2021 Best Reads So Far

2021 has been an interesting reading year. There’s still a half of year for things to go crazy, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up reading more this year than I ever have before. I’ve even enjoyed a healthy stack of chunksters. I’m not sure if this is me settling into a post-Covid world or if my efforts to move away from my phone are working. Probably a combination of both.

So far I’ve rated 8 of my 114 reads as 5 stars. Five were new to me, and 3 were re-reads. I’m sharing them here in no particular order. I can’t wait to see which of these end up on my best reads list at the end of the year.

5-Star Reads That Are New To Me

World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil I absolutely loved this book of nature essays and accompanying illustrations. Loved it. I read a library copy, and now I need my own copy so I can flag and highlight.

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.

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.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson This memoir in verse was amazing. What took me so long to read a book by Jacqueline Woodson? (This was also the book I read while I was waiting for my second vaccine side effects to go away, so I will always remember it fondly for that.)

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.

5 Star Re-Reads That Held Up

Emma by Jane Austen - I love the small town and all of the CHARACTERS in this book. I really feel like this is Jane Austen at her best. I remain #TeamEmma

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng This book has so much: WWII from a non Western perspective, gardening, tea, grief, forgiveness, and so much more. It starts in the highlands of Malaysia where former war prisoner Yun Ling approaches Japanese gardener Arimoto to help her create a garden in memory of her sister who didn‘t survive the war. It‘s a beautiful book and I highly recommend it.

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.

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Book Recommendations For Visiting The National Parks This Summer

Arches National Park Stock Image

Like so many other Americans I plan on visiting a National Park or two this summer. We have an incredible array right here in our area, and I might even take advantage of my vaccination status and fly somewhere.

If you’re visiting the parks this summer and reading up ahead of your trip here are some books I recommend.

The Best Books About National Parks

Cataloochee by Wayne Caldwell - Between the Civil War and the government’s creation of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park lives were lived in Cataloochee, a town in the mountains of North Carolina. The book begins with gunshots. In the chapters that follow we go back and learn the story of Ezra Banks, and the years of hard work and darkness that brought the shots on. This book is everything I love in a novel. It’s a slow build of a multi-generational classic.

The Road To Paradise by Karen Barnett - I love a book about mountains, and when you combine mountains with historical romance you really can't go wrong. Margie went to Mt. Rainer both to indulge her love of nature, and to escape her shady ex-fiance. Of course there's a hunky ranger on the mountain. I'm telling you; it's everything good for a cozy day of reading.

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.

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery - Grandma Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail in her late 60's. Part of the time she couldn't see due to broken glasses, and she kept going any way. I don't even go to the bathroom in the middle of the night if I can't find my glasses. Plus her equipment was lacking. She hiked from Georgia to Maine with little more than some food, a shower curtain, an umbrella, and a pair of Keds on her feet. Her amazing athletic accomplishments don't even account for the serious abuse she had to overcome before she hit the trail.

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Show Us Your Books May 2021

May was an excellent reading month for me- three five star books, a Hemingway binge, and tons of solid reads about all sorts of things. I usually only talk about the highlights here, but this month I’m just going to list them all.

Five Star Reads

World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil I absolutely loved this book of nature essays and accompanying illustrations. Loved it. I read a library copy, and now I need my own copy so I can flag and highlight.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson This memoir in verse was amazing. What took me so long to read a book by Jacqueline Woodson? (This was also the book I read while I was waiting for my second vaccine side effects to go away, so I will always remember it fondly for that.)

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng This book has so much: WWII from a non Western perspective, gardening, tea, grief, forgiveness, and so much more. It starts in the highlands of Malaysia where former war prisoner Yun Ling approaches Japanese gardener Arimoto to help her create a garden in memory of her sister who didn‘t survive the war. It‘s a beautiful book and I highly recommend it.

Four Stars

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway I didn‘t think I liked Hemingway, but I checked this out of the library after watching his PBS special and it‘s quite good, actually.

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner This was a roller coaster of a story that had me guessing wrong all the way through.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer I‘ve read this several times, but this was my first time on audio. Other than scandalizing myself during morning car pool after an unfortunate timing of the f word it was just as great as in print. Even though I know what happens I‘m on the edge of my seat every time.

Eat The Buddha by Barbara Demick I have always been aware of the issues in Tibet, but until I read this modern history I had never understood them. This was a fascinating book. I recommend it.

Three Stars

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner This was a good light read, but wasn‘t total fluff. It reminded me a lot of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi This was a pleasant audiobook set in 1950‘s India. Likable characters with a pleasing ending. I enjoyed it.

Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee I enjoyed this travelogue from a chef who went around the country eating all sorts of delicious food. I did audio but want to find a print copy as a reference for random road trips.

The Lobster Kings Alexi Zentner The characters in this book kind of drove me nuts, but I‘m glad I finished it. It‘s part King Lear and part sea monsters, and is set on an island that sometimes belongs to Canada and sometimes to the US. It has a very unique sense of place.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain I had to re-read this after reading A Movable Feast. I think I‘m now officially obsessed with 1920‘s Paris.

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

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Summer Reading Plans

It’s summer reading season!

I am so excited for summer reading. There’s nothing I love more than reading a book outside on a hot summer afternoon. Of course, me being me, I already have stacks and stacks of books picked out to read. I don’t really gravitate to the the new best sellers. Instead I like to re-read, concentrate on the back list titles I have at home, and dip my toes in a little bit of romance- something i don’t usually read the rest of the year.

A Few Titles From My (Very Long) Summer Reading List:

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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.

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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.

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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?