Walklover’s 75 Books Challenge for 2024

Here’s hoping we all have a happy, healthy and peaceful 2024!

Welcome back, Debbi!

Good luck with your 2024 reading.

Happy reading in 2024, Debbi!

Merry 2024, Debbi. I came looking for you to ask you for a favor...Joe hasn't set up a thread so, if you please, will you let him know about this new book coming out from Marilynne Robinson?
MARILYNNE ROBINSON, READING GENESIS
FSG, MARCH 12
The blurb on LitHub says:
You’ve read Genesis, but have you really read it? As a piece of literature, that is, as opposed to a historical document or madlib composed by multiple people over multiple centuries? Honestly, an interesting project for Gilead’s Robinson, who gives pre-Milton Eden the proper treatment.
It sounded to me like something he very much could enjoy, and getting a hold in early at the library might be a good idea.

Thanks! Read hearty.

Happy new year Debbi.

Happy New Year Debbi. I hope you and Joe get to London this year.

A belated Happy New Year to you and Joe. I hope the computer trouble ends soon.

Happy new year, Debbi! Looking forward to seeing what you're reading this year.

>2 drneutron: Thank you! Happy New Year to you and yours.

>3 Berly: Happy New Year!

>4 Tess_W: Thanks! Have started it with two wonderful books which I will be entering today.

>5 FAMeulstee: Thanks! Same to you!

>6 richardderus: Happy New Year, Richard! I passed it on.

>7 PaulCranswick: Happy New Year to you and yours, Paul!

>8 Caroline_McElwee: Happy New Year, Caroline! London is most definitely on our wish list.

>10 bell7: Happy New Year to you too! I’ve started the year with two great books which I’ll be reviewing today.

1. Making It So by Patrick Stewart - I have had this book since December, but decided that I wanted it to be my first book of 2024.
I adore Patrick Stewart - a faithful viewer of Star Trek:TNG and Picard, one soothed by his pandemic sonnet readings, a fan of Professor X - and lucky enough to have been in the audience in London for his performance (with Ian McKellen) in No Man’s Land.
This memoir is wonderful - so fascinating to learn about his history, family, relationships - all stories told honestly, sharing many rough spots (of himself as well as others) as well as the smooth. Obviously, this is one I would highly recommend.

2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - I first read Patchett’s Bel Canto many years ago and it was a story that left a long-lasting imprint. I can already tell that Tom Lake will be doing the same. Beautifully written, it flows from present to past and back as we learn the story of Lara’s life, loves and losses - and how she searches for happiness in a very difficult world.

Hi Debbi! Looks like I’m going to have to get my hands on Tom Lake. And one of these days I need to read Bel Canto.

>21 SuziQoregon: I wholeheartedly recommend both!

3. Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer - This was a holiday gift from Joe - a total surprise and one I’d never heard of. It was a perfect read for my days of isolation with Covid. Meltzer, herself a person dealing with a severe chronic illness, has given her lead characters (all Jewish) in all three of her books chronic and often debilitating diseases. She is honest and open about the characters’ symptoms and how they affect their daily lives. Her goal is to have Jews read more romances - and she succeeded with this Jew.

>19 walklover: I have this one home from the library, and your review makes me want to move it to the top of the list!

>23 walklover: What fun! I'll look for it at the library.

Is Joe still in LT limbo? We all miss him here.

>23 walklover: oh I need to find this one!

Happy New Year, Debbi! Making It So sounds good. I'll never forget seeing No Man's Land with you, Joe, and Caroline.

Hope you are feeling 100% soon. I enjoyed Tom Lake as well. : )

>24 bell7: I would definitely recommend doing that!

>25 ffortsa: As you can see, Joe is back in the Cafe.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

>26 SuziQoregon: I’m considering finding some of her other books.

>27 kidzdoc: That was a wonderful evening, wasn’t it?

>28 Berly: I’m steadily improving. Unfortunately, I’m a virally induced. asthmatic - so I’m in a pretty rotten asthma episode right now. But, I’m taking really good care of myself - and getting some good reading in. :)

4. I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai - Having loved The Great Believers, I was anxious to read this one - and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I don’t want to say to much about it, but it’s an excellent whodunit set on the campus of a boarding school.

>34 walklover: This seems like a book I'm going to love. I've put it on my library list.
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I wish you a speedy recovery. I'm struggling with Longcovid myself, but the therapy is getting me back on my feet.
Take care of yourself.

5. The Little Books of the Little Brontes by Sara O’Leary & Briony May Smith - A sweet picture book telling the true story of the Brontë children and the tiny books they wrote for themselves and each other.

6. Glowrushes by Roberto Piumini - Thank you to Joe for recommending this beautifully written story about a young sick boy who is unable to go outside (or even look outside) and the painter who brings the world to him. I’m already making a list people to gift it to.

>37 walklover: That was indeed a lovely story, Debbi, glad it is now available in English translation!

Hoping the asthma is behaving by now? I like the sounds of your most recent reads. Varied and really interesting!

Hiya, walklover! I’m glad Kissing Kosher hit the spot, and at some point I may try Making It So. I like that Picard guy, too.

I’m with you on Glowrushes as a gift book; I have at least one sister in mind(the one you like).

