading month for me. I read a lot of mysteries which appeal to 2020 me. There’s a problem, everything seems so messed up, then in about 300 pages the mystery is solved. If only.

It’s impossible to read these books without some sort of baked good.

Best of September

All The Devils Are Here by Louise Penny - No surprise that the new Louise Penny book was my favorite this month. After so many books you’d think Penny would start to dial it in and depend on a formula to churn out these books, but in this one she takes it to another level. The Gamaches are in Paris when a close family friend gets struck by a car. Gamache must solve the mystery and save the good name of his family. Usual disclaimer: If you haven’t read anything from this series you’ll get a lot more out of it if you start at the beginning!

More Great Reads

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward - Heartbreaking and beautifully written. This book took my breath away.

The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills - I’m always there for a book about Harper Lee. This wasn’t really the biography I was expecting, but more like snapshots of the lives of Harper and her sister Alice as they grew old in their small Alabama town. I liked it a lot.

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert - I almost bailed on this about 60% of the way through, but ended up sticking with it and loving it. It starts as a look at the show girl life in a struggling theater in 1940’s New York, which is interesting, but in my opinion the best part is when Vivian gets older and learns to make her own way.

Lake Superior near the Porcupine Mountains

And Some More Mysteries

A Killer in King’s Cove by Iona Whishaw - This post WWII Canadian mystery really worked. The characters were fun without being over the top, and the mystery was compelling. I’ll read more from this series.

Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger - In this one Cork gets himself tangled up in a missing persons case that leads him on a freezing cold trip through the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. I read this when I was in Michigan and the similarities of the scenes was a great experience for me, but I think I would have liked it at home too. This is a solid series so far.

Back To Pemberly

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Reading Jane Austen’s books a chapter a day has been the saving grace of my reading year. Even though I’ve read P&P many times I still got a lot out of it reading it this way.

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow - This starts off as P&P as told by Mary Bennet, but then moves forward to the future and imagines what might have become of her. I really liked this - it felt true to the original but was a satisfying imagining of Mary’s point of view.

With The Kids

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - Why didn’t I read this as a kid, and why isn’t there a sequel? This was a read-out-loud with my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much.

I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis - I read all of these with my son when he was in 2nd grade. He’s a big 7th grader now so way too old for these, but recently we were stuck in the car for three hours with this as our only audiobook option and we actually didn’t mind it.

Also linking to Book Blogger Link Up at Lovely Audiobooks and Quick Lit at Modern Mrs Darcy

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Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton Book Event

“The Gates of Hell Have Opened
And All the Devils Are Here”

— The Tempest by William Shakespeare

One night I was scrolling through my phone thinking about how the world was sure going to end (as we do these days) when I came across an ad from the DC bookstore Politics and Prose featuring an even where Louise Penny was going to be interviewed by Hillary Clinton. It was so out of the blue and random I figured I must have dozed off and dreamed it. But the next day I decided to look at the Politics and Prose website and sure enough it was a real event. I immediately bought a ticket, and my faith in humanity was restored.

This event (via Zoom) was wonderful. When it started Clinton didn’t have her video on and Penny was on mute, which is such a 2020 issue. But once they got going, wow. Hearing tales of a young Hillary Clinton devouring Nancy Drew novels, and a 22 year old Clinton in Paris was heartbreaking at first (what could have been!) but soon I was drawn in by the pure loveliness of these two women. It turns out that Clinton is a huge mystery reader, and they met in 2016 after Penny’s husband died and Clinton wrote her a letter.

In the discussion the two women got into poetry, how to write a book, and why they love mysteries (Clinton said, “The bad guy gets it in the end which hasn’t always been my experience in life.”) My favorite exchange was Clinton’s one sentence review of Penny’s books:

Clinton: They always delight me and make me hungry.

Penny: My hips are a tribute

Clinton even kicked off the Q&A by asking about the odd print of emus on Penny’s wall which I’m sure all of us were wondering about.

