My Year in Books -- 2015
Dec. 29th, 2015 02:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sonoranrnHere 'tis, 2015's books; considering where I am in the my current reads, I don't see me finishing anything else in the next handful of days. 52 this year! Woot!! Of course, some were super short (I read a fair number of YA novels) and some were audiobooks, but there were some hefty ones in there too. Regardless, I finally made (and surpassed) my goal for the first time in a few years and that was even while being in school the entire time. So, yeah, that's awesome.
The books themselves, however, generally weren't. There were five 10/10 though, now that I think about it, and 10% seems respectable, I guess. Anyway, without further ado:
1) Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood by Traig, Jennifer
A personal account of living with OCD. Traig clearly has some difficulties to overcome and she examines them all very unabashedly in this book. I was not expecting the religious aspect to her disease and, in fact, had not heard of it. It made it strangely more and less interesting to me at the same time -- more because it was a new thing, less because anything religious usually doesn't interest me in the slightest. I did particularly enjoy reading about Traig's family's reactions to her bizarre behavior. I was surprised to find myself laughing fairly often throughout. While they may not have reacted as they "should" nowadays, they were honest with themselves and with her. I think they handled it quite well, all things considered. As did Traig.
2) The Beach by Alex Garland
So, yeah, I thought this was okay. Not great, but okay. I'm not totally sure what the author was trying to convey (as always, not interested in the literary examination of it) and it slogged a bit at times. A little surreal, not all that much action. For those not in the know, a guy finds himself on a "utopian" island which, incidentally, also harbors gun-wielding marijuana farmers. Things crash and burn and everyone seems to go a little Lord of the Flies. It made me curious about the movie, strangely, but the book just didn't quite grab me. Maybe if I'd backpacked before in Asia or had some pull toward living wild on an island but.... I don't.
3) The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz
I loved this whole series of fun takes on Grimm-esque tales, so enjoying this one was no surprise.
4) Talking with My Mouth Full: Crab Cakes, Bundt Cakes, and Other Kitchen Stories by Bonny Wolf
Now I like food, it must be said. I like the history of foods and I like personal stories about food. I should have loved this. I didn't. It was too scattered with random interjections and just didn't flow right at all. There are so many better food memoir books out there, this one just isn't worth bothering with.
5) Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl
And you thought Roald Dahl wrote for children, did you? An enjoyable, though not fantastic, collection of short stories.
6) The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I don’t venture back into fantasy too much anymore, but I picked up this box set after several recommendations and I’m glad I did. I just loved it. Despite the rather stock characters and no real surprises regarding plot, I adored it. Sanderson is a fluid writer, making a 600+ page book whiz past like it was half that length. The dialogue is so real and easy, I often found myself reading it aloud. I love the world he created and, of course, a strong lead female is never a bad thing.
7) American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Okay, so this is exactly the kind of read that makes me glad I changed my mind about being a literature major in college. I'm sure, in a deep, literary way, Ellis is making a lot of profound statements about society and whatnot, but I don't like reading books for that reason. I like reading for pleasure, and I certainly didn't find this book pleasurable. It's not because of the violent rape, torture, murder descriptions, it it was just BORING. Pages and pages about what people are wearing, what they're eating, what appliances they have, what kinds of exercises he did while at the gym. Whole chapters about specific musicians and his thoughts on their careers and music? What? Even the violent scenes were boring. Yeah, yeah, he slashed her face and raped her mouth and cut off her fingers with scissors, whatever. Yawn. So, yeah, I guess if I read this from an intellectual standpoint and got all into the inner meaning maybe I'd have enjoyed it more. Maybe. Doubtful.
8) Deenie by Judy Blume
I haven't read anything by Judy Blume since I was a child/tween, so merely the act of coming back to her was enjoyable. As usual, Blume addresses teen issues head on -- this one about vanity and kindness as well as touching on masturbation. A fast read, but one I enjoyed. Deenie, a vain and sometimes cruel girl, finds herself diagnosed with scoliosis and forced to wear a brace to straighten her spine, and, in the process, the rest of her as well.
9) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
I thought this was passingly interesting. Gladwell makes some good observations and gives good examples of snap judgements and their validity. Not great, but not bad.
10) Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice by Joan L. Creasia
Read for school. As textbooks go, it’s not the worst, but it certainly didn't qualify as interesting.
11) The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I don't really understand all the rave reviews for this. It was depressing, the characters were all total disasters, and the "mystery" wasn't all that compelling. The therapist was the only character I felt sympathy for in the whole thing. I was bored to tears with all the stuff about the babies; it stank of "of course every woman wants a baby" which is just flat out not true. I will admit that Hawkins wrote about alcoholism well; it made me uncomfortable sometimes, which is a good thing, really. Aside from that, though, I found myself fairly bored throughout. Characters were stock to the point that I would periodically get people confused, which, in the end, didn't really matter all that much. Can't recommend this one.
12) Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development; Or, Why It's Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner by Jen Lancaster
I just love Jen Lancaster. She reminds me of an old college friend and I really enjoy reading her work. There's nothing laugh-out-loud in this particular book for me, but I smiled a lot and giggled and generally enjoyed it. I would love to sit and have margaritas with her someday. This particular book is a fun collection of stories in which Jen, reluctantly, and often humorously, learns a lesson. She talks about estate planning, going to concerts with tweens, and a myriad of topics in between. Fun stuff.
13) The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello
I thought this was okay. I give Natiello points for pacing, as it was a fast book. The main character, Caroline, Googles herself one day and finds an obituary for her sister, whom she doesn't recall dying. The "big twist" wasn't one at all for me, but I don't mind that so much as some of the wildly unbelievable concepts and actions. The ending was a little unsatisfying, but my biggest issue was that I simply can only suspend my disbelief so far. I believe this is a debut novel and, in that regard it's quite good. Not fantastic, but good enough that I wouldn't shy away from more by this author.
14) Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
I’ve seen the movie version of this but never read it. When getting ready for a road trip I found a copy of an audio version at the local library, so took it along. I still need to read it. Something was lost for me in the telling, perhaps it was my mindset at the time, which was very upbeat and positive, not something this book really is. I kept trying to envision the movie as I listened, too, which really messed me up. Can’t fairly review this without reading the actual text.
15) Goblin Fruit by S.E. Burr
A mediocre (at best) story based on a fantastic poem. I read this as an e-book, which I definitely don't recommend. Apparently in written format there are different fonts to help indicate which of the characters is narrating. Without that, it can be a bit confusing. Regardless, I still got all the characters jumbled up. I couldn't remember who was related to whom and, really, couldn't be bothered to go back and figure it out. The concept is only mildly interesting -- people have a chance at becoming catatonic after consuming the drug known as "goblin fruit". Furthermore, addicts and catatonics secrete the addictive substances through their hands, forcing people to all wear gloves. If you've read the poem (which is in the appendix and which I read before getting into the book), you pretty much see how it's all going to end up. I suppose if I were a teenager/tween (the target audience) I may have appreciated it more. There are some good lessons presented here, just not in a way I got very excited about.
16) The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
Number two in the series. As usual, this is obviously a book designed to bridge the first and last ones. Thankfully, I loved the first one so was eager to carry on with the story. Strong female lead, detailed and interesting fantasy world, and some good vs evil (well, kind-of, it gets a little fuzzy, which makes it every better. Good stuff.
17) The Memory Palace: A Memoir by Mira Bartok **10/10 stars**
The first stand-out of the year, I actually listened to this as an audiobook but loved it so much I’m tempted to go back and read the printed version. (Though it must be said, the narration was fantastic, so I definitely recommend listening to it.) Bartok brings us into her world and her heart as she looks back on a lifetime of living with and without her mentally ill mother. She pulls no punches, talking about the trials and terrors and struggles, about the decision to alienate herself, and the decision to come back when her mother is facing the end of her life. A beautiful, powerful, haunting read. So very, very recommended.
18) Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
I don't remember what prompted me to initially start this book, but I'm thankful for whatever it was. Mandel's apocalypse comes, not in the form of zombies, but a virulent form of flu that wipes out 99% of the population worldwide. What I enjoyed most about this is how Mandel's focus is not so much on the immediate aftermath (though there is a bit of that) where people struggle and kill one another and die and all that. Her storyline bounces around between several characters, locations and times, from immediately preceding the beginning of the end, to Year Twenty and beyond. She has created a beautiful, realistic world with believable characters and interesting dialogue. Most of the story focuses on a traveling theatre troop; a reminder that we will always need art, even at the end of the world. A fast, entrancing read that makes me want to read more by this author.
19) Mongo: Adventures in Trash by Ted Botha
I enjoyed this. I personally have rescued things from being thrown away, as have many of my friends, and so I thought I could relate to some of what the author explores in this book. The casual rescue of a chair or box of books, however, is nothing in comparison to the behaviours of the people Botha meets in his adventures involving "mongo". Botha devotes a chapter to each of the different type of people he met who go through the public trash (on street corners, in dumpsters, in landfills, etc) to find their own "treasures". In these pages we meet book collectors, foodies, furniture scavengers, and several others. Botha compares and contrasts them at times and, in general, gives us a look at just how much useable items are discarded every day. An interesting read indeed.
20) Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel
And this, friends, is why I need to write reviews as I go. I remember virtually nothing of this book.
21) The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire by Tom Zoellner
I knew a bit about the diamond trade going into this, but certainly learned a great deal. Zoellner covers a wide variety of countries and aspects of the trade, exploring the truths behind the myths created around this stone which is nowhere near as rare as the industry wants you to think it is. Excellent writing about an interesting topic.
22) Model Patient: My Life As an Incurable Wise-Ass by Karen Duffy
I hated this. HATED it. I wrote a lengthy review here
23) Animals Talking in All Caps: It's Just What It Sounds Like by Justin Valmassoi
This was fun. Most of the photos are great as they are, and Valmassoi has a clever sense of humor.
