Another year of reading documented:
*1. The Ark by Margot Benary-Isbert The story of a refugee family, the aftermath of war in German, and the power of family. We see Mother and her 5 children as they are assigned to live in two rooms (two whole rooms-so exciting!) of a home. Greeted by a less than enthusiastic home owner, they eventually win her over, help other displaced people, and show how hard work, love of neighbor, and working together can help the family overcome. We see the fine line to starvation, the desperation for beauty and music, the human aspects of day to day life in the hardest of circumstances. The two oldest get work at Rowan Farm while living in the Ark-a railcar they have fixed up to be a home, and the book ends with Father finally returning from Russia,where he has been prisoner and the whole family living at the farm in the Ark.
*2. Rowan Farm by Margo Benary-Isbert Margaret and her brother continue their work, helping the farm returns to the high quality dog kennel, orchard, sheep keeping, productive farm that it had been. This book features the return of the son of Rowan Farm, Bernd. We see the relationship between Margaret, her brother, Bernd, the one armed veteran school teacher, and Anita all dip and whirl into love triangles and hurt feelings in the most gentle of ways. There is the building back of a ruined farm into a place for veterans, there is a suicide, there are many challenges that feel harder and more intense, even as things are getting a bit better overall. Definitely a more mature book than The Ark, but also very well done.
*3. A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson I read this because someone said she wrote romances for 'smart women with the flu.' While I thought this book was a little deeper than what I'd read with the flu, it was a romance of sorts with a much bigger plot. Lots of history of Austria, Germany, and Britain during WWII. Also see the women's movement and yet, a loving treatment of the natural world and pastoral in tone. Ellen is the hero of the story, as she follows her heart to be a cook in the craziest school ever instead of storming the world with her mom and aunts. We see the world of classical music intersect with people taking to camps intersecting with fighting. It often seems she will not be able to connect with the man we know is her love, but the happy ending is wonderful...and it isn't just for her!
*4. The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard A historical fiction centered around the Revolutionary War years. Abigail Adams is a main character with John and John Quincy being important, but not visible most of the story. Lizzie is the main character, along with Martha, a girl who comes to be her servant, but turns out to be working for the Cause, even killing two people who are traitors. Lizzie loses her husband at the start of the book, and we see her mourn, work to be a part of the community, becomes very close with Abigail, tries to make herself a spy, struggles with loving a man who is a Torrie, but then actually isn't, and so much more. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as enthralling as I'd hoped. Maybe moved too slowly? Or too many times they are all crying because of something related to the exact mores of the time being broken? Lots of undercurrents about her being a smart woman and how that is not really a woman...even at the end when they've all been holding down the farms without men for years.
4. Simply Allergy Free by Elizabeth Gordon This book seemed like a good fit, but it is HEAVY with rice and rice flour. Some ideas I'd like to consider like the vanilla cake that has garbanzo beans in them.
**5.When Life Gives you Pears by Jeannie Gaffigan This was a really good book! She and her husband Jim are comedians and performers. They are Catholic, they are from Milwaukee, but living in NYC. She found out she had a pear shaped and sized brain tumor and this book is the story of finding out and treating it. Such a good read, so much humor, so much Catholicism, so much real life struggle.
*6. Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci His memoir of growing up in an Italian home that kept food at the center. Through the book he shares about the loss of his first wife, his life in London with his second wife and all his kids, pandemic living, his parents, the movie/stage business, and his battle with cancer of the tongue. Through it all his love of food, some great recipes, and food, food, food is the center of his life.
*7. Adam & Thomas by Aharon Appelfeld This is a story of two boys hiding in a nest in a woods during the Holocaust. They survive, and the story is gentle and one of people helping them (food from the peasant and a girl from school) and one of them helping (injured runners in the woods, the same girl from school), and the ending is happy. However, it is one that is also raw (their mothers send them into the woods and don't come when they say they will), there is hunger, there is fear. Together the boys are stronger and the human spirit shines strong. The text reads differently, I'm sure due to translation. The book was highly recommended and I enjoyed it, not my favorite, but a good younger introduction to how very horrible that time in history was.
