For 2021, I set monthly categories to read from, in an effort to feel less constrained by reading challenges that I’d participated in previously, while continuing to work through the massive collection of books that I already own or have borrowed from friends and family. Each month I’ll include the books that I finished within the month’s category reading, books finished outside of the category reading, books in progress, and books abandoned. And I’ll tell you where the book was sourced from. For May 2021, my reading list is from the category of Frank McCourt books!

Frank McCourt Books Finished:

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Previously owned physical book.

The first memoir written by Frank McCourt, this tells the story of his early years in Brooklyn, New York, then moving to Ireland with his parents. His father was an alcoholic who drank all of the money that he earned, and his mother had no job or skills leading her to beg for food and clothing for her children. McCourt’s childhood was during the Depression and World War II, so the times were bleak, to be sure. But the hope  and moments of sparkle don’t ever die, so the book ends feeling hopeful in spite of the difficult circumstances.

‘Tis by Frank McCourt

Previously owned physical book.

The second memoir written by McCourt, this takes place after he moves back to America in the late 40s-early 50s. McCourt joined the military and went to college on the GI bill, and this is the story of his life during those years. What strikes me so much about his writing, is just how honest and raw he is, even about things that I would never personally be brave enough to write about.

Other Books Finished:

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.

Set in 1935, this story follows three women whose lives intersect on the arrival of the last train in Key West. A hurricane is brewing, and their lives are anything but calm. The story is fast-paced and I enjoyed the reading experience and figuring out how the various story lines were intertwined. A really enjoyable diversion.

The Good in the Awful by Vanessa Shepherd

New physical book (gift from a friend).

So, for those that don’t know, my mother passed away in early May. Although she’s been very sick with COVID (complicated by MS and other health conditions) for the past few months, she was making incredible strides and getting better, right up to when she died suddenly and unexpectedly. I think I was half expecting her to die a few months ago when she was very sick, but absolutely was not expecting it when she actually did. It was so awful, and I’m not past my grief. A friend sent this book to me, and it chronicles the author’s experience of her brother’s accident and death. She uses scripture to help remind people that God can and does use even awful things to bring about good. He doesn’t cause awful things, but he does use them when they happen. It was a good reminder to look for the good.

A Time to Grieve: Journeying Through Grief Book 1 by Kenneth C. Haugk

New physical book (gift from a friend).

Another friend sent this book to me, as her church sends them to parishioners and friends of parishioners going through difficult seasons from the death of loved ones. It is a short booklet, the first of four parts, so easy to get through quickly. I read it on a difficult day, and cried, and just reminded myself that crying and feeling my feelings is okay. I don’t have to always be the strong one, and I’m allowed to have sad days.

Interlude: Brandon by Terry Schott

New Audible audiobook.

This is book 3 of The Game is Life series. It doesn’t follow the main characters introduced in books 1 and 2, but instead Brandon Strain, a mentor and sponsor to one of the main characters. It reminded me even more of Ender’s Game than the first two books did (which was honestly quite a lot). There were parts where I couldn’t figure out why I needed to know any of it, or why it was important to the narrative, but the author tied it all together in the end, and even set up more exciting things to come in the future books. I downloaded books 4 and 5 of the series, and am looking forward to listening to them soon.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.

My library hold on this book finally came up, after waiting for several months. The novel follows Shakespeare and his wife, and their family during the bubonic plague and Shakespeare’s early years before and during his writing and acting career. I read the whole thing, and although it was good, I just didn’t love it. Sometimes the pacing felt slow, and I guess I just never felt connected to the characters. I think maybe this just wasn’t the right book or the right time for me.

Open Book: A Memoir by Jessica Simpson

Borrowed audiobook from library using Libby.

I heard about this book on a podcast about memoirs. The podcaster talked about how much she enjoyed it, even though she didn’t particularly think she cared about Jessica Simpson, and shared a few interesting facts about Simpson that I didn’t know previously. After hearing the description, I downloaded it right away, as I needed a diversion from real life. Simpson’s life and story is honestly so fascinating. She’s been pretty typecast as a dumb blonde (something which she admits she used to her own advantage at times), but she and her family seem to be pretty smart business people. I maybe am just a sucker for celebrity memoirs, but this one was well written and interesting.

These Tangled Vines by Julianne Maclean

New Kindle e-book from Kindle First.

The main character Fiona is a young woman who has spent her life caring for her paraplegic father, with her mother before her death, and alone with caretakers since then. Her mother had a secret that she had kept from her father, and entrusted that secret to Fiona on her deathbed. Fiona gets a call in the middle of the night that threatens to bring the secret to light. But it also has the possibility of improving Fiona’s circumstances, as well as those of her father. So she must take a trip to learn more, a trip which ultimately has the power to change everything. I loved this book. It was a light escapist read, at a time when I needed it. So good!

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Borrowed Kindle e-book from library using Libby.

I’m a fan of Andy Weir, and will probably read everything he writes. I’ve had this one on hold for awhile, and finally got to read it. A man wakes in a strange environment in a coma, and has to figure out where he is, who he is, and what exactly he’s doing there. The book has space (of course) and all kinds of other funny, scary, and science-y things that I don’t want to say more about, for fear of spoilers. Just take my word for it, and read the book.

Books in Progress:

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Already owned Kindle e-book.) My bible study is working through this book.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.)

Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close by Lysa Terkeurst (New physical book (gift from a friend).)

Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie by O.E. Rolvaag (Borrowed from father-in-law Fuzz.)

Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (Previously owned physical book.)

The River by Peter Heller (Borrowed audiobook from library using Libby.)

Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen (Previously owned Kindle e-book.)

 

Books Abandoned:

None.