24) The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
If you liked the first two in the series, you'll like this. All wrapped up well. I see that the story has carried on in subsequent books, though I don't think I'll continue. This ending satisfied me a great deal.
25) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A book to read to make you think. Lit majors would have a field day. As would philosophy majors, I'd imagine. I read it, contemplated some of the messages, and carried on. A little spiritual-heavy for my taste, but there are still some good points to be found in here.
26) The Boy Who Lost Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente **10/10 stars**
I just adore this series. Sometimes books taper off as the series continues, but I liked this one almost as much as I liked the first. Valiente is so creative and silly and I love it all to bits. Favorite quote: “…beware, the butterflies are quite vicious, being an ancient nation of warriors without mercy.”
27) Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
I had fun with this. The gods are, indeed, alive and well (mostly), if not happy, and living in London. And, as usual, when gods and men collide, things go awry. Having a more than passing familiarity with Greek myths definitely makes this more enjoyable, but it's not necessary to have fun with this romp. Clever stuff.
28) Everything Looks Impressive by Hugh Kennedy
Maybe I didn't get it, but this book just didn't do anything for me. Do you have to be a "Yalie"? I guess, sure, it's some insight into the word at that era (80s), but that's about it. I was mostly bored throughout. Admittedly, there were some really lovely sentences, but not worth trudging through the whole book do get at, I don't think.
29) Cornbread Nation 4: The Best of Southern Food Writing by Dale Volberg Reed (Editor), John Shelton Reed (Editor)
This is a better, though not the best, collection of writings. Southern/Soul food has a special place in my heart, so I enjoyed reading about it, it's history, and personal experiences. It also made me hungry as hell.
30) The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell
I thought this was just all right. It got a little "Home Alone"-y in the end, though I suppose that movie is old enough that YA readers would likely not be familiar with it. The attempt at a Victorian-ish setting didn't sit right with me either. I'm also not totally sure what age range this is for as the vocabulary seems pretty advanced. Also, I found a few of the cursive writing fonts difficult to read, and I'm used to reading doctor scrawl; I can see other people getting frustrated with the difficulty in reading it.
31) Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks
I enjoyed this. Part of my enjoyment, though, came from not *having* to understand it all. I could be a little confused and carry on, not worrying about being tested on the material or anything, and just enjoy the obvious love Sacks had for science. It was quite a privileged childhood he had, with financially secure parents who allowed him to experiment so much; let him have his own lab, in fact. Also, with the availability of dangerous chemicals and reagents, he had quite the opportunity to experiment and learn. With all the advances Sacks wound up making in the scientific world, we are all definitely better off for his having had such a "chemical boyhood".
32) White Swan, Black Swan by Adrienne Sharp
A collection of short stories about ballet. Though I have seen and enjoy ballet, I admit I don’t know all that much about it. Even during my two years in art school I didn’t interact with the ballet dancers that much. Consequently, some of the names and characterizations are a little lost on me, but I did enjoy this nonetheless.
33) The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey **10/10 stars**
A child born of snow and hope comes to a childless family and grows up with them, disappearing during the warmer months. I thought this was fantastic. A fast, beautiful read that captures the wild and wonderful world that is Alaska. The characters and landscape were so real to me, so vivid. I was unsure how it was all going to end and was eager to see, yet so sad when the book finally concluded. That's how you know it's a truly great read, I think. I'm eager to read more by this author.
34) My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath
Not the best, nor the worst, YA I’ve read recently. A little too much church-going for my taste.
35) Chloroform: The Quest for Oblivion by Linda Stratmann
Just what it sounds like, this is the history of chloroform. I found it a little repetitive at times, but overall pretty interesting.
36) My Angels Wear Fur: Animals I Rescued and Their Stories of Unconditional Love by Devon O’Day
Before I say anything else, I must commend Day on her big, squishy heart. She is truly one of "the good ones" and has obviously dedicated herself to rescuing those left behind or cast aside. She is also in the enviable (to me) position of having the land and financial means to foster far more than I was ever able to. Her stories, by and large, are touching and sweet. Being atheist, I could have done without all the parallels to God and other religiousness, but, again, the stories are uplifting and enjoyable. I've read better books about animal rescue, but this one's not bad.
37) The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips
I enjoyed this very much. It's a nice period piece, very simply but beautifully written. It's a quiet book with not a ton of action or excitement, but that lends itself to the storyline quite well. The characters are given enough depth to be individuals, but not so much that I was unable to relate to them, as sometimes happens. It was more feel-good than I was expecting, but not overly so. The mystery of who threw the baby in the well wasn't resolved until much later than I anticipated and it wrapped up in an unexpected way, which I liked. Fluid, lyrical at times, and very real. Looking forward to more by this author.
