Luggage and Literature

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

September 2020 Reading List

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This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my September 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Finding Tess: A Mother’s Search for Answers in a Dopesick America by Beth Macy

Already owned Audible. Substituted for September legal/business/politics pick from 2020 Reading List.

This audible original is a powerful look at opioid addiction in the United States, and the really terrible system of treatment that is available to addicts. The difficulty in getting people into treatment programs, and the often poor results from treatment programs is something that I’ve seen firsthand in my own legal practice working with criminal defendants and parents and youth in juvenile cases. This is such a difficult topic, and I appreciated the straightforward and open look at one young woman, her family, and how things went wrong.

Daughter of Destiny by Benazir Bhutto

Already owned physical book. September nonfiction/memoir pick from 2020 Reading List.

This book is incredible. The writing is excellent, and it’s about a woman and a subject matter (Pakistan) that I didn’t know much about before reading it. But it’s a tough read. Be aware that the book largely deals with a dictator being in power, so there are themes of torture and oppression. And the United States’ conduct in propping up a military dictator like Zia is simply abominable. Benazir Bhutto is a fascinating woman, although certainly not perfect. I don’t agree with all of her policy positions, but her stance on freedom and democracy is one that everyone should be able to stand behind. I’m really glad that I read this book.

The Space Race by Colin Brake, Patrick Chapman, Richard Hollingham, Richard Kurti, Sue Nelson, Helen Quigley, and Andrew Mark Sewell

Audible Original book, so new but free.

There were components of this book that I really liked, and components that just set my teeth on edge. I love books and audiobooks about space, and the history of the space race, particularly the audio clips and the history of the Russian space program were fantastic. But I really hated the fictional future space theatrical story, and I disliked the audio components that were theatrical recreations of what occurred during previous space missions. If these elements won’t bother you, than this will be great for you. If they will, then like me, you may have a mixed opinion of this audiobook.

Unspoken by Luke Daniels

Audible Original book, so new but free.

This book made me laugh so hard while driving that I had to pause the audiobook and catch my breath. It also made me cry. This is a memoir from celebrated audiobook narrator, Luke Daniels. If his name seems familiar, it may be because he narrated the Iron Druid Chronicles, which I adored. He has the best array of voices, and talks about how he became a narrator and voice actor. But the main thrust of the book is about the illness and death of his little boy. This book is so fantastic, and I recommend it to everyone. Just be prepared for hilarity and sadness in equal measure.

The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay

Already owned physical book. September fiction pick from 2020 Reading List.

The book jacket description makes it sound as if this novel is predominantly about a mystery about a missing Melville novel. Although that subject plays a part in the story, it is much more about an 18 year old girl living on her own in New York after her mother’s death growing up and learning about the world and those around her. The characters were all strange, and I didn’t quite understand their motivations. And I felt like the mystery element was underutilized, and there were threads of plot that weren’t tied into the story. This was an okay read, but not my very favorite.

Veronica Mars: Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I heart Veronica Mars! I watched the entire original series, plus the movie, and the new Hulu season this year, and couldn’t get enough. So having previously read Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line and loving it, I had to read this book too. You know, being a completist. This book takes place after the movie, and before the new season on Hulu. It’s really good too. And now I’m a little sad that I don’t have any more Veronica Mars to look forward to.

Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne

Purchased on Audible this year.

Ink & Sigil is a spin-off from the Iron Druid Chronicles. The protagonist is a Scottish Sigil Agent who also runs a print shop. He and the supporting cast of characters are all as zany as I’ve come to expect from Kevin Hearne, and the story is wonderful. And on Audible, narrated by Luke Daniels, it’s simply masterful. I hope that there will be more!

The Bookman’s Tale by Charlie Lovett

Already owned physical book.

My book club read this book this month. I think most of the group enjoyed it. Some people struggled a little bit with the number of different characters, and the different timelines, but this wasn’t something that bothered me. This is a literary mystery, so there’s a component that takes place in the 1990s solving that mystery. Those same characters’ backstories are also told, and that is set in the 1980s. Then the story of the book is told from the 1600s all the way up to present day. I recommend Lovett’s mysteries (this one and First Impressions) for book lovers.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

If you read The Hunger Games trilogy, then you HAVE to read this. This book is a prequel and told from the perspective of President Snow as a teenager. I found myself rooting for Snow, and then feeling really guilty about it, knowing where the story leads. I loved the elements that tie in with the rest of the trilogy. This book was so good!

The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

This is book number three in the Ruth Galloway Mysteries series. My book club won the first book, and I enjoyed it enough to add the remainder of the series into my Libby wish list. Periodically, I want something a little different and will download another one. They are short and enjoyable and true to the genre.

