Favorite books of 2017 –

 

America’s First Ladies by Kathleen Krull – written for kids but a terrific volume for all ages. I found it informative as well as a pleasure to read.

Blue Remembered Hills by Rosemary Sutcliff – A touching biography about a remarkable author.

*Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenzuan- Winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, an international children’s book award. Absolutely beautiful. I recommend this to anyone!

Chronicles Bk. 1 by Bob Dylan- When Dylan won the Nobel Prize of Literature I wanted to read something that he had written. Though mostly in a stream of consciousness style Dylan captivated the musical development of his generation.

Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim – Such a charming and delightful book of a time gone by. I found this to be a peaceful read.

The Face: A Time Code by Ruth Ozeki – I am a huge fan of all of Ozeki’s books but found this quick read to be unique and very memorable.

Flood of Fire by Amitav Ghosh – I love Ghosh’s writing and this was a wonderful year to catch up with some of his books.

The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh- I love Ghosh’s writing and this was a wonderful year to catch up with some of his books.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi – Remarkable. Well written, heartbreaking and engaging.

Howard’s End by E. M. Forester- A classic that  had eluded me until now. Beautiful.

Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard by Kiran Desai – Desai has followed in her mother’s footsteps by writing some very special books. Kiran’s bests known book, The Inheritance of Loss was incredible. This earlier book by Kiran was such a fun and entertaining book. I believe it is out of print, but I found a pristine, signed copy online for only a couple of dollars.

The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh- I love Ghosh’s writing and this was a wonderful year to catch up with some of his books.

July’s People by Nadine Gordimer- I am very fond of Gordimer’s writing. I found this title to be chilling, but worth every minute.

Malgudi Days R. K. Narayan – Absolutely charming. Perfect for peaceful reading.

Moshi Moshi by Banana Yoshimoto – I was fascinated and alienated by this author at the same time, wondering who might change their pen name to “Banana.” It took me ages to finally check out one of her books. I am a very big fan of Yosimoto’s work now and look forward to reading more titles by her.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Marquez’s writing is incomparable. His magical realism takes a certain mindset, but also takes the reader to a place where our ordinary view of the world is suspended. 

Simone De Beauvoir by Simone De Beauvoir- I wanted to read a few books by Beauvoir last year. I valued this title by this very intellectual woman.

A Strangeness in My Mind by Orhan Pamuk – Some of Pamuk’s writing just leaves me shaking my head, but I was completely drawn into this story.

Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante – This is book three of a four part series by a woman who chose Elena Ferrante as her pen name. I would recommend beginning with book 1. My Brilliant Friend. Difficult to read, tedious and painful in places this compelling series finds me coming back for more because no one can write a more honest story of her life and emotions.

*A True Novel by Minae Mizumura- Written in 2002, this brilliant novel is delicate, harsh, painful, and compelling. I think it was the one book that really touched my heart in 2017. I will read it again.

*War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – This book needs no introduction. It took me years to get through it because I just couldn’t pick it up during my son’s deployments. It was well worth every minute. Don’t skip the epilogue – especially the last 50 pages. I think that it is the most important part of the book.

Where You Once Belonged by Kent Haruf – A terrific quick read by a favorite author of mine. This story will keep you engaged and guessing from start to finish.

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R. K. Narayan Readalong

A Tiger for Malgudi   *warning: spoilers When Deepika suggested a R. K. Narayan readalong I was delighted. Another dear reading pal had introduced me to Narayan some years ago, gifted me some of hi…

Source: R. K. Narayan Readalong

Books and Movies Read in 2015

It always seems to take me awhile to post my reading/watching list from the year before. It may be hard to believe but this year my list is getting posted far earlier than prior years. I do think that Goodread’s list may help me next year!

 

I did reread a number of books (audiobooked) in order to read some series through to the end. Two authors that are in abundance due to my series reading are Alexander McCall Smith and M.C. Beaton. Both are light and enjoyable.

Next year (this year now that it is 2016 already) is to read more books than I did last year. My physical reading count as opposed to my audiobooking was rather abysmal!

