Luggage and Literature

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

September 2018 Reading List

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my September 2018 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for September 2018. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

Testament of Youth: An Autobiographical Study Of The Years 1900-1925 by Vera Brittain

This book is quite long, and had some slow-moving spots, so it took me a long, long time to read it. I found the section where Ms. Brittain talks about her nursing career during World War I and of the correspondence with her brother and fiance most interesting.

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek

This book examines various leaders and teams in efforts to examine what the differences are between the successful and less so. I found some of the information quite illustrating, but some of it was oversimplified. And other portions appeared to be downright insulting of those who think or act differently than the author. I’m not sad that I read this, but I’m not certain that I’d recommend it to others.

The Winter Station by Jody Shields

This book is the story of a Russian doctor living in Manchuria with his Chinese wife during an epidemic. I expected the novel to be quite different from how it actually turned out to be, based on the book description. It wasn’t as gripping or fast-paced or engaging as I expected. But I listened to the book in its entirety.

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester

This was a great book, and I flew through reading it. Essentially it’s the story of the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, the history of English dictionaries, and the story of two men who were instrumental in creating it. Not so spoiler alert, one of them was locked up in an insane asylum. I recommend this fairly short, but very interesting book.

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book that was being read by a stranger in a public place

Although I’d previously seen the movie (and it is one of the most violent that I’ve probably ever seen), I wanted to read the book. This book was so riveting that I flew threw it in about a week and a half. I can’t wait until my Libby hold on the second book in the series comes due, so that I can find out what happens in the second installment.

Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Hammered by Kevin Hearne

Hexed and Hammered are books two and three of the Iron Druid Chronicles. I really liked both of them as well. If you check out book one (Hounded) and like it, you’re bound to like these as well.

The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book about a problem facing society today

Having read both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, I wanted to read more about the theories behind both books. Ayn Rand’s theories are intriguing to me, as I see quite a lot of sense in them. But I don’t agree with all of them, as I don’t think that they completely comply with the tenants of Christianity and Christ’s teachings.

Feeding the Dragon by Sharon Washington

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book by an author of a different ethnicity than you

This book was an Audible Original, and I so enjoyed listening to it. The book is the story of a girl who grows up living in a library. Her voice, the narrative nature of the story, and the topic were incredibly engaging. I recommend it.

The Coming Storm by Michael Lewis

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book with a weather element in the title

An Audible Original, I picked this out based solely on the author. Michael Lewis previously wrote The Big Short, which I thought was fantastic. This book looked at the intersection of NASA, the National Weather Service, and politics. I mostly liked it, but there was a liberal bias to the book that I found to be distracting.

The Whistler by John Grisham

After reading a couple of Grisham novels lately that weren’t to my taste, I was very happy to find another that I loved. This book follows Lacy, an attorney working in the Florida Board of Judicial Conduct. She receives a tip about a judge who is completely corrupt and involved with a mafia in the panhandle of Florida. Murder, bribes, and legal thrills abound. This book is page turner, and I finished it in just a few days.

The Soul Winner: How to Lead Sinners to the Saviour by Charles H. Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon was a prominent and well-known preacher in the 1800s. This book is his guide to those who are interested in a career in ministry, as well as for those who want to see people go to Heaven. Some parts of it are quite dated, not applicable in the modern world. But much of it contains excellent information and tips to help people save souls.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book about or set on Halloween

This was my book club’s pick. Although I’ve read the entire series twice before, I was really excited to talk with everyone about this book. If you’ve not read it before, what are you waiting for? It’s so fantastic. And many in our book club who’d been reluctant were mesmerized by the story.

 

Books in Progress:

Twelve Women of the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst (My bible study is working through this book and the associated videos)

Flawed Convictions: “Shaken Baby Syndrome” and the Inertia of Injustice by Deborah Tuerkheimer

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

The Brave Ones: A Memoir of Hope, Pride and Military Service by Michael J. Macleod

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

July 2018 Reading List

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my July 2018 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for July 2018. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

Mischling by Affinity Kovar

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book with characters who are twins

The fictional story of twins in one of Mengele’s camps, I thought that this book would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with the characters like I thought that I would. The story was horrifying and heartbreaking. But I just didn’t love it quite like I expected.

Inside the Mind of BTK: The True Story Behind the Thirty-Year Hunt for the Notorious Wichita Serial Killer by John Douglas and Johnny Dodd

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book by two authors

I listened to this in audio, as my husband is a huge fan of true crime and had already purchased it from Audible. I’ve read John Douglas previously, and do enjoy his books. This book was very, very good. But the narrator is not good. He mispronounces words, and doesn’t have an engaging voice. So I recommend the book, but not on Audible.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book about mental health

This book reminds me so, so much of The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, but with a female protagonist. The story is told from the perspective of a woman with serious mental illness. It is haunting.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book you meant to read in 2017 but didn’t get to

The structure of the book, telling essentially short unrelated stories that peripherally deal with Olive Kitteridge, threw me off at first. But the pieces tied together to paint a beautiful picture of a flawed but good woman. I just can’t recommend this book high enough.

Speed Girl: Janet Guthrie and the Race That Changed Sports Forever [Kindle in Motion] by Stephan Talty

I’m a fan of drag racing, and there are few (but more all the time) female racers. So the opportunity to read about the first woman racer in NASCAR and INDYCAR. The struggles and sexism that she faced were shocking. But her perseverance and grit are inspiring.

