Author Topic: 50 Books in 2021!  (Read 74451 times)

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #50 on: January 15, 2021, 09:09:09 AM »
1) Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez
2) In Praise of Paths: Walking Through Time and Nature, Torbjorn Ekelund
3) A Mind at Home with Itself, Byron Katie

4) Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion, Jia Tolentino--young, clever, feminist...a book of essays--very, very good

5) Heida: A Shepherd At the Edge of the World,  Steinen Sigurđardóttir--a recommendation from someone on this thread last year, enjoying it so far

okisok

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #51 on: January 15, 2021, 06:50:22 PM »
7. The Glass Castle--haven't seen the movie, but might now that I've read the book
8. Mud Season--Midwestern couple moves to VT and buys a Quaint Country Store

Currently reading:
Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning--audiobook, the narrator's voice is delightful
The Origin and Evolution of Tetrapods

lazycow

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #52 on: January 15, 2021, 07:02:28 PM »

5) Heida: A Shepherd At the Edge of the World,  Steinen Sigurđardóttir--a recommendation from someone on this thread last year, enjoying it so far

I think that was me! Glad you like it. I have my eye on James Rebanks' English Pastoral, which is the sequel to A Shepherd's Life.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2021, 03:00:56 AM by lazycow »

Linea_Norway

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #53 on: January 16, 2021, 06:46:46 AM »

5) Heida: A Shepherd At the Edge of the World,  Steinen Sigurđardóttir--a recommendation from someone on this thread last year, enjoying it so far

I think that was me! Glad you like it. I have my eye on James Rebanks' sequel English Pastoral, which is the  sequel to A Shepherd's Life.

I started in the book last year, but didn't finish it. I hadn't expected it to be a self biografy and halfway the book, I wasn't inspired to read the rest.
The book was highly profiled in my library app and that is why I chose it.

sui generis

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #54 on: January 17, 2021, 11:57:25 AM »

1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).

3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17). Amazing. Impeccably researched and I couldn't put it down. 2018 edition has updates and a helpful post-note.  (Tickled to discover at the end that the author is the husband to famous author Arlie Hochschild, after I had been noting the same last name but dismissing it.)

kpd905

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #55 on: January 17, 2021, 05:39:31 PM »
I'm in.  Mine will be almost all sci-fi and fantasy.

1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (We are Bob) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
« Last Edit: January 18, 2021, 05:04:08 AM by kpd905 »

Splashncash

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #56 on: January 17, 2021, 11:21:50 PM »
1. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (I started this before Christmas...)

2. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
3. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

StarBright

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #57 on: January 18, 2021, 07:35:59 AM »
1. On Writing by Stephen King
2. Red at the Bone by Jaqueline Woodson (I will need to reread the end of this one again. I was getting sleepy as I finished and I think I need to soak in more of the beautiful writing.)

3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4. House of Trelawney by Hannah Rothschild

Raenia

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #58 on: January 18, 2021, 09:53:43 AM »
You're all so fast!  I feel behind already.

1Gardening When it Counts: Growing Food in Hard TimesSteve SolomonLibraryTBR List01/05/2021Nonfiction - Home and Garden
2Media Gothic: A Stroll Through State Street's Dark HistoryLaurie Hull, Matt LakeOwnOther1/8/2021Nonfiction - History/Biography
3PrettiesScott WesterfieldLibrarySequel1/16/2021Fiction - Young Adult
4SpecialsScott WesterfieldLibrarySequel1/17/2021Fiction - Young Adult
5ExtrasScott WesterfieldLibrarySequel1/18/2021Fiction - Young Adult

Nonfiction: 2/25
TBR List: 1/25
Philosophy: 0/5

redhead84

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #59 on: January 18, 2021, 10:39:34 AM »
My goal is to add format and rating this year so I'll update twice per month. Here's my mid-January update.