Have you read any of these? I starred my favorites to make your list perusing go quicker if you just want the highlights!

Books and Movies 2015

Total book titles:164

Books – 4

Children

Binny in Secret by Hilary McKay F British RF

Loula and the Sister Recipe by Anne Villeneuve

Mr. Squirrel and the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser

*Women Who Broke the Rules: Mary Todd Lincoln

     by Kathleen Krull F US Bio

YA -1

*Dumplin’  by Julie Murphy F US RF

Adult – 7

Christmas Crumble by M.C. Beaton F British RF

*How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain De Botton M Swiss Comm         

*Martha Quest by Doris Lessing F Zimbabwe/Brit RF

The Millstone by Margaret Drabble F British RF

*Missing Person by Patrick Mondiano M French RF

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

    by Alexander McCall Smith M British RF

*Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler F US RF

Audiobooks

Children 15

The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson F Brit           Fantasy

Emma and the Blue Genie by Cornelia Funke F German Tales

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage F US           Mystery

*Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes F US       Adventure

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes F US RF

Nest by Esther Ehrlich F US RF

Pinky Pie by Eleanor Estes F US RF

Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Nguyen F US/Vietnam HistFic

The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill F US HF

Rufus M by Eleanor Estes F US RF

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by

     Tom Angleberger M US Humor

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz M England         Fantasy

Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright F US RF

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley F US HF

West of the Moon by Margi Preus F US F. Tale

YA 16

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery F Canadian RF

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery F Canadian RF

Anpao : An American Indian Odyssey by

Jamake Highwater M US HF/Legend

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of M US Hist Fic

     World War II by Joseph Bruchac

Eleanor Roosevelt A Life of Discovery

     by Russell Freedman M US Biography

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery F Canadian RF

*Lives of Extraordinary Women by Kathleen Krull F US Bio

*Lives of the Presidents by Kathleen Krull F US Bio

The Journey Back by Johanna Reiss F Dutch Memoir/Bio

Landline by Rainbow Rowell F US RF

*Lives of Writers by Kathleen Krull F US Bio

*Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff F US RF

Pinned by Sharon G. Flake F US RF

Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery F Canadian RF

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart F US RF

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts F Australian RF

Adult

*1919 by John Dos Passos M US HF

*The 42nd Parallel by John Dos Passos M American HF

44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish RF

*Above the East China Sea by Sarah Bird F US RF/HF

Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and Love, Lies, and Liquor by M.C. Beaton F British           Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. BeatonF British         Myster

Agatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon by M.C. Beaton F British         Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener by M.C. Beaton F British         Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death by F British Mystery

M.C. Beaton

Agatha Raisin: There Goes the Bride by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Agatha’s First Case by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry

Pratchett M British Fantasy

American Notes by Charles Dickens M British NF

Amethyst Dreams by Phyllis A. Whitney F US Mystery

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dusk by Alan Bradley M Canadian Mystery

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama M US Autobio

August Folly by Angela Thirkell F British RF

*Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates M US Bio

*The Big Money by John Dos Passos M US HF

The Blood of an Englishman by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Blue Shoes and Happiness by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

The Brandons by Angela Thirkell F British RF

Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers F Fr/Canadian HF

The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block M US  Mystery

Busy Body by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

The Careful Use of Compliments by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall M British Mystery

The Case of the Love Commandos:

       From the Files of Vish Puri by Tarquin Hall M British Mystery

The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall M British Mystery

Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley by Timothy White M US Bio

The Charming Quirks of Others by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

The Comforts of Muddy Saturday by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Confessions of a Serial Novelist A. McCall Smith M Scottish Autob

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain M US Fantasy

Death of a Dreamer by M. C. Beaton         F British Mystery

Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton M British Mystery

Death of a Perfect Wife by M. C. Beaton F UK Mystery

Death of a Policeman by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death of a Servant by Tarquin Hall M British Mystery

Death of a Snob by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death of Yesterday by M. C. Beaton F British Mystery

