A new year, a new list!
*1. A Newbery Christmas This is a collection of 14 Christmas stories by Newbery winning authors. It was a great read aloud with the kids over the Christmas season.
*2. Wagons West by Evelyn Sibley Lampman An easy to read, delightful tale about Tabitha Brown. She was a grandmother who went west to Oregon on the wagon train and had a bunch of great adventures along the way and after as she helped establish a school that later turned into a college. Her family thinks she is old and needs help, but she proves that age is mostly in your mind.
*3. The Father Christmas Letters by J.R.R. Tolkien I had heard of this book, but have never read it. What a delightful collection of the letters that he (er, Father Christmas) wrote to Tolkien's children over the course of many years. Some delightful drawings always accompanied them and many of those are reproduced in the copy I read. Loved the imagination and how the story grew over the years--Santa has a lot of challenges with his assistant, Polar Bear and boy, do the goblins cause issues!
*4. Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly A very quick little read about finding Holy Moments in our lives and how that can change not only our day, but also others. It is very focused on finding the little spaces, making them, expanding them--how the whole world would be better if we all just focused on creating a few Holy Moments each day.
*5.The Mysterious Voyage of Captain Kidd by ABC Whipple A Landmark that was reprinted by Purple House Press. I like this one, as I didn't know much about Captain Kidd. It was a quick read, focusing on his time when he was forced to hunt pirates and then was arrested, tried and hung for being a pirate. Basically, he was totally set up by the same crew that mutinied and the syndicate that forced him to go hunt pirates. Not quite the bad boy that he is often thought of as!
*6.The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle This was on a lot of "best books" lists, which was interesting. I liked it, but so much seemed so obvious that it wasn't a great favorite. A girl and bloke are not the right fit, she's put everything on hold when mom got sick, wallowing in a yuck job, stuck with rich, but not right guy--mom recovers, but then dies unexpectedly. A year later she and guy are going to sell their places and buy a home and she doesn't know what to do with an old set of encyclopedias that she can't let go, but can't find a place for. Enter the Museum of Ordinary People--she's always wanted to be a curator and takes all these discarded treasurers and makes them a museum. Falls in love with the guy who inherited the building unexpectedly, they have everything blow up and get solved in about a 3 day period and it ends pretty happy.
*7. Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna A murder mystery set in England when a rich American comes to get his daughter a title in return for a huge amount of cash for the English. Kentucky, thoroughbreds, lack of money and more are a part of it. Of course the couple falls in love and solves all the crimes.
*8. Trail Blazer of the Seas by Jean Lee Latham A reprint of the biography of Matthew Fontaine Maury, who is considered the father of modern oceanography. He is the one who figured out the fastest routes in the ocean, helped do soundings to lay the trans Atlantic cable, pushed for a Naval Academy and established lanes to prevent ship collisions. Quite a man, with a loving wife by his side. A good mid grade bio of him, especially for kids who are into oceans or science or people who overcome obstacles through hard work and perseverance.
*9. Ostriches by Herbert Zim A very quick little read about Ostriches and other flightless birds. Elementary level with more evolution type talk than I expected. Overall a good little living book about some of the unique birds in our world.
**10. Little Britches by Ralph Moody I didn't listen when Mike read this one to the kids, but am I loving the series now. Mr. Moody's story of his childhood. Book one is the time on their ranch in Colorado, making a go of it, him becoming quite a horseman and his father's death. So many great lessons and just all around wholesome, character building type reading. Still can't believe he was 8-11 in this book--the things he did!
**11. Man of the Family by Ralph Moody Another good one. We see Ralph and family work so hard to keep themselves fed after they move to town. A cooking route, collecting coal, picking up rail road ties, rabbits and so much more. The ending is quite a cliff hanger as they have to leave town quickly in order to avoid Mama testifying against someone she thought was already dead, but was definitely insane when he committed the crime.
12. Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard An interesting look at her life, and how happy they really well, even as her brother was abusive and her father controlled everything. It is shocking that Derick was able to marry into the family and not push back against the extreme control and demands on them for the shows. They have started to walk their own path and did finally get a little money, but it is shocking how naive they both were in some ways and how accepted it was that they would do whatever they had to and never be paid.
