Let's talk books! This is one of my favorite posts of the year. I love looking back and considering all the books I've read. My 2012 Reading List is here, and you can see other "year in books" posts by going to my Reading List page.(Please keep in mind- when I say a book was excellent, I mean excellent for an adult to read. Some of these selections are just not appropriate for teens or younger folks.)
Who was the best new (to you) author you discovered this year?
Lisa Genova. I read all of her work this year- Still Alice, Left Neglected, and Love Anthony. Genova has a phD in Neuroscience from Harvard, but you wouldn't know it if you just read your stories. They are captivating.
What was your favorite new (to you) series?
The only fiction series I read this year was The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It was good (of course), though I admit to being very disappointed by the ending. I do think there are some interesting themes to explore in these books, especially in light of our country's current political climate.
Book that made you cry?
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew. It was worth the cry, though. Excellent book.
Book that made you laugh out loud?
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond. I didn't just laugh out load- I laughed out loud with tears streaming down my face. :)
Book that totally changed your perspective on something?
Scott Kelby's Digital Photography series. I think my brain finally turned on while I was reading these. That whole ISO, shutter speed, aperture triangle was just swimming 'round and 'round in my brain for the longest time. For whatever reason, Kelby's writing did it for me. I get it now.
Best homeschooling book?
The Core by Leigh Bortins. I read it twice this year. First time I didn't like it so much, next time I loved it. Apparently, I can be fickle. ;)
Worst book that you managed to finish?
I never finish lousy books. This year I bailed on Peony in Love by Lisa See. Normally I like her work, but this one was just a bit over the top for my taste.
Book with the best surprise plot twist?
Kate Morton is the master of plot twists, and her newest title, The Secret Keeper, didn't let me down. Fabulous.
Most disappointing Book?
The Night Circus by Erin Mortenson. I just never understood it. It was waaaaaaay out there.
Most over-hyped book of the year?
Oh, probably The Hunger Games. Don't get me wrong, I liked them. It bugs me how we seem to have sensationalized the series when really, they contain some very relevant and interesting themes. I feel like we've cut the underlying ideas short by making the story just another hyped-up commercialized title.
Best cover on a book you read this year?
(I wish I had taken that picture. I mean, don't you?)
Best young person's book of the year?
Olivia and the Little Way by Nancy Belanger. Prim read this as well, and I think it's her all-time favorite book.
Book you’ve been meaning to read for years and finally got to?
The Mysterious Benedict Society, and it was awesome. This is literature for young people of the finest grade. Everything about this book- the characters, the plot, the underlying theme- makes it top notch kid fiction.
Best cookbook/knitting/gardening/or other household how-to?
Managers of their Chores by the Maxwells, which I always recommend with a bit of a caveat, only because I personally cringe at books with over-the-top evangelical tones. But that's just me. The advice in this book is excellent, so if you can skip over the preachy quality, you'll be fine. :)
Best non-fiction?
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (the new version), put out by La Leche League, was a lifeline for me this year. My new copy is already looking rather worn! I love it!
Book you have recommended to the most people this year?
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I was surprised by how much I loved this book. Read it! You will love Victoria.
Best religion/theology/doctrine/philosophy?
Ohhhhh dear, my reading list is notably lacking anything in this category this year. I didn't even re-read Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, which is usually an annual event for me.
My 5 (or so) favorite fiction titles this year:
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
and everything by Lisa Genova: Still Alice, Left Neglected, and Love Anthony
My 5 (or so) favorite non-fiction titles this year:
The Core by Leigh Bortins
Style, Sex & Substance by Hallie Lord
The Digital Photography series by Scott Kelby
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
I am fairly certain that my reading time in 2013 is going to be extremely limited, but I have some titles I very much want to get to. This next year is going to be about quality over quantity. For one, I absolutely want to re-read Gone With the Wind (which is the best novel of all time, right?). And I've got a whole stack of how-to-survive-as-a-mother-of-a-large-family non-fiction already lined up on the nightstand. Now, if I could only stay awake past 8 o'clock...
What about you? What's on your reading docket for 2013?
I loved Ree Drummond's book, too. I think I laughed till I cried through the entire book! There are quite a few books on your list which I also enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteA long time ago I read and implemented the Maxwell's method, then a year ago I published a Catholic version. I'd love it if you gave it a look-see: www.aplanforjoyinthehome.com
God Bless.
Thank you for all the recommendations! Pinning this for future reference. I need to start writing down the books I read otherwise I forget all about it in like a week. Kristin Lavransdatter was my big read for the year and it was superb. Have you read it? Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen was another I read that I would definitely recommend. No specific books planned yet but this post has me thinking!
ReplyDeleteI always LOVE reading your reading recs, so astounded that my library actually has 7 of your recs; Genova, Morton (18 reserves ahead of me!), Drummond (so shocked at that!), Mayhew and Diffenbaugh.
ReplyDeleteBought Oliva for my dd this St Nick, she loved it too!
Love the Benedict Society, you do realise there is more than one book?
I've yet to make a 2013 list but think I need to be more deliberate in my reading. I'm pretty eclectic and read too much fluff last year. So not sure.
Hey on another total diff topic, I'm thinking I need a photography challenge, any suggestions?
I keep seeing Kate Morton's recommended by just about everyone. I guess I'm going to need to give it a try. Some of my favorites from 2012 were The Core (read for the first time), the Wildwood series (juv fiction - excellent!), The Hobbit (a reread before the movie - forgot how good it was!) and The Fruitful Wife by Hayley DiMarco. (I have a 2012 book list on my blog here: http://herdofsteph.blogspot.com/p/read-in-2012.html). : )
ReplyDeleteLove book lists! Thanks for sharing yours.
Oh I wish I had more time to read! I love this post and am going to be looking up these books. I really only get to read these days at the gym while I am on the bike unless it is with the kids.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me, are you on Goodreads?
ReplyDeleteI'm not, because I hesitate to hop onto another social media place. I already feel kind of scattered online! But... should I be there?
DeleteThe maxwells have really changed how I do things around here. But don't bother with managers of their schools. I got that this year...I knew it wouldn't be very helpful, because I know they use workbooks only. But I was desperate for some ideas. Anyway...very odd, very odd...I was pretty bothered by it. The other books are great though!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these great recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI put a whole bunch of your suggestions into my Amazon wish list.
I read almost no fiction, and when I'm feeling like finding some I much prefer to have good recommendations like this!
Oh! I just bought The Mysterious Benedict Society for Kindle for our next read-aloud. Thank you so much for the great suggestion!
DeleteThank you thank you thank you for writing this! Once I finally paid my debt to society (got rid of my huge fines to the library! :{ ) I've picked up a few books on a whim, but I wasn't happy with them. Maybe I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover! I'm going to check out some of your recomendations next. My guys loved (and are on the second book) the Mysterious Benedict Society, and I"m glad to hear your thoughts on it, since I've read, maybe, five pages. My husband reads it to the big guys each night.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you for your always great book tips. I mustered a little over one book a month, including some of the longer historical fiction titles that my kids read on their own and I wanted to read too. I have some more Tracy Chevalier and Michelle Moron titles to read, also How to Read a Book has been in the pile forever, one about Fr. De Smet, and another about the Vendee. Would also like to read more Kate Morton and Elizabeth Goudge! Our next read alouds are Anne Frank and Hans Brinker. Makes me wish the Netherlands were on our June itinerary!
ReplyDelete