One of the most amazing parts of the whole thing was the chat. Thousands upon thousands of fans were just gushing about the event, how healing it was, and how none of us had felt that happy in a while. It was zoom magic. And a little comic relief- about 3/4 of the way through one genuinely confused person said “Wait, that’s Hillary Clinton interviewing Louise?”

Towards the end the moderator commented on the chat, and asked the two women what their advice is to overcome the despair so many of us are feeling right now. Clinton’s advice?

Read and Vote

(I got to see Louise Penny in person last year. My notes are here if you’re interested.)

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Show Us Your Books Feb. 2020

My cat passed away last month, and that has seriously damped my ability to enjoy books. Is reading on the couch even reading if you don’t have a cat practicing yoga moves on your knee? I’ll miss him forever, but hopefully I’ll get back to my love of reading soon. Until then know I am probably being unnecessarily grumpy about some of these books.

My Best Read of the Month

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso - Someone described this as woke Golden Girls, which I thought was pretty funny and also accurate. Two sworn enemies live next door to each other have to put their differences aside when they realize they need each other. For those like me who have been seeking out books with characters over 40 who actually do things more interesting that drinking tea and giving advice give this one a read.

Great For Winter Reading On The Couch

The Gown by Jennifer Robson - A good story matched with good information about England after WWII.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf - I almost put this down because of a lack of quotation marks, but I’m glad I ended up sticking with it. It’s a sweet story about families - the ones you’re born with and the ones you create.
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - Another sweet story about families. If you like Backman you’ll like this book. If you don’t skip it.

Operation Re-Read

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - I really, really loved this book when I first read it, and I still love it today. It was where I first learned about the danger of mitigating language and that I should trust my years of practice.
A Better Man by Louise Penny - I read this really quickly when it first came out, and wanted to read it again but slower. My initial assessment stands- not the best Gamache but still a decent read.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I am in awe of Fitzgerald’s ability to say so much with just a few words. This is a yearly read for me, but to be honest I might pull it out again in a few months. That’s how much I love this book.

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September Show Us Your Books

Our chief homework supervisor

We’re back to school now, and I can already feel my reading life shifting. Luckily I had a great reading month in August to sustain me through all of the notices to be read and forms to be filled out ahead.

Here are my top nine from last month:

Best In Show (It’s a Tie)

A Better Man by Louise Penny - I love this series so much that I left my house after my bed time to be around other people. If you know me, you know this is a huge deal. See my book launch report here.

After the Flood by Kassandra Montag - This reminded me of a more feminine version of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. (I mean that in a good way; I didn’t really like The Road.) It starts slow, but then sucks you in. Not everyone liked the ending, but I did, a lot. I got an ARC from William Morrow, and my full review is here.

Sweet Romances Perfect for Hot Days

The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali - This is the story of two Iranian kids who fall in love, but it’s also more than that. It’s about the revolution, living with mental illness, and what it’s like to move to a new country. It’s great as an audiobook.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer - I’m a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this was no exception. I just didn’t know it was part of a series, and was frustrated when a whole new set of problems started right at the end.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys - A story about the daughter of a prostitute in 1950’s New Orleans. Hi-jinks ensue. An entertaining and easy read.

Non-Fiction For Fiction Lovers

Furious Hours by Casey Cep - This was about a series of suspicious deaths in Alabama told from the points of view of the suspect, a lawyer, and Harper Lee. I found it fascinating, and wanted to know more about each part, but could see why the author couldn’t give it to me. In a weird way the inability to tell the full story made me appreciate the Harper Lee section more. You’d have to read it to understand, and I suggest you do.

Dead Presidents by Brady Carlson - I visit a lot of presidential historic sites, so this book about traveling to presidential graves was right up my alley.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson - I almost never recommend the abridged version of anything, but for this and A Walk In the Woods those are the only versions the author reads himself, and it adds so much.