38) The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur
Okay, seriously, I don't get all the fuss about this. While there are a few nice lines here and there, the bulk of the poetry is pretty juvenile. Which is fine, he was 19. He writes about girls more than anything else, which is understandable. Again -- 19. I guess I just don't understand why his adolescent poetry is considered so much better than other adolescent poetry. Does it give us some insight into him? Sure, I suppose, but nothing too deep and/or surprising. Maybe I just missed something, but I was expecting to be blown away and I wasn't. I think if Tupac hadn't rose to fame and then was murdered, no one would think twice about this book. It's all about who he became, not how good this early work is.
39) Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach **10/10 stars**
Mary Roach is back! This is second only to Stiff in how much I enjoyed it. Fascinating, funny, respectful, educational. I learned a ton of stuff (a fair bit I, as a nurse, am eager to talk about at work). The truth about Elvis, farts, saliva, the possible origin of the fire-breathing dragon myth. You never know what you'll find in the pages of one of Roach's books and this is an excellent example of that. Can't wait for the next one.
40) Forever… by Judy Blume
This is a touch dated (written in the 70s) with references to hooking rugs, albums, embroidered jeans, etc. but the overall message is timeless. Blume addresses teenage love and sex head-on, pulling no punches. A simple read, but a good one. Reading this was quite timely for me, as the main character goes to Planned Parenthood for her birth control and PP is all over the news right now regarding funding.
41) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
What happens when a boy is raised in a graveyard by ghosts and being stalked by an evil killer? Adventures abound! Gaiman is being his usual creative self, with some silliness, scariness, and fun mixed in. I enjoyed this a great deal.
42) 12.21 by Dustin Thomason
This was recommended to me due to the inclusion of prion disease in an impending-apocalypse story. Even though the mystery-thriller genre isn’t my preference, those two elements convinced me to give it a go. Wow did it turn into a hot mess. Characters were very stock (I didn’t care a bit about any of them) and the whole thing was so very far-fetched (SO many coincidences). It wasn’t until the end, though, that the medical professional in me began to weep. I won't get into spoilers, but it gets SO inaccurate and unrealistic, both plot-wise and medically, that I cringed. A lot. A lot a lot. Can’t recommend this one.
43) If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien
I have the utmost respect for O’Brien and am glad he survived Vietnam to return and write this book. I found in interesting that his main reason for not fighting his draft or going AWOL was that he felt he owed it to his country. That, more than anything, stuck with me as something to think about. O’Brien strikes me almost as a conscientious objector, though he still carried and uses his firearm. It’s an interesting perspective on a terrible war.
44) Alice by Christina Henry **10/10 stars**
So dark and disturbing and WRONG. So creative. Sooooooooo gooooooood. Loved this to bits and can't wait for the next one in the series. This is definitely not for everyone. It’s violent and gory and horrific. It’s Alice in Hell, really, not Wonderland. Henry has really explored some interesting choices. Good stuff.
45) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I really enjoyed this. Set in the future in a world that exists almost entirely in an alternate/virtual reality (think The Matrix, kinda), a bazillionaire dies leaving behind the quest for his fortune, to be granted to one who solves his 1980s video game/music/movie/culture-based puzzle. I remember most, if not all of there references made which, I think, is why I liked this as much as I did.
46. Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank: And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom by Celia Rivenbark
I wanted to like this so much more than I actually did. Though there was the occasional humorous moment for me, generally I was pretty bored with it. Rivenbark writes a lot about children, parenting, clothing, and celebrities, none of which I have any interest in. I think I'm just not quite the right audience for this.
47. The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts
This had all the makings of a book I would like: set in an earlier time, involving mental illness, and told from several different perspectives. I should have enjoyed it, but I really struggled through it. I can't exactly say why, though.
48. Oddkins: A Fable for All Ages by Dean R. Koontz
Whew. I barely got through this. Though the narration was *fantastic*, I struggled with the story. It dragged, I got bored, and ultimately it was too religiously heavy for my taste. The overall concept is cute - magic toys that are created to help children through tough times — and the characters are fun, if a little trite (devoted dog, adventurous cat, silly rabbit, etc). It is pretty cut and dry Good vs Evil, though, hence the boredom for me. Probably better for a younger (more religious) audience.
49. Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir><) by Jenny Lawson
I *loved* this and laughed out loud numerous times. I think Jenny Lawson is hilarious. She writes in a very conversational manner, similar to the way a good friend of mine does. Her unusual childhood is great subject matter and she seems to hide nothing about it. Her humor is a little self-depreciating, yet she seems fine with where she is now. I'm looking forward to reading her next book and following her blog.
50. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
This has been a long time favourite story of mine and it was enjoyable to read again. I have loved it since I was young, so can't really fairly review it as an adult.
51. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Another classic I finally got around to reading. Annnnd, another classic that proves I made the right choice when I stopped being a English/lit major.
52. Little Bee by Chris Cleve
Oh, I really liked this. A Nigerian refugee manages to find her way to the home of the British couple she met while they were on holiday. In their time together, they all learn about one another and themselves. Lots of themes and growth and character development and whatnot. This is the kind of book that made me think I DID want to be an English/lit major.
