Another year come and gone. 2016 was a good one for Tad and me personally, though less good overall for the world. But, that's not what this post is about. This post is about books. In 2015, I read 30 books and had set the goal to read 33 in 2016. That didn't happen, not even close. I'm not sure if it was that I read more "long" books, had less free time, or that I did a One Year Bible reading plan, but I read 21. I counted the Old and New Testaments each as a book, because why not? My goal for 2017 is 23. Here are the 2016 books, reviews, and favorites.
All Teh Books
Joni and Ken: An Untold Story by Joni Earackson Tada & Ken Tada
I've read Joni's biography, several of her books, and met her in person. I thought it would be really interesting to read about her relationship and marriage to Ken. I found the book indeed to be very interesting. It talks of how they met, their courtship, and various struggles and triumphs in marriage. It was also interesting to learn more about Ken and his life and testimony.
All Teh Books
Joni and Ken: An Untold Story by Joni Earackson Tada & Ken Tada
I've read Joni's biography, several of her books, and met her in person. I thought it would be really interesting to read about her relationship and marriage to Ken. I found the book indeed to be very interesting. It talks of how they met, their courtship, and various struggles and triumphs in marriage. It was also interesting to learn more about Ken and his life and testimony.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
This is an excellent read! The story is amazing! About Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who fought in WWII and was stranded on a raft in the Pacific for weeks before becoming a Japanese POW. There are definitely many parts that are difficult to read, but it gives a lot of insight into what it was like for the POWs in Japan. Also really cool is that he became a Christian.
This is an excellent read! The story is amazing! About Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who fought in WWII and was stranded on a raft in the Pacific for weeks before becoming a Japanese POW. There are definitely many parts that are difficult to read, but it gives a lot of insight into what it was like for the POWs in Japan. Also really cool is that he became a Christian.
Circling the Sun
by Paula McLain
This is the fictionalized story of the first woman to fly across the Atlantic from London to New York. Most of it takes place during her childhood growing up in Africa. I enjoyed reading about her adventures as a European woman in Africa. However, much of the book was very depressing due to things in her personal life. Unfortunately, it's not one I recommend.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
I read this for my book club in February. It's a young adult romance set during the 80's. It was interesting and kept my interest throughout, but wasn't anyting particularly spectacular.
Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
This was my book club's pick for March. It is not a book I likely would have read otherwise, and I didn't particularly enjoy it. It's a collection of essays, intended to be humorous. I found a couple mildly amusing, but most were weird, depressing, and/or disturbing. I didn't go to the meeting for this one. :)
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
My mom recommended this one, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's set in Minnesota in the 1960s. It's narrated by the adolescent son of a small town minister over the course of one summer. During that summer his older sister is murdered. The main focus of the book is how he copes and comes to terms with death. It sounds depressing, and there are some very sad parts of the book, butoverall it's an uplifting story.
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
My mom recommended this one, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's set in Minnesota in the 1960s. It's narrated by the adolescent son of a small town minister over the course of one summer. During that summer his older sister is murdered. The main focus of the book is how he copes and comes to terms with death. It sounds depressing, and there are some very sad parts of the book, butoverall it's an uplifting story.
A Walk in the
Woods by Bill Bryson
I read this one because I enjoyed Wild so much. This was written in the 90's about hiking the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine. It was an interesting read, though quite different from Wild. Bill and his hiking companion were not as well prepared or equipped for the hike, so there is a lot of humor to it. I didn't enjoy the long descriptions of environmentalist descriptions throughout.
I read this one because I enjoyed Wild so much. This was written in the 90's about hiking the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine. It was an interesting read, though quite different from Wild. Bill and his hiking companion were not as well prepared or equipped for the hike, so there is a lot of humor to it. I didn't enjoy the long descriptions of environmentalist descriptions throughout.
Is Everyone
Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
I read this in preparation for the July Book Club book, which was Mindy Kaling's second book. The only thing I had watched with Mindy Kaling was The Office. It was a more enjoyable read than Tina Fey's or Amy Poehler's autobiographies. Maybe this is because Mindy Kaling is closer to my age than the others.
