Tanglethread's list for 2022
Conversazioni75 Books Challenge for 2022
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1tangledthread
I'm in again for the New Year. '21 was a good year of reading for me. With the help of Covid restrictions I met my 75 books goal for the year.
Looking forward to some great books in '22
Looking forward to some great books in '22
2drneutron
Welcome back! Congrats on hitting the goal in 2021. Here’s hoping next year is even better.
ed!!4PaulCranswick
This group always helps me to read; welcome back. x
5FAMeulstee
Happy reading in 2022!
6thornton37814
Hope your year is filled with good reads!
7tangledthread
>2 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! A Happy New Year of reading to you!
>3 Berly: :) Happy New Year
>4 PaulCranswick: Great suggestions, Paul!....esp. on trying to stick with books you don't like.
>6 thornton37814: And the same for you, Lori
>3 Berly: :) Happy New Year
>4 PaulCranswick: Great suggestions, Paul!....esp. on trying to stick with books you don't like.
>6 thornton37814: And the same for you, Lori
8tangledthread
Last night I finished reading Olga which IMO is a very good piece of German literary fiction. Though technically it was a 2021 read, I have some thoughts I'll share here.
Olga is a book about one woman's life in Germany from the turn of the 20th century to around 1972. I can't help but compare it to Zorrie by Laird Hunt, which I read a few weeks ago. Zorrie is also about one woman's life in the upper midwest of the US during a similar time period. Both women are orphaned at a young age, cared for by an unloving relative, and lead relatively solitary lives.
Zorrie has received quite a lot of acclaim in the US. But when I finished reading it, I sort of felt "so what?"
OTOH, Olga's story is told from three different points of view. The first section of the book is written almost as a chronicle of her life. It contains facts and demonstrates the character of the woman, but very little intimacy. The second section is written by a man who knew Olga in her later years as she befriended him during his lonely childhood and became a friend and mentor to him. The third section is made up of letters written by Olga to her lover and provides an intimate portrait of her thoughts and motivations.
Zorrie had only one section and it was very much like the first section of Olga. In other words, there was a lot missing, IMO.
They are two good books, but Olga stood head and shoulders above the other book for me.
I'm wondering if these books about solitary women are going to a trend for the coming year? It's interesting that both are written by men.
Olga is a book about one woman's life in Germany from the turn of the 20th century to around 1972. I can't help but compare it to Zorrie by Laird Hunt, which I read a few weeks ago. Zorrie is also about one woman's life in the upper midwest of the US during a similar time period. Both women are orphaned at a young age, cared for by an unloving relative, and lead relatively solitary lives.
Zorrie has received quite a lot of acclaim in the US. But when I finished reading it, I sort of felt "so what?"
OTOH, Olga's story is told from three different points of view. The first section of the book is written almost as a chronicle of her life. It contains facts and demonstrates the character of the woman, but very little intimacy. The second section is written by a man who knew Olga in her later years as she befriended him during his lonely childhood and became a friend and mentor to him. The third section is made up of letters written by Olga to her lover and provides an intimate portrait of her thoughts and motivations.
Zorrie had only one section and it was very much like the first section of Olga. In other words, there was a lot missing, IMO.
They are two good books, but Olga stood head and shoulders above the other book for me.
I'm wondering if these books about solitary women are going to a trend for the coming year? It's interesting that both are written by men.
10alcottacre
Congratulations on hitting 75 in 2021! I hope 2022 goes just as well for you!
>8 tangledthread: Interesting notes on the contrasts and comparisons to Zorrie, a book I have on my reading list for this year. I will have to see if I can find a copy of Olga as well.
>8 tangledthread: Interesting notes on the contrasts and comparisons to Zorrie, a book I have on my reading list for this year. I will have to see if I can find a copy of Olga as well.
11tangledthread
>10 alcottacre: I think you will enjoy both books. I hope you'll share your thoughts once you've read them.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
12tangledthread
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
13tangledthread
Off to a slow start this year. There are a lot of things in the works around here right now.
Just finished Once There Were Wolves and give it 4.5 stars. It is an imaginative piece of "eco-fiction" with added threads of feminism. I'll review it once I've had time to think a little more.
Just finished Once There Were Wolves and give it 4.5 stars. It is an imaginative piece of "eco-fiction" with added threads of feminism. I'll review it once I've had time to think a little more.
14tangledthread
Just reviewed A Ghost in the Throat which can be found on the book page.
