January was a month of starting books and not finishing them. However, at my suggestion, my 8-year-old granddaughter has discovered Nancy Drew (The Mystery of the Old Clock).
I enjoyed Tom Lake even more the second time as well. My husband and I met during a production of Our Town, so...it is basically my favorite book! (I hope Ann Patchett will read my memoir one day.) I just finished James by Percival Everett, which was amazing.
One of my favorite books read was Endurance by Alfred Landing, the story Ernest Shackleton’s attempt to cross the South Pole. Perhaps because there was a snow fall (9”) which was followed by cold temperatures (0-20 high), the atmosphere was most conducive to the book.
What struck me was how Shackleton and his men kept their courage under extremely difficult circumstances. The book helped provide some “balance” to the how we dealt with the cold and snow. Compared to those guys, it was a cake walk.
Highly recommend Bitter Passage by Colin Mills if you're up for more frozen endurance stuff. Then read The Ministry of Time. The two books work together!
Over the last year I’ve read Fredrik Backman’s Beartown trilogy. The final book, The Winners, was easily my favorite book of January. I’m really going to miss those messy, complicated, lovely characters from Beartown and Hed!
My one and only January read is Saying Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (PRK). It's a historical narrative about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, highlighting both well-known key players and the unfortunate civilians caught in the middle with lives upended and ruined. It has turned me into a PRK fan, and once I am out of my book-buying moratorium, I will definitely check out his other books.
Tops for me was The Mighty Red by Louise Erdich. The way she intertwines stories of different characters is magical. A close second was The History of Sound by Ben Sharron, a collection of interconnected short stories. Left me thinking about the characters and the stories for days which is always a good sign for me.
I barely squeaked by getting this one finished in January but it was worth it. Alexie Navalny's memoir, Patriot, is one of the most inspiring books I've read in a long time. Here is a man fully dedicated to a view of a glorious and thriving Russia. And completely dedicated to his convictions, to the point of incarceration and ultimately his death. During this fraught time, it's so good to read about heroes like him and hope that their sacrifice will inspire others.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I have been reading a series of 60’s books filled with angst and dark thoughts of self examination. A reflection of the moods of the sixties and it felt ponderous. I needed a change up and Dark matter was just the ticket. It’s fast paced SF with some thought provoking themes. Also Attention Span was informative and useful causing an evaluation and change of some habits.
I read Allen Guelzo’s Robert E. Lee a while back. I found it a balanced view of the man. It changed my view of Lee. Civil war and the players involved are an interest of mine. Sherman is up next for me.
My favorite book of January was Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead which I read due to your recommendation! I also read Crook Manifesto and enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the third book whenever that comes about!
I read so much this January! Started the year very well. My favorite was probably The House of the Dead by Dostoyevsky, where he talks about his experience in a Siberian prison through the lens of a fictional character.
January was a month of starting books and not finishing them. However, at my suggestion, my 8-year-old granddaughter has discovered Nancy Drew (The Mystery of the Old Clock).
I'll have to introduce those to my kids soon. :)
I enjoyed Tom Lake even more the second time as well. My husband and I met during a production of Our Town, so...it is basically my favorite book! (I hope Ann Patchett will read my memoir one day.) I just finished James by Percival Everett, which was amazing.
Oh that's just a great little story! Tom Lake is definitely perfect for you, then. :)
And yes I certainly thought James lived up to the hype! Glad you enjoyed it.
One of my favorite books read was Endurance by Alfred Landing, the story Ernest Shackleton’s attempt to cross the South Pole. Perhaps because there was a snow fall (9”) which was followed by cold temperatures (0-20 high), the atmosphere was most conducive to the book.
What struck me was how Shackleton and his men kept their courage under extremely difficult circumstances. The book helped provide some “balance” to the how we dealt with the cold and snow. Compared to those guys, it was a cake walk.
Highly recommend Bitter Passage by Colin Mills if you're up for more frozen endurance stuff. Then read The Ministry of Time. The two books work together!
Amazing book. I'm in the middle of a new Buddy Levy title; he specializes in polar history books and they're all fantastic.
Over the last year I’ve read Fredrik Backman’s Beartown trilogy. The final book, The Winners, was easily my favorite book of January. I’m really going to miss those messy, complicated, lovely characters from Beartown and Hed!
Bobo, Amat, Fatima, Maya, Ana, Ramona, Kira, Peter—so many of the characters, especially Benji will live in my heart always.
I've heard mixed reviews of The Winners, so I'm glad to hear you liked it! I've only read Beartown, but the rest of the series is high on my list.
I don't typically enjoy short stories, but The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman was 68 pages of grouchy fun.
Nice! I didn't know he did shorter fiction, I'll have to check it out.
James by Percival Everett! This was story we needed and missed from Huckleberry Finn!
Big time agree. Great book.
My one and only January read is Saying Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (PRK). It's a historical narrative about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, highlighting both well-known key players and the unfortunate civilians caught in the middle with lives upended and ruined. It has turned me into a PRK fan, and once I am out of my book-buying moratorium, I will definitely check out his other books.
I *love* PRK's books and Say Nothing is the only one I haven't read. It's on my shelf though!
My favorite book I read in January was Moby Dick. What a treat!
So good. I've been meaning to re-read it myself; it's been 10 years or so I think.
Stoner by John Williams (Beautiful book that seems to be having a bit of a resurgence)
Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah (Great for Tommy Orange Fans)
Foster by Claire Keegan (Powerful short fiction)
Stoner is definitely high on my list!
Tops for me was The Mighty Red by Louise Erdich. The way she intertwines stories of different characters is magical. A close second was The History of Sound by Ben Sharron, a collection of interconnected short stories. Left me thinking about the characters and the stories for days which is always a good sign for me.
I haven't read any Louise Erdich, but she's very high on my list.
We read the entire series of Who would win last year! My January's favorite was Olive Kitteridge.
I read Tom Lake last summer and enjoyed it immensely. My first Ann Patchett.
Olive is high on my list, given my Pulitzer Project. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
The main character is an older woman. After reading many coming of age stories I found it "refreshing" to find a different point of view.
I barely squeaked by getting this one finished in January but it was worth it. Alexie Navalny's memoir, Patriot, is one of the most inspiring books I've read in a long time. Here is a man fully dedicated to a view of a glorious and thriving Russia. And completely dedicated to his convictions, to the point of incarceration and ultimately his death. During this fraught time, it's so good to read about heroes like him and hope that their sacrifice will inspire others.
Oh interesting, I've heard some great things about Patriot. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I have been reading a series of 60’s books filled with angst and dark thoughts of self examination. A reflection of the moods of the sixties and it felt ponderous. I needed a change up and Dark matter was just the ticket. It’s fast paced SF with some thought provoking themes. Also Attention Span was informative and useful causing an evaluation and change of some habits.
Blake Crouch is always worth reading, and I think Dark Matter remains my favorite. And I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Attention Span.
I read Allen Guelzo’s Robert E. Lee a while back. I found it a balanced view of the man. It changed my view of Lee. Civil war and the players involved are an interest of mine. Sherman is up next for me.
My favorite book of January was Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead which I read due to your recommendation! I also read Crook Manifesto and enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the third book whenever that comes about!
Oh nice! Glad you enjoyed those — I'm excited for the final installment as well.
I read so much this January! Started the year very well. My favorite was probably The House of the Dead by Dostoyevsky, where he talks about his experience in a Siberian prison through the lens of a fictional character.
Oh interesting, I wasn't even aware of that title of his. Thanks for the rec!
My favorite read would have the be A Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare
What a fun and quirky little play. I like it a lot too.