I read this in preparation for the July Book Club book, which was Mindy Kaling's second book. The only thing I had watched with Mindy Kaling was The Office. It was a more enjoyable read than Tina Fey's or Amy Poehler's autobiographies. Maybe this is because Mindy Kaling is closer to my age than the others.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
This was the July Book Club pick. It was an enjoyable read, very similar to her first book, but with different stories. Not much else to say about it.
This was the July Book Club pick. It was an enjoyable read, very similar to her first book, but with different stories. Not much else to say about it.
Shanghai Girls
by Lisa See
This was a friend recommendation and I liked it quite a bit. It's the story of two sisters who group up in a wealthy home in Shanghai and travel to America at the start of WWII. The theme of the book is the relationship between sisters. It love reading historical fiction that gives a look at perspectives about which I haven't previously read. It was interesting reading about pre-war Shanghai and life in a Chinatown during and post-war. There are a couple difficult sections to read, and I wasn't thrilled with the ending. But, it kept my interest throughout, and I'm glad to have read it.
This was a friend recommendation and I liked it quite a bit. It's the story of two sisters who group up in a wealthy home in Shanghai and travel to America at the start of WWII. The theme of the book is the relationship between sisters. It love reading historical fiction that gives a look at perspectives about which I haven't previously read. It was interesting reading about pre-war Shanghai and life in a Chinatown during and post-war. There are a couple difficult sections to read, and I wasn't thrilled with the ending. But, it kept my interest throughout, and I'm glad to have read it.
A Spool of Blue
Thread by Anne Tyler
This was a suggestion for one of our Book Club books that did not get selected. I thought the summary sounded intriguing, so I gave it a read. It was weird. It's the story about a family in Maryland. There wasn't a clear point or theme to the book. It was one of those books that you finish and think "well, that was a waste of time".
This was a suggestion for one of our Book Club books that did not get selected. I thought the summary sounded intriguing, so I gave it a read. It was weird. It's the story about a family in Maryland. There wasn't a clear point or theme to the book. It was one of those books that you finish and think "well, that was a waste of time".
Sacred Hearts
by Sarah Dunant
My aunt recommended this one. I liked it! It's another book set in a time nad place with which I am not very familiar. It's a story set in a convent in 16th century Italy. One of the main characters serves as somewhat of a nurse/apothecary. Much of the book focuses on her relationship with a new novice who is less than pleased to now e a nun. The book also has several twists that keep it interesting. On a side note, it was a weird thing that several times they mentioned Martin Luther, "the heretic".
My aunt recommended this one. I liked it! It's another book set in a time nad place with which I am not very familiar. It's a story set in a convent in 16th century Italy. One of the main characters serves as somewhat of a nurse/apothecary. Much of the book focuses on her relationship with a new novice who is less than pleased to now e a nun. The book also has several twists that keep it interesting. On a side note, it was a weird thing that several times they mentioned Martin Luther, "the heretic".
Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Another recommendation, this one from a co-worker. Also, another book in a setting with which I am not very familiar. This is the story of a young Nigerian woman who goes to university in America and then returns to Nigeria. There are many themes to the book including cultural identity, racism, identity, and love. It was a good read.
Another recommendation, this one from a co-worker. Also, another book in a setting with which I am not very familiar. This is the story of a young Nigerian woman who goes to university in America and then returns to Nigeria. There are many themes to the book including cultural identity, racism, identity, and love. It was a good read.
Cinder: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyers
This was my book club's choice in September, and I did all I could to avoid having it chosen. I thought the summary sounded appalling, but I gave it a try and was surprised to find myself super into it. It's a YA Sci Fi series based around fairy tale characters. The first one is based on Cinderella. It's set in the future with cyborgs, androids, flying cars, etc. I was able to guess a lot of the plot twists pretty early on, which was my biggest complaint about the read. I definitely plan to finish the series.
This was my book club's choice in September, and I did all I could to avoid having it chosen. I thought the summary sounded appalling, but I gave it a try and was surprised to find myself super into it. It's a YA Sci Fi series based around fairy tale characters. The first one is based on Cinderella. It's set in the future with cyborgs, androids, flying cars, etc. I was able to guess a lot of the plot twists pretty early on, which was my biggest complaint about the read. I definitely plan to finish the series.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Every year I read a classic, and this was it for 2016. It's about a little girl growing up in a poor Irish family in Brooklyn in the early 1900's. It gives a glimpse of what life was like, through the eyes of a child. Very well written and veyr easy to read.