*8. Uncultivated: Wild Apples, Real Cider, and the Complicated Art of Making a Living by Andy Brennan This was a suggestion from Nicole at Sabbath Mood. I've never learned so much about wild apples, true-not sweet, but more like wine Cider, and a former artist's thoughts on how to change our economy, our food system, and our lives through connection. And wild apples--lots of wild apple talk. Not my favorite book, he tends to wax philosophical in rambling and continuous ways. But it is generally areas I agree, at least when it comes to food production.
*9. The Bodyguard by Katherine Center A very fast, light read about a woman who is a personal protection agent and the mega superstar movie star she is protecting. She got dumped (in the worst way) by her fellow agent boyfriend, has to pretend she is the girlfriend of the movie star, falls for him, boyfriend wants back (after sleeping with her best friend), and lots of other chaos. It was sweet, quick and light, but overall better than a lot of these types of books. Perfect beach read, especially if you like Texas and hunky super stars who are normal and down to earth, but not perfect.
*10. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley A highly recommended book that I finally read. It is a pretty quick read, but is just delightful. Parnassus is a library on wheels that is pulled by Peg(usus) the horse and has a dog Bock. Mifflin stops by the farm that Helen shares with her brother, Andrew. Andrew has written multiple books and has a habit of disappearing on trips where he writes another book. He doesn't really appreciate all her work on the farm and when Parnassus shows up she agrees to buy it for $400. Mifflin comes with her to get her legs under her, and her brother loses his mind about her doing this. The tale of Mifflin in and out of her adventure, Andrew's meddling, and the coming together of these two souls looking for a partner (Helen and Mifflin) is sweet. A bit of adventure, lots of great literature, and it all happens in just a couple of days!
*11. Clementine books (1-5) by Sara Pennypacker These are a decent little set of early chapter books. Clementine is a 3rd grader who has a very different outlook on life. She has a mom and a dad and a brother who she calls vegetable names. She has challenges and adults who help her through them while also seeing her for the wonderful girl she is--and often laughing along side. They are the kind that adults can chuckle along with while kids enjoy too. Modern, cute, and unless you have a child who would very possibly take to doing some of her less desirable things I would recommend them.
*12. The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis Such an interesting take on love and the way it breaks down. He divides it into affection, friendship, eros, and charity. His definitions are very different than mine, but gave me a lot to chew on. Friendship is standing side by side staring at a common goal..the questions, the focus on the same truth is the point and the other things of life just clutter it up. It is definitely not the typical way I'd think of a good friend. It does track with my experience with the guys at Turtle TEK though! Some of the parts about eros were also challenging for thinking through my relationship with Mike. Like much of Lewis' writings it is challenging to the status quo and makes you think, which is the best part.
**13.The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson I really enjoyed this novel! Ruth Berger is such a special, sweet girl that lives life like no other. Raised by a professor and his wife with a sharp mind, but more caring heart she finds herself overwhelmed with music and overly devoted to Heini. WWII threatens and her parents escape to England, while she ends up left behind. One of her father's colleagues finds a way to save her through marriage and they head to England to go their separate ways expecting a divorce to happen. Many twists and turns finds her one of his students, you can see there is love between them, Heini coming over to England, Quin's estate being given to the Trust (or not, as she and his aunt are so in love with it), so many ups and downs including a night of love between her and Quin, almost going to America, but then sneaking away because she is pregnant. It is hard to describe, but it was a delightful, heartwarming read.
*14. The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli I watched a lecture by Ms. Morelli, who is an art historian. This is one of her historical fiction novels. In this one we jump between 4 people, Leonardo da Vinci, Cecelia, the subject of Lady with an Ermine, a US soldier (who is an artist) in Germany during WWII, and a German restorer of art who gets tasked with cataloguing pieces that are stolen from Polish families by the Nazis. It was a bit too much jumping with some overly obvious tie ins between the people, but there was a lot of great history about who Cecelia was, some of daVinci's personal struggles and a lot of the horror of WWII. I'll read at least one more of her books--she would be a good way for someone who likes novels to be introduced to a lot more art history.