I Finally Finished This Damn Book

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - This is a good book, a classic. It’s themes are still relevant today, and I’m glad I took time for a post high school re-read. But man, is it slow in parts.

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Out Past My Bedtime: Louise Penny's A Better Man

Last week I made it out for a rare night on my own to see Louise Penny talk about her new book A Better Man. She was so kind, and so funny. If you ever get a chance to see her speak you should do it.

A few notes I wrote into my phone while trying to take it all in:

• She didn’t write her first book until she was in her mid 40’s

• She might be the only one who can get away with writing hopeful murder mysteries

• Some of Ruth’s poetry is actually Margaret Atwood’s

• Forgiveness is possible and goodness exists

• It’s never a good idea to catch a falling knife

I read the book itself in two days. She’s done it again. I’m not sure how, but Penny keeps up the momentum with these books, and I already can’t wait for the next one.

You might also like:

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My 2017 Five Star Reads

I was looking at my 2017 reads, and it was really clear to me that I wasn't going to be able to pick a favorite. In truth, the books I ranked the highest in 2017 were mostly re-reads. I'm sure this is situational, and not a reflection of the books of 2017.

So, instead of a favorite I bring you all of my 5 star reads from 2017:

In Harm's Way and Apollo 8 were both non-fiction that read like the best on the edge of your seat fiction. A Piece of the World and How The Light Gets In both left me gutted, but in a good way. Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, and The Martian all hold truths universally acknowledged, and are worth reading every few years. The Hate U Give is billed as a Young Adult book, but should be required reading for everyone in the country. I loved reading Ramona The Pest out loud to my daughter; we laughed and laughed.

Here are some honorable mentions (4 1/2 star reads.)

And two books I'm reading right now that I love, but didn't finish in time to include on any 2017 lists.

Happy New Year!

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September 2017 Quick Lit

From a road trip to Indiana -- seems like a nice place, but I was obsessed with finishing Glass Houses, so...

Each month I link with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit as a way to talk about the books I liked, but didn't review. Well, I've been in such a back to school slump that my list is a whopping two book long this month. But really there's only one that matters:

Glass Houses by Louise Penny -- I never buy print books any more (out of room in my house), but I made an exception for this one. It didn't disappoint. These books leave me so emotionally drained, but in a good way. This one had a little different format that previous books in the series - it switched between a trial in the present day, and a murder in the past. I don't always love it when authors tell a story that way, but it worked here.

Also, I love Ruth.

Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan -- Simple and predictable, just what I needed for reading in the car while my husband drove us along the PA turnpike.

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June 2017 Audiobooks

Memorial Day meant a road trip to Cleveland. 

Once the Armchair Audies ended I went on a podcast binge, and have only recently found my way back to audio books. I am a huge fan of history books on audio, but listening to so many of them in a row was a bit much. I had fun, but I'm glad it's over.

Here's what I've been listening to since I stopped listening to Audie books.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner -- I was surprised that this book was written in the 1980's. The slow building story of adult friendships reads more like a classic. If you need something soft and gentle to read in your hammock, pick this one up. It's lovely.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman -- I listened to this book about a grumpy old man for the Imaginary Book Club. It had been on my TBR forever, and I was so glad for the push to get to it. It's great on audio if for no other reason than to get the correct pronounciation of Ove.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spere -- I loved this book. I got it out of the library to listen to with the kids, and ended up listening ahead after I had dropped them off. I don't know how I never read this one growing up, but I'm glad I got the chance now.

A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny -- Another winner by Louise Penny. I was on a train with co-workers when I got to the end; I hope they didn't see me crying.

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My Summer Reading List 2017

I can't wait for summer reading. Is there anything better than books that smell like sun block?