The Rooster Bar by John Grisham

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book involving a heist

I really didn’t like this book at all, which is surprising because I’m a big fan of Grisham. It is the story of law students who were not qualified to attend law school, and paid way too much money to get into the only school that would take them. They then decide to rip off a company to try to ‘make it right’ after practicing law without law licenses or even law degrees. But the characters struck me as naive and whiny. I borrowed money to go to law school, and finished at the height of the downturn in the legal economy. This meant essentially no jobs for my husband or for me. But we were practical and chose to go to law schools that didn’t require borrowing six-figures. And we worked hard after law school to get our careers where we wanted them to be. And we both practice criminal law, so the story just struck me as self-centered, false, and immature. I didn’t like it.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

I’ve been meaning to read this for quite some time, but wasn’t ever sure that I was ready for it. It’s such an amazing true story of God’s work in hard, terrible situations. I’m so glad that Corrie survived World War II and the concentration camps to tell it.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book from a celebrity book club (Reese’s Book Club)

The story of female spies in World War I and II, and the story of a lost young woman right after World War II, this book is fantastic. I loved every minute of it, and trying to figure out exactly how the pieces fit together. I definitely understand why Reese Witherspoon picked it for her book club…hopefully she’ll turn it into a movie.

Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman

This short little children’s story is about a panda who is nervous for his first day of school. It’s sweet and adorable. The audio version is performed by Neil Gaiman, who is a fantastic narrator (in addition to his stellar writing).

The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection (including The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, The Wolves in the Walls, Cinnamon, and Crazy Hair) by Neil Gaiman

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a book with an animal in the title

Also performed by Neil Gaiman this collection of short stories is fantastic. I enjoyed them all, and they were a great way to pass the time while I was driving this month. I recommend listening to all of them.

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence

This is a series of letters from a librarian to the books and bookshelves in her life. It is sweet and sassy and fun and serious. And it is easy to read, or listen to, in small chunks of time. I really liked this book, even though (or perhaps because) it added a few titles to my To Be Read List.

Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson

2018 PopSugar Challenge: a bestseller from the year you graduated high school

I graduated from high school in 2002, and this short little book appears on Amazon’s best seller list from that year. This little book is a parable, and a classic, and has been on my To Be Read List for quite some time. I listened to it on audiobook, and it didn’t take long. I’m glad that I read it, and recommend it for others, especially those who are business owners or thinking of starting a business.

 

Books in Progress:

Twelve Women of the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst (My bible study just started working through this book and the associated videos)

Life by Keith Richards and James Fox

Testament of Youth: An Autobiographical Study Of The Years 1900-1925 by Vera Brittain

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek (My overdrive checkout expired on this, so I’m waiting for my new hold to come up on it so that I can finish it.)

Flawed Convictions: “Shaken Baby Syndrome” and the Inertia of Injustice by Deborah Tuerkheimer

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

 

Books Abandoned:

Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen

January 2018 Reading List

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Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m participating in the 2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge, so I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is my January 2018 Reading List, my brief reviews and book recommendations for January 2018. Hopefully I’ll provide you with some inspiration for your future reading as well!

Books Finished:

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book with your favorite color in the title

This will be our March book club pick, but my Overdrive hold came up, so I thought I’d go ahead and read it early. This is a historical fictional novel set during World War II and told from the perspective of three women a German, a Polish, and an American woman. It was riveting, although at times difficult to read. I am really looking forward to discussing this with my bookish friends!

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson

The true stories of various individuals experienced the sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat during World War I. I’d never previously read any of Erik Larson’s books, but intend to now. He makes real events come alive on the page and actually mean something, by telling the stories of those who experienced it and were affected by it. A great book by a great author.

The Racketeer by John Grisham

I really, really liked this book! It kept me guessing from the start to the finish. The main character is a lawyer who was wrongfully convicted in a financial scam, and is sent to federal prison. While there he gets information about a murder, and the story takes off from there. If you’re a Grisham fan, you’ll enjoy this one.

The Gilded Lily by Deborah Swift

I picked this up from a discount book bin. It is set in the 1600s with two sisters who run away from their poverty-stricken life in the English countryside. This was a time period that I’d not read much about previously, so I enjoyed that element of the book in particular. But the characters were engaging, and the story moved along. I’ll have to look for more by Deborah Swift.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays by Joan Didion

After reading The Year of Magical Thinking last year, I’ve become an admirer of Didion’s writing. A series of essays published in Didion’s early career in the 1960s, the book was like traveling through time and space to when and where she was writing.

The Whole Town’s Talking by Fannie Flagg

The story of the birth of a town in the Midwest, and the souls who populate that town through the years, this book was sweet and emotionally satisfying in the way that Fannie Flagg’s writing simply is. If you’ve never picked up one of her books, I would recommend checking one out. There are several more that I’ve not yet read, but intend to.

Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood

This is a children’s book, but I was completely taken by the cover and had to read it. The Bliss family runs a magical bakery, but the magical element of their pastries is a secret. When the parents are called out-of-town on an emergency, the children run the bakery in their absence. But when an unknown relative comes to help, Rosemary Bliss is suspicious. This is a quick and fun little book.

 

Books in Progress: 

It looks like I have quite a few going, and might need to finish some of these up in February!

Jesus, the One and Only by Beth Moore

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

So Many Roads: The Life and Times of the Grateful Dead by David Browne

Raising a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child’s Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell (this was recommended to be by some therapists that I work with regularly on my cases, as it is the background for the Circle of Security Parenting curriculum that we often have parents go through as part of their case plans)

Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God is Speaking by Priscilla Shirer

Testament of Youth: An Autobiographical Study Of The Years 1900-1925 by Vera Brittain

Six Stories: A Thriller by Matt Wesolowski

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

 

Books I’ve Abandoned:

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

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