*15. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt A novel I was able to read in less than 24 hours. A thoroughly enjoyable and touching story that involves an octupus narrator, a group of (mostly) retired ladies who are dealing with the next parts of their lives, a woman who lost her son and husband and works at the aquarium, a 30 year old who cannot get past his addict mother and missing father and has yet to figure out how to live life, even though the is a genius, an aunt who raised that man, but seems to be a bit crazy herself, a Scottish grocery store owner, the Pacific Northwest and more. The ending ties up so many things and while there is loss and heartache in this book, it is one that is very human and lovely, even as an octopus is the smartest and key character in the book.
*16. Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake A book about fungi and mushrooms, but also about how we see things in life. In some ways it is like the moss book, lots of great information and fascinating stories, but a lot also that delves into philosophy and a different way of thinking. I was so interested in how many world issues are being solved using fungi--building materials, hazardous waste clean up and more.
*17. The Stolen Lady by Laura Morelli Almost exactly the same set up as The Night Portrait, so it felt almost formulaic. I do think I liked this one better though :) Leonardo, Mona Lisa, and Nazi Germany as they try to keep many of the Louvre's paintings out of the Nazi hands. Lisa and her husband and their life, with the portrait being done, Lisa's servant and her life, so many things about Leonardo's life and servants--an interesting read overall.
*18. Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center A total chick flick type book, but one I enjoyed flying through. Helen goes to a wilderness hike to move on from her divorce a year ago and get tougher. Her much younger brother's friend hitches a ride with her to the same course. During the drive and through the 3 weeks we see her grow and get stronger, we find out that he has had feelings for her forever and is, in many ways, the perfect guy. We see another sweet girl seem to be a couple with him and there is a constant tension about if they or won't they get together. Of course it works out in the end.
*19. Spare by Prince Harry What an interesting read. He is definitely venting, sharing his perspective, and working through things as he writes this book. It covers from the time of Diana's death until the birth of his daughter. It drives home the point that I am so grateful to not be famous and I hope that none of my kids ever is! So much repressed emotion, so many limits on life, so much that isn't nearly what you'd hope in a family.
*20. Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read I realized I'd not read any of these recently and requested a bunch more. In this one you see the spring to summer, more of the happy days in Fairacre, challenges as Mrs. Pringle seems that she really is retiring, and much of the joy of the spring and summer.
*21.Treason by Dena Hunt "A Catholic novel of Elizabethan England" is listed on the cover and aptly describes this book. I had a hard time getting into it, but after I did I really enjoyed it--so much so that I feel like I should probably reread it. We follow a young priest as he comes back to England to serve, knowing that Catholics are being hunted and killed. We see a young wife who wants nothing more than to join a convent, but is tied to her Protestant husband because of her obedience to her Father and his love her her....which is all making her miserable. Lots of other characters, beautiful language around the Catholic faith, no holds barred on Queen Elizabeth and her henchmen, and historical fiction that is interesting and not written down to make it overly easy to digest.
*22. Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict A historical novel that centers around Clara Kelly, an Irish immigrant sent to America to make money to help support her family back home. They are tenant farmers and are slowly losing the acreage that allowed them to survive the potato famine. Clara takes on the identity of another Clara, who died enroute to be a ladies maid for Andrew Carnegie's mother. Clara is smart and quickly adjusts, as well as catches the brain of Andrew. We see the lavish life style of the recently immigrants themselves Carnegies contrasted with the poor cousins Clara visits and her family's quick downturn when they lose the farm. The novel feels far fetched in that Clara comes up with multiple business ideas and catches the heart of Andrew as they together forge business plans. In the end Mrs. Carnegie, Andrew's very smart mother, discovers Clara is not who she says she is and demands she leave. The impact of Clara on Andrew's life is her direction of his heart,which eventually leads to all the libraries and other charity works he did. A good read, just a bit of a stretch as far as reality in those times.
*23. Miss Pringle by Miss Read Another one! This one follows the life of Miss Pringle, told through Miss Read's experience arriving in the village. We hear about her rough childhood and how challenging she has been to love her whole life. We learn a little about her husband, her brother in law, the times she has done sweet things for kids, and her rough around the edges personality with some other people around the village.