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino M Japanese Mystery

The Disappeared by Kim Echlin F Canada RF

The Dog Who Came in From the Cold

    by Alexander McCall Smith M Scotland Humor

Dream From My Father by Barack Obama M US Autobio

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman F US Hist Fic

Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Excursion to Tinder by Andrea Camilleri M Italian Mystery

A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny F Canadian Mystery

The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs M British Humor

Fire Kimono by Laura Joh Rowland F US HF

Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith M British RF

The Full Cupboard of Life by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

A Game of Thrones by G. R.R. Martin M US Fantasy

The Gap Years by Sarah Bird F US RF

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng M Malaysia HF

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins F British Suspense

The Girl With the Long Green Heart

      by Lawrence Block M US Mystery

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

*Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett M British Humor

Gulag Archipeligo by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn M Russian History

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie F British Mystery

Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton F British RF

Hiss and Hers by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C Morais M Am/Canadian RF

The Importance of Being Seven

     by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by A. McCall Smith M ScottishMystery

An Irish Doctor by Patrick Taylor M Irish Autobio/Fic

The Kalahari Typing School For Me by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

Kissing Christmas Goodbye by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

The Learners by Chip Kidd M US RF

*The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo F Japan NF

The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen F US Memoir

Love From Hell by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Malice by HIgashino Keigo M Japan Thriller

The Man From Beijing by Henning Mankell M SwedishMystery

The Miracle at Speedy Motors by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

*Modern Romance: An Investigation by Book M US Non-fiction

       by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg

Morality for Beautiful Women by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

The Murder of the Maharajah by H. R. F. Keating M British Mystery

*My Korean Deli by Ben Ryder Howe M US HumorAutobio

*The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan M Australian HistFic

Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens M British         Classic

Pioneer Girl by Bich Minh Nguyen F US/VietnamesHistFic

Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain M American RF

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-

Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida,

Keiko Yoshida and David Mitchell M and F US/Japan Bio

Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith M British RF

Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell F British RealisticFiction

Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino M Japanese Mystery

A Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert M French RF

Silent House by Orhan Pamuk M Turkey RF

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford M US HF

Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie F British Mystery

A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon M British RF

The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami M Japan Sci Fi

The Sunday Philosophy Club by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by A. Mc Call Smith M British Mystery

Tears of the Giraffe by A. McCall Smith M British Mystery

That Old Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx F American Western

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by

     Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish RF

White Oleander by Janet Fitch F US RF

Whispering Shadows by Jan-Philipp Sendker M German RF

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell F British RF/HF

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by

     Alexander McCall Smith M Scottish         Mystery

The World According to Bertie by A. McCall Smith M Scottish RF

Wrapped in White by Kevin Brooks M US Thriller

Yokota Officer’s Club by Sarah Bird F US HistFic

Movies and TV series and miniseries – 22

*100-Year Old Man – Humorous

*About Time – Romance

Big Hero 6  anime

The Country Teacher (Pavel Liska)

Downton Abbey, Season 5

The Fault in our Stars (based on John Green’s book)

Game of Thrones seasons 1-5

Gigante (Horacio Camandule)

Interstellar

*Le Grand Voyage (Nicolas Cazale)

Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity starring Sandra Oh

One Mississippi, season pilot

Paddington Bear

Paper Towns (based on John Green’s book)

*Pillars of the Earth (miniseries)

The Pope’s Toilet (Cesar Troncoso)

Raja (2003) starring  Pascal Greggory, Najat Benssallem

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Sopranos, Season 1

The Paradise (based loosely on a book by Emile Zola), Season 1

Vicious, Season 1

*Welcome  (Philippe Lloret)

_____

I forgot to write some down, but these are the memorable titles

Books and Movies 2014

BOOKS AND MOVIES 2014 

Stats:

Read/Audiobooked 158 titles

Female authors: 92

Male authors: 66

Countries represented:

Austria 2

British 32

Canadian 5

Colombian 1

Czech 1

Danish 2

Dutch 1

French/German 1

German 3

India 1

Indian/American 1

Japanese 4

Mexican/American 1

Scottish 2

South African 1

Swedish 2

US 98

Books

Children’s Picture Books – 29

The Bathing Costume or The Worst Vacation of My Life

by Charlotte Moundlic (Batchelder Honor Book) F French RF

Born and Bred in the Great Depression by Jonah Winter M US Hist Fic

Brush of the Gods by Lenore Look & Meilo So F US Hist Fic

The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister by Linda Ravin Lodding F US RF

The Camping Trip That Changed America by Barb Rosenstock F US HF

The Curious Fish by Elsa Beskow   F Swedish Fantasy

Dream Friends by You Byun F US Fantasy

Emmet by Leo Politi     American M US  RF

The Fantastic Adventures of Krishna by Demi F US BIO

First Mothers by Gherman and Downing F US BIO

Fish for Jimmy by Katie Yamasaki F US HF

Fog Island by Toni Ungerer M French/GermanFantasy

Gandhi: A March to the Sea by Alice B. McGinty F US HF

Handel: Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson M US Bio

The Insomniacs by Karina Wolf F US Humor

Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile M US Humor

A Medal For Leroy by Michael Morpurgo M British HF

Monkey: A Trickster Tale by Gerald McDermott M US Folktale

On a Beam of Light : A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne F US BIO

Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Robert Parker M US BIO

Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb F US     Humor Ruby’s Wish by Shirin      Yim Bridges F US HF

Rumi: Whirling Dervish by DEMI F US BIO

The Sacred Banana Leaf by Nathan Kumar Scott M India Folktale

SuDongpo by DEMI     F US BIO

This is the Rope: The Story of the Great Migration F US HF

     by Jacqueline Woodson

Time Out for Sophie by Rosemary Wells F US Humor

When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet and One 

Extraordinary Riot by Lauren Stringer F US HF

A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull by

     Kathleen Krull F US BIO

Children’s Chapter Books -12

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz M US Adventure

Binny For Short by Hilary McKay F British RF

Homesick by Kate Klise F US RF/Humor

Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the

Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull  F US BIO

Mister Orange by Truus Matti F Dutch HF

Oranges in No Man’s Land by Elizabeth Laird F British HF

Summer and Bird by Catmull 

Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harington F US RF

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis   M US Humor

*The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt F US Humor

The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley F US HF

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes M US RF

Young Adult -2

*Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley F US GN

*Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos M US RF

Adult – 16

Autumn Quartet by Barbara Pym F British Contemp

The 100-Year-Old Man by Jonas Jonasson M Swedish Humor

Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith M British Humor

*Boxers by Gene Luen Yang M US GN/Hist Fic

Daisy May and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg F US HF

Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier  F US Mystery

English Tea Murder by Leslie Meier     F US Mystery

*The Gate by Soseki M Japan RF

In the Land of Punctuation by Christian Morgenstern M German Humor

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander M Scottish RF

McCall Smith

*Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl M Austria Philosophy

The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon: No. 1 Ladies

     Detective Agency M Scottish Mystery

*Saints by Gene Luen Yang M US GN/Hist Fic

Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters (Barbara Mertz) F US Mystery

Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt F US RF

*The Wall by Marlen Haushofer F Austrian Dystopian

Audiobooks

Children’s -15

The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle F US Hist Fic

*The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander (Newbery Award) M US Fantasy

*The Castle of Llyr, bk 3 by Lloyd Alexander M US Fantasy

Doll Bones by Holly Black (Newbery Honor) F US Scary

Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (Newbery Award) F US Fantasy

Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm F US RF

The High King by Lloyd  Alexander M US Fantasy

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke F German Fantasy

The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos M US RF

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama M US Letter

Listening for Lucca by Suzanna LaFleur F US RF

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt M US RF

One Came Home by Amy Timberlake F US HF

The Paperboy by Vince Vawter M US RF

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell F US RF

Young Adult -7

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson F US Autobiograph/Fic

Flight by Sherman Alexie M US Surrealistic Fiction

Marie Curie by Kathleen Krull F US BIO

Navigating Early by Claire Vanderpool F US Historical Fiction

On a Clear Day by Walter Dean Myers M US RF

Revolution by Deborah Wiles F US Hist Fic/Dystopian

Riot by Walter Dean Myers M US Hist Fic

Adult -77

The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen M Danish Mystery

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg F US RF

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters F US Mystery

At Bertram’s Hotel: A Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie F British Mystery

*Benediction by Kent Haruf M US RF

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys F US Hist Fic

The Book of Laughter and Forgetting by Milan Kundera M Czech RF/Surreal

Black Plumes by Marjory Allingham F British Mystery

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel F British Hist Fic

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch M British Mystery

Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews F US Mystery

Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier F US Mystery

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage

     by Haruki Murakami M Japan RF/Dream Fic

*Conversations with Leo Tolstoy by Leo Tolstoy and

     by Simon Parke M British Philosophy

*The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer F S. Africa RF

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley M Canadian Mystery

Death Comes to Pemberly by PD James F British Mystery

Death of a Dentist by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death of a Charming Man by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death of a Nag by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death of a Scriptwriter by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Death on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn F US Mystery

Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters F American Mystery

The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith M British Humor

Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope M British RF

The Dragon’s Teeth by Ellery Queen M&M US Mystery

*Eventide by Kurt Haruf M US Western

Fall of a Philanderer by Carola Dunn F US Mystery

The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress by Beryl Bainbridge F British Mystery

Goats by Mark Jude Poirier M US RF

Hard Times by Charles Dickens M British Classic

Heart Trouble by Mary Kay Andrews F US Mystery

Heaven is For Real by Todd Bumpo M US Bio/Religion

*The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Urrea M Mexican/Am HF

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron F US Humor

In the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Applachian Trail M US                     Travel by Bill Bryson

Innocence of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton M British Mystery

Irish Eyes by Mary Kay Andrews F US Mystery

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and Other Concerns

by Mindy Kaling F US Bio

Jack in the Pulpit by Cynthia Riggs F US Mystery

*The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen M Danish Mystery

The Lakota Way by Joseph M. Marshall M US Philosophy

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson M US Memoir

Lions in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters F US Mystery

Loitering With Intent by Muriel Spark F British Autobio

Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters F US Mystery 

Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding F British Humor

Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez M      Colombia RF

Midnight Clear by Mary Kay Andrews F US Mystery

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch M British Suspense        

The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side by Agatha Christie F British Mystery

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovich M British Mystery

Murder at Cape Three Points by Kwei Quartey M US Mystery

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus M US Hist Fic

Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn F US Mystery

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella F British Humor

The Semi-Attached Couple by Emily Eden F British RF/HF

The September Society by Charles Finch M US Mystery

The Shogun’s Daughter by Laura Joh Rowland F US Hist F/Mys

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson M US Pop Sci

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton F British Mystery

Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse M British Humor

South of the Border West of the Sun M Japanese RF

        South Sea Tales by Jack London M US Sstories

Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley M Canadian Mystery

Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami M Japan RF

Still Life by Louise Penny F Canadian Mystery

*The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar F Indian/Am RF   

The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett M US Mystery

The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg F US HF

Tomb of the Golden Bird by Elizabeth Peters F US Mystery

Torch by Cheryl Strayed F US RF

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny F Canadian Mystery

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce F British RF

Very Good, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse M British Humor

*A Well-Tempered Heart by Jan -Philipp Sendkar M German RF

Wicked Autumn by G.M. Mallet F US Mystery

Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quarty M US Mystery

A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami M Japan Surreal

The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley M Canadian Mystery

The Woman Who Wouldn’t Die by Colin Cotterill M British Mystery

Movies

Despicable Me 2

Downton Abbey, season 4

The Hobbit – part 1 (second time)

The Hobbit – part 2

Incomplete

Books Read in 2013

Inspired by a dear friend of mine I wanted to send out some some stats about my reading in the past year. I started a list keeping track of how many authors were female or male, what country the author wrote in, and the genre. As time passed my stats list grew slowly, and then came to a halt as I lost track of where I was on the list. So, perhaps those stats will show up next year!