**13. Mary Emma & Company by Ralph Moody Another wonderful one! This one has them in the city, living first with an aunt and uncle, but after that making their own way. The ladies take in laundry, Ralph is a delivery boy for a store. Lots of adventures and "make do" attitude. Another winner.
**14. The Home Ranch by Ralph Moody This is a return to his time in Colorado working with the horses, winning prize money in match races, and all kinds of other things they do to make ends meet. Like Man of the Family--extended version.
*15. The Fields of Home by Ralph Moody (#5) This one didn't capture me the same way until towards the end. Ralph goes to his grandfather's, who we learn is a VERY cantankerous man. There is a live in housekeeper, who works like a farm hand and his uncle features pretty heavily in this one too. The end is wonderful, grandfather grows in so many ways, and Ralph at 14 starts to fall in love with the neighbor girl. The farm he is working is the one in Maine that is privately owned and you can still see the rock piles on the satellite views. We didn't try to see this on our trip.
*16. The Woman in Me by Brittany Spears I'm not sure if this book deserves a star or not. It is her story--but it is definitely written in a choppy fashion, which makes me think she actually did write it. She has been up and down an awful lot, but how her family treated her is crazy terrible!
17. Modern Freezer Meals by Ali Rosen A super quick flip through. Nothing that looked usable or interesting for our family. Some very unique spins on freezer cooking for sure!
18. Recipe for Second Chances by Ali Rosen A romance novel by cookbook author Ali Rosen. Fast read, lots of great food and beautiful Italian countryside, 9 year time gap that jumps back and forth, 4 girls who are the best loves and supports a friend could ever want, steamy boy, girl who is anxiety filled and hurt by her sister's destroyed young love marriage, very predictable, heavy on the lust, not worth another read.
*19. Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna This is a Stella and Lyndy Mystery, this one when they are engaged and find yet another dead body. This set of mysteries involves fossil hunting, land rights, blackmail, and 2 deaths--one that causes Lyndy's mother to become quite determined to marry him off to the widow (who is in favor of that too) within a few hours of the first death--but "The American" has his heart and Stella's plucky nature helps solve the crimes yet again.
* (*)20. The Year of Small Things by Sarah Arthur and Erin Wasinger Two women and their families join in a covenantial friendship to live Christ radically. They focus on one aspect of the new monasticism each month, but changed a bit to fit a suburban family. Lots of great stuff in the book and ironically, mostly based on the rules and histories of Catholic monasteries. Very little nod to that, much nod to downward mobility in order to help the poor. Found lots of good quotes, lots of practical ways of loving my neighbor, lots of things that didn't sit easily with me (they would say that is the point.) Definitely worth reading again.
*21. Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna The second in the series, shortly before the wedding. Stella's father is one of the victims this time and we learn the secret about her mother's death (or not), meet other relatives, and see that Lyndy's family really has come to love Stella, even if it takes her death (or not) to make his mother show that she cares.
*22. Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna Lyndy and Stella are on their honeymoon in York, but between their sight seeing you know they are going to find dead bodies. This one starts to involve them in some significant scrapes--including a close escape when someone tries to blow up the princesses at an event. A beautiful Cathedral and more horses feature in this one.
*23. Murder on Mistletoe Lane They are settled in as newlyweds and are celebrating their first Christmas with the family when things start getting odd and (of course) there are dead bodies, including the housekeeper. This one involves the cars a bit, the ponies--including a point to point race that Stella takes part in and loses when she finds a particularly gruesome death of a very accomplished rider, a stalker for Stella (which involves another very close escape of her own death) and stress about producing an heir, wrapped up with an affair for Lyndy's mom (year's ago) and an engagement for his sister. The last of the ones published so far, so grateful I can move on!
**24. Sweep The story of a girl and her monster by Jonathan Auxier A fast, middle grade novel that was a better book than I expected, even though it had been recommended. Raised by Sweep, *** is a girl chimney sweep, and we learn some of the hardships of the work in London. Terrible conditions aside, she is left with a small clump of soot, which becomes Charlie--her very own monster---as he saves her from a fire set by another sweep to get her unstuck. There is loyalty, sacrifice, death, and more in this heroic story.