January:
1) The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi (audio) ★★★˝
2) The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes (kindle) ★★˝
3) Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano (kindle) ★★★★
4) Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow (kindle/audio) ★★★★˝


lazycow

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #60 on: January 19, 2021, 03:08:15 AM »
*Books I own

2. *Picnic in Provence - Elizabeth Bard (NF). Her pretentious pronouncements on food and France annoyed me so much. Sent to the op shop!
3. Mr Wilder & Me - Jonathan Coe. Atmospheric, nostalgic, poignant. I love everything Coe writes, and this makes me want to rewatch all of Billy Wilder's films.
4. Nothing to See Here - Kevin Wilson. Brilliantly mad premise: narrator is 'governess' to twins who catch fire when angry or upset. Even better than The Family Fang, I think.
5. The Water-saving Garden - Pam Penick (NF) Lots of good ideas.
6. Property - Lionel Shriver. Short stories. Typical Shriver snark, which I enjoy. Some stories are better than others, but a worthwhile read overall.


asauer

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #61 on: January 19, 2021, 06:27:22 AM »
Books for this week:
1. Final Fondue (cozy mystery- reading for my book review channel)
2. The Viscount Who Loved Me- wasn't on my original booklist but now I'm down the Bridgerton rabbit hole!

zinnie

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #62 on: January 19, 2021, 10:11:42 AM »
I’m in! 50 is a pretty ambitious goal for me but I just FIREd, so if
I ever have the time it’s now 😉

1. The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee—this was great! He’s a good storyteller and made the science really interesting.

2. And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie
3. Little Comfort, Edwin Hill

@okcisok I loved The Glass Castle! One of my favorite memoirs. What did you think of it?

ahptex

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #63 on: January 19, 2021, 11:19:34 AM »
(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer


(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

StarBright

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #64 on: January 19, 2021, 02:10:34 PM »
(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer


(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

how was Sex and Vanity?

CodingHare

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #65 on: January 19, 2021, 02:47:44 PM »
1. The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles (for a bookclub) - Childrens book, not entirely sure I'd recommend to today's young reader (it's a sort of Narnia plot wherein three siblings learn the power of imagination and magic from an omnidiciplinary scientist. The professor gives off strong stranger danger vibes to a modern reader, let's leave it at that.)
2. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivry - Fiction Novel, recommended.  It is about a pair of Alaskan homesteaders dealing with the fallout of a miscarriage (sensitively handled), when a spritely child comes into their lives.  It mixes gritty realism with an almost fairytale element, and rings very true to the winters in the more northerly climes.

nessness

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #66 on: January 19, 2021, 04:26:35 PM »
I highly doubt I'll make it to 50, unless I count children's books, but I'd like to join anyway for the motivation and book recs, if no one minds. :)

1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama - highly recommend, even if you don't align closely with him politically. An interesting look into his life and presidency (through 2011 - there's a volume 2 coming out at some point)

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi - highly recommend.

diapasoun

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #67 on: January 19, 2021, 04:33:52 PM »
1. The Farthest Shore, Ursula K. LeGuin (own, pre-2021)
2. Christmas Days, Jeanette Winterson (own, pre-2021, re-read)

3. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen (own, pre-2021, re-read). I love Austen, I love this book, etc.

Goals:

3/52 books read overall
3/15 books I already owned pre-2021
0/6 natural history books

Currently reading:

The Biology and Ecology of Giant Kelp Forests, David Schiel
The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
Egil's Saga, trans. Palsson

okisok

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #68 on: January 19, 2021, 06:51:53 PM »
9. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning--sort of how-to, sort of memoir. Nice short read and the narrator's voice on the audiobook is lovely.
10. I Work at the Public Library--true stories (well, tweet length, most of them) from librarians. Very quick read and equal parts weirdness and happiness.

Currently reading--

The Dark Heart--true story of the murder of a Swedish millionaire.

Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook--pausing this one, as I wasn't ready for a Distressingly Sad WWII Book. It was a gift and I thought it was more of a Coping on the Homefront story. Nope, she's right up in refugees, starvation, war criminals, etc.