Every year I read a classic, and this was it for 2016. It's about a little girl growing up in a poor Irish family in Brooklyn in the early 1900's. It gives a glimpse of what life was like, through the eyes of a child. Very well written and veyr easy to read.
Scarlet: The
Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyers
The sequel to Cinder. This one is based on Little Red Riding Hood. It continues Cinder's story from the previous book, while introducing the new character Scarlet. I think I enjoyed the first one a little bit more, but this one was also good.
The sequel to Cinder. This one is based on Little Red Riding Hood. It continues Cinder's story from the previous book, while introducing the new character Scarlet. I think I enjoyed the first one a little bit more, but this one was also good.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
My mom had recommended this, and then my book club read it in April. Unfortunately, I didn't get it from Braille until October due to the long waitlist. This is set in France during WWII and tells the story of two sisters and their involvement in the French Resistance. I hadn't before heard about the French people who helped Allied airmen escape from France. Obviously since there are Nazis, there were some difficult parts to read. But it was a good story and has a satisfying ending.
A is for Alibi
by Sue Graften
I've been on the waitlist for this from Braille for a really long time. A good friend is into this series, so I thought I'd check it out. The main character is a private investigator. In this book, she's looking into an 8 year old murder case. The writing is good and at times humorous. There was good suspense, but nothing too graphic or horrific. I'd like to continue reading the series.
Cress: The Lunar Chronicles
The third in the Lunar Chronicles series, which I read in about 2 days. Clearly, this one is my favorite of the series so far. It follows the story of Cinder and Scarlet and introduces Cress, who is a parallel to Rapunzel. Super excited to read the last two books in the series.
I've been on the waitlist for this from Braille for a really long time. A good friend is into this series, so I thought I'd check it out. The main character is a private investigator. In this book, she's looking into an 8 year old murder case. The writing is good and at times humorous. There was good suspense, but nothing too graphic or horrific. I'd like to continue reading the series.
Cress: The Lunar Chronicles
The third in the Lunar Chronicles series, which I read in about 2 days. Clearly, this one is my favorite of the series so far. It follows the story of Cinder and Scarlet and introduces Cress, who is a parallel to Rapunzel. Super excited to read the last two books in the series.
The Bible: The Old Testament
The Bible: The New Testament
I've read the Bible all the way through once before. It was nice doing it again. I think I'd like to do this every 2 or 3 years. I now have several books I'd like to read commentaries/do studies on.
Favorites (Fiction)
Ordinary Grace
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Cress: The Lunar Chronicles
Favorites (Nonfiction)
The Bible
Unbroken
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story
The Ones I Didn't Finish
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This had such big hype and was so widely enjoyed, but I just couldn't get into it. The fact that it's narrated y death is really weird, and I didn't feel like I could connect with the story.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
The Bible: The New Testament
I've read the Bible all the way through once before. It was nice doing it again. I think I'd like to do this every 2 or 3 years. I now have several books I'd like to read commentaries/do studies on.
Favorites (Fiction)
Ordinary Grace
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Cress: The Lunar Chronicles
Favorites (Nonfiction)
The Bible
Unbroken
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story
The Ones I Didn't Finish
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This had such big hype and was so widely enjoyed, but I just couldn't get into it. The fact that it's narrated y death is really weird, and I didn't feel like I could connect with the story.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Again, big hype. I enjoy Lord of the Rings and some other fantasy stories, but this hits you so hard at the beginning with so many characters, it was just overwhelming.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Love the concept and the humor, but too much gore for me.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Love the concept and the humor, but too much gore for me.
The Silent Wife
by A.S.A. Harrison
The October book club pick. The writing was bad and the characters were annoying. Nobody in book club like dit.
The October book club pick. The writing was bad and the characters were annoying. Nobody in book club like dit.
The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis
Another example of Christian fiction that's either too sappy or too boring.
Another example of Christian fiction that's either too sappy or too boring.
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