I'm expecting good things this summer. My kids are both independent swimmers now, and we got a pass to the local water park. There is a chair there somewhere with my name on it. (Hopefully it's in the shade, and hopefully it stops raining soon.) Here are some of the books I plan on slipping in my bag (other summer bag essentials: sun block, band aids, cheeze its, and sun glasses.)

Song of Susannah by Stephen King -- I lost steam in my re-read of the Dark Tower series until I started seeing posters for the movie version coming out this summer. Suddenly I got interested again.

Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan -- I've read most of J. Courtney Sullivan's books, and I'm excited she has a new one for this summer.

Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton (release date 8-22-17) -- I really hope Kinsey doesn't die at the end of this series. Been reading these since I was a young teen.

Glass Houses by Louise Penny (release date August 29, 2017) -- I'm about 1/3 of the way through book 12. I'm so glad there's another book in this series on the horizon for when I finish that one!

What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

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April 2017 Audiobooks

Spring is here, and I'm spending a lot of time listening to audiobooks while I walk under flowering trees. I'm enjoying it as much as I can before summer starts, and I need to stay inside near my air conditioner! I live in DC, so probably about another two weeks.

I found Z for Zachariah in the kid's section of my library, but it freaked me the heck out, and I'm glad I didn't try to listen to it with my kids. It's an end of the world novel about a girl living alone on a farm after a nuclear war - until a man finds her.

I finished The Nature of the Beast, and am sad to say I only have one book left in the series until the new one comes out in August. I liked this one as much as I have liked the last few. That is to say, a lot. Plus there's physics! Yay physics!  Can anyone recommend a similar detective series that is good on audio?

I've also been busy reviewing books for The Armchair Audies.

Here are my review so far:

In Harm's Way

Paul McCartney

A Time to Die

Reviews for the last two in the category will be coming this month, and then I'll announce who I think should be the winner in the category.

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Homesick for someplace fictional

I'm sure I'm not the only reader who gets homesick for places they've read about in books, but don't actually exist. Walking around Asheville, NC last week made me come home and read a Mitford book. Sometimes I eat croissants and pretend I'm in Three Pines. I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter.

What fictional towns do you get homesick for?

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March 2017 Audiobooks

Happy Tuesday? Anybody else have a snow day today? We have about 2 inches of frozen sleet and more banging the windows as I type. I don't mind snow, but when there's ice I stay put. Time to figure out a snow day reading list!

How The Light Gets In and The Long Way Home by Louise Penny - This series. It just keeps getting better and better. How The Light Gets In had me close to sobbing in the metro station. Then The Long Way Home returned to some of the humor and lightness of the first few books. I'm so glad to see there's a new one coming in August, because the thought of coming to the end of these is grim.

Animal Farm by George Orwell - I was thrilled when I started listening to this and figured out that it was read by Ralph Cosham, the same guy who does the Inspector Gamache books. Anyway, I read this book in high school, but only remembered the bare outlines. I still didn't find it to be particularly engaging, but it felt right to revisit this year.

It Worked for Me by Colin Powell - This book (read by Colin Powell himself!) ranged between incredibly insightful to just plan weird. I care about his thoughts on leadership a lot more than about what makes a good clock for a hotel room. Overall, a worthwhile listen.

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February 2017 Audiobooks

My February spirit animal

Twitter and political podcasts have been distracting me from reading and listening lately. Still I did manage to get in some winners (and some junk that I listened to with my kids and won't discuss here.)

A Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalin - A thriller that takes place during WWII and in the years after. A bit greusome in parts, but a pretty good story. It kept me guessing until the end.

A Trick of the Light and A Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny - I'm still chugging along with these. Each time I start a new one I think "Oh really? Another body in Three Pines? Boring" and then before I know it I'm sucked in. As everyone who reviews these books says these books start with murder, but they're about so much more than the mystery. (To be fair A Beautiful Mystery doesn't take place in Three Pines.)