*25. The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton A fun elem/middle school novel with some good hand drawn artwork throughout. A plucky young heroine, a lot of fun word play, crazy characters, an island, a 12 year old king, a sleeping giant and more. Some good moments, poetry, and lessons wrapped up in a quirky, funny, zany novel.
**26. Watch With Me by Wendell Berry Six short stories and one longer one that are connected by the main characters, Tol and (eventually) his wife Minnie. The short stories come first and are a delightful picture of two people unexpectedly finding each other and vignettes from their long and happy union. Lots of sadness and struggles are presented, but in such a feeling way through the lens of their love and companionship. The Watch With Me story is longer and, in many ways, harder because it focuses on Tol and other men in their day of following a neighbor who has mentally disconnected and is in danger of killing himself. I think this is the first Wendell Berry book I've read, but it won't be the last.
**27. The World According to Narnia by Jonathan Rogers By the author of the Wilderking books, a well written, researched look into Narnia and how the Christian meaning book by book. He presents a lot of Lewis's own writings and digs into the books, making arguments for their larger Christian connections. A good example for kids to see what an argument type paper is--could be done with just a chapter after reading the specific book it goes with. Reading this brings out feelings of wanting to read the whole Narnia series! A very good thing.
*28. Heart of the Samurai by Margi Preus An easy to read, based on the true story of Majiro, the first person of Japanese descent that came to the United States. While out fishing they are pushed out and picked up by a whaling vessel. He decides to go with the captain back to the United States during this time when Japan was totally closed to outside visitors and no one who left could return. Short story: He does get to return and eventually helps translate when Perry comes to Japan, opening the country. Good read, cover will appeal to kids, some good back matter.
*29. The Whalebone Theater by Joanna Quinn Such an interesting book--in some ways I loved it and in some ways it was slow moving and I kept waiting for it to get the point. Cristabel is a girl who ends up being raised by her step mother, as her mother died when she was born and her father remarried and then also died after her half sister was born. She is mostly ferral and when her cousin (Dad's brother married step mom) is born she and her sister formed a group that seems somewhat outside the adult world. They claimed a beached whale, using the bones to make a theater with some of the artists that attended step mom's wild parties. Eventually the kids grow up and we see them getting involved with WWII, including Crista and Digby being secret agents. I cried at one part and enjoyed it overall, but still not all that I thought it would be, I guess.
*30.Shaking the Nickle Bush by Ralph Moody The next in the Little Britches series--finally! Ralph is told he is diabetic and needs to get out west, get as much sunshine on his body as he can, and eat a very specific diet. He heads out to do so, finds it almost impossible to get a job moving cattle, becomes an artist of the Southwest and ends up making a huge amount of money, and then losing it to his partner who is has already carried by purchasing an automobile, all the food, full cowboy kits (they don't ever use), and paying him on top of it. Thankfully, he'd sent back over $500 to his family and was still alive 8 months later, after being told he had about 6 months to live.
**31. The Dry Divide by Ralph Moody (#7) This one, with Nickle Bush and Horse of a Different Color were considered their own series (maybe even including #5). These are focused on his different times in his young adult life, this one focused on him becoming a cattle seller/hauler and a wheat hauler. I found it fascinating to see how he could support his local community while also making a good living--he wasn't afraid to take on a challenge, get the bank to help him, and yet avoid partnerships that would potentially be terrible. He obviously loved people and didn't give up when broke, even as he'd work his guts out to take on a new challenge and make money.
**32. Horse of a Different Color by Ralph Moody. The last one, when he continues shipping cattle, but then takes on a bid to provide meat to the railroad crew there to rebuild everything after a massive flood. His ingenuity, the people who help him, the way he supports people, but also avoids mixing business and friendship---all pretty awesome. Ends with him heading off to get married. It is too bad he didn't keep writing, he's got the gift!
*33. Emily of New Moon by LM Montgomery Continuing to read through some series and this is one I've never read. Emily is orphaned and her mother's family draws straws to take her in. As expected she charms them, even the ones who don't let her know they feel that way. She's almost fairy like, writes poetry, writes to her father in journal entries so we can see what she is thinking, and pulls a community around her through her childhood foibles.
