2017 - A Year in Books
Jan. 2nd, 2018 06:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sonoranrnHere 'tis, my annual "books read" post. All titles are links to Goodreads.
1. The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman — I listened to this on audiobook, which I’m sure is part of why I enjoyed it. Gaiman is a fantastic narrator; I could happily listen to him read the phone book. I don’t know that I’d have appreciated this as much in the written format. It is a collection of his nonfiction - lots of speeches, book introductions, essays, reviews, that kind of thing. While some stuff drags, as if often the case in collections, there’s also some great stuff in here and I strongly recommend keeping a notepad handy to write down the numerous books he references - I know my “to be read” list grew massively after listening to this.
2. The Tiniest Vampire (and other silly things) by Jason L. Witter — I backed this on Kickstarter though, honestly, I don’t remember why. It’s a cute enough self-published book of poetry for kids, vaguely reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. It wasn’t amazing and I doubt I’d seek out more by this author, but it would likely be enjoyed by children.
3. The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi — I read this as part of a reading challenge as it qualified for “an illustrated children’s book”. (I supposed #2 in this list would have too, in retrospect.) It’s a graphic novel which, honestly, I don’t remember all that about. Clearly it didn’t stick with me, though I did give it 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, so it must not have sucked.
4. The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat: The Story of the Penicillin Miracle by Eric Lax - I wanted to like this more than I did. I’m generally down for science and the history of discoveries, but this was a little long winded and sloggy. Sure, I learned from it - how could I not? I certainly didn’t know much about the topic going in and I did finish the book - but I’ve definitely enjoyed other medical history books more.
5. Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridicuousy Simple - by J. Preston, PsyD. & J. Johnson, MD. -I read this for continuing education credits and found it a very helpful little book. It does, indeed, make psychopharmacology very easy. It covers, briefly, major psychological diagnoses and then goes through the recommendations for medication. It does not cover the mechanism of action in detail, which prevents it from being excessively long or complicated. The information provided is pretty much out of the scope of my practice, but I did find it helpful for a basic overall understanding of how disorders are treated. If nothing else, it will be helpful for me as a nurse when interacting with patients who I have a current medication list for but who are not forthcoming with their medical history.
6. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard — I don’t remember how I stumbled upon the first in this series (this being the 2nd), but I listened to them both on audiobook. The basic framework is pretty common - there is a dividing factor between people (in this case, magic powers and the color of blood) which creates the powerful and the oppressed. But there is one girl who has the magic powers and the wrong color blood who will change the world. Overdone, sure, but the first book wasn’t bad so I rolled with it. This is a typical second in a series which a predominant feeling of bridging to the third book.
7. Cats and the People They Own by Lillian Lidofsky — I wanted to like this short little cartoon-y book, and at times it did make me smile a little, but overall I disliked it. There were too many snide comments for me to find it pleasurable to read. Also, so many of the little one-liners related to what I consider to be irresponsible cat ownership, so I found myself more annoyed that amused.
8. The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde - This is, I believe, the 7th in the Thursday Next series. Fforde has definitely drifted into the not-stand-alone realm; it would be tough to read this with no background info. Fforde’s world is crazy and creative, though has not drifted into the world of bizzarro. Clever stuff, but this book is definitely for fans of the series.
9. Herculine Barbin: Being the Recently Discovered Memories of Nineteenth-century French Hermaphrodite by Herculine Barbin, translated by Richard McDougall - This is just what it says it is, the memoirs of a hermaphrodite living in nineteenth century France. It gives great insight into the time period and the struggles of this individual.
10. Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach — Mary Roach tackles war. I love all her books and so, to be fair, I’ve probably become a poor judge of if they’re good or not. I always laugh and I always learn something. (I tried to listen to this on audiobook but the reader was *terrible*. This is definitely one to actually read.)
11. Said Beauty to the Blues by Bill Campana — This is a collection of poetry by a friend of mine. I’ve known Bill for about 15 years now and remember listening to him read at poetry slams at the coffee house near my apartment in Arizona. There is simply no way to give an impartial opinion of this. I adored it, because I adore Bill.
12. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood — **10 out of 10 stars** This was a highlight of the year for me and, wow, did it mess me up. It is the story of a child who helps a man 10+ years her senior. They then form a relationship that changes and grows over the years, through troubles and drugs and murder and jail. The book is told in many voices (something I almost always enjoy in a book) and left me reeling. I felt like I had a book hangover. This book is NOT for everyone. It is uncomfortable and controversial and, indeed, ugly and wonderful. Which is why I loved it so much. It makes you think and feel and squirm. It is proof of just how powerful a book can be.
13. Wild by Cheryl Strayed - I finally caved and read this and, yes, it was as good as you’ve heard. I have loved just about every book about thru-hiking, probably at least in part because it is something I so want to do.
14. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan - Part memoir, part medical mystery, this is the true-story of a woman with no psychiatric history suddenly struck by complete madness. Cahalan is a journalist which makes for a tight, fast read. Fascinating. Recommended.
15. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will) by Chuck Sambuchino - I bought this is leave a surprise on my neighbors' doorstep because they have about a zillion garden gnomes right by their front door. (I have no idea what their reaction was.) I read it quickly before leaving for them and was disappointed at how un-funny it was. It served its purpose, but that's about it.
16. In the Woods by Tana French - I wrote an uncharacteristically long and spoiler-laden review of this for Goodreads. I couldn’t figure out how to write about what I did and didn’t like about it without spoilers galore. It is in a genre I don’t normally read (mystery/thriller) and it runs to over 400 pages in the trade paperback size, but I did finish it, which definitely says something. French is very, very talented and I imagine those who like the genre would enjoy it.
17. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - I liked this quite a lot. It's a quiet book, with not a lot of action, mostly characters and setting. I have found these types of reads soothing in contrast to a crazy, busy life. This is a little sad, but poignant and enjoyable.
18. What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins by Jonathan Balcombe - **10 of 10 stars** I listened to this on audiobook and while I really enjoyed it in that format, I wish I had a hard copy to share. This is fascinating, well-researched, easy to read/listen to. To fish think and feel? Of course they do. Warning: this book may change how you feel about eating sea creatures.
19. Swallow: Foreign Bodies, Their Ingestion, Inspiration, and the Curious Doctor Who Extracted Them by Mary Cappello — This is exactly what it sounds like and I found the doctor himself and the case studies interesting, but Cappello wrote it in a weird way. She meanders from topic to topic and writes in a very florid way which I feel lends itself more to literature than nonfiction like this.
20. Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide by Dario Castagno — An amusing insider’s look at being a tour guide in Italy. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
21. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - I’m not a sci-fi reader, but this had been recommended so many times by so many people and the “three laws” referenced so many times that I felt I should read it. I didn’t realize it was a collection of short stories with a common thread and common characters. I thought it was just okay.
22. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman - I’ve had this book for a while now with every intention of reading it sooner. Based on Kaufman’s real experiences as a teacher, this explores the reality of teaching in an inner-city school. It is unsurprisingly a little dated (first published in 1964), but not nearly as much as I thought it would be.
23. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum - A very readable history of numerous poisons. Not heavy on the science this is definitely aimed at the curious lay-person. I quite liked it.
24. Inconspicuous Consumption: An Obsessive Look at the Stuff We Take for Granted, from the Everyday to the Obscure by Paul Lukas - This was a fairly interesting look at common and strange items. Not a book to sit down and read cover-to-cover, more of a coffee table or bathroom-type book that you pick up and read a few entries out of.
25. Cemetery Girl by David Bell - I didn’t review this when I read it, but I gave it a low rating. That coupled with the fact that I remember virtually nothing about it pretty much says it all.
26. Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites by Kate Christensen — I’ve seriously got to start taking notes or writing reviews of books as I finish them. I gave this a mediocre rating, which means I thought it was just okay. I vaguely recall the author relaying tales of a strange upbringing and randomly mixing in stories about food. Clearly it didn’t make a huge impact.
27. The Ragtime of Modern Living by Bill Campana — Another collection of poetry written by an old friend.
28. A Field Guide to: Dragons, Serpents, & Wyrms of the World by A. Bambi Wendt — This was a Kickstarter project that I'm glad I supported, though, I'm a little disappointed in the quality of the book itself, the layout, and the text. The illustrations are amazingly gorgeous, and for that I am very glad to have it and am looking forward to her next project. But, yeah, the text seemed to be too clever or even cutesy for my taste. Art of this quality deserves better.
29. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe — I finished this, but only just. I should have liked it more - historical fiction, bouncing back and forth between two time periods, female lead character. These are things I enjoy and usually bode well for a novel for me. The introduction of "real magic" put me off, though. Sparkling energy, magic spells, etc. I like fantasy well enough, but I don't want it to infringe in my mainstream fiction. I also found all the characters pretty one dimensional and the writing itself was uninspiring. I’m surprised to see it was a nominee for Goodreads’ Choice Award for fiction a few years back as well as a B&N Recommends book.
30. Beowulf - by Seamus Heaney (Translator) — This story, and specifically this translation, is one of my comfort books. It is one of very few books I have read more than once and, I’ve no doubt, will read again.
31. Forgotten Bookmarks: A Bookseller's Collection of Odd Things Lost Between the Pages by Michael Popek — Just what it says, photos and short descriptions of things found in used books. I find books like this interesting, if done well, which this one is.
32. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger — I listened to this on audiobook and, while I, for the most part, liked it in the end, I don’t know if I’d have pushed all the way through a written version. The concept is pretty simple (guy travels back and forth in time, meeting up with himself and his future, current, and past wife). The author handles that well, but there is a lot of minutiae and lists and boring bits which makes a long book even longer. I didn’t particularly like either character, but I was curious about how it was all going to play out in the end.