Bag of Bones by Stephen King - There was a part at the end of this book that almost made me stop listening. Up until then it was a near perfect audiobook. I kept going past that part, and I'm glad I did. Read by the author, and it contained music that added to the story. However I don't think I'll ever re-read it like I usually do with King's books. I know that's probably not very helpful to anyone trying to decide if they should read this book, but I'm not sure what else to say!

Also see Books That Are Saving My Life Right Now.

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My favorites from 2016

Like a lot of people, for me 2016 just seemed like one bad thing after another. One of the few bright spots was all of the great books I read. Between reading for this site, my deeper involvement in the bookish community, and ridiculous delays on the metro I read more books than ever - 147 as I write this. 2016 is truly the year I embraced my inner book worm.

I broke my favorites down into categories over the past few days:

Favorite audiobooks from 2016

Favorite non-fiction from 2016

Favorite fiction from 2016

Naming my favorites was a fun exercise, but now I feel like it's time to name my favorite over all. I went back and forth on this a few times. My pride wants me to name something that has been deemed an IMPORTANT BOOK by the 2016 powers that be. Reality and book tracking reminds me that I still haven't gotten any of the IMPORTANT BOOKS from the library yet.

So, it comes back to favorites. What books had me waiting impatiently for them to be released? What books did I reserve from the library months before they came out, and then read in one big gulp?

So, when I thought about it, I realized my favorites of 2016 were actually two series. These are the books that I've gulped down one after another. I start one book, tell myself I'll take a break after this one, but then as soon as it ends I download the next because I WILL DIE OF I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

These two series are:

Both of these are more than the sum of their parts.

You can read more about the Bill Hodges series here and here.

I've talked about the Gamache series in the last few Show Us Your Books link ups here, here, and here.

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My favorite audiobooks from 2016

I put off naming my favorites until now because it always seems like December gets the short shift in terms of being able to add anything to a favorites list. Christmas is less than a week away though, and then it will be time to forget about 2016, and start setting goals for 2017.

Note, when I say favorites from 2016 it's favorites that I listened to in 2016, not favorites that were published in 2016. Also, great audiobooks don't necessarily mean great writing. It helps, of course, but the reader makes a huge difference too.

Here are my top five favorite audiobooks that I listened to in 2016:

1.

The Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny - Hands down the best thing I've listened to all year. The stories are absorbing, the characters are wonderful, and I could listen to the reader talk all day long. I'm so excited I still have many more volumes in this series to go.

2.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - We listened to this in the car and my kids really got into the story (as did I.) It was a great book that led to a lot of discussion in our house.

3.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - Read by Jim Dale, simply the best. A classic book read by one of the greatest voices around. Listen to it now if you can. It will get rid of any Scrooge like feelings you might have.

4.

The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza - This isn't classic literature, but the CRAZY narrator had me rooting for the main character in a big way. Highly relate-able for those of us who are too old to sit at the cool young people's table at the company holiday party any more.

5.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson - I listened to this again with my brother on our way to Mt. Katahdin this year. It's not the first time I've heard it, and the version narrated by the author is funny enough to shop up on my top five any year.

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December 2016 audiobooks

I have been tearing through audio books this month. It must be all of the cookie baking and laundry. It's really a great way to decompress after so many social gatherings. Manual labor and great voices telling me stories, it's good for the soul.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - I listened to the version read by Jim Dale and just loved it. I've seen the movie thousands of times, but this is the first time I've read the book.

I'm still binge listening to the Gamache mysteries. This month it was A Fatal Grace  and A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. I'm starting to like Peter about as much as I like Matthew from the Cormoran Strike books. That said, I'm so glad I stuck with these.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead was a fun 1970's coming of age story with a little time travel thrown in. It's a middle grade book that I listened to in the car with the kids, but I think I liked it better than they did.

And of course, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling for the 500th or so time. Harry kind of drives me nuts in this one with all of his teenage angst, but still, I liked being in Hogwarts. I'm waiting impatiently for Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows to come in through Overdrive.

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