The books themselves, however, generally weren't. There were five 10/10 though, now that I think about it, and 10% seems respectable, I guess. Anyway, without further ado:
1) Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood by Traig, Jennifer
A personal account of living with OCD. Traig clearly has some difficulties to overcome and she examines them all very unabashedly in this book. I was not expecting the religious aspect to her disease and, in fact, had not heard of it. It made it strangely more and less interesting to me at the same time -- more because it was a new thing, less because anything religious usually doesn't interest me in the slightest. I did particularly enjoy reading about Traig's family's reactions to her bizarre behavior. I was surprised to find myself laughing fairly often throughout. While they may not have reacted as they "should" nowadays, they were honest with themselves and with her. I think they handled it quite well, all things considered. As did Traig.
2) The Beach by Alex Garland
So, yeah, I thought this was okay. Not great, but okay. I'm not totally sure what the author was trying to convey (as always, not interested in the literary examination of it) and it slogged a bit at times. A little surreal, not all that much action. For those not in the know, a guy finds himself on a "utopian" island which, incidentally, also harbors gun-wielding marijuana farmers. Things crash and burn and everyone seems to go a little Lord of the Flies. It made me curious about the movie, strangely, but the book just didn't quite grab me. Maybe if I'd backpacked before in Asia or had some pull toward living wild on an island but.... I don't.
3) The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz
I loved this whole series of fun takes on Grimm-esque tales, so enjoying this one was no surprise.
4) Talking with My Mouth Full: Crab Cakes, Bundt Cakes, and Other Kitchen Stories by Bonny Wolf
Now I like food, it must be said. I like the history of foods and I like personal stories about food. I should have loved this. I didn't. It was too scattered with random interjections and just didn't flow right at all. There are so many better food memoir books out there, this one just isn't worth bothering with.
5) Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl
And you thought Roald Dahl wrote for children, did you? An enjoyable, though not fantastic, collection of short stories.
6) The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I don’t venture back into fantasy too much anymore, but I picked up this box set after several recommendations and I’m glad I did. I just loved it. Despite the rather stock characters and no real surprises regarding plot, I adored it. Sanderson is a fluid writer, making a 600+ page book whiz past like it was half that length. The dialogue is so real and easy, I often found myself reading it aloud. I love the world he created and, of course, a strong lead female is never a bad thing.
7) American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
Okay, so this is exactly the kind of read that makes me glad I changed my mind about being a literature major in college. I'm sure, in a deep, literary way, Ellis is making a lot of profound statements about society and whatnot, but I don't like reading books for that reason. I like reading for pleasure, and I certainly didn't find this book pleasurable. It's not because of the violent rape, torture, murder descriptions, it it was just BORING. Pages and pages about what people are wearing, what they're eating, what appliances they have, what kinds of exercises he did while at the gym. Whole chapters about specific musicians and his thoughts on their careers and music? What? Even the violent scenes were boring. Yeah, yeah, he slashed her face and raped her mouth and cut off her fingers with scissors, whatever. Yawn. So, yeah, I guess if I read this from an intellectual standpoint and got all into the inner meaning maybe I'd have enjoyed it more. Maybe. Doubtful.
8) Deenie by Judy Blume
I haven't read anything by Judy Blume since I was a child/tween, so merely the act of coming back to her was enjoyable. As usual, Blume addresses teen issues head on -- this one about vanity and kindness as well as touching on masturbation. A fast read, but one I enjoyed. Deenie, a vain and sometimes cruel girl, finds herself diagnosed with scoliosis and forced to wear a brace to straighten her spine, and, in the process, the rest of her as well.
9) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
I thought this was passingly interesting. Gladwell makes some good observations and gives good examples of snap judgements and their validity. Not great, but not bad.
10) Conceptual Foundations: The Bridge to Professional Nursing Practice by Joan L. Creasia
Read for school. As textbooks go, it’s not the worst, but it certainly didn't qualify as interesting.
11) The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I don't really understand all the rave reviews for this. It was depressing, the characters were all total disasters, and the "mystery" wasn't all that compelling. The therapist was the only character I felt sympathy for in the whole thing. I was bored to tears with all the stuff about the babies; it stank of "of course every woman wants a baby" which is just flat out not true. I will admit that Hawkins wrote about alcoholism well; it made me uncomfortable sometimes, which is a good thing, really. Aside from that, though, I found myself fairly bored throughout. Characters were stock to the point that I would periodically get people confused, which, in the end, didn't really matter all that much. Can't recommend this one.
12) Jeneration X: One Reluctant Adult's Attempt to Unarrest Her Arrested Development; Or, Why It's Never Too Late for Her Dumb Ass to Learn Why Froot Loops Are Not for Dinner by Jen Lancaster
I just love Jen Lancaster. She reminds me of an old college friend and I really enjoy reading her work. There's nothing laugh-out-loud in this particular book for me, but I smiled a lot and giggled and generally enjoyed it. I would love to sit and have margaritas with her someday. This particular book is a fun collection of stories in which Jen, reluctantly, and often humorously, learns a lesson. She talks about estate planning, going to concerts with tweens, and a myriad of topics in between. Fun stuff.
