Hey, Happy New Year! What better way to ring in the new year than with an update about what I read last year?
I didn’t finish the year off as strong as I started, but I managed to read more books in the fourth quarter than in the second and third quarters, so there you go.
Hunting Shadows, by Charles Todd
This was a Twitter rec (thanks, Natalie!) and I really enjoyed it. It was a British murder mystery (and Ian Rutledge book) and I would definitely read more by this author/the Ian Rutledge series. The only thing missing was a love interest storyline, which I guess not every book needs to have, but which I generally enjoy. That said, there were hints at a love interest storyline, so waiting to see if that got fleshed (heh) out added a certain element to the book.
Best Friends Forever, by Jennifer Weiner
I love everything Jennifer Weiner writes. I found this on my library’s shelves and didn’t think I’d read it (I hadn’t) and I liked it a lot. It was kind of cheeky and not as serious as some of her other books (although the main plot point was very serious, there was a lot of humor.) Recommend.
Dad Is Fat, by Jim Gaffigan
Jim Gaffigan has five kids and lives in a walk-up in NYC. Just sit with that for a second. I thought this book was fun—although it was a lot of his stand-up jokes in written form, so if you’ve seen any of his standup, then that won’t be new material for you—but I loved his perspective on parenting. (Especially parenting in NYC, which seems…Intense.) The book also contained several diagrams detailing how they put five children and two adults to bed in a two-bedroom apartment, which had me giggling.
Bossypants, by Tina Fey
I loved this! I didn’t know a ton about Tina Fey, minus what I learned on Inside The Actor’s Studio, so I liked reading about her history and start in comedy (improv!), as well as the steps she took to get where she is. Good inspiration.
Honorable Mentions
These are books I started that didn’t or haven’t yet finished.
The Is The Story Of A Happy Marriage, by Ann Patchett
After hearing the author on Fresh Air, I became obsessed and immediately checked this book out from the library. It’s a collection of essays (some old, from Patchett’s magazine writing days; some new, for the book.) I will liken it to paddling through the Colorado River, if the river was made of tar: Gorgeous views along the way, but nearly impossible to get through. I would like to give it another go, because I did love her writing and her, but we’ll see.
Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems, by Billy Collins
I think I heard about Billy Collins first in yoga and then on NPR and like Patchett above, I checked this book out from the library immediately. I would read a few poems a night before bed, but just never finished the book before it was due back. I do want to re-check it out. Until then, my favorite poem for you:
No Time
By Billy CollinsIn a rush this weekday morning,
I tap the horn as I speed past the cemetery
where my parents are buried
side by side beneath a slab of smooth granite.Then, all day, I think of him rising up
to give me that look
of knowing disapproval
while my mother calmly tells him to lie back down.
Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes
I am currently reading this and plan to finish soon!
True Evil, by Greg Iles
I always buy a cheap Kindle book to read on my app when Chris is already in bed. I am about 11% through this book, so I expect I’ll finish it maybe before the end of 2015.
And that’s it! What did you read and love this year?