The Me, Me, Me Epidemic--on raising grateful & capable children

Origin and Evolution of Tetrapods--quit at the 25% mark. College textbook or post-grad textbook. Very in-depth on skeletal measurements, etc, and I just wanted to know what made them crawl up out of the muck and start breathing air.

@zinnie--Enjoyed The Glass Castle, if that's the correct word for childhood in such circumstances. I read it in two sittings, both until early in the morning.  I had read her book The Silver Star, and marveled at those characters' upbringing. Now I understand more of where she's coming from.

sui generis

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #69 on: January 19, 2021, 07:29:20 PM »

1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).

4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18). Glad I gave this author another try. Have quite a few friends who are big fans and I enjoyed this one, will bookmark more in the series.

diapasoun

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #70 on: January 20, 2021, 04:51:54 PM »
Every Heart a Doorway is utterly charming. Which of her other books did you read and not like so much, @sui generis?

Need2Save

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #71 on: January 21, 2021, 03:58:26 PM »
Man, I already feel behind seeing what everyone is doing so far!

1. Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard
2. A Crown of Swords (Book 7 of WOT), by Robert Jordan
3. The Beantown Girls, Jane Healey (Book Club Selection)

Someone upthread mentioned the Libby App. I use that too! I probably read about 20-25 books for free last year on that thing.  It does suck to wait for your book to become available sometimes, but I usually have another book on standby while I wait.

sui generis

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #72 on: January 21, 2021, 05:18:55 PM »
Every Heart a Doorway is utterly charming. Which of her other books did you read and not like so much, @sui generis?
Middlegame.  Upon reflection, I'm not sure how much of it was the book itself vs. the narrator.  I was pretty turned off by the narration.  I actually read (with eyeballs instead of ears) this one, so that got me off to a better start, I think.

1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).
4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18).

5. Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth (Jan 21) (audio). A surprisingly complex storyline, especially for a "horror" novel. Also didn't really love this narrator.  Apparently I am picky about audiobook narrators!

change_seeker

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #73 on: January 21, 2021, 05:36:07 PM »
I'm in.  My reading over the past year has been...disappointing.  I tended to only read my collection of Louis L'Amour, after midnight, and end up finishing the entire thing in one night.  My version of guilty pleasure reading that left me groggy the next few days.  As another poster mentioned, I tend to read in fits and starts on the web, and would rather put that into reading longer connected thoughts and plots.

Topics for this year:
Some professional reading (Model Based Systems Engineering, People Leadership)
Some practical guides (Mostly parenting, Outdoor skills)
The New Testament

Started & Abandoned:

1.  At Home, by Bill Bryson.  I've enjoyed other books by Bryson, but this one seemed to transition to random unconnected facts as it progressed.

Started:

1.  Atomic Habits, by James Clear

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.

StarBright

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #74 on: January 21, 2021, 07:56:04 PM »
I notice a few folks on the list have post-apocalyptic YA on their lists. In that same vein (Pretties and the Red Queen series), I read the Casquette Girl books by Alys Arden last year. While they trod some Twilight-esque territory, the setting (post-Katrina New Orleans) and world building based on New Orleans specific folklore was excellent! I recommend them if you like YA series. 

Linea_Norway

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #75 on: January 22, 2021, 02:17:17 PM »
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Zhiantara

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #76 on: January 22, 2021, 06:11:28 PM »
1. The House of Islam: a global history, Ed Husain. Really good overview of the history, basic tenets, strengths and problems of Islam, written by a devout believer.

2. Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, Susan Cain. I read this whenever I need reminding that introversion is not a personal failing. Soooo good.

Need2Save

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #77 on: January 23, 2021, 08:01:24 AM »
2. Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, Susan Cain. I read this whenever I need reminding that introversion is not a personal failing. Soooo good.

I read Quiet a few years ago and it helped me appreciate the view point of my youngest son very much.  It takes him a while to internalize things that are happening in his life and work up how he feels about them before he can discuss openly, even with his immediate family.  But he is smart and witty in his own way, just not 'quick on the draw' like some extroverts are.  I also thought some of her example stories of introverts in the workplace were fascinating.

