Walklover’s 75 Books Challenge for 2021

Happy New Year to all! Wishing you much happiness, good health - and great books!

Happy reading in 2021, Debbi, and wishing you all the same!

Welcome back!

Have a great year of reading!

And keep up with my friends here, Debbi. Have a great 2021.

Happy New Year, Hon!

I'm glad you're off to such a good reading start. How Michelle O's book going?

>2 FAMeulstee: - Thanks, Anita! 2020 was a hard year for me with reading, but this year is off to a very good start. I hope this finds you and yours safe and well.

>3 drneutron: - Thanks! It’s good to be back - and to be able to read with ease - 2020 was a hard one for me with regards to reading. I hope you and yours are safe and well.

>4 thornton37814: - Thanks, Lori! This is starting out to be a great year for reading for me, especially compared to 2020. I hope this finds you and yours safe and well.

>5 PaulCranswick: - So good to hear from you, Paul. I hope you and yours are all safe and well. Love seeing Hanni’s posts on Facebook - what a lovely family you have. My reading year has started off very well - especially in comparison to 2020.

>6 jnwelch: - Happy New Year to you! As you well know, it’s started off as a very good reading year for me - and Becoming was a great book - it will be on your TBR shelf as soon as I log it in here.

1. Jack by Marilynne Robinson - I’m a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson and actually asked for this book for the holidays (thank you, Joe!). I can say that even though it definitely wasn’t one of my favorites of her books, I did enjoy it. The story of an interracial romance at a time when that was illegal, it felt at many times to be very “stream of consciousness” and the beginning in particular went on way too long for my taste. But - the story was honest and real - and, as always, Robinson’s writing was beautiful and even a bit awe-inspiring.

2. In the Shadow of the Mic edited by Jesse Welch and Adriana E. Ramirez - Disclaimer time - Jesse is my son and Adriana is my daughter-in-law. I’ve been involved with slam poetry and the young and old who write and perform it in Chicago for many years (over 15) - and I’m a huge fan. Jesse and Adriana, in putting together this 3 decade history of slam poetry in Pittsburgh have truly brought that world to life - and have managed, through their own intro and closing essays, interviews with many who have led the scene there and the poetry of many, to bring us right into the world with them. It’s not always easy to take something from stage to page, but they have been quite successful in doing so with this.

3. My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent - I found this book on my TBR shelf - having no idea where I got it. My best guess is I picked it up at the last ALA meeting held in Chicago. The story of Turtle Alveston, a 14 year old who has been raised in the woods by her father, “ a renegade survivalist”, is a very hard one to read. Turtle is isolated and sexually abused by her father. Her only real social interactions are with her grandfather and kids at her middle school (where she keeps herself quite distant). After meeting a young man, Jacob, and experiencing the way and those around him live and seeing what life really has to offer her, Turtle begins to see the possibilities of what her life could be. Through great courage, she writes her own happy ending (in reality, her own happy beginning). It is a hard book to read, but I’m very glad I read it.

4. Chicago Storytellers from Stage to Page edited by Judi Lee Goshen and Anne E. Beall - Time for another disclaimer - I have an essay published in this book and know a number of the other writers. I’ve been involved in the Live Lit community in Chicago for over 10 years - and in that time, have performed a number of my essays in various venues here. Judi and Anne began this book’s journey to honor one of the best writers we all knew, Tom Wolferman, who died suddenly a few years ago at the age of 50 and whose work was never published. They then chose 24 other essays to be included in this work. It is an honor and a privilege to be one of them.

5. The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder - As many of you know, I’ve been reading the entire series to Joe for at least the last two years (he’s done some of the reading, but knows how much I enjoy doing it and has been gracious enough to let me take over). This is the final book in the series - and I’ve enjoyed every one. It’s been most interesting to be reading them during the pandemic. Yes, we’ve been going through a very hard time, but their lives were always difficult and reading about them helped put a lot in perspective. I’m sorry to have this end, but am looking forward to our next book, Dandelion Wine.