15tangledthread
Also, finally reviewed Once There Were Wolves which can be found on the book page.
16alcottacre
>13 tangledthread: I already have that one in the BlackHole or I would be adding it again!
17tangledthread
>16 alcottacre: I liked Once There Were Wolves much better than her previous book Migrations
This second one showed a maturing in her writing and story development. And it gave me a lot to think about.
This second one showed a maturing in her writing and story development. And it gave me a lot to think about.
18Berly
Once There Were Wolves was one of my favorites from last year. : ) Off to read your review...
19tangledthread
I jettisoned Sarah Winman's Still Life. Her writing style was very distracting to me. There might be a good story there, but it sure seemed to be buried in her obscure prose.
20tangledthread
I finished reading David Guterson's The Final Case last night which I will give 5 stars.
It is a great piece of literary fiction with a lot of possibilities for discussion. Will post a review after I have time to digest it. In fact, I just might read it a second time, it's that dense in meaning.
It is a great piece of literary fiction with a lot of possibilities for discussion. Will post a review after I have time to digest it. In fact, I just might read it a second time, it's that dense in meaning.
21tangledthread
Finished David Guterson's The Final Case last night and will give it 5 stars. It is a great piece of literary fiction! I will post a review after I've had time to digest it some more. In fact, I may read through it again, it is that dense with meaning.
22tangledthread
Time to start the February reading list:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
23PaulCranswick
>22 tangledthread: I must look out for Guterson's book. He seems to have slipped below most people's radar since Snow Falling on Cedars which I loved.
Have a good weekend.
Have a good weekend.
24tangledthread
>23 PaulCranswick: thanks Paul. I remember trying to read Our Lady of the Forest when it first was published and it didn't do anything for me.
This new one is written as if it were memoir, though it is fiction. There are a lot of pithy insights, which some may find meandering. But I liked it.
This new one is written as if it were memoir, though it is fiction. There are a lot of pithy insights, which some may find meandering. But I liked it.
25tangledthread
I finished Klara and the Sun this afternoon. Will review it once I've had a chance to digest it. It was okay, I didn't love it.
26tangledthread
Finished Virgil Wander and wrote a brief review which can be found on the book page.
February has been a slow reading month for me as I recover from knee replacement surgery. Happily, that recovery is going well!
February has been a slow reading month for me as I recover from knee replacement surgery. Happily, that recovery is going well!
27tangledthread
Time to start the March reading list:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
28Berly
I have read three of this year's list and loved them all! : )
Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
29tangledthread
>28 Berly: I didn't particularly like Anxious People. But I will watch fro more of Charlotte McConaghy's books.
30tangledthread
Time to add April's books to the list:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
31tangledthread
Time to add some books read in June:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
* means currently reading
@ means review written
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
32tangledthread
Here's the July list:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
* means currently reading
@ means review written
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
34tangledthread
>33 Berly: The Startup Wife was good if you like satire.
Also I keep thinking about artificial intelligence and technology after reading Klara and the Sun and Sea of Tranquility
These are odd choices for me because I don't usually read science fiction, but current times..... it seems we are living science fiction.
Also I keep thinking about artificial intelligence and technology after reading Klara and the Sun and Sea of Tranquility
These are odd choices for me because I don't usually read science fiction, but current times..... it seems we are living science fiction.
35Berly
I loved Klara and I keep hearing about Sea of Tranquility. You are the tipping point -- added to my WL. These are weird times, right?