*24. Changes at Fairacre by Miss Read This book has some very sad parts, but in the end has a sweet ending. We find Miss Read moving in with Dolly Clare, and very shortly after Dolly passes away. There is much worry about the shrinking numbers and the possible closing of the school. There are three new big houses built, but no children seem to be coming. A huge storm destroys the chimney at Miss Read's home, destroying the bed that she would have been sleeping in, but thankfully she had already moved. Miss Read's former house is sold by the school, but she is delighted with the couple moving in. And in the end, the last two new houses were bought by a foundation that was moving in 4-5 orphans into each one with "parents". All in all life keeps moving forward and the village keeps persisting through it all!
*25. Farewell to Fairacre by Miss Read The one where she retires! A few scary incidents (mild strokes) cause Miss Read to finally decide to retire. That lends such a note of sadness, even as she comes to relish the idea. A bit of a love triangle also develops as two gentleman vie for her attentions and one continues to propose over and over again. She is so content, in much better health, and the school on such firm footings that one doesn't worry much about the continuation of the school, the village, or the circle of life in the cottage. As always a charming read, even if it is one that feels a bit emotionally heavier than the others.
*26.The Song of Pentecost by W.J. Corbett One I've never heard of, but picked up at a book sale. A group of mice are led by Pentecost, with each new leader adopting that name. Of course, there are the Great Aunts who weave, the grouchy Old Uncle who thought he should be leader and other mouse drama. There is a snake who was deceived and is trying to return to his pool, Owl who has lived life believing he killed his brother, a bug that has never been seen, but is playing both sides against a middle, Fox who befriends Pentecost--or does he? and other characters. Quests, deception, heroes, villans, and more. A good book that has lots of depth if you read for it, or just an adventurous story with animal characters.
*27. A Peaceful Retirement By Miss Read This Fairacre book finds Miss Read enjoying her retirement and working hard to not get too overwhelmed by everyone's asks on her time. She continues to enjoy John's attention, as she also continues to turn down his proposals. Henry's wife flees back to Ireland after upsetting the entire village, but in the end he decides to sell his home and join her in Ireland. The big news is that Miss Read finds a project, after a week back fill in teaching. She is going to collect memories and more specifically, start writing a book about her life as a school teacher!
*28. Love Centered Parenting by Crystal Paine A reread to help me remember to be less of a coach and more of a cheerleader when it comes to parenting the kiddos. I've got anxiety, I've got at least one kid with it, and we need to find a way to help navigate these tricky years.
*29. The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves is delightful (always) and this is another good one. Bertie has everyone trying to get him to steal a cow creamer, he is being threatened with marriage by someone marrying his friend, there is a subplot that involves stealing police helmets, and of course, there is a crazy aunt involved. All in all a good read!
*30. Common Place Quarterly I read a stack of these and wanted to note it. They are beautiful, such heavy paper! Very much a mother culture type of activity with good writing, beautiful photos and drawings, poetry, Plutarch, and more. I don't think I care to subscribe, but it would be worth buying if ever found for a song.
*31. Radium Girls by Kate Moore Such a fascinating story! Listened on audio on the way back from Maine--wrong reader and could have been tightened up by about half--but I couldn't read anything else as I was so interested in the story, even as over dramatic as it was played. This story needed no more drama! Young women used their lips to make sharp brush points to paint luminous faces on watches and dials in the early 1920s, ingesting radium in the process. The physical toll and intense suffering as they lost teeth, jaw bones, limbs and died was terrible. The fight to get radium poisoning acknowledged and the company to stop covering it up and even cover medical bills was even worse.
*32. Animal Farm by George Orwell Such a quick read, but such a good book to reread again. Some animals are more equal than others. Poor Boxer and his "I will work harder" ethic.
**33. Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes This is such a good book! Honestly wish it could be even more! She investigates American wool from sheep, sheering, to processing. Parkes is someone who has been in the yarn review, knitting world for years and this was a different way to look into it. Part of this is inspiring, part of it is heartbreaking. It is basically the wool industry/textile industry book that is similar to Michael Pollen's writing on the food production industry.