Need2Save

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #78 on: January 23, 2021, 08:03:19 AM »
I notice a few folks on the list have post-apocalyptic YA on their lists. In that same vein (Pretties and the Red Queen series), I read the Casquette Girl books by Alys Arden last year. While they trod some Twilight-esque territory, the setting (post-Katrina New Orleans) and world building based on New Orleans specific folklore was excellent! I recommend them if you like YA series.

Thank you StarBright! I plan to eventually check out some others in the Red Queen series.   I didn't know it was a 'YA' series when I put it on my queue in Libby.

kpd905

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #79 on: January 23, 2021, 11:58:20 AM »
1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
4. For We are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis Taylor (1/20)
5. All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis Taylor (1/23)

Accrual

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #80 on: January 23, 2021, 02:27:47 PM »
1. Three Body Problem
2. Permanent Record

Started 'Wherever You Go, There You Are' last night.

Splashncash

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #81 on: January 23, 2021, 03:34:30 PM »
1. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (I started this before Christmas...)
2. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
3. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

4. House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg

SquashingDebt

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #82 on: January 23, 2021, 06:14:30 PM »
1. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (I started this before Christmas...)
2. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
3. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

4. House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg

How'd you like it?  I love L. M. Montgomery's work and have been meaning to read this book for awhile.

Serendip

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #83 on: January 24, 2021, 10:52:17 AM »
1) Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez**
2) In Praise of Paths: Walking Through Time and Nature, Torbjorn Ekelund
3) A Mind at Home with Itself, Byron Katie
4) Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion, Jia Tolentino**
5) Heida: A Shepherd At the Edge of the World,  Steinen Sigurđardóttir

recently finished

6) Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures, Merlin Sheldrake--an impressive book, well-researched and presented clearly/creatively (ie...the authors self-experimentations including using intoxication to be 'influenced' by yeast in hopes for a creative breakthrough)

7) The Stoic Challenge: A Philosophers Guide to Becoming Tougher Calmer and More Resilient, William B. Irving--loved his previous work (A Guide to the Good Life) and this is a slim follow-up, touches upon some of his earlier ideas but also presents more tips/tools to work with

** favourites
« Last Edit: January 24, 2021, 10:55:53 AM by Serendip »

cangelosibrown

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #84 on: January 24, 2021, 12:13:59 PM »
1. Sapiens by Yuval Harari   -- ★★★★, very interesting.
2. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles ★★★★˝. Absolutely delightful book, just exactly what I (and I'm guessing everyone) needs right now.
3. The Stranger by Albert Camus -- ★★★★ Such a bizarre book. A horribly unlikable narrator, but not in any of the usual ways. Really makes you think.
4. Half a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. ★★★★˝. So so sad. It's rare you see historical fiction with quite so much punch. I've now read all of her novels, and that makes me sad too.

5. The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell.  ★˝. Really did not enjoy this. I don't recall ever being so baffled at how well reviewed and awarded a book is. Interesting enough story that I finished it, I can't say anything else good about it. Hated is probably too strong a word, but not by much.
6. Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen. ★★★★. One of my guilty pleasures is reading books I loved as a child. The Hatchet series is as enjoyable now as they were to me at age 11.

nessness

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #85 on: January 24, 2021, 03:14:13 PM »
I highly doubt I'll make it to 50, unless I count children's books, but I'd like to join anyway for the motivation and book recs, if no one minds. :)

1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama - highly recommend, even if you don't align closely with him politically. An interesting look into his life and presidency (through 2011 - there's a volume 2 coming out at some point)

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi - highly recommend.
3. Nothing is Wrong and Here is Why by Alexandra Petri - recommend. It's a collection of satirical essays, the majority of which are about Trump-era politics. Some are just okay, but others are brilliant.

sui generis

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #86 on: January 24, 2021, 03:31:40 PM »
I highly doubt I'll make it to 50, unless I count children's books, but I'd like to join anyway for the motivation and book recs, if no one minds. :)

1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama - highly recommend, even if you don't align closely with him politically. An interesting look into his life and presidency (through 2011 - there's a volume 2 coming out at some point)

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi - highly recommend.
3. Nothing is Wrong and Here is Why by Alexandra Petri - recommend. It's a collection of satirical essays, the majority of which are about Trump-era politics. Some are just okay, but others are brilliant.