6. Becoming by Michelle Obama - I’m still in awe of the burgundy outfit Michelle wore to the inauguration. She has such a striking presence and truly understands the importance of her presence anywhere. I am so glad I read this book because I learned so much about her early years and also about much of the thinking and planning that was behind much of what occurred when she was First Lady. It also reminded me that I had never seen Barack’s address to the Democratic convention. Thank you YouTube!

7. To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay - An older book, published in 1990, it’s a beautiful story of aging, loss, death and family. Following the death of his wife, Sam Peek has to deal with the deep sadness that has brought him, but also the hovering of his children who live near and far. Joined in his grief by the White Dog, he manages to find solace and comfort in his last days. A wonderful, quiet book.

8. Tiny by Mairead Case - Another disclaimer - Mairead is a friend of mine. She’s a fabulous and brilliant writer, and one of the most thoughtful and giving people I have ever known. Tiny is “a new version of ...Antigone, set in the mossy greens and foggy grays of the Pacific Northwest”. It’s quite the experience to read it, not just for the amazing writing style, but for the format as well. If you want/need to experience a new and different approach to writing, please read this book.

>16 walklover: We're working through these as bedtime read-alouds, too, and Charlie is really enjoying them. We started Farmer Boy last week.

>17 walklover: I loved this one! I've listened to it twice: the first time by myself, and the second time with Charlie in the car (he found out I was listening and wanted to listen, too - he's a huge Obama family fan). I'm listening to A Promised Land now and highly recommend it as a companion book to this one. Lots of neat overlaps, of course.

I believe that birthday salutations are in order Debbi!

A late happy new year, Debbi! It looks like you've already had some excellent books in 2021. I still need to read Jack. Of the series so far, I think I liked Home the best and may reread it first.

I'll look forward to your thoughts on Dandelion Wine.

Oh phooey. I forgot to preregister in time to hear your storytelling tonight. Do you think it will get to youtube?

eta: that was meant to read phooey. I've fixed it.

>20 scaifea: - They were so much fun to read - and to read the last few during the pandemic was very interesting. Now that I’ve finished Michelle’s book, I plan to start Barack’s new one Have you read or listened to that one?

>21 PaulCranswick: - Thank you so much, Paul. I had a wonderful birthday, even with the wind chill at minus 23F. I hope this finds you and your lovely family well and safe.

>22 bell7: - A very late Happy New Year to you, Mary! I hope this finds you and yours well and safe. We haven’t started Dandelion Wine yet - we’ve been waiting for some consistent warm weather because I really like to read to Joe on the front porch. Looks like we might be in luck this Sunday - fingers crossed.

>23 ffortsa: - So sorry you missed the storytelling. Unfortunately, it won’t be on YouTube. It went very well. Telling virtually is a bit weird though because I can’t see or hear the audience’s reaction. I hope all is well with you and yours.

9. The Strange and Deadly Portraits of Bryony Gray by E. Latimer - This book was on my TBR shelf - and I have no idea how it got there (not from Joe) - so there was a mystery before I even began this middle grade book. It took awhile for me to truly get involved in the story. In fact, I thought about putting it down more than once. I’m glad I didn’t because I enjoyed it. I can’t tell you much because there’s a bit of a twist - but it is about a young girl, Bryony, who is a very accomplished painter and all that went wrong with her because of a family curse.

10. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve - I absolutely loved this book. It’s the first by this author that I’ve read and i definitely intend to read more. A beautiful and heart rending story of a newlywed couple and their experiences with love and loss.

11. Parable of the Sower by Octavia butler - A wonderfully written dystopic novel - my first by this author (I sense a theme here). The world is in chaos and no one is safe. Lauren, a hyperempathic 15 year old, must find her way through it all - and in the process, brings hope and the birth of a new faith to a troubled world.