13) The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello
I thought this was okay. I give Natiello points for pacing, as it was a fast book. The main character, Caroline, Googles herself one day and finds an obituary for her sister, whom she doesn't recall dying. The "big twist" wasn't one at all for me, but I don't mind that so much as some of the wildly unbelievable concepts and actions. The ending was a little unsatisfying, but my biggest issue was that I simply can only suspend my disbelief so far. I believe this is a debut novel and, in that regard it's quite good. Not fantastic, but good enough that I wouldn't shy away from more by this author.
14) Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
I’ve seen the movie version of this but never read it. When getting ready for a road trip I found a copy of an audio version at the local library, so took it along. I still need to read it. Something was lost for me in the telling, perhaps it was my mindset at the time, which was very upbeat and positive, not something this book really is. I kept trying to envision the movie as I listened, too, which really messed me up. Can’t fairly review this without reading the actual text.
15) Goblin Fruit by S.E. Burr
A mediocre (at best) story based on a fantastic poem. I read this as an e-book, which I definitely don't recommend. Apparently in written format there are different fonts to help indicate which of the characters is narrating. Without that, it can be a bit confusing. Regardless, I still got all the characters jumbled up. I couldn't remember who was related to whom and, really, couldn't be bothered to go back and figure it out. The concept is only mildly interesting -- people have a chance at becoming catatonic after consuming the drug known as "goblin fruit". Furthermore, addicts and catatonics secrete the addictive substances through their hands, forcing people to all wear gloves. If you've read the poem (which is in the appendix and which I read before getting into the book), you pretty much see how it's all going to end up. I suppose if I were a teenager/tween (the target audience) I may have appreciated it more. There are some good lessons presented here, just not in a way I got very excited about.
16) The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
Number two in the series. As usual, this is obviously a book designed to bridge the first and last ones. Thankfully, I loved the first one so was eager to carry on with the story. Strong female lead, detailed and interesting fantasy world, and some good vs evil (well, kind-of, it gets a little fuzzy, which makes it every better. Good stuff.
17) The Memory Palace: A Memoir by Mira Bartok **10/10 stars**
The first stand-out of the year, I actually listened to this as an audiobook but loved it so much I’m tempted to go back and read the printed version. (Though it must be said, the narration was fantastic, so I definitely recommend listening to it.) Bartok brings us into her world and her heart as she looks back on a lifetime of living with and without her mentally ill mother. She pulls no punches, talking about the trials and terrors and struggles, about the decision to alienate herself, and the decision to come back when her mother is facing the end of her life. A beautiful, powerful, haunting read. So very, very recommended.
18) Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
I don't remember what prompted me to initially start this book, but I'm thankful for whatever it was. Mandel's apocalypse comes, not in the form of zombies, but a virulent form of flu that wipes out 99% of the population worldwide. What I enjoyed most about this is how Mandel's focus is not so much on the immediate aftermath (though there is a bit of that) where people struggle and kill one another and die and all that. Her storyline bounces around between several characters, locations and times, from immediately preceding the beginning of the end, to Year Twenty and beyond. She has created a beautiful, realistic world with believable characters and interesting dialogue. Most of the story focuses on a traveling theatre troop; a reminder that we will always need art, even at the end of the world. A fast, entrancing read that makes me want to read more by this author.
19) Mongo: Adventures in Trash by Ted Botha
I enjoyed this. I personally have rescued things from being thrown away, as have many of my friends, and so I thought I could relate to some of what the author explores in this book. The casual rescue of a chair or box of books, however, is nothing in comparison to the behaviours of the people Botha meets in his adventures involving "mongo". Botha devotes a chapter to each of the different type of people he met who go through the public trash (on street corners, in dumpsters, in landfills, etc) to find their own "treasures". In these pages we meet book collectors, foodies, furniture scavengers, and several others. Botha compares and contrasts them at times and, in general, gives us a look at just how much useable items are discarded every day. An interesting read indeed.
20) Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel
And this, friends, is why I need to write reviews as I go. I remember virtually nothing of this book.
21) The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire by Tom Zoellner
I knew a bit about the diamond trade going into this, but certainly learned a great deal. Zoellner covers a wide variety of countries and aspects of the trade, exploring the truths behind the myths created around this stone which is nowhere near as rare as the industry wants you to think it is. Excellent writing about an interesting topic.
22) Model Patient: My Life As an Incurable Wise-Ass by Karen Duffy
I hated this. HATED it. I wrote a lengthy review here
23) Animals Talking in All Caps: It's Just What It Sounds Like by Justin Valmassoi
This was fun. Most of the photos are great as they are, and Valmassoi has a clever sense of humor.