A Map of Heaven by Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson

Already owned Kindle e-book. September devotional/spiritual pick from 2020 Reading List.

This is a novel which is infused heavily (but well done) with Scripture. It is a book about second chances, living a life that you can be proud of, and allowing love into our lives. It was lovely and enjoyable, and a quite easy read. I recommended it to my mom, as it seemed like a book that she might enjoy. I can think of many others who might like this as well.

Who Is Jesus? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

This short little book looks at how Jesus is described in the Bible, the different terms used to describe him, and who he is. As with everything else by R.C. Sproul, it was informative and well written.

What Can I Do with My Guilt? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I really love how R.C. Sproul explains things in a new way that make so much sense that you wonder how you’d never thought of things that way before. Do you have guilty feelings? I think we all probably do about some topic or another. This booklet is about guilt and guilty feelings, and examines whether they come from above, or are a manmade invention, and what the purpose might be.

Does Prayer Change Things? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

This Crucial Questions booklet is on the topic of prayer–does it matter, why do we pray, how do we pray–basically just answering a whole host of questions about prayer. I thought it was a solid read.

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

Purchased physical book this year.

I picked this up while packing books for our local Friends of the Library virtual book sale. I don’t recall having ever read anything by Anne Rice before, although I’ve obviously heard of her. This is a fictionalized take on Jesus during his adulthood, just before taking to the road and beginning his ministry. I really enjoyed imagining what Jesus’s life and family would have been like. The book was well-written, and clearly from the perspective of a believer. I believe there to be one other book in the series, and will likely read it at some point too.

 

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

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

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (Purchased on Audible this year.)

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt (Purchased physical book this year.)

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

July 2020 Reading List

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This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my July 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Frogmen: The True Story of My Journeys With Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau and the Crew of Calypso by Richard E. Hyman

Already owned physical book. July Nonfiction/Memoir Pick from 2020 Reading List.

I picked this book up a couple of years ago and was able to get around to reading it finally. It was essentially journals or a diary turned into a slightly more narrative version of the author’s time on Cousteau’s Calypso in his late teens/early twenties. Because of the subject matter, it was interesting, although not the best written book that I’ve read. But as I mentioned the topic was so interesting that I kept at it and finished it.

Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations by Thomas L. Friedman

Already owned physical book. June Legal/Business/Politics pick from 2020 Reading Plan.

Thomas Friedman is one of my favorite authors. We see eye-to-eye on some issues, and are totally opposite on others. But he always strikes me as thoughtful about the subjects that he writes about. This book is about the ‘age of accelerations’ in which everything is speeding up exponentially, and how we need to pause and reflect from time to time, as well as engage in lifelong continuing learning to keep up with life. I agreed with many of the points in this book, while finding some of his conclusions baffling. But all in all, the book made me think, so it was right in line with the other books that I’ve read by Friedman.

Break Shot: My First 21 Years by James Taylor

Audible Original book, so new but free.

James Taylor is a really interesting guy. Like, did you know that James Taylor played the cello?! Fascinating stuff. This Audible Original was about his early years. I love music biographies, so I had to have this one. It was short and did not disappoint.

Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I am a huge fan of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a child, I never thought that much about what elements were true, what were based on a true story, and what were fiction. Prairie Fires talked a lot about Laura’s view on truth vs. fiction. It also delved into Laura and Almanzo’s relationship with their daughter Rose Wilder Lane, and Rose’s own strange life. From the descriptions of Rose, I have no doubt that she was mentally ill, probably with Bipolar Disorder. The book was very interesting, with one caveat. I felt like the author had a pretty clear liberal bias, and couldn’t understand why anyone would have more conservative or libertarian viewpoints, or why anyone would want to live on the prairie or more untouched lands.

On the Way Home: The Diary of a Trip from South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri, in 1894 by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane

Purchased physical book this year.

After reading Prairie Fires, I discovered that there were more Little House books that I’d never read. On the Way Home is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s journal kept on their journey from DeSmet, South Dakota to Mansfield, Missouri in their own covered wagon. It was fascinating to me to read about what this journey was like for them, having traveled in the region in modern times. It is so different, and it just sparks the imagination to think about it.

West from Home: Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder, San Francisco, 1915 by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rose Wilder Lane, and Roger Lea MacBride

Purchased physical book this year.

West from Home is a book comprised of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s letters to her husband Almanzo while visiting Rose Wilder Lane at her home in San Francisco. Laura visited Rose during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition held in San Francisco. Laura and Rose visit it several times, as well as other area attractions. Her descriptions are intricate, and make you feel as if you’re seeing and experiencing the same things. This is one of the things that I loved so much about the Little House books as a child, in that the descriptions made me feel as if I was right there too.

