I genuinely enjoyed the "worst books of the year" section! I've started taking notes of any book that I decide not to finish (or pitch at a wall). I'm learning that I really, really do not like anything that has an agenda, is obviously trying to teach me something/lecture me, or has a bleak ending. I like thrillers but I want them to be all tied up at the end. I read Strange Sally Diamond and it was the bleakest, most depressing book I've read in years. It was marketed as 'quirky'. 100% do not recommend.
I love year in reviews for books! I haven't kept up with how many books I've read the past few years. I used to write them in my commonplace, but haven't felt like it for a while. Maybe this year?!
My favorite mystery this year was The Chill by Ross MacDonald. The ending had a huge twist that was completely unexpected and so good!
My girls and I are reading (through the school year) Transformed by Truth. It's about how to study the Bible for yourself and written by a teen girl. I've really enjoyed it so far and have gained some more understanding in my Bible reading time.
Continued prayers for you, Erin. I think of you often!!!
I thought Real Americans, Long Island, and The Ministry of Time got more hype than they deserved. 🫢
After Annie (heart wrenching and also heartwarming) and The Husbands (laugh-out-loud funny, unique, thought-provoking) are two of the many books I enjoyed this year.
My "got more hype than deserved" list are well-written, interesting books, but I didn't think they were AMAZING. I especially wanted to love Long Island, but I ultimately found it frustrating.
I love your list. I am going to add some of them to mine. I read (listened to) 32 books this year-the most since I was a kid!
My favorite was the biography of Lottie Moon. They take up an offering at church in her name for missions but I had no idea who she was. Her story is fascinating and I recommend it!
I also read Bob Odenkirk’s biography, which I’m only mentioning because of our shared love of Breaking Bad. It was ok but in my opinion it’s “skippable.”
I didn’t even know Bob O had a biography! Do you remember the name of the Lottie Moon book? I was an adult when I realized her real name was Charlotte, haha.
I read War and Peace and also Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy this year! The first was a 60 hour read, the second a 35. I really liked both books, particularly War and Peace, although, admittedly, there were huge sections of the book that felt long and boring to me. I still really loved reading both and plan to again at some point. I also read the unabridged version of Little Women every fall/winter and hope I always do! I love it so much.
Wow, those are some heavy hitters!! I have never tried to read War and Peace and have never been able to make it all the way through Anna K, but it’s been years since I tried.
What a great roundup! I'm currently reading How to Stay Married!!!
Yay! I wish I could have the experience of reading it for the first time again.
I genuinely enjoyed the "worst books of the year" section! I've started taking notes of any book that I decide not to finish (or pitch at a wall). I'm learning that I really, really do not like anything that has an agenda, is obviously trying to teach me something/lecture me, or has a bleak ending. I like thrillers but I want them to be all tied up at the end. I read Strange Sally Diamond and it was the bleakest, most depressing book I've read in years. It was marketed as 'quirky'. 100% do not recommend.
I’m with you on the kinds of books you dislike! I haven’t heard of that book you mentioned, but now I know to steer clear. :)
This is probably why I liked your worst books of the year section!
I love year in reviews for books! I haven't kept up with how many books I've read the past few years. I used to write them in my commonplace, but haven't felt like it for a while. Maybe this year?!
My favorite mystery this year was The Chill by Ross MacDonald. The ending had a huge twist that was completely unexpected and so good!
My girls and I are reading (through the school year) Transformed by Truth. It's about how to study the Bible for yourself and written by a teen girl. I've really enjoyed it so far and have gained some more understanding in my Bible reading time.
Continued prayers for you, Erin. I think of you often!!!
Thank you, Ginny! It’s good to hear from you. I am definitely going to check out The Chill. The description on Goodreads intrigued me.
I love a reading recap!
I thought Real Americans, Long Island, and The Ministry of Time got more hype than they deserved. 🫢
After Annie (heart wrenching and also heartwarming) and The Husbands (laugh-out-loud funny, unique, thought-provoking) are two of the many books I enjoyed this year.
Ok, I don't know any of these books! Definitely going to look them up.
My "got more hype than deserved" list are well-written, interesting books, but I didn't think they were AMAZING. I especially wanted to love Long Island, but I ultimately found it frustrating.
I love your list. I am going to add some of them to mine. I read (listened to) 32 books this year-the most since I was a kid!
My favorite was the biography of Lottie Moon. They take up an offering at church in her name for missions but I had no idea who she was. Her story is fascinating and I recommend it!
I also read Bob Odenkirk’s biography, which I’m only mentioning because of our shared love of Breaking Bad. It was ok but in my opinion it’s “skippable.”
I didn’t even know Bob O had a biography! Do you remember the name of the Lottie Moon book? I was an adult when I realized her real name was Charlotte, haha.
It’s part of an audio Christian heroes series. If you search Lottie Moon on the Hoopla app you’ll see it. Not sure if it’s on Libby.
I read War and Peace and also Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy this year! The first was a 60 hour read, the second a 35. I really liked both books, particularly War and Peace, although, admittedly, there were huge sections of the book that felt long and boring to me. I still really loved reading both and plan to again at some point. I also read the unabridged version of Little Women every fall/winter and hope I always do! I love it so much.
Wow, those are some heavy hitters!! I have never tried to read War and Peace and have never been able to make it all the way through Anna K, but it’s been years since I tried.