**34. Marmee by Sarah Miller This is such an interesting concept. It is a diary, written by Marmee. So a fictional book, based on a character from a fictional book (Little Women). But Marmee was based on Louisa May Alcott's own mother, who was called Marmee. Little Women was based on Louisa's real family, reading Marmee's diary, although fictionalized, seems like it is getting to read a different perspective on the Alcott family. At first it was a bit for me to get into it, but as it went it sucked me right in. By the time Beth dies I was completely emotionally invested!Very well done, and it appears to be very well researched. Headed to Orchard House in just 2 days, so very excited about that :)
*35. The Glory Cloak by Patricia O'Brien Followed up our visit to Orchard House (and WAFFLE and Boston) with this historical fiction about the Alcott family. This one envisions a '5th sister' of sorts who moves in with the family, goes with Louisa as a nurse, becomes close with Clara Barton and more. A lot of details that are true (based on our tour and learning about the family) and yet the entire person of Susan is made up, involves a love triangle with a Louisa and a soldier, and some odd family dynamics. It was totally worth reading, just have to remember these are fiction. I do need to read more of LMA's work, she is so much more than just the Little Women books.
*36. The Mayos Pioneers in Medicine by Adolph Regli The Messner about the Mayos...all three of them. I was excited to buy this one as I love Messner bios and I am grateful to the Mayo Clinic for getting me in when I was sick. Overall this wasn't my favorite one. Some good info about the father and both the sons, but a whole lot of the book is very repetitive about how wonderful and giving they were, how they were the best of the best, gave so much away, and such. I wasn't impressed from the beginning and unfortunately it didn't get a lot better. Overall there was a lot of good to be gotten out of it, but I would have liked more meat and less gushing.
*37. My Amish Childhood by Jerry S. Eicher Jerry grew up Amish in a community that moved from Canada to Honduras. Such an interesting story as in Honduras the Amish were the wealthy, so they were being stolen from and were idolized. Many 'converted' because of the ample food, but there ended up being split in the community because of issues relating to how their living changed in Honduras. Lots of interesting stories of a young boy in a new land with a lot of freedom.
*38.The Histories of Earth Book 1: In the Window Room by Steven J. Carroll Delany attends Mayfield School for Girls, where she gets in trouble and gets sent to an old house by herself. It turns out there is a large painting and globe that allow her to space travel with a talking groundhog. She and another girl from school, Mattie, are working hard to prevent the death of a prince who supposedly killed a king. There was a lot going on in this quick read, but there are more books in the series and RA recommends them highly as they get better as they go.
*39. The Histories of Earth Book 2: A Prince of Earth by Steven J. Carroll We now meet Mattie's grandson Timothy and his friend Barbara. This book ramps up the action in a big way. Mattie is still alive and has been traveling like crazy to where Delany is queen. Mattie's husband is presumed dead, but it turns out he has been prisoner in that world. There is a major battle for the Delany and her husband's castle, there is drugging, an evil villain trying to take over the time traveling globe and more.
*40.The Red Coat by Dolley Carlson This is a "Novel of Boston" that was done in a style that still makes me wonder if it is based on a true story. It follows a Catholic Southie family as well as a Beacon Hill family and the red coat that connects them. It is hard to summarize, but a big Catholic family loses their mother and the red coat she brought home from a cleaning job is what connects her girls together as they find husbands, jobs, and deal with the hard things in life. The coat came from a Hill family and it takes the daughter who didn't want it given away YEARS to get over it, and the boy she thinks she would have won if she'd have had it. So much Boston, so much Catholicism, it really is a neat novel. There are side bars about people and places scattered, as well as photos. It deals with the nitty gritty of death, drinking, abuse, privilege, and more.
*41.The Histories of Earth Book 3: All the Worlds of Men by Steven J. Carroll Timothy and Barbara are thrown into more adventures, starting when Timothy's family is in Turkey as his dad works. They meet up with Ata and his inventor father. There is again intrigue, loyalty, sacrifice, and more. These are nice because things work out, but there is a sense of danger and suspense. A good way for younger readers who aren't ready for too harsh of realities, but want "grown up" feeling stories.