**34. O Rugged Land of Gold by Martha Martin THIS IS A TRUE STORY! I seriously cannot believe that--I thought it was seriously well written fiction. A woman ends up by herself after her husband and his prospecting partner are both gone and her son is back to school. She is pregnant and stranded with no hope of escape until spring--in Alaska. She is severely injured in a landslide and her recover, survival, and delivery of her daughter--along with her two attempts to try to get off the point, are just amazing to read. An unexpected gem, especially for women, found on my shelves.
*35. Sun Slower, Sun Faster and Meriol Trevor A reprint by Bethlehem Books of a historical fiction. A pair of children (a lot of confusion for me about who they were in relation to the different people and tutors), who are able to jump back in time. It centers around an Angus Dei and is definitely a way to show them the faith of their family going back centuries in Britain/Briton. So many interesting adventures in the past, starting closer and moving farther and farther back. Lots of examples of persecution and ability to see how an abbey and the town of Bath changes over time. An interesting Catholic book, glad we read it during lent.
*36. Emily Climbs by LM Montgomery Emily is getting older and gets to go to high school in this book. This means she spends time with Aunt Ruth and we see her work her relationship magic again. More scrapes, more writing, more clarity on the three men who she is close to--Perry, Teddy, and Dean. Her cousin finally proposes and she turns him down, Perry does too and she laughs it off with him. She wants Teddy and Dean obviously wants her, so we'll see how that wraps up in the last one.
*37.The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan A memoir of the author's mother who raised 10 kids with her alcoholic husband. While he was drinking away a whole lot of his wages she was a contest entering, jingle, limerick, tagline writing machine who won enough to put a down payment on a house, save it from a second mortgage, provide Christmas, and generally keep things going. The bigger lesson was her strong will and joyfilled spirit that she passed on to her kids. Things were never easy in their family, but she kept them going and taught them a lot about never giving up and keeping your attitude right, working hard at what you love, and chasing your dreams. It started a bit slow for me, but it was an interesting story!
*38. Emily's Quest by LM Montgomery The last in the Emily series. We see her, Teddy, Ilse, and Perry living their young 20s lives. Dean becomes a big part of Emily's life as she returns to New Moon and they make plans to marry, fixing up the Disappointed House to be their home. Of course things get turned into a tizzy when she cannot marry him, even as she believes Teddy will never love her. There are lots of love triangles. Teddy and Ilse getting together? Ilse loving Perry, but never telling him. Perry continuing to propose to Emily. Emily loving Teddy, but not telling him. And we find out later, Teddy loving Emily, but because of his mother not sending a letter, believing Emily will never love him. In the end it all works out, but it takes until the VERY end and there are multiple close calls. Emily also climbs her Alpine Hill as an author. I found each of these books to take a bit to get into, but I became more invested as the stories went on. Enjoyed them!
*39. Peter Duck by Arthur Ransom We FINALLLLLY finished it! We started it in summer of 2022, didn't read it at all until April of 2024. We do really love this series and it is sad that we haven't made it a priority. BUT, I am glad that read alouds are now a part of our mornings most days.
*(*)40. Madame Secretary by Stephanie Dray I really enjoyed this historical fiction about Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member. Her days working to improve the working conditions for everyone, get child labor stopped, get women the vote, and eventually becoming a good friend of FDR and in his cabinet were all interesting and well written. She juggled a daughter and a husband who struggled with mental illness.
* 41. The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate The story of Hattie McDaniel, the woman who played Mammie in Gone with the Wind. She was a lightning rod in Hollywood, winning the first Academy Award that a black person had won, but also being harassed by her people for playing servants or slaves. She had 4 failed marriages--obviously really bad taste in men, ended her life broke because of her 4th husband. She broke so many barriers and tried to be an inspiration to those who followed her, and she struggled to be loved and accepted by those she cared about most. The books was interesting, but bogged down and was repetitive at times. Historical fiction that I hoped to use with the kids, but too much inappropriate information.
*42. The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamli A look at Iran and many of the political struggles from the 50s forward, told through the lens of star crossed lovers. The relationships range from young love, parental obligation, burgeoning independence for women, mental illness, class separation, immigration, solid marriage and so many more. Beautiful language--so many heartbreaks, so much culture, overall a beautiful book--even featuring a bookshop, which is the beginning of the love story and the seat of the heartbreak of it as well. Young lovers getting to reconnect after 50+ years ties it up neatly, even if sadly.