33. A Friend of the Earth by T.C. Boyle — I’ve liked everything I’ve read by Boyle and this is no exception. It’s set in the future where most animals have become extinct and the main character, Ty, is the caretaker of a private zoo. A fair bit of the book is backstory when Ty was involved with a radical environmental protection group. Boyle’s writing is tight and fast, his characters are well developed, and he makes very strong statements in his books. (This one may be a little heavy-handed with the environmentalism, but I agree with him so it didn’t bother me.) I recommend his work in general.
34. The Rook by Daniel O’Malley — This was recommended by a friend and it was a terrific romp. I’m quite surprised I’d not heard of it before, honestly, and I think it is under-read in my group of reader friends. It’s an urban fantasy set in modern-day England and revolves around a secret governmental agency that handles supernatural events. People in the organization have special skills/powers/magical abilities of huge and creative variety. Our heroine literally wakes up with no idea what’s going on and fumbles her way through, being guided by the person previously in her body who has left her notes and information to guide her. There is nothing taxing at all about this book, it’s simply a gloriously fun read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
35. So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson — I like Ronson’s journalistic work quite a lot, though this was not a favorite. Perhaps the topic just wasn’t as interesting to me as others he has written about, perhaps I would have liked more (or different) examples. He does flesh out and follow through the ones he chose very well, though, and the book definitely left me thinking about my own behavior on/reactions to social media.
36. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman — I listened to this on audiobook, read by the author, which I’ve decided is hands-down the best way to absorb anything by Gaiman. He is such a brilliant storyteller. Some of the tales I’d heard, some I had not, but even the ones I was familiar with took on a beautiful new life in Gaiman’s talented and loving hands.
37. Stiletto by Daniel O’Malley — The sequel to Rook, I enjoyed this one almost as much. The second book is never as good as the first, especially when you’re being introduced to a whole new world/group/whatever, but this held it’s own well. Looking forward to the next one.
38. The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison by Pete Earley — A decent look at live in prison. This was originally published in 1992; it’d be interesting to read a modern look and see how they compare.
39. Advanced Burn Life Support Course Provider Manual by the American Burn Association — Read this for work in preparation for getting certified in burn care. Not the most interesting of reads, but it does have all the needed info.
40. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman — I reread this in preparation to go see a play version of it for my birthday. (The play was *fantastic*.) Gaiman creates such rich, beautiful worlds with unique, likable characters. Definitely classic Gaiman, definitely recommended.
41. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley — If I read this in high school, I don’t remember it. Everyone says how timely it is, given the current political climate. I found the writing itself mediocre, but the message very clear and thought-provoking. Is this the path we are currently walking on?
42. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson — After reading Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, I thought it only right that I read the nonfiction account it is based on. Winterson writes about her childhood, which was downright horrid, and her subsequent triumphs. It is painful and brilliant and glorious. Recommended.
43. An Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation by Nancy A. Schwartz — This was more-or-less assigned reading for me getting my wildlife rehab permit and I found it a very useful book. My work focuses on raccoons and this encompasses many more species, but this is definitely one to tuck away on a shelf for future reference.
44. Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris — It should be said that I love David Sedaris and particularly like hearing him read his work alone, which is why I got this through Audible. I enjoyed it, though not as much as his previous works, and I definitely don’t think I’d have liked it as much in written format. It is exactly what the title implies: excerpts from his person diary, some funny, some sad, some poignant. Recommended for fans of his work, but specifically in audiobook format, read by the author.
45. Raccoons: A Natural History by Samuel I. Zeveloff — Another book read for my wildlife rehab permit. This is an excellent and informative book on raccoons. I learned a ton of stuff.
46. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg — Flagg bounces back and forth between Wisconsin in 1941, where four sisters run a filling station and then fly for the war effort, and Alabama, 2005, where a women learns about the sisters and herself. As usual, a fun, easy read by Flagg. I’d never heard of the WASPs of WWII before; this book pushed me to learn more. Recommended for a light read, as is usual for Flagg’s work.
47. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge — An excellent and interesting book on neuroplasticity. Fascinating stuff.
48. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey — Treading carefully to avoid spoilers…. An excellent twist on an overdone story line. Better than the movie, as is so often the case. Plenty of topics for deep thought and discussion. I liked this one a lot and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
49. King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard — Third in a series, all of which I’ve listened to on audiobook. The concept is nothing new these days: people are divided by something not of their control (in this case the color of their blood). Some people have magic powers and they rule the land, while those without must serve. But then there is the magical girl with the wrong color blood who still manages to have powers. And, of course, there’s a love triangle. I passingly enjoyed the first two, but this turned into an utter slog that I highly doubt I would have finished in hard copy. I also thought it was the final book in the series, but apparently it’s only third of five. I’m done though; I just don’t care enough about anyone in the story to see how it plays out.
50. 1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina by Chris Rose — This is a collection of essays/editorials written by a New Orleans journalist in the days and months after Katrina. I wanted to like it. I wanted to be touched by it. I wanted to be able to try and relate, to understand, to get a glimpse of what it must have been like. I didn’t. These essays were written from one resident of NoLA to another and I felt like an intruder while reading them.
51. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk — This was a reread as I listened to it on audiobook a few years ago but didn’t really enjoy it in that format. Everyone knows the plot by now, surely, and there’s a reason it put Palahniuk on the map. I still really enjoy the film version, too.
52. East of the Mountains by David Guterson — Another one of my “quiet literature” reads. The main character is an older man dying of cancer who decides to go out into the wilderness and end his life. Things happen, he meets people, he learns about himself and about life. Kind of typical in plot development and ending, really (his deciding to return home in the end is no surprise), but it was a decent read. I’d definitely recommend others before it, though.
53. The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson — A fascinating read on the cholera epidemic in London and how one man determined the source. Good stuff.
54. Rescuing Wildlife: A Guide to Helping Injured and Orphaned Animals by Peggy Sue Hentz — An easy-to-follow guide with flowsheets and directions or what to do (and not to do) when attempting a wildlife rescue.
55. Fool on the Hill by Matt Ruff — I like Matt Ruff’s work. This is important to note, because I did NOT like this. It’s his first novel, which shows, painfully so. If this was the first I’d read by him, I doubt I’d have bothered with anything else. A mash of several stories, all essentially the same, and all retellings of something else, it was slow, confusing, and trite. I generally recommend Ruff’s work, but definitely not this one.
56. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin — Nonfiction about the horrid blizzard that slammed the midwest in 1888. The meteorology and science bogged me down a bit, but the personal accounts of those affected with powerfully and sympathetically handled.
57. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury — Another one I read due to the current political climate. A dystopian classic that, I feel like I should have loved, but didn’t. Maybe it was just too hyped up for me, maybe it just missed the mark with me. I can definitely see it as a book to study and use to guide/launch discussion, but I didn’t enjoy it as a casual reader.
58. The Stand by Stephen King — I tried several times to read this over the years and just couldn’t do it. A friend talked me into listening to it on audiobook, which I did. All 48+ hours of it. It is the only book I have finished out of pure determination, despite the fact that any enjoyment I had been getting out of it faded before the halfway point. My Goodreads review is much lengthier, but suffice to say that I do not at all get what the hype is about and, really, I want my 48 hours back.
59. Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah — This memoir by an abused and neglected Chinese woman really gave me insight into Chinese culture. A tough read, but a good one.
60. Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson — So I guess this is the third in a series, but it read well enough on its own. I don’t feel like I missed much by not reading the first two. This was recommended as a good story that just happens to be science-fiction. I found it just okay; sci-fi is just not my genre.
61. Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales by Vance Randolph — This collection of folktales was gathered by the author who had them all told to him, making it an interesting look into oral tradition. Every single one is crass or dirty, which was part of his point. While I wasn’t offended or disgusted, the whole thing got old pretty quickly.
62. Suck On This Year: LYFAO @ 140 Characters or Less by Denis Leary — I have no idea what happened to Leary, but this collection of his tweets just was’t funny. Not at all. The temptation to just toss this in the bin was pretty strong.
63. A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams by Michael Pollan — This is, in the most basic terms, a book about building a house. A small house (albeit specifically designed for the occupant) out behind a main house, for an author to write in. Pollan (whose work I have enjoyed in the past, hence my decision to read this) also uses this book to speak to the intersection and interaction of humans, history, architecture, society. There is a lot here, and I really enjoyed the read, though I can definitely see how other people might not, as the carpentry/construction sections are a bit wordy.
64. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien — I remember the movie vividly, so wanted to read the source material. I found it an interesting look as to what would happen to wild animals granted human-like intelligence and the ability to read. I did’t know the series continued and am curious as to how it progresses.
65. Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard — I am a total Eddie Izzard fan-girl, so when I heard there was an audiobook version of this read by Eddie, I jumped at it. It was interesting and funny and, apparently, has bits that aren’t in the print copy. Izzard talks about his childhood and dealing with the death of his mother, growing up in boarding schools, finding is way as a stand-up comic and actor, coming out as trans, and completing a crazy number of marathons. He also gives some pretty solid advice about life in general. Definitely recommended for fans of his work. (Spoiler: there are no jazz chickens.)
66. Hole in the World by Richard Rhodes — This is a well-written, powerful memoir of an abusive childhood. Rhodes and his brother were physically and emotionally abused by their stepmother before being rescued and sent to a boy's residential farm. Hard-hitting, honest, introspective at times, and very, very angry, this is a difficult read at times, but a recommended one.
67. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell — After all the mixed reviews, many of them talking about how confusing this book is, I was a little daunted and braced myself for anything. I was surprised to blow through it (500ish pages) in 10 days. It is basically a collection of loosely connected short(ish) stories (more novellas, really), that span a variety of locals and eras. I actually really liked it. The writing is fluid and, at times, truly beautiful. There are plenty of themes ripe for discussion and in-depth study, but I simply enjoyed it for what it was - a handful of well written stories.