*42. The Histories of the Earth Book 4: Worlds Unending by Steven J. Carroll The final book in the series and the intense one. Lots fighting, evil seems to be winning as the worlds are all being conquered using the globe, significant sacrifice, a new character and her father-who plays a significant role in the problem. By the end thing work out, but seemingly at great sacrifice and separation betewen the groups. However, things really do work out for everyone's best and we see the kids all grown up, married, having children and living life.
*43. The Runaway by Patricia M. St. John Such a good book! We see the story of Jesus through the eyes of a young boy. His family goes through significant hardship, his sister seems filled with evil spirits, his father dies, his uncle cheats him out of their family boat and so much more. He struggles to accept who Jesus is but with it showing up in many areas of his life he finally comes to see him as the Savior.
*44. The Tanglewoods' secret by Patricia St. John This was another really good one! A brother and sister who live with an aunt as their parents are in another country for years-and their friend who suffers a terrible accident. We see the little girl almost get sent away because of her antics, but instead finds Jesus and shares her faith with so many around her. Happy ending, of course, but it was a very sweet book that I'd love to add to our collection.
*45. Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler/Joseph B.Egan this is a true story of a boy who got lost on a mountain in Maine. He ends up covering a huge amount of ground, mostly barefoot and without pants in the freezing rain and cold. It is a very quick read, but any adventuring child would be fascinated to hear how he persevered to survive. It does feel written for older kids or adults, but the boy was 12 when it happened.
*46. Breaking History by Jared Kushner His take on his years serving in the house as special assistant to Donald Trump, who is also his father in law. Some personal things, but a lot focused on the deals he made and things that got done. Of course, it is a very pro Trump, pro Kushner book, but it was interesting to hear his take on how the Abraham Accords came together, some about COVID and how they responded, and how it is to work with Trump, from someone who knows and love him. Some things about Ivanka and what she did were included, as well as her support for him and the country. A good read overall.
*47. Star of Light by Patricia St. John Another Gospel filled book by her. This one focuses on a small boy and his tiny, blind sister in Morocco. He's sent to take her to an English missionary nurse to avoid the step father selling her to a beggar. He remains a street orphan there, while the sister is taken in. Then we see a spoiled girl and her family in England who travels to see the missionary. They eventually have to rescue the little girl, and she goes back to England to a blind school. There are so many things that could easily be called out as racist or white people coming in as the saviors, but really the story is always pointing to the Savior. Her books are full of morals, but yet don't feel heavy handed to me because I am a person of faith. Definitely an author I'd own, although some theology isn't for me (God is everywhere so church isn't that important in this book).
*48.Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix A modern book that is great for girls who want a heroine who faces hard situations with grit and determination through her fear. This is like a Truman Show meets Little House on the Prairie until the kids get diptheria and they won't give them modern medicine. Her mother sends her out into 1996, even though she thinks it is the 1800s--and she overcomes all the challenge including men trying to kill her. Fast read, decent read.
*49. Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey A Newberry book and a fun nature study type read. Miss Hickory is made of apple twigs with a hickory nut head. She loses her corn cob home and moves to an abandoned robin's nest when the family leaves for the winter. Lots of animal interactions, cute sewing of clothes with pine needles, and a bit of an odd incident with a squirrel that leads to an unexpected ending. Overall a neat little book.
*50. Untagled by Lisa Damour A good book for moms of teen girls to read. She covers a lot of ground, with a lot of good advice. Definitely one I should consider reading again. The last section has many things I don't agree with her take on, but overall a solid book for parents to read for more context about how to help our girls transition into adulthood.
*51. School Education by Charlotte Mason Another one finished by our book club! On to book 4.
*52. Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday A super interesting book given to me by Bob. It is part of the Stoic Virtues series and this one focused on Self-Control. He pulls from current events, modern people, and from the ancients. Each little chapter focuses on a small habit or thought, some that even are a bit contradictory, but it all makes for great leadership and life reading.