The Indian Child Welfare Act Handbook by Kelly Gaines-Stoner, Mark C. Tilden, and Jack F. Trope

Already owned physical book.

If you are a caseworker or attorney working in juvenile cases, this is a book that you should probably read. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) applies to juvenile cases involving Indian children. There are a whole series of additional requirements that need to be met in these cases, and it is important to have a handle on them before one of these cases starts. I’d read both of the previous versions of this book, but wanted to refresh my memory and update my understanding, after some recent cases came out, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) adopted regulations in place of the guidelines that had been in effect for decades before.

To Siberia by Per Petterson

Already owned physical book. July Fiction Pick from 2020 Reading List.

I purchased this book at a wonderful used bookstore in Washington, D.C. called Capitol Hill Books. It was packed absolutely to the gills with books, and I spent a delightful couple of hours browsing the stacks to see what was there. I picked this one up, and thought it would fit right into my love of historical fiction, as it was described as taking placed during World War II in Scandinavia. The book largely took place before and after World War II, skipping over the characters’ experiences during the war, which was disappointing. The characters were not very likable, and the sexually tense relationship between the siblings was troubling. The writing was bleak, and although I finished the book, I didn’t really like it. Unfortunately, the book-buying experience was much more enjoyable than the book that I ended up purchasing.

Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

Purchased on Audible this year.

Mike listened to this book before I did, and was raving about how good and unique it was. I listened to it and found it to have a really slow start. It felt like the story took a really long time to set up before any action started. But once the action got going, it was fast paced and I didn’t want to stop listening to it. Some people really didn’t like Judy Greer’s narration, but I loved it and felt like it fit the main character perfectly.

Opium and Absinthe by Lydia Kang

Kindle First book, so new but free.

This book was wonderful. It was a new look at the story of Dracula, a series of murders, a strong female protagonist with a drug problem, and other characters with mixed motives. It was really good and also different from other books I’ve read recently. Refreshing.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Borrowed from the library using Libby app.

I heard about this book from a friend first, and then later on the What Should I Read Next podcast. It was available on Libby, and I was between audiobooks, so I borrowed it right away. The characters are all, well, characters. They are funny and unique, and relatable. The story is fun and sucked me right in from the outset. In the middle of the book, I almost stopped listening, as the husbands are awful and sexist, and treat their wives terribly…while the wives just allow it! I was so mad, and seriously almost gave up. But my friend assured me that the story got better (even though the husbands’ behavior didn’t), so I stuck it out. I’m so glad that I did, because she was absolutely right. The wives show their strength later on, and the book struck me as almost a commentary on dysfunctional and unhealthy relationships in addition to the vampire slaying. This was great, and I’ll be looking out for more from the same author.

You Can Trust God to Write Your Story: Embracing the Mysteries of Providence by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Robert Wolgemuth

Already owned Kindle e-book.

I have been dealing with a pretty tough and sad situation this month, and was really glad that I’d downloaded and started reading this book. It is so good to remember that God is in control even during tough times, and can bring good out of bad times.

Does God Control Everything? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I also read this book due to the really hard situation I’ve been working through this month. I wanted some books that could give me reassurance of God’s love for us and that he indeed has a plan that overarches feelings of sadness and things being out of control. Sproul is wonderful at reinforcing this message.

 

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

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

The Prince of the City: Giuliani, New York, and the Genius of American Life by Fred Siegel (Already owned physical book. July Legal/Business/Politics Pick from 2020 Reading List.)

Three Slices by Chuck Wendig, Kevin Hearne, and Delilah S. Dawson (Purchased Audible this year.)

The First Mrs. Rothschild by Sara Aharoni (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.)

 

Books Abandoned:

All This I Will Give to You by Delores Redondo (New but free Kindle e-book.)

Taming the Tongue: The Power of Spoken Words by Alex Uwajeh (Already owned Kindle e-book. July Devotional/Spiritual Pick from 2020 Reading List.)

March 2020 Reading List

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This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book this year. This is my March 2020 Reading List, which includes my trip to Egypt, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

Miracles Happen by Mary Kay Ash

Already owned physical book. Legal/Business/Politics pick for 2020 Reading Plan (swapped March and August books).

I decided to switch some books around because the one that I’d originally picked for March was quite long and not something that I had time to read this month (since it was a physical book and I was traveling for half the month). I’ve used Mary Kay products since I was old enough to need facial cleansers and moisturizers. The woman who created the brand, Mary Kay Ash, is fascinating, and as a result this has been on my TBR list for such a long time. The book details how she started the company, and her philosophy of business. An interesting and not terribly long book.

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti: A Memoir of Good Food and Bad Boyfriends by Giulia Melucci

Already owned physical book. March Nonfiction/Memoir pick for 2020 Reading Plan.