My big goal was to finish War and Peace by the end of the year. I didn’t make it, but was close. I have a great chance of being done by the end of 2014!

I just included my favorites since I read and audiobooked 283 titles, at least that I remembered to write down. As you can see below audiobooks and picture books were at the top while hardcopy adult books were close to the bottom of my stats. Here is the link to my complete list.Books read in 2013 PDF

Picture Books – 121

Favorites– (in alphabetical order)

  The Birdman by Veronika Martenova Charles

A Calf for Christmas by Astrid Lindgren

The Elephant’s Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India retold and ill. by Marcia Williams

Mother’s Love: Inspiring Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Melina Gerosa Bellows

Taka-Chan and I: A Dog’s Journey to Japan by Runcible as told to Betty Jean Lifton

Children’s Chapter Books -27 hardcover; 25 audiobooks

The Apothocary by Maile Meloy

The Audrey of the Outback Collection by Christine Harris

Jenny Goes to Sea by Esther Averill

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (Newbery Honor)

Young Adult Books – Hardover 2; Audiobooks 7

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow

Adult Books – Hardcover 8; Audiobooks 87

Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith

The Pickup by Nadine Gordimer

The Sound of the Mountain by Yasurari Kawabata

Unformed Landscape by Peter Stamm

Graphic Novels -6

A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return by Zeina Abirached

Sumo by Thien Pham

My goals for 2014 are to finish War and Peace, and to read more hardcover books. I read more mysteries than books in any other category, and enjoyed almost all of them. My favorite books were primarily by international authors.

 

Books Read and Audiobooked in 2012

Books Read and Audiobooked in 2012

Picture Books    12
Big Wolf and Little Wolf: Such a Beautiful Orange by Nadine Brun-Cosme
Celebritrees: Historic Famous Trees of the World by Margi Preus
Dog in Boots by Gormley
A Family for Old Mill Farm by Shutta Crum
Somewhere in Africa by Ingrid Mennen and Niki Daly
Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina
Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani
Orani: My Father’s Village by Claire A. Nivola
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes byLitwin
Pomelo Begins to Grow by Ramona Badescu
Rose Meets Mr. Wintergarten by Bob Graham
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Brown

(As I read many of these I lost track after only a few titles)

My Favorites

Upper Elementary/Young Adult   24

Adventures of Cat-Whiskered Girl by Daniel Pinkwater
After Ever After by JordanSonnenblick
Black Radishes by Susan Lynn Meyer    Bachelder Award
Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin  Newbery Honor Award
Bunheads by Sophie Flack
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhoda Blumberg   Newbery     Honor Award
The Crowstarver by Dick King-Smith Smarties Award Winner
The Corn Grows Ripe by Dorothy Rhoads Newbery Honor Award
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Fog Magic by Julia Sauer  Newbery Honor Award
Good Luck Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke
The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater
Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan
Inside Out and Back Again by Lai  Newbery Honor Award
Lily Pond by Annika Thor
Ninth Ward by Julia Parker Rhodes  Newbery Award ; CSK Award
One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street by Joanne Rocklin
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle   Pura Belpre Award and Newbery Honor
A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux   Batchelder Award
A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley  (Wonderful old story)
Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon CSK Award

Favorites

  

Adult books  5

Fragrant Rice by Janet De Neefe
The Land of Green Plums by Herta Muller A brilliant but painfully harsh story (Nobel Prize Winner)
Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March (A fun read for those who are Meryl Streep fans)

Favorites

Manga/Graphic Novels   3

Chi’s Sweet Home, vol.7 by Kanata Konami (New York Times Bestseller and Vol. 1 won the Kodansha Manga Award)
Chi’s Sweet Home, vol. 8 by Kanata Konami
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik

Favorite

Audiobooks   

Childrens   26

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy by l.A. Meyer
The Boy Who Climbed Into the Moon by David Almond
The Dark is Rising, (book 2) by Susan Cooper
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline  Kelly Newbery Award
Greenwitch, bk. 3 by Susan Cooper
Finally by Wendy Mass
The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
The Gray King, bk. 4 by Susan Cooper
Magyk, Septimus Heap series, vol.1 by Angie Sage
Masterpiece by Elise Broach
Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson  Newbery
Over Sea, Under Stone, bk. 1 by Susan Collins
The Owl Service by Alan Garner
Piper Reed, Navy Brat, bk. 1 by Kimberly Willis Holt
Piper Reed, the Great Gypsy by Kimberly Willis Holt
Princess Academy by  Shannon Hale – Newbery
Return to Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
A Spiderweb for Two by Elizabeth Enright
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
Silver on the Tree, bk. 5 by Susan Cooper
Small Acts of Amazing Courage byGloria Whelan
The Sword in the Grotto, Araminto Spookie series, bk. 2 by Angie Sage
Then There Were Five by Elizabeth Enright
This Book is Not Good for You, The Secret Series, Bk 3 by Pseudonymous Bosch

Favorites

Young Adult  5

Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Favorite

Adult   44 1/2

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Anarchy and Old Dogs, Doctor Siri Palboun bk. 4 by Colin Cotterill
Angels and Insect by A.S. Byatt
Badgers in My Vest by Dylan Thomas
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
The Coroner’s Lunch, Doctor Siri Palboun series, bk. 1 by Colin Cotterill
Curse of the Pogo Stick, Doctor Siri Palboun bk. 5 by Colin Cotterill
Disco For the Departed, Doctor Siri Palboun series, bk. 3 by Colin Cotterill
Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens
Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie by           Richard Hack
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (read part-listened to part)
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Escape From Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey From North Korea     to Freedom in the West by Blane Harden
Footsteps in the Dark by Georgette Heyer
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Millennium Trilogy, book 3 by      Stieg Larsson
The Golden Mountain by Irene Kai
How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn (I had read this years ago)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (didn’t finish)
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s        Berlin by Erik Larson
Jeeves in the Offing by P.G. Wodehouse
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill
Last Man in Tower by Aravind Adiga
Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth 1 and 11
Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain (most of it)
Love Songs From a Shallow Grave, Doctor Siri Palboun bk.7 by Colin     Cotterill
Marriage Made in Heaven by Erma Bombeck
The Merry Misogenist, Doctor Siri Palboun bk 6 by Colin Cotterill
Miss Mapp by E. F. Benson
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson
River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh
Shash and Burn, Doctor Siri Palboun bk. 8 by Colin Cotterill
Sir Harry Hotspur by Anthony Trollope
Spinsters in Jeopardy by Ngaio Marsh
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Thirty-Three Teeth, Doctor Siri Palboun bk 2 by Colin Cotterill
Tied Up in Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh
Travels With Charlie by John Steinbeck
Well of Lost Plots, Thursday Next series, book 3, by Jasper Fforde
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (again!)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Favorites

This is the first of a mystery series of 8 books about a coroner in Laos in the ’70’s!

 

Movies

Kung Fu Panda 2
Chico and Rita
The Secret World of Arrietty
The Descendants
Albert Nobbs
The Iron Lady
The Hobbit

Favorite

Movies for Television

Downton Abbey, season 2
Downton Abbey, season 3

Both wonderful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Year End Thoughts
I forgot to write down titles…some of which I only remembered today!
I was shocked at how few hard copy adult books I read. I must say though that I am working on three large books which I haven’t finished, so hopefully they will show up on next year’s list.

Next year I want to be more careful about my selections! There are so many wonderful books to read and I believe that I could have chosen better.

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts about them?

~Heidi

 

Blogging About Books

Inspired by a friend to start my own book blog I will begin here. Presently I am compiling my list of books that I read in 2012. When ready it will be my first post.