*53. Tending the Heart of Virtue by Vigen Guroian In some ways this is like "How the Heather Looks" as it talks through multiple wonderful children's books. This is about how classic stories awaken a child's moral imagination and focuses on breaking down the connections between the stories and Biblical truths. Really good book!
*54. It Happened Here: Stories of Wisconsin by Margaret Henderson, Ethel Speerschneider, and Helen Fersley An old book that talks about the history of WI, biographies of people, and stories. It is definitely focused on the settlement and forward, even commenting that it isn't about the Native Cultures here before. Some of it is cringe worthy, but much of it is wonderful and well written. If someone could update it, but keep the general charm it would be wonderful!
*55. Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, MD This autobiography (cowritten by Cecil Murphey) is wonderful account of an incredibly gifted man who was raised by a mother that only had a 3rd grade education, but believed in the power of education and personal self worth to raiser her sons above their poverty ridden education. The movie was also wonderful!
*56.The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smith This was an accidental reread. Sarah mentioned it, I requested it, turned out I had already read it, read it again :) The story follows a young art historian/restorer who forges a painting by Sara De Vos. The author alternates between her life and the life of the painter Sara De Vos. There is a lot about Dutch painters,especially female ones, of the 17th century, as well as painting restoration and forgery. The owner of the original painting that was forged discovers the swap and a PI finds the forger--then the owner woos her and eventually hurts her. Forty years later they are reconnected when an exhibit is put together and his painting is part of it. A very well written book.
*57. The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment A book written by the founder of the Wild + Free movement in homeschooling. Lots of good things to remember, especially for the youngers--but even for this homeschooling mom of olders now. They need time to be themselves, to pursue passions, to put the work forth that excites them and encourages learning because they are so invested. Get outside, adventure with them, make the memories, choose the relationship...58.
*58. The British Empire An American view of it's history from 1776 to 1945 by Gerald Johnson An interesting overview of the British Empire, focused through many of the politicians who shaped it. Chapters on Chamberlain, Rhodes, Ghandi, and more.
*59.A New England Love Story Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sophia Peabody by Louann Gaeddert A book I've had for a long time, but reading it now feels much more connected because of our visit to Concord and The Wayside. Wayside doesn't get talked about much, but The Manse, the house they were in for most of their marriage does. This book focuses on their early years, meeting, and marriage. Lots of notes from their love letters to each other and their shared journal. They definitely were in love, and were able to very eloquently write of it for years. Sophia had been an invalid of sorts, at least somewhat encouraged by her mother's desire to keep her close. After go against her mother's wishes and getting married, they were even able to have a daughter and were married for over 20 years.
**60. This Dear-Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham The story of John Smith and the settling of Jamestown told through a young boy who joins the expedition unexpectedly. The kids really enjoyed this book as we did it as a read aloud. I'm glad I took the time to finally read it!
*61. Napoleaon's Buttons by Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson Such an interesting intersection of chemistry and history. Lot of explanation of chemical structure, going through molecule by molecule and how those impacted the coarse of history. Everything from dyes to cocaine to peticides and on and on. Fascinating!
*62. The Pink Motel by Carol Rylie Brink A delightful book about a family inheriting a pink hotel and the crazy cast of characters that stay there. There is a little bit of mystery, kids who come together to have a great time. A fun, sometimes silly, quick to read book.
**63. In This House of Brede by Rumor Godden I loved this book! The story of a successful career woman, Phillipa, who leaves it all to enter a Benedictine House of nuns. We slowly learn her back story, including the loss of her little boy, and the stories of many sisters in the house. There are secrets that are exposed and some miraculous interventions. There is something so soothing, so all encompassing about the writing in this book. I loved it.
*64. Queen's Folly by Elswyth Thane Called "A Romance" but also a neat historical fiction of sorts. It follows the story of a home that is created by a man who sees the Queen (Elizabeth) and feels an instant attraction to and from her after he very possibly saved her life. She has a portrait painted and sent to him and he makes a home that he wishes she could be a part of, but never can. The humble home expands over the centuries and each only son of an only son has a wife who feels second to the home and the portrait. This all changes four hundred years later when the home is about to fall apart and a wealthy American girl feels the call and connection to the home and the last living Brand man.