1. The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman — I listened to this on audiobook, which I’m sure is part of why I enjoyed it. Gaiman is a fantastic narrator; I could happily listen to him read the phone book. I don’t know that I’d have appreciated this as much in the written format. It is a collection of his nonfiction - lots of speeches, book introductions, essays, reviews, that kind of thing. While some stuff drags, as if often the case in collections, there’s also some great stuff in here and I strongly recommend keeping a notepad handy to write down the numerous books he references - I know my “to be read” list grew massively after listening to this.
2. The Tiniest Vampire (and other silly things) by Jason L. Witter — I backed this on Kickstarter though, honestly, I don’t remember why. It’s a cute enough self-published book of poetry for kids, vaguely reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. It wasn’t amazing and I doubt I’d seek out more by this author, but it would likely be enjoyed by children.
3. The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi — I read this as part of a reading challenge as it qualified for “an illustrated children’s book”. (I supposed #2 in this list would have too, in retrospect.) It’s a graphic novel which, honestly, I don’t remember all that about. Clearly it didn’t stick with me, though I did give it 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, so it must not have sucked.
4. The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat: The Story of the Penicillin Miracle by Eric Lax - I wanted to like this more than I did. I’m generally down for science and the history of discoveries, but this was a little long winded and sloggy. Sure, I learned from it - how could I not? I certainly didn’t know much about the topic going in and I did finish the book - but I’ve definitely enjoyed other medical history books more.
5. Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridicuousy Simple - by J. Preston, PsyD. & J. Johnson, MD. -I read this for continuing education credits and found it a very helpful little book. It does, indeed, make psychopharmacology very easy. It covers, briefly, major psychological diagnoses and then goes through the recommendations for medication. It does not cover the mechanism of action in detail, which prevents it from being excessively long or complicated. The information provided is pretty much out of the scope of my practice, but I did find it helpful for a basic overall understanding of how disorders are treated. If nothing else, it will be helpful for me as a nurse when interacting with patients who I have a current medication list for but who are not forthcoming with their medical history.
6. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard — I don’t remember how I stumbled upon the first in this series (this being the 2nd), but I listened to them both on audiobook. The basic framework is pretty common - there is a dividing factor between people (in this case, magic powers and the color of blood) which creates the powerful and the oppressed. But there is one girl who has the magic powers and the wrong color blood who will change the world. Overdone, sure, but the first book wasn’t bad so I rolled with it. This is a typical second in a series which a predominant feeling of bridging to the third book.
7. Cats and the People They Own by Lillian Lidofsky — I wanted to like this short little cartoon-y book, and at times it did make me smile a little, but overall I disliked it. There were too many snide comments for me to find it pleasurable to read. Also, so many of the little one-liners related to what I consider to be irresponsible cat ownership, so I found myself more annoyed that amused.
8. The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde - This is, I believe, the 7th in the Thursday Next series. Fforde has definitely drifted into the not-stand-alone realm; it would be tough to read this with no background info. Fforde’s world is crazy and creative, though has not drifted into the world of bizzarro. Clever stuff, but this book is definitely for fans of the series.
9. Herculine Barbin: Being the Recently Discovered Memories of Nineteenth-century French Hermaphrodite by Herculine Barbin, translated by Richard McDougall - This is just what it says it is, the memoirs of a hermaphrodite living in nineteenth century France. It gives great insight into the time period and the struggles of this individual.
10. Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach — Mary Roach tackles war. I love all her books and so, to be fair, I’ve probably become a poor judge of if they’re good or not. I always laugh and I always learn something. (I tried to listen to this on audiobook but the reader was *terrible*. This is definitely one to actually read.)
11. Said Beauty to the Blues by Bill Campana — This is a collection of poetry by a friend of mine. I’ve known Bill for about 15 years now and remember listening to him read at poetry slams at the coffee house near my apartment in Arizona. There is simply no way to give an impartial opinion of this. I adored it, because I adore Bill.
12. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood — **10 out of 10 stars** This was a highlight of the year for me and, wow, did it mess me up. It is the story of a child who helps a man 10+ years her senior. They then form a relationship that changes and grows over the years, through troubles and drugs and murder and jail. The book is told in many voices (something I almost always enjoy in a book) and left me reeling. I felt like I had a book hangover. This book is NOT for everyone. It is uncomfortable and controversial and, indeed, ugly and wonderful. Which is why I loved it so much. It makes you think and feel and squirm. It is proof of just how powerful a book can be.
13. Wild by Cheryl Strayed - I finally caved and read this and, yes, it was as good as you’ve heard. I have loved just about every book about thru-hiking, probably at least in part because it is something I so want to do.
14. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan - Part memoir, part medical mystery, this is the true-story of a woman with no psychiatric history suddenly struck by complete madness. Cahalan is a journalist which makes for a tight, fast read. Fascinating. Recommended.
15. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will) by Chuck Sambuchino - I bought this is leave a surprise on my neighbors' doorstep because they have about a zillion garden gnomes right by their front door. (I have no idea what their reaction was.) I read it quickly before leaving for them and was disappointed at how un-funny it was. It served its purpose, but that's about it.
16. In the Woods by Tana French - I wrote an uncharacteristically long and spoiler-laden review of this for Goodreads. I couldn’t figure out how to write about what I did and didn’t like about it without spoilers galore. It is in a genre I don’t normally read (mystery/thriller) and it runs to over 400 pages in the trade paperback size, but I did finish it, which definitely says something. French is very, very talented and I imagine those who like the genre would enjoy it.
17. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - I liked this quite a lot. It's a quiet book, with not a lot of action, mostly characters and setting. I have found these types of reads soothing in contrast to a crazy, busy life. This is a little sad, but poignant and enjoyable.
18. What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins by Jonathan Balcombe - **10 of 10 stars** I listened to this on audiobook and while I really enjoyed it in that format, I wish I had a hard copy to share. This is fascinating, well-researched, easy to read/listen to. To fish think and feel? Of course they do. Warning: this book may change how you feel about eating sea creatures.
19. Swallow: Foreign Bodies, Their Ingestion, Inspiration, and the Curious Doctor Who Extracted Them by Mary Cappello — This is exactly what it sounds like and I found the doctor himself and the case studies interesting, but Cappello wrote it in a weird way. She meanders from topic to topic and writes in a very florid way which I feel lends itself more to literature than nonfiction like this.
20. Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide by Dario Castagno — An amusing insider’s look at being a tour guide in Italy. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
21. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov - I’m not a sci-fi reader, but this had been recommended so many times by so many people and the “three laws” referenced so many times that I felt I should read it. I didn’t realize it was a collection of short stories with a common thread and common characters. I thought it was just okay.
22. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman - I’ve had this book for a while now with every intention of reading it sooner. Based on Kaufman’s real experiences as a teacher, this explores the reality of teaching in an inner-city school. It is unsurprisingly a little dated (first published in 1964), but not nearly as much as I thought it would be.
23. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum - A very readable history of numerous poisons. Not heavy on the science this is definitely aimed at the curious lay-person. I quite liked it.
24. Inconspicuous Consumption: An Obsessive Look at the Stuff We Take for Granted, from the Everyday to the Obscure by Paul Lukas - This was a fairly interesting look at common and strange items. Not a book to sit down and read cover-to-cover, more of a coffee table or bathroom-type book that you pick up and read a few entries out of.
25. Cemetery Girl by David Bell - I didn’t review this when I read it, but I gave it a low rating. That coupled with the fact that I remember virtually nothing about it pretty much says it all.
26. Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of My Appetites by Kate Christensen — I’ve seriously got to start taking notes or writing reviews of books as I finish them. I gave this a mediocre rating, which means I thought it was just okay. I vaguely recall the author relaying tales of a strange upbringing and randomly mixing in stories about food. Clearly it didn’t make a huge impact.
27. The Ragtime of Modern Living by Bill Campana — Another collection of poetry written by an old friend.
28. A Field Guide to: Dragons, Serpents, & Wyrms of the World by A. Bambi Wendt — This was a Kickstarter project that I'm glad I supported, though, I'm a little disappointed in the quality of the book itself, the layout, and the text. The illustrations are amazingly gorgeous, and for that I am very glad to have it and am looking forward to her next project. But, yeah, the text seemed to be too clever or even cutesy for my taste. Art of this quality deserves better.
29. The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe — I finished this, but only just. I should have liked it more - historical fiction, bouncing back and forth between two time periods, female lead character. These are things I enjoy and usually bode well for a novel for me. The introduction of "real magic" put me off, though. Sparkling energy, magic spells, etc. I like fantasy well enough, but I don't want it to infringe in my mainstream fiction. I also found all the characters pretty one dimensional and the writing itself was uninspiring. I’m surprised to see it was a nominee for Goodreads’ Choice Award for fiction a few years back as well as a B&N Recommends book.
30. Beowulf - by Seamus Heaney (Translator) — This story, and specifically this translation, is one of my comfort books. It is one of very few books I have read more than once and, I’ve no doubt, will read again.
31. Forgotten Bookmarks: A Bookseller's Collection of Odd Things Lost Between the Pages by Michael Popek — Just what it says, photos and short descriptions of things found in used books. I find books like this interesting, if done well, which this one is.
32. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger — I listened to this on audiobook and, while I, for the most part, liked it in the end, I don’t know if I’d have pushed all the way through a written version. The concept is pretty simple (guy travels back and forth in time, meeting up with himself and his future, current, and past wife). The author handles that well, but there is a lot of minutiae and lists and boring bits which makes a long book even longer. I didn’t particularly like either character, but I was curious about how it was all going to play out in the end.