36tangledthread
Time to update the reading list:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
37Berly
Reading progress so noted!! I am back here after a long absence myself. We should make a pact to come here more often. LOL
38tangledthread
Adding September and October books:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
September:
38. The Midcoast by Adam White, fiction, audiobook & ebook
39. This is Happiness by Niall Williams, fiction@
40. Lessons by Ian McEwan, fiction@
October
41. Haven by Emma Donaghue, fiction
42. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, ebook*
43. Fairy Tale by Stephen King, fiction, audiobook @
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
September:
38. The Midcoast by Adam White, fiction, audiobook & ebook
39. This is Happiness by Niall Williams, fiction@
40. Lessons by Ian McEwan, fiction@
October
41. Haven by Emma Donaghue, fiction
42. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, ebook*
43. Fairy Tale by Stephen King, fiction, audiobook @
39tangledthread
Adding November books:
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
September:
38. The Midcoast by Adam White, fiction, audiobook & ebook
39. This is Happiness by Niall Williams, fiction@
40. Lessons by Ian McEwan, fiction@
October
41. Haven by Emma Donaghue, fiction@
42. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, ebook*
43. Fairy Tale by Stephen King, fiction, audiobook @
November
44. Winterland by Rae Meadows, fiction @
45. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, fiction @
46. Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler, fiction, ebook @
47. Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenberg, memoir, audiobook@
December
48. Foster by Claire Keegan, fiction, ebook
49. Out of Esau by Michelle Webster Hein, fiction@
50. The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz, fiction, audibook@
51. The Sentence Is Death by Anthony Horrowitz, fiction, audiobook@
52. Rabbit Foot Bill by Helen Humphreys, fiction, audiobook@
53. O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker, fiction, ebook
54. A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz, fiction, audiobook
* means currently reading
@ means review written
January Book list:
1. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, fiction @
2. Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy, fiction@
3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa, creative nonfiction, ebook@
4. Next Year This Time We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, memoir, audiobook@
5. The Final Case by David Guterson, fiction
February:
6. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, fiction
7. Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, fiction, ebook
8. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, audiobook
9. People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn, nonfiction, ebook*
March:
10. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette, fiction,ebook@
11. The Fell by Sarah Moss, fiction, ebook@
12. The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy, nonficton, ebook*
13. The Widow by Fiona Barton, fiction, ebook@
14. No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, nonfiction/memoir, ebook@
April:
15. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, essays, audiobook @
16. The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf, fiction, ebook@
17. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, audiobook@
18. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, ebook@
May
19. Here Right Matters by Alexander Vindman, memoir, audibook
20. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by anonymous, memoir, ebook*
21. The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, ebook@
June:
22. A Sunlit Weapon by Jacquline Winspear, fiction @
23. Carolina Moonset by Matt Goldman, fiction, ebook@
24. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, fiction@
25. The River of the Gods by Candice Millard, nonfiction, ebook@
26. Index, a history of the... by Dennis Duncan, nonfiction*
July:
27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks, fiction, ebook@
28. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam, fiction, audiobook
29. Deep Creek by Pam Houston, nonfiction - memoir
30. Evening Chorus by Helen Humphreys, fiction, ebook
31. Geographies of the Heart by Caitlin Hamilton Summie, fiction, ebook
August:
32. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, fiction, ebook
33. Touch by Olaf Olafsson, fiction, ebook
34. Field Study by Helen Humphreys, nonfiction, ebook & audiobook@
35. Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, fiction, ebook
36. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, fiction, ebook
37. The Blackhouse by Peter May, fiction, ebook & audibook@
September:
38. The Midcoast by Adam White, fiction, audiobook & ebook
39. This is Happiness by Niall Williams, fiction@
40. Lessons by Ian McEwan, fiction@
October
41. Haven by Emma Donaghue, fiction@
42. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, ebook*
43. Fairy Tale by Stephen King, fiction, audiobook @
November
44. Winterland by Rae Meadows, fiction @
45. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, fiction @
46. Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler, fiction, ebook @
47. Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenberg, memoir, audiobook@
December
48. Foster by Claire Keegan, fiction, ebook
49. Out of Esau by Michelle Webster Hein, fiction@
50. The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz, fiction, audibook@
51. The Sentence Is Death by Anthony Horrowitz, fiction, audiobook@
52. Rabbit Foot Bill by Helen Humphreys, fiction, audiobook@
53. O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker, fiction, ebook
54. A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz, fiction, audiobook
40tangledthread
Review of Winterland:
Anya Yurievna Petrova is the central character in this story, chosen for the elite school of gymnastics in Norilsk at the age of 8 in 1973. While the story focuses on the lives of Soviet gymnasts who competed in the 1970's and early 1980's, the story encompasses Soviet life from the time of Stalin to 8 years after the break up of the Soviet Union in 1998.
Anya is born to Katrina and Yuri who met in the Arbat in 1954 after Stalin's death. Devoted to the Soviet communism, they move to Norilsk, a closed city whose importance is the mining of copper and nickel. Yuri works in the copper mines and Katrina teaches ballet at the local conservatory. Katrina becomes disillusioned with the political system and the bleak landscape of Siberia. When she is threatened by the authorities she mysteriously disappears when Anya is 5 years old.