Totally random and probably inconsequential fact - I just learned her last name is pronounced PEE-try (I assumed it would be PET-ree or maybe PEE-tree, like the famous dish).  As someone with a hard-to-pronounce last name, but one that somone has at least a chance at getting right on a first try, I can't imagine how frustrating her life is.

Splashncash

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #87 on: January 24, 2021, 03:39:15 PM »
Hey @SquashingDebt - it wasn't what I expected.  I didn't know much/anything about her private life before reading this so her difficult life came as a surprise to me.  The book is meant for younger readers so it is a relatively easy read. I would say it is a factual account of her life but I finished the book thinking something was lacking.  Was it because I wanted her life to be different?  Or I wanted it presented with more depth?  Not sure but I am glad I read it.  Hope this helps.

nessness

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #88 on: January 24, 2021, 04:31:24 PM »
I highly doubt I'll make it to 50, unless I count children's books, but I'd like to join anyway for the motivation and book recs, if no one minds. :)

1. A Promised Land by Barack Obama - highly recommend, even if you don't align closely with him politically. An interesting look into his life and presidency (through 2011 - there's a volume 2 coming out at some point)

2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi - highly recommend.
3. Nothing is Wrong and Here is Why by Alexandra Petri - recommend. It's a collection of satirical essays, the majority of which are about Trump-era politics. Some are just okay, but others are brilliant.

Totally random and probably inconsequential fact - I just learned her last name is pronounced PEE-try (I assumed it would be PET-ree or maybe PEE-tree, like the famous dish).  As someone with a hard-to-pronounce last name, but one that somone has at least a chance at getting right on a first try, I can't imagine how frustrating her life is.
I listened to this on audiobook, and when the narrator pronounced it as "PEE-try" I was like, wait, is that really how you pronounce it? I'm sure it gets mispronounced constantly.

Splashncash

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #89 on: January 25, 2021, 10:05:02 PM »
1. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (I started this before Christmas...)
2. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
3. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
4. House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg

5. The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
6. The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
« Last Edit: January 27, 2021, 09:04:12 AM by Splashncash »

Linea_Norway

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #90 on: January 27, 2021, 12:24:00 AM »
Marina Bellezza by Silvia Avallone.

ahptex

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #91 on: January 27, 2021, 10:03:30 AM »
(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer


(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

how was Sex and Vanity?

It was very much like his other books in tone, if you have read those. A light and easy read that pokes some fun at conspicuous consumption and snobbery and touches on racism towards Asian Americans. Many of the characters are a little shallow (as in not well-developed, but I guess they are also shallow people). If you haven't read his books before, know that most (all?) characters are extremely wealthy and the opposite of mustachian. It is supposed to be a retelling of "A Room with a View", and I picked up on that. I'll just say it is not as well done as "A Room with a View" and certain aspects of that story seem forced in a modern context, but for a light, silly read, it was fun. I could imagine going to Capri, which was nice to think about right now when there is no traveling. 

ahptex

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #92 on: January 27, 2021, 10:10:48 AM »
(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert


(7) Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
(8) Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (re-read for book club)
« Last Edit: January 27, 2021, 05:21:10 PM by ahptex »

asauer

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #93 on: January 27, 2021, 01:44:31 PM »
Books finished this week:
1. The Poison Squad- seriously good book about the formation of the FDA.  My #1 thought was "America NEVER learns lessons."  My second thought is "I will now be perpetually nauseated."