12. The Color of Love: A Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl by Marra B. Gad - I read this memoir because the author was going to be at one of my synagogue’s Friday night service. I’m very glad I did - and even more delighted that I was able to hear her speak and answer questions. Marra was adopted by a white couple and “even in her own extended family, racism bubbled to the surface”. Some of the worst of that came from her great-aunt and Marra were estranged from her for many years. But when that great-aunt became ill with Alzheimer’s, Marra chose to reach out and care for her.

13. Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky - A disclaimer - Ami is a friend of mine. A lovely middle grade book (told in dual points of view) about a young girl and her journey towards an understanding of her feelings, her love, for a friend who is non-binary.

14. the Story prize edited by Larry Dark - This book was filled with terrific short stories by authors including Edwidge Danticat, Elizabeth Strout and Anthony Doerr.

>29 walklover: I also like the novels of Anita Shreve, Debbi. I think she was unjustly undervalued for her storytelling. Eden Close, Resistance, The Weight of Water, Fortune's Rocks and The Pilot's Wife are all worth a read and one is not a stereotype of another.

Lovely to see you posting.

>24 walklover: I did listen to Barack's new one and it's good, but I think it's not nearly as good as Michelle's. He possibly needs a more stern editor...

>34 PaulCranswick: - I’m definitely going to give more of her books a read. Will keep you posted.

It’s good to be back posting!

>35 scaifea: - Michelle’s was so good. Interested to see what I think of Barack’s.

Drooling every Friday over your after-school snacks.

Wow, so many good reviews! I particularly liked the ones for Shadow of the Mic and Chicago Storytellers From Stage to Page. I loved both those books, too - go figure. Your essay in the second one is a beaut.

I haven't read Barack's book yet, but I sure loved Michelle's.

Any chance we could get together today and enjoy the improved weather?

>38 jnwelch: - I think I could find time in my schedule.

Hope the Healing is going strong and you two will soon be out walkin' in the rain again.

>40 m.belljackson: - Thanks - things are going well. We’re out walking as many days as we can.

15. The Bookstore of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman - Set in Australia, this is the story of two lonely souls who meet and struggle to find themselves in the relationship. Beautifully written.

16. The Blue Cotton Gown: A Midwife’s Memoir by Patricia Harman - I really enjoyed this memoir. Harman shared many stories of the women she saw in her practice, while at the same time keeping me involved in her own personal story. My only complaint is I felt the ending was too sudden.

17. The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya - The story of a young girl and her sister who escaped the Rwandan massacre and spent the next 6 years living in horrible conditions in refugee camps. they eventually were given refuge status and ended up in Chicago. Clemantine writes of her life with such honesty.

The girl Who SMiled beads sounds like quite a book. Where did you find it?

18. Impossible Children by Robert Yune - Winner of the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, this is a book of interesting, imaginative and strange stories. I complained a bit as I worked my way through it, but am definitely glad I read it.

>45 jnwelch: - I’m pretty sure I ordered it after reading about it.

19. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T J Klune - This was recommended by daughter Becca and I owe her thanks for that recommendation. What a fabulous book! Definitely will be added to my favorite books list. Beautifully written, interesting characters - and a great message. I recommend it to all.

20. Eric by Shaun Tan - A wonderful picture book with great illustrations recommended by Joe. I have never read a book by Tan that I didn’t enjoy. This is a lovely tale about accepting people/creatures for who they are and how they live.

21. Seven Springs by Ellen Blum Barish - Ellen is a friend of mine and a fellow member of a writing group that has been together for more than 8 years. I heard her read parts of this book before she had even decided it was a memoir rather than a series of essays. “A conversation between two former childhood friends at a high school reunion evokes a traumatic memory and sets a woman on a transformational journey.” I was particularly taken by Ellen’s terrific way of including her faith in the story without it becoming “teach”.

22. Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver - I have always enjoyed stories that involve two different linked time periods and people. Kingsolver does a great job of keeping our interest in both and linking them when possible/necessary.