Thanks for recommending I Have Some Questions - what a writer she is. Tom Lake is going to stick with me, too - I’m already wondering what Lara is up to now.

>38 FAMeulstee: It was so wonderful! One of those books I want everyone to read.

>39 Berly: Thanks for the good wishes. I finally feel like I.ve got the asthma under control this time.

>40 jnwelch: Fun to have a reader as my partner and a book gifter. :)

7. World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky - I’ve known Amy for many years and have read her other books - Threads and Gracefully Grayson - and this one is as terrific as her others. It’s the story of Iris whose mother and father divorced when he came out as gay - and now she’s living with his life and death with AIDS. It’s a beautifully written young adult novel that should be read by all ages.

8. The City We Became by N. K. Jemison - My son, Jesse, is the person I turn to for science fiction recommendations. He understands what I enjoy in this genre - and what makes me crazy. This book was the first one I have read of his two newest recommendations - and it was wonderful. It took me a bit to “get into” the story and the world it’s describing, but once in I didn’t want to get out. It concerns 5 New Yorkers and how they have to work together to save their city. Each represents a different borough and the many characteristics of the people who populate them.

>45 walklover: I don't really have much of a feel for what Sci-fi I will like, Debbi, as the jargon laden stuff definitely doesn't enrapture me but sometimes if you look beyond that there is a good story to be had.

>46 PaulCranswick: I totally agree, which is why I rely on Jesse’s recommendations. Too much jargon = I won’t like it.

9. Missing Persons by James Patterson - A welcome easy read after The City We Became. The next in the Private series - good mystery and good well-rounded characters (both old and new).

10. Crosshairs by James Patterson - Thanks to Ms. Becca who puts the Patterson on hold and passes them to me when she’s done.They’re a fast read which is goods because i usually have about 5-7 days to finish them and get them back to the library since there are always many waiting for them. I enjoy the Michael Bennett Thriller series - and this one was quite good. We got to see a lot of Bennett’s family which i always enjoy and the mystery definitely kept me guessing.

11. Jovita Wore Pants by Aida Salazar - Subtitled “The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter”. This is a picture book that is definitely for an audience of about 7-9 (and above). The true story of a young girl who wanted to be able to run free like her brothers and defend religious freedom - but was hampered by her father’s belief that because she was a girl she couldn’t fight - or wear pants. After her father and brothers are killed, she cuts her hair and puts on pants and leads an army of men to fight the Cristero War. I would recommend this to any adult. The illustrations by Molly Mendoza are perfect for the story and the mood.

12. The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher - Another great recommendation from Joe and one I plan to recommend to some fellow reader friends. I love historical fiction - an enjoyable way to learn so much - and if it’s written as brilliantly as this one, all the better. The story of Shakespeare and Company - a world-renowned bookstore in Paris (we had a lovely visit there many years back) with a visit from many well-known and well-loved literary giants.

Hello! Saying hi and introducing myself. Would like to learn more about word webs.

I’m enjoying your mini-reviews, Hon. Well done! I’m so glad Paris Booksellers hit the spot! What a time that was in that city.

Welcome Debbi!!!

Hi Debbi - just wanted to stop by and thank you for posting about Kissing Kosher up in >23 walklover:
I finished it yesterday and loved it. I definitely plan to read her other books. Thanks!

>52 dianeham: Hi! Will send you some info soon. Word webs are quite useful in a variety of situations.

>53 jnwelch: Thanks! I thought about our visit to the bookstore a lot while reading it.

>54 Whisper1: Thanks! Glad to be here.

>55 SuziQoregon: So glad you liked it. I’m also looking forward to reading her other books in the future.

13. We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter - I wanted to make sure I read the book before watching the miniseries. So many books about the Holocaust rightfully emphasize the concentration camps and all of the horrors that occurred there. This true story details the lives of many members of one family who all “avoided” the camps - but describes all of the horrors they had to go to to survive. An excellent and important read.

14. Pretty Ugly by David Sedaris - I really enjoy listening to David Sedaris telling his fabulous stories, but have never really enjoyed reading his books. This picture book is the story of a little girl, who because she has become beautiful, has her monster out looking family and friends appalled (reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode). I didn’t find this read enjoyable at all. i did, however, enjoy the illustrations by Ian Falconer who wrote and illustrated the Olivia series (and passed away last year at 66 - quite a loss).

15. The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson - Thank you to Becca who reserves all the new Patterson’s at the library and passes them to me when she’s done. This is the first in a new series and I have definitely enjoyed meeting the new characters and look forward to continuing with future books. It was also a darn good mystery.

16. The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn - Joe and I share our Kindle books and this was a wonderful book I found because of his list. It’s a lovely story of the unlikely friendship between an older man ( a Book Walker who delivers books around his town) and a nine year old girl. Their friendship makes both of their lives better as well as those of the many townsfolk whose lives they touch. I highly recommend it.

17. Little Bits of Sky by S.E. Durant - My copy is an ARC and I truly have no idea how or when I got it. It’s a lovely book about two siblings who have spent most of their lives in foster care and end up at Skilly House, a London-based home for children The book is r=written from the perspective of the elder of the two (a girl). I enjoyed reading it.

>62 walklover: I just finished The Murder House by Patterson. It was creepy, but pretty good. I usually enjoy his reads.