33. A Friend of the Earth by T.C. Boyle — I’ve liked everything I’ve read by Boyle and this is no exception. It’s set in the future where most animals have become extinct and the main character, Ty, is the caretaker of a private zoo. A fair bit of the book is backstory when Ty was involved with a radical environmental protection group. Boyle’s writing is tight and fast, his characters are well developed, and he makes very strong statements in his books. (This one may be a little heavy-handed with the environmentalism, but I agree with him so it didn’t bother me.) I recommend his work in general.
34. The Rook by Daniel O’Malley — This was recommended by a friend and it was a terrific romp. I’m quite surprised I’d not heard of it before, honestly, and I think it is under-read in my group of reader friends. It’s an urban fantasy set in modern-day England and revolves around a secret governmental agency that handles supernatural events. People in the organization have special skills/powers/magical abilities of huge and creative variety. Our heroine literally wakes up with no idea what’s going on and fumbles her way through, being guided by the person previously in her body who has left her notes and information to guide her. There is nothing taxing at all about this book, it’s simply a gloriously fun read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
35. So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson — I like Ronson’s journalistic work quite a lot, though this was not a favorite. Perhaps the topic just wasn’t as interesting to me as others he has written about, perhaps I would have liked more (or different) examples. He does flesh out and follow through the ones he chose very well, though, and the book definitely left me thinking about my own behavior on/reactions to social media.
36. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman — I listened to this on audiobook, read by the author, which I’ve decided is hands-down the best way to absorb anything by Gaiman. He is such a brilliant storyteller. Some of the tales I’d heard, some I had not, but even the ones I was familiar with took on a beautiful new life in Gaiman’s talented and loving hands.
37. Stiletto by Daniel O’Malley — The sequel to Rook, I enjoyed this one almost as much. The second book is never as good as the first, especially when you’re being introduced to a whole new world/group/whatever, but this held it’s own well. Looking forward to the next one.
38. The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison by Pete Earley — A decent look at live in prison. This was originally published in 1992; it’d be interesting to read a modern look and see how they compare.
39. Advanced Burn Life Support Course Provider Manual by the American Burn Association — Read this for work in preparation for getting certified in burn care. Not the most interesting of reads, but it does have all the needed info.
40. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman — I reread this in preparation to go see a play version of it for my birthday. (The play was *fantastic*.) Gaiman creates such rich, beautiful worlds with unique, likable characters. Definitely classic Gaiman, definitely recommended.
41. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley — If I read this in high school, I don’t remember it. Everyone says how timely it is, given the current political climate. I found the writing itself mediocre, but the message very clear and thought-provoking. Is this the path we are currently walking on?
42. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson — After reading Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, I thought it only right that I read the nonfiction account it is based on. Winterson writes about her childhood, which was downright horrid, and her subsequent triumphs. It is painful and brilliant and glorious. Recommended.
43. An Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation by Nancy A. Schwartz — This was more-or-less assigned reading for me getting my wildlife rehab permit and I found it a very useful book. My work focuses on raccoons and this encompasses many more species, but this is definitely one to tuck away on a shelf for future reference.
44. Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris — It should be said that I love David Sedaris and particularly like hearing him read his work alone, which is why I got this through Audible. I enjoyed it, though not as much as his previous works, and I definitely don’t think I’d have liked it as much in written format. It is exactly what the title implies: excerpts from his person diary, some funny, some sad, some poignant. Recommended for fans of his work, but specifically in audiobook format, read by the author.
45. Raccoons: A Natural History by Samuel I. Zeveloff — Another book read for my wildlife rehab permit. This is an excellent and informative book on raccoons. I learned a ton of stuff.
46. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg — Flagg bounces back and forth between Wisconsin in 1941, where four sisters run a filling station and then fly for the war effort, and Alabama, 2005, where a women learns about the sisters and herself. As usual, a fun, easy read by Flagg. I’d never heard of the WASPs of WWII before; this book pushed me to learn more. Recommended for a light read, as is usual for Flagg’s work.
47. The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge — An excellent and interesting book on neuroplasticity. Fascinating stuff.
48. The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey — Treading carefully to avoid spoilers…. An excellent twist on an overdone story line. Better than the movie, as is so often the case. Plenty of topics for deep thought and discussion. I liked this one a lot and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
49. King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard — Third in a series, all of which I’ve listened to on audiobook. The concept is nothing new these days: people are divided by something not of their control (in this case the color of their blood). Some people have magic powers and they rule the land, while those without must serve. But then there is the magical girl with the wrong color blood who still manages to have powers. And, of course, there’s a love triangle. I passingly enjoyed the first two, but this turned into an utter slog that I highly doubt I would have finished in hard copy. I also thought it was the final book in the series, but apparently it’s only third of five. I’m done though; I just don’t care enough about anyone in the story to see how it plays out.
50. 1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina by Chris Rose — This is a collection of essays/editorials written by a New Orleans journalist in the days and months after Katrina. I wanted to like it. I wanted to be touched by it. I wanted to be able to try and relate, to understand, to get a glimpse of what it must have been like. I didn’t. These essays were written from one resident of NoLA to another and I felt like an intruder while reading them.
51. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk — This was a reread as I listened to it on audiobook a few years ago but didn’t really enjoy it in that format. Everyone knows the plot by now, surely, and there’s a reason it put Palahniuk on the map. I still really enjoy the film version, too.
52. East of the Mountains by David Guterson — Another one of my “quiet literature” reads. The main character is an older man dying of cancer who decides to go out into the wilderness and end his life. Things happen, he meets people, he learns about himself and about life. Kind of typical in plot development and ending, really (his deciding to return home in the end is no surprise), but it was a decent read. I’d definitely recommend others before it, though.
53. The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson — A fascinating read on the cholera epidemic in London and how one man determined the source. Good stuff.
54. Rescuing Wildlife: A Guide to Helping Injured and Orphaned Animals by Peggy Sue Hentz — An easy-to-follow guide with flowsheets and directions or what to do (and not to do) when attempting a wildlife rescue.
55. Fool on the Hill by Matt Ruff — I like Matt Ruff’s work. This is important to note, because I did NOT like this. It’s his first novel, which shows, painfully so. If this was the first I’d read by him, I doubt I’d have bothered with anything else. A mash of several stories, all essentially the same, and all retellings of something else, it was slow, confusing, and trite. I generally recommend Ruff’s work, but definitely not this one.
56. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin — Nonfiction about the horrid blizzard that slammed the midwest in 1888. The meteorology and science bogged me down a bit, but the personal accounts of those affected with powerfully and sympathetically handled.
57. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury — Another one I read due to the current political climate. A dystopian classic that, I feel like I should have loved, but didn’t. Maybe it was just too hyped up for me, maybe it just missed the mark with me. I can definitely see it as a book to study and use to guide/launch discussion, but I didn’t enjoy it as a casual reader.
58. The Stand by Stephen King — I tried several times to read this over the years and just couldn’t do it. A friend talked me into listening to it on audiobook, which I did. All 48+ hours of it. It is the only book I have finished out of pure determination, despite the fact that any enjoyment I had been getting out of it faded before the halfway point. My Goodreads review is much lengthier, but suffice to say that I do not at all get what the hype is about and, really, I want my 48 hours back.
59. Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah — This memoir by an abused and neglected Chinese woman really gave me insight into Chinese culture. A tough read, but a good one.
60. Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson — So I guess this is the third in a series, but it read well enough on its own. I don’t feel like I missed much by not reading the first two. This was recommended as a good story that just happens to be science-fiction. I found it just okay; sci-fi is just not my genre.
61. Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales by Vance Randolph — This collection of folktales was gathered by the author who had them all told to him, making it an interesting look into oral tradition. Every single one is crass or dirty, which was part of his point. While I wasn’t offended or disgusted, the whole thing got old pretty quickly.
62. Suck On This Year: LYFAO @ 140 Characters or Less by Denis Leary — I have no idea what happened to Leary, but this collection of his tweets just was’t funny. Not at all. The temptation to just toss this in the bin was pretty strong.
63. A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams by Michael Pollan — This is, in the most basic terms, a book about building a house. A small house (albeit specifically designed for the occupant) out behind a main house, for an author to write in. Pollan (whose work I have enjoyed in the past, hence my decision to read this) also uses this book to speak to the intersection and interaction of humans, history, architecture, society. There is a lot here, and I really enjoyed the read, though I can definitely see how other people might not, as the carpentry/construction sections are a bit wordy.
64. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien — I remember the movie vividly, so wanted to read the source material. I found it an interesting look as to what would happen to wild animals granted human-like intelligence and the ability to read. I did’t know the series continued and am curious as to how it progresses.
65. Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard — I am a total Eddie Izzard fan-girl, so when I heard there was an audiobook version of this read by Eddie, I jumped at it. It was interesting and funny and, apparently, has bits that aren’t in the print copy. Izzard talks about his childhood and dealing with the death of his mother, growing up in boarding schools, finding is way as a stand-up comic and actor, coming out as trans, and completing a crazy number of marathons. He also gives some pretty solid advice about life in general. Definitely recommended for fans of his work. (Spoiler: there are no jazz chickens.)
66. Hole in the World by Richard Rhodes — This is a well-written, powerful memoir of an abusive childhood. Rhodes and his brother were physically and emotionally abused by their stepmother before being rescued and sent to a boy's residential farm. Hard-hitting, honest, introspective at times, and very, very angry, this is a difficult read at times, but a recommended one.
67. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell — After all the mixed reviews, many of them talking about how confusing this book is, I was a little daunted and braced myself for anything. I was surprised to blow through it (500ish pages) in 10 days. It is basically a collection of loosely connected short(ish) stories (more novellas, really), that span a variety of locals and eras. I actually really liked it. The writing is fluid and, at times, truly beautiful. There are plenty of themes ripe for discussion and in-depth study, but I simply enjoyed it for what it was - a handful of well written stories.