24) The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
If you liked the first two in the series, you'll like this. All wrapped up well. I see that the story has carried on in subsequent books, though I don't think I'll continue. This ending satisfied me a great deal.
25) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A book to read to make you think. Lit majors would have a field day. As would philosophy majors, I'd imagine. I read it, contemplated some of the messages, and carried on. A little spiritual-heavy for my taste, but there are still some good points to be found in here.
26) The Boy Who Lost Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente **10/10 stars**
I just adore this series. Sometimes books taper off as the series continues, but I liked this one almost as much as I liked the first. Valiente is so creative and silly and I love it all to bits. Favorite quote: “…beware, the butterflies are quite vicious, being an ancient nation of warriors without mercy.”
27) Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
I had fun with this. The gods are, indeed, alive and well (mostly), if not happy, and living in London. And, as usual, when gods and men collide, things go awry. Having a more than passing familiarity with Greek myths definitely makes this more enjoyable, but it's not necessary to have fun with this romp. Clever stuff.
28) Everything Looks Impressive by Hugh Kennedy
Maybe I didn't get it, but this book just didn't do anything for me. Do you have to be a "Yalie"? I guess, sure, it's some insight into the word at that era (80s), but that's about it. I was mostly bored throughout. Admittedly, there were some really lovely sentences, but not worth trudging through the whole book do get at, I don't think.
29) Cornbread Nation 4: The Best of Southern Food Writing by Dale Volberg Reed (Editor), John Shelton Reed (Editor)
This is a better, though not the best, collection of writings. Southern/Soul food has a special place in my heart, so I enjoyed reading about it, it's history, and personal experiences. It also made me hungry as hell.
30) The Aviary by Kathleen O’Dell
I thought this was just all right. It got a little "Home Alone"-y in the end, though I suppose that movie is old enough that YA readers would likely not be familiar with it. The attempt at a Victorian-ish setting didn't sit right with me either. I'm also not totally sure what age range this is for as the vocabulary seems pretty advanced. Also, I found a few of the cursive writing fonts difficult to read, and I'm used to reading doctor scrawl; I can see other people getting frustrated with the difficulty in reading it.
31) Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks
I enjoyed this. Part of my enjoyment, though, came from not *having* to understand it all. I could be a little confused and carry on, not worrying about being tested on the material or anything, and just enjoy the obvious love Sacks had for science. It was quite a privileged childhood he had, with financially secure parents who allowed him to experiment so much; let him have his own lab, in fact. Also, with the availability of dangerous chemicals and reagents, he had quite the opportunity to experiment and learn. With all the advances Sacks wound up making in the scientific world, we are all definitely better off for his having had such a "chemical boyhood".
32) White Swan, Black Swan by Adrienne Sharp
A collection of short stories about ballet. Though I have seen and enjoy ballet, I admit I don’t know all that much about it. Even during my two years in art school I didn’t interact with the ballet dancers that much. Consequently, some of the names and characterizations are a little lost on me, but I did enjoy this nonetheless.
33) The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey **10/10 stars**
A child born of snow and hope comes to a childless family and grows up with them, disappearing during the warmer months. I thought this was fantastic. A fast, beautiful read that captures the wild and wonderful world that is Alaska. The characters and landscape were so real to me, so vivid. I was unsure how it was all going to end and was eager to see, yet so sad when the book finally concluded. That's how you know it's a truly great read, I think. I'm eager to read more by this author.
34) My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath
Not the best, nor the worst, YA I’ve read recently. A little too much church-going for my taste.
35) Chloroform: The Quest for Oblivion by Linda Stratmann
Just what it sounds like, this is the history of chloroform. I found it a little repetitive at times, but overall pretty interesting.
36) My Angels Wear Fur: Animals I Rescued and Their Stories of Unconditional Love by Devon O’Day
Before I say anything else, I must commend Day on her big, squishy heart. She is truly one of "the good ones" and has obviously dedicated herself to rescuing those left behind or cast aside. She is also in the enviable (to me) position of having the land and financial means to foster far more than I was ever able to. Her stories, by and large, are touching and sweet. Being atheist, I could have done without all the parallels to God and other religiousness, but, again, the stories are uplifting and enjoyable. I've read better books about animal rescue, but this one's not bad.
37) The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips
I enjoyed this very much. It's a nice period piece, very simply but beautifully written. It's a quiet book with not a ton of action or excitement, but that lends itself to the storyline quite well. The characters are given enough depth to be individuals, but not so much that I was unable to relate to them, as sometimes happens. It was more feel-good than I was expecting, but not overly so. The mystery of who threw the baby in the well wasn't resolved until much later than I anticipated and it wrapped up in an unexpected way, which I liked. Fluid, lyrical at times, and very real. Looking forward to more by this author.