Norilsk is also known for its gulag established under Stalin, and Vera, an elderly woman who lives in Anya's apartment building represents that time. Vera spent 10 years in the gulag where she lost her son and husband. Once released from prison, she is unable to leave the area where her loved ones died. She ruminates on the past and suffers from survivors guilt. She cares for Anya after school and becomes a surrogate babushka to her.
Much of the book focuses on the grueling and relentless training of the young girls as gymnasts. They are required to work through injury and pain, with painful joints anesthetized so they could continue to train. Food is withheld in the attempts to keep them small, and medicines are used to keep them from entering puberty and developing secondary sexual characteristics. Their education is sacrificed to the all encompassing physical training. These sacrifices are made under the guise of patriotism, though the coaches and the higher ups are the ones who benefit from the success of the girls. It is assumed that Anya is a composite character of Soviet gymnasts at the time, though several of the famous gymnasts of that era appear in the text. The most significant is Elena Mukhina, Anya's roommate at the Round Lake training center and the closest friend she ever had. Elena became a quadriplegic while training for the 1980 Olympic games.
This was a challenging book to read because the grim environment, the repression of individuality, and the cruelty at the hands of the State suffered by all of the characters. At the end of the book Elena says to Anya, "Our greatness required cruelty, didn't it? I'm not sorry it's over." That statement pretty much sums it up.
It's a well written book, and it's hard not to compare these gymnast's stories with the recent stories of Simone Biles, as well as the current threat of authoritarianism in the world. Let's hope that the cruelty does not return.
I received this ARC through the Early Readers program. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
Anya Yurievna Petrova is the central character in this story, chosen for the elite school of gymnastics in Norilsk at the age of 8 in 1973. While the story focuses on the lives of Soviet gymnasts who competed in the 1970's and early 1980's, the story encompasses Soviet life from the time of Stalin to 8 years after the break up of the Soviet Union in 1998.
Anya is born to Katrina and Yuri who met in the Arbat in 1954 after Stalin's death. Devoted to the Soviet communism, they move to Norilsk, a closed city whose importance is the mining of copper and nickel. Yuri works in the copper mines and Katrina teaches ballet at the local conservatory. Katrina becomes disillusioned with the political system and the bleak landscape of Siberia. When she is threatened by the authorities she mysteriously disappears when Anya is 5 years old.
Norilsk is also known for its gulag established under Stalin, and Vera, an elderly woman who lives in Anya's apartment building represents that time. Vera spent 10 years in the gulag where she lost her son and husband. Once released from prison, she is unable to leave the area where her loved ones died. She ruminates on the past and suffers from survivors guilt. She cares for Anya after school and becomes a surrogate babushka to her.
Much of the book focuses on the grueling and relentless training of the young girls as gymnasts. They are required to work through injury and pain, with painful joints anesthetized so they could continue to train. Food is withheld in the attempts to keep them small, and medicines are used to keep them from entering puberty and developing secondary sexual characteristics. Their education is sacrificed to the all encompassing physical training. These sacrifices are made under the guise of patriotism, though the coaches and the higher ups are the ones who benefit from the success of the girls. It is assumed that Anya is a composite character of Soviet gymnasts at the time, though several of the famous gymnasts of that era appear in the text. The most significant is Elena Mukhina, Anya's roommate at the Round Lake training center and the closest friend she ever had. Elena became a quadriplegic while training for the 1980 Olympic games.
This was a challenging book to read because the grim environment, the repression of individuality, and the cruelty at the hands of the State suffered by all of the characters. At the end of the book Elena says to Anya, "Our greatness required cruelty, didn't it? I'm not sorry it's over." That statement pretty much sums it up.
It's a well written book, and it's hard not to compare these gymnast's stories with the recent stories of Simone Biles, as well as the current threat of authoritarianism in the world. Let's hope that the cruelty does not return.
I received this ARC through the Early Readers program. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
41Berly
Did you like Redhead by the side of the Road? I usually like Tyler. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
42tangledthread
>41 Berly: I have to read it for my Dec. book group. I used to like Anne Tyler, but have come to the conclusion the she has 3 basic books that she writes over and over again. So I'm dragging my feet on this one.
43Berly
>42 tangledthread: Hmmmm...let me know how it goes. I have only read 4 of hers. Hopefully it is a pleasant surprise?!
44tangledthread
>43 Berly: I've reviewed it, the review should be on the book page.
It is indeed one of her tropes.
It is indeed one of her tropes.