*65. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown This was an interesting book. So many gems, and even tears at times and other times it felt very--something. There are definitely lessons for me personally, for me as a parent, and for our family. Learning to think about guilt vs. shame and separate worth from actions, as well as being vulnerable and willing to be brave and dare greatly in things I'm not brave in are all lessons I would do well to heed. Worth a read for sure.
**66. Witness Tree by Lynda V. Mapes A really good modern living book that follows a woman on a year she spent focused on a tree in the Harvard Forest. The book walks through the science of climate change and carbon sequestering, focuses on the history of trees, disease and predators that have changed the landscape of our tree species, and natural history of trees, human population and land use, and more. Written by someone with a flair for words and a hominess that is part memoir, it makes for an interesting and educational read.
**67. The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton Two stars because it is a great chapter book for kids. Lots of adventure, excitement and good brother/sister relationships. I didn't realize this was the start of a series, but hopefully I can find the others to read. Loved all the Concord talk after our trip this summer--very much a book of a place.
*68. The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carson A read aloud for the Christmas season that is sweet and wonderful.
*69. Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop Short, but impactful, a good intro into the Nazis and WWII in a way that isn't overwhelming for kids. Love this little story of a group of children helping another group of children survive.
**70. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein A fiction book that was recommended by Sarah and my parents. I guess it is now a movie too? The story is told by Enzo, a dog who is obsessed with becoming a human in the next live. He is the dog of a race car driver, his wife, and their daughter (although we start before the ladies are part of the story), there is great loss, hard times, and a lot of racing info, but through it all you can see a lot of what is going to happen, but you want to keep reading to hear it from Enzo's perspective. Really enjoyed it! Some adult content.
**71.Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher A reread of an amazing book! I will always be glad to have met this plucky little orphan who grows in unimaginable ways when given the right kind of direction by loving family.
*72. The Winners by Fredrik Backman The final in the Beartown trilogy. Such a hard type of story, but also one of love and reconnection and friendship. I love his writing, even as it covers hard topics in this series. A long one (almost 700 pages) with a hard ending, but a fast and good read.
*73. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson A love letter to the Golden Age of Crime novels--starting with the "10 commandments" of the greats and proceeding to lay out a story in that style. A family is all gathered on the highest point in Australia during a blizzard as people keep dying, and it keeps coming out that there are other deaths from the past--or not deaths that lead to more deaths. Focus is very much about family, brothers, marriages and personal interaction with lots of hat tips, winks, and nods to all the great murder mystery writers of the past.
*74. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh This was a reread, but I couldn't tell you when I read it. A heartbreaking, but ultimately redemptive novel about a girl in foster care who ages out. She has a gift of understanding flowers and uses their meanings to change people's lives. Her story is woven between the present (which is rough and beautiful at the same time) and the past when she almost was adopted by a woman who lived in a vineyard and had plenty of challenges of her own. It gets pretty ugly, but the end is hope filled.
75. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett In some ways I loved this book, but overall it was not my cup of tea. Actors, summer theater, loose morals, deep love and commitment--all told while the main character and her husband race to pick cherries with their grown daughters on their Michigan farm during the pandemic. The walk down memory lane is not for the faint of heart and I much, much prefer the pandemic world they are in to the stories she is telling about the past. Huge Our Town connections in the book.
*76. How Evan Broke his Head and other secrets by Garth Stein Same author as the Art of Racing in the Rain,so thought I'd see if I liked it as well. A darker story line in many ways, but a redemptive story. A pair of kids in HS get pregnant and the boy (who wants to keep the baby and get married) ends up giving her money for an abortion, which she doesn't get. The boy finds out when baby is born, but girl and family leave town and he doesn't see his son for 14 years. At that point boy's mother dies and father is called--ends up taking kid, falling in love with a sound engineer, things go crazy, families are crazy, and the defining moments are centered around if he will or won't keep his son--it seems obvious he will, but the story leads away from that. He's a musician with epilepsy, his family doesn't know about the kid, there is an abusive grandfather and more.
77.