38) The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur
Okay, seriously, I don't get all the fuss about this. While there are a few nice lines here and there, the bulk of the poetry is pretty juvenile. Which is fine, he was 19. He writes about girls more than anything else, which is understandable. Again -- 19. I guess I just don't understand why his adolescent poetry is considered so much better than other adolescent poetry. Does it give us some insight into him? Sure, I suppose, but nothing too deep and/or surprising. Maybe I just missed something, but I was expecting to be blown away and I wasn't. I think if Tupac hadn't rose to fame and then was murdered, no one would think twice about this book. It's all about who he became, not how good this early work is.
39) Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach **10/10 stars**
Mary Roach is back! This is second only to Stiff in how much I enjoyed it. Fascinating, funny, respectful, educational. I learned a ton of stuff (a fair bit I, as a nurse, am eager to talk about at work). The truth about Elvis, farts, saliva, the possible origin of the fire-breathing dragon myth. You never know what you'll find in the pages of one of Roach's books and this is an excellent example of that. Can't wait for the next one.
40) Forever… by Judy Blume
This is a touch dated (written in the 70s) with references to hooking rugs, albums, embroidered jeans, etc. but the overall message is timeless. Blume addresses teenage love and sex head-on, pulling no punches. A simple read, but a good one. Reading this was quite timely for me, as the main character goes to Planned Parenthood for her birth control and PP is all over the news right now regarding funding.
41) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
What happens when a boy is raised in a graveyard by ghosts and being stalked by an evil killer? Adventures abound! Gaiman is being his usual creative self, with some silliness, scariness, and fun mixed in. I enjoyed this a great deal.
42) 12.21 by Dustin Thomason
This was recommended to me due to the inclusion of prion disease in an impending-apocalypse story. Even though the mystery-thriller genre isn’t my preference, those two elements convinced me to give it a go. Wow did it turn into a hot mess. Characters were very stock (I didn’t care a bit about any of them) and the whole thing was so very far-fetched (SO many coincidences). It wasn’t until the end, though, that the medical professional in me began to weep. I won't get into spoilers, but it gets SO inaccurate and unrealistic, both plot-wise and medically, that I cringed. A lot. A lot a lot. Can’t recommend this one.
43) If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien
I have the utmost respect for O’Brien and am glad he survived Vietnam to return and write this book. I found in interesting that his main reason for not fighting his draft or going AWOL was that he felt he owed it to his country. That, more than anything, stuck with me as something to think about. O’Brien strikes me almost as a conscientious objector, though he still carried and uses his firearm. It’s an interesting perspective on a terrible war.
44) Alice by Christina Henry **10/10 stars**
So dark and disturbing and WRONG. So creative. Sooooooooo gooooooood. Loved this to bits and can't wait for the next one in the series. This is definitely not for everyone. It’s violent and gory and horrific. It’s Alice in Hell, really, not Wonderland. Henry has really explored some interesting choices. Good stuff.
45) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I really enjoyed this. Set in the future in a world that exists almost entirely in an alternate/virtual reality (think The Matrix, kinda), a bazillionaire dies leaving behind the quest for his fortune, to be granted to one who solves his 1980s video game/music/movie/culture-based puzzle. I remember most, if not all of there references made which, I think, is why I liked this as much as I did.
46. Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank: And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom by Celia Rivenbark
I wanted to like this so much more than I actually did. Though there was the occasional humorous moment for me, generally I was pretty bored with it. Rivenbark writes a lot about children, parenting, clothing, and celebrities, none of which I have any interest in. I think I'm just not quite the right audience for this.
47. The Medea Complex by Rachel Florence Roberts
This had all the makings of a book I would like: set in an earlier time, involving mental illness, and told from several different perspectives. I should have enjoyed it, but I really struggled through it. I can't exactly say why, though.
48. Oddkins: A Fable for All Ages by Dean R. Koontz
Whew. I barely got through this. Though the narration was *fantastic*, I struggled with the story. It dragged, I got bored, and ultimately it was too religiously heavy for my taste. The overall concept is cute - magic toys that are created to help children through tough times — and the characters are fun, if a little trite (devoted dog, adventurous cat, silly rabbit, etc). It is pretty cut and dry Good vs Evil, though, hence the boredom for me. Probably better for a younger (more religious) audience.
49. Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir><) by Jenny Lawson
I *loved* this and laughed out loud numerous times. I think Jenny Lawson is hilarious. She writes in a very conversational manner, similar to the way a good friend of mine does. Her unusual childhood is great subject matter and she seems to hide nothing about it. Her humor is a little self-depreciating, yet she seems fine with where she is now. I'm looking forward to reading her next book and following her blog.
50. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
This has been a long time favourite story of mine and it was enjoyable to read again. I have loved it since I was young, so can't really fairly review it as an adult.
51. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Another classic I finally got around to reading. Annnnd, another classic that proves I made the right choice when I stopped being a English/lit major.
52. Little Bee by Chris Cleve
Oh, I really liked this. A Nigerian refugee manages to find her way to the home of the British couple she met while they were on holiday. In their time together, they all learn about one another and themselves. Lots of themes and growth and character development and whatnot. This is the kind of book that made me think I DID want to be an English/lit major.