2. Edinburgh Twilight- cozy mystery set in early Victorian Scotland.  Good story, don't get the audiobook (narration is terrible)

Books for the upcoming week:
1.  Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
2. An Offer from a Gentleman (#3 in the Bridgerton Series)

So---- 7/90 read

change_seeker

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #94 on: January 28, 2021, 08:12:05 PM »

Finished:

1.  Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Listened to the audiobook with the kids on our Christmas trip to my parents.  Hearing the chores for those kids makes me think I should expect more from mine around the house!
2.  Jubal Sackett, by Louis L'Amour.  Nice change of pace from his normal formula.  The conjuring of fire to pull one over on his wife seemed...cheap.
3.  Last of the Breed, by Louis L'Amour.  Enjoyed, probably the fourth or fifth time I've read.
4.  The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Took me a bit to get used to all the Roman terminology.  I think I'll have to watch the movie now to bemoan how it doesn't follow the book.
5.  The Silver Branch, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.  Probably my favorite of the trilogy.
6.  The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.
7.  Comstock Lode, by Louis L'Amour.  Good epic tale to be bedridden with while awaiting COVID results.
8.  The Haunted Mesa, by Louis L'Amour.  Western Tough Guy + Sci Fi (parallel world that explains Anasazi disappearance)

kpd905

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #95 on: January 29, 2021, 05:38:14 AM »
1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey (1/5)
2. We are Legion (Bobiverse #1) by Dennis Taylor (1/13)
3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (1/17)
4. For We are Many (Bobiverse #2) by Dennis Taylor (1/20)
5. All These Worlds (Bobiverse #3) by Dennis Taylor (1/23)
6. Personal by Lee Child (1/27)
7. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers (1/30)
8. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (2/3)
« Last Edit: February 04, 2021, 05:34:51 PM by kpd905 »

sui generis

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #96 on: January 29, 2021, 12:15:27 PM »
1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).
4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18).
5. Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth (Jan 21) (audio).

6. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion, by Jia Tolentino (Jan 29).  Excellent book of essays.

7. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley (Jan 29) (audio). A true potato chip novel.  I devoured it, couldn't put it down, then felt kinda not-great at the end.

SquashingDebt

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #97 on: January 29, 2021, 12:40:11 PM »
1. East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (Jan 2).
2. A Promised Land, by Barack Obama (Jan 5) (audio).
3. King Leopold's Ghost, by Adam Hochschild (Jan 17).
4. Every Heart a Doorway, by Seanan McGuire (Jan 18).
5. Plain Bad Heroines, by Emily M. Danforth (Jan 21) (audio).

6. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion, by Jia Tolentino (Jan 29).  Excellent book of essays.

7. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley (Jan 29) (audio). A true potato chip novel.  I devoured it, couldn't put it down, then felt kinda not-great at the end.

That's an excellent description of 'The Guest List' reading experience.  Major page turner that made me feel yucky by the end.

StarBright

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #98 on: January 29, 2021, 03:41:35 PM »
(1) Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
(2) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
(3) Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
(4) We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride
(5) Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer


(6) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

how was Sex and Vanity?

It was very much like his other books in tone, if you have read those. A light and easy read that pokes some fun at conspicuous consumption and snobbery and touches on racism towards Asian Americans. Many of the characters are a little shallow (as in not well-developed, but I guess they are also shallow people). If you haven't read his books before, know that most (all?) characters are extremely wealthy and the opposite of mustachian. It is supposed to be a retelling of "A Room with a View", and I picked up on that. I'll just say it is not as well done as "A Room with a View" and certain aspects of that story seem forced in a modern context, but for a light, silly read, it was fun. I could imagine going to Capri, which was nice to think about right now when there is no traveling.

Thanks!  I really enjoyed the other series. Was curious how that tone would work when playing with Room with a View. Will keep it in my library queue.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2021, 03:51:22 PM by StarBright »

Splashncash

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Re: 50 Books in 2021!
« Reply #99 on: January 29, 2021, 03:56:25 PM »
1. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini (I started this before Christmas...)
2. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
3. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
4. House of Dreams: The Life of L. M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg
5. The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
6. The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

7. The Late Bloomer's Club by Louise Miller