23. Big Bad Ironclad! by Nathan Hale - This is another book in the New York Times bestselling Hazardous Tales series. It was loaned to me by a neighbor who was in middle school at the time. It’s a graphic novel and a great way to learn more history.

24. The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver - Not one of my favorites by Deaver, but I did enjoy the variety of storylines.

25. The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel - Thank you to Joe for the recommendation. This graphic novel had a slow start for me, but by midpoint I got caught up in it and couldn’t put it down.. Bechdel, the author of Fun Home knows how to relate to her reader.

You’re welcome. I love all the comments! I owe both you and Becca for encouraging me to read House in the Cerulean Sea. Great book.

26. Haunted Hibiscus by Laura Childs - My very favorite cozy mystery author - and she once again didn’t fail to please. Childs writes wonderful stories with great recurring characters - and new ones as well. I would wholeheartedly recommend any of her books. And - thank you to Joe for bringing this one home from the library for me - very thoughtful!

Happy Sunday, Debbi. I also LOVED The Secret to Superhuman Strength. It will probably be the best GN I will read this year. I also enjoyed both Unsheltered & Cerulean Sea.

>57 msf59: - Happy Sunday to you, Mark! So glad you enjoyed those books as well. I kept hearing about Cerulean Sea - and Becca was absolutely appalled when she found out neither Joe nor I had read it,

Dropping by to say hello, Debbi. xx

>59 PaulCranswick: - Hi Paul! I hope all is well. I’m in Pittsburgh right now helping to take care of my grandchildren - their mom had knee surgery today - and their school was closed for a week last week.

27. Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths - This was Book 13 in the Ruth Galloway Mysteries Series. I’m very fond of Ruth and really enjoy the stories Griffiths involves her in and the supporting characters in her life. As usual, thank you to Joe for making sure we had this one on our shared Kindle library.

>60 walklover: Sending Good Wishes for a quick knee surgery recovery!

And hope you are all enjoying another of your Pittsburgh vacations as Joe wades through the laundry.

A Thanksgiving to Friends (Lighting the Way)

In difficult times
a friend is there to light the way
to lighten the load,
to show the path,
to smooth the road

At the darkest hour
a friend, with a word of truth
points to light
and the encroaching dawn
is in the plainest sight.

Debbi, to a friend in books and more this Thanksgiving

>63 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul. I hope you and yours are well and happy - and enjoying the holiday season!!

28. Year of the Nurse: A 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic Memoir by Cassandra Alexander - Thank you to Darryl for recommending this book. It was not an easy read - the author, rightfully so, is angry and sad and anxious - and at times, suicidal. It is repetitious, but only because she lived day after day with dying patients and their families. I’m glad to have had the chance to truly see what the nurses have been dealing with - and are still dealing with today.

Have a lovely holiday, Debbi.

>66 PaulCranswick: Thank you so much, Paul! The very same to you and yours.

29. The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin - Thanks to Joe for this recommendation. It’s so much fun to share our Kindle libraries. This was a wonderful book which took this reader right into London proper as the bombings from the German began. The characters were well-developed and the descriptions of London put you right there (in fact, quite a few things occurred in Islington, which is where Joe and i always stay).

30. Artificial Condition: The Murderbot Diaries 2 by Martha Wells - My son, Jesse, has been choosing my science fiction reads for me for quite awhile. His recommendation of the Murderbot series was a great one. Just finished #2 and plan to keep on with the series.

31. Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green - Thanks again, Joe! a very easy and very enjoyable read.

Yep, love me some Murderbor!

32. The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson - This one took a few chapters before I was totally involved, but then became quite an enjoyable read.

Forget your stresses and strains
As the old year wanes;
All that now remains
Is to bring you good cheer
With wine, liquor or beer
And wish you a special new year.

Happy New Year, Debbi.

>73 PaulCranswick: And a very Happy New Year to you and yours, Paul!