This is my second year of tracking the books I've read throughout the year. Book series have taken over 12 of my 32 books this year, so I've spent a lot of time with a few choice characters -I'm looking at you Anne, Harry and Tris.
Thoughts on Anne books:
I've been inspired by Anne. I especially love her enjoyment of trees and her stubborn will to befriend crabby people. Listening to the first couple books on audiobook was gold, because the plots were already familiar from the movies and were filled with unexpected humor. I had to stop doing audiobooks at Anne of the Island because I didn't want the good love story parts to go too quickly, and I LOVED Anne's description of college and those uniquely diverse friendships. Each Anne book feels slow at the beginning as I try to discern what kind of story arc will come. Inevitably at the end of each book I'm so attached to the setting and characters that I'm sad it's over. I still have three books left in the series, which will definitely be a part of my 2016 reading.
Thoughts on Re-reading Harry Potter:
The first time I read HP I definitely rushed to see what was going to happen, and it's really nice to take my time through interesting details and connections during this re-read. The creativity and side characters are a lot of fun. The second time through I'm finding extra affection for Hagrid and McGonagall, who are present in the movies but even more present in the books. Sigh. And Ginny in the books is so much spicier than the movie version. One more book to go here...
Thoughts on Tris (from the Divergent series, Mom):
Ugh. Well. She inspired me to try the ropes course at the Mall of America. And in general, I love that she's strong and willing to face her fears. A lot of other things about these books and Tris's character were frustrating but I read them so I can be informed about the movies. I thought the movie Insurgent was actually way better than the book, and completely different than the book. So, whatever.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling
The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn
Young House Love, by Sherry and John Petersik
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, by Elizabeth Elliot
Unbroken, by Laura Hildebrand
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling
The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Letters to My Children, by Daniel Taylor
Veronica Mars: Mr. Kiss and Tell, by Jennifer Graham and Rob Thomas*
Insurgent, by Veronica Roth
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink
Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery*
Allegiant, by Veronica Roth
Anne of Avonlea, by Lucy Maud Montgomery*
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan*
Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown
Something Fresh, by P.G. Wodehouse*
Paper Towns, by John Green
Still Life, by Louise Penny*
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doeer
Anne of the Island, by Lucy Maud Montgomery
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith*
Anne of Windy Poplars, by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie*
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling*
The Martian, by Andy Weir
Anne's House of Dreams, by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling
*Audiobook through Audible
Worst, most horrible and gross book: Gone Girl
Best History: In the Heart of the Sea & Unbroken (lots of starving on life rafts all around!)
Most Delightful and Light-hearted: Caddie Woodlawn (it helps that I read it floating in the pool) and Where'd You Go Bernadette and Something Fresh (which I listened to while vacuuming the pool)
Strangest: Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore
Most Socially Conscious: Americanah (learned about the important feeling of "choicelessness" and how American's tend to take tomorrow for granted - also the audio accents were beautiful)
Most Teeny-Bopper: Paper Towns (little too disillusioned for me) and Insurgent/Allegiant
Spiritually Encouraging: The Last Battle & A Chance to Die
Meatiest and SO WORTH IT: All the Light We Cannot See & A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
I'm looking forward to more Louise Penny mystery books in the coming year, Still Life was good, but I've been told they get amazing around the 4th book in the series.
My Audible subscription supplies me with one book per month, which helps provide excitement to wash dishes, vacuum the pool and pick up the house. That's become my recharge introvert time. Another series I want to re-read is the Lord of the Rings - so the Fellowship of the Ring is my next audiobook.
Other notable reading resources:
1. http://www.hclib.org/ Reserving books online, and picking them up at my library
2. Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading List
3. Read-Aloud Revival Podcast
Here's to enjoying books in 2016! Please comment with any recommendations!
P.S.
Our favorite TV shows of 2015 were probably:
Longmire
Broadchurch
Parks & Rec
Brooklyn 99
Survivor & Amazing Race
Fixer Upper
P.S.S.
I've recently started reading chapter books out loud with Gwen before her afternoon quiet time. Our first book was Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty McDonald which made her laugh but I thought was just ok. We've also started and set aside: The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne, and Paddington by Michael Bond. Right now we're devouring My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett which is just perfect (thanks Aunt Jill!) and we will definitely finish it.
Here are some of my favorite books for Simon:
Trucks, Planes, Boats, Trains all by Byron Barton *love these!
The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood
Quiet, Loud and Big, Little by Leslie Patricelli
The Going to Bed Book and Moo, Baa, La, La, La by Sandra Boynton