This is part memoir on love and loss, and part cookbook. It was a quick and enjoyable read about the author’s experiences, even though I had a hard time relating to or understanding some of them. I didn’t try any of the recipes, although some of them looked quite tasty, and not difficult to make.

The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of Panic, Hysteria, and Hubris by Mark Honigsbaum

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I’d had this on hold on my Libby app for a while, and my hold came up right as coronavirus was really starting to spread worldwide. The timing was sort of strange. This book goes through several epidemics or pandemics in the last 100 years or so. Learning about how each of these pandemics spread, how they were investigated, and how the cause of the pandemic was discovered was enlightening. I think that when you learn about something, some of the fear of it goes away, so I recommend this book as a primer to understanding some of the basics of pandemics in recent history.

When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt by Kara Cooney

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I picked this book as a primer to the history of Egypt. It examined the queens (and sometimes female kings) of ancient Egypt, how they rose to power and what happened after their reign. The author tried to draw some parallels to leaders in the modern era, which I didn’t always agree with and didn’t find useful. I picked the book due to the advertised subject matter, and didn’t really want to read the author’s thoughts on the American political system. So I skimmed through those sections to get back to the main topic at hand, which was fascinating.

Orphan 8 by Kim van Alkenmade

Already owned physical book. Fiction pick for 2020 Reading Plan.

This novel tells the story of a Jewish orphan who is experimented on in her orphanage in New York. The story is told from the timeline of her youth, and from her adulthood. It was not entirely what I expected, and not my favorite book. But it was kept me engaged to the end, and the plot did payoff at the end.

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

This novel is dystopian fiction. People lose their shadows, and then slowly lose their memories. The story is told from the perspectives of a few different characters, some of whom have lost their shadows and some who have not. The book is fairly long, but does keep moving along. And after a little while, it becomes clear that the players are marching toward a common goal and it’s just a question of how things will turn out.

Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

I really liked this book. It follows three sisters, their mother, and their grandmother through the summer of 1969 and the changes in their lives and the broader world during this time. I really loved this story, and found the characters so relatable. I recommend this book.

One of Ours by Willa Cather

Already owned Kindle e-book.

Cather regularly referred to this novel as ‘Clyde’ in her letters, and after reading what she said about the novel, I wanted to read it. Willa Cather is a masterful writer, and I really love everything of hers that I’ve read so far. This novel is no exception. It takes place before and during World War I, and follows a young man trying to find his way in the world and to a future.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

The stories of a grandmother during her youth in Cuba prior to and during the revolution, and her granddaughter returning to the country after her grandmother’s death. This novel includes love, hate, fear, politics, and love of country. I liked this book.

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

This is the third and final book in the Scythe series,a book about a future where death has been conquered and a nearly omniscient computer system runs the world. Scythes are tasked with ending lives. This series is fantastic, and I found this final book to be a solid ending. I was engaged in the story and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.

Another Love by Amanda Prowse

Already owned Kindle e-book.

This novel was really good, but also really hard to read. It is about a woman with a family and a wonderful career, who loses everything because of her addiction to alcohol. It is beautiful and emotional and heart-wrenching. I’m so thankful that my sister-in-law turned me on to Amanda Prowse.

Spy by Daniele Steel

Borrowed from library using Libby app.

Danielle Steel writes some good books, even though she doesn’t get the credit that she probably deserves. This novel is historical fiction set during World War II. The main character comes from a British aristocratic family, and volunteers to serve. Because of her language skills, she is recruited as a spy and operative and serves throughout the war. Then after the war, she continues serving as a spy while her husband works as a diplomat. I would have liked to have had a little more action in the story, but it was still a very enjoyable book.

I Survived!: 5 Bible Characters Who Survived Disasters by Deb Brammer and Art Brammer

Already owned Kindle e-book. March Devotional/Spiritual pick for 2020 Reading Plan.

This book was okay. It had a few bible stories, and talked about how they can help us to deal with disasters in our own lives. The book repeatedly referenced another book that I hadn’t read previously, and didn’t realize that I should read before this one, so that was kind of frustrating. But the subject matter is overall good, and can be helpful to people going through hard things.

John by R.C. Sproul

Already owned Kindle e-book. February Devotional/Spiritual pick for 2020 Reading Challenge.

I’ve been working my way through this book for two weeks. It was fantastic, but I didn’t want to rush through it. The book is a commentary that goes through every story and line in the book of John. It was so illuminating, and I just savored it.

 

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books In Progress:

Courageously Uncomfortable by Lisa J. Goins (Already owned Kindle e-book.) My bible study group is working through this book.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey (Borrowed from a friend.)

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

The Psychopath Test by Joe Ronson

 

Books Abandoned:

None.

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