*43. Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien A neat story of her life as a biologist and as the one who raised a baby barn owl from 4 days old until he died at 19 years old. Fascinating stories about behavior, bonding, and just general owl things.
*44. Purple Cow by Seth Godin He's written a ton of marketing books and this one is specifically about how marketing and product development go hand in hand. It shows age a bit, as it talks about needing to find your niche and market heavily to them, not the old tons of TV ad type marketing. Basically social media is exactly what happened-- Liked the concept of the bell curve and focusing on your early adopters (not adapters) because they are a smaller group that will then market to the big bell portion for you. Thinking about robotics it is finding those influencers who will be passionate with us and letting them then find/influence the others to help them develop programs too.
*45 &46. Half Magic and Knight's Castle by Edward Eager Working my way through this 7 books series. A group of children (different groups, same family, but one generation down, I think) discovers there is magic--but it never works exactly how you think. Fun chapter books for elem/ms readers.
*47. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch The book that followed up the lecture that he gave before he passed away. He was a computer science professor and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, leaving a wife and three young children. The book is wonderful and I need to see the lecture too. Major grace in a terribly hard situation.
48-51. Magic or Not?, The Time Garden, Magic by the Lake, Seven-Day Magic by Edward Eager I'm enjoying how much he puts references to other great children's books throughout his. He is also having the different kids and generations intersect as they make their way through their own magic quests. The magic changes and the kids have to adapt, they learn limits, and in the end they are always ready for it to be done. Overall a good little series for anyone who doesn't mind a little magic and a lot of good kid adventures.
52. Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Edition) We listened to this on the way to New Jersey. A really good book and one I should listen to or read again on my own, as I did doze off during parts of it. The rowing team and how a group of country kids came in and worked together to accomplish great things.
53. The Well-Wishers by Edward Eager This is the last in the series and it is a good one! The kids work together to revive the magic--or did they? This is a fun, kid appropriate read, like the rest of the series.
54. In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park A fascinating read about her life in North Korea, escape to China, and eventually to South Korea. Harrowing doesn't even begin to describe her life in North Korea, or what she and her mother (and sister separately) went through in China. I believe she now lives in the US and is a conservative spokesperson.
*55. The Giver by Lois Lowry I'm anxious to read this quartet. This is worth reading for sure--dystopian society, the craziness of which you don't realize fully until the story goes on. No colors, no animals, no choices. At 12 everyone is assigned their job for life, you apply for a spouse, you apply for children (1 girl, 1 boy) and when they are raised you go to Childless Adults and then Old and then are released--also if you are a twin, you don't thrive, or so many other reasons. It is so easy to read, and yet it is horrifying.
*56. Don't Look Now by Daphne du Maurier (author of Rebecca) A group of 5 short stories. They were all interesting, although one of them ended with a revolting discovery (not gory, but ghastly!) She likes to have a surprise endings or discoveries or character development. I like the ease of readability, the smarts, and the development of her stories even as this group had such different topics.
*57.Two are Better than One by Carol Ryrie Brink A sweet book about two girls, their two pocket dolls, and the drama of early teen years in an old fashioned feeling, kids not growing up too fast, type of book. Very much like her other books in feel, even if different in setting.
**58. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah A Vietnam veteran, his wife, and daughter all move to Alaska where we see amazing community and love, and darkness beyond belief. Romeo and Juliet style love leads to challenges and when her abusive father finds out, murder. So many years of lying, separation and move, but in the end return, love, family, community. Not the best book, but I stayed up way to night reading this horribly thrilling novel.
*59. The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton Fast paced, good writing, long, but fast read. The president goes missing as he works to save the country from terrorists--his political opponents, including his VP, use this to their advantage, but the real issue is that someone from his trusted 8 are the reason the country is about to be ruined.
*60. The President's Daughter by James Paterson and Bill Clinton Same, but now involving parental relationships--so even more heart tugging. Different administration, with a VP who overtook the president to get the nomination during the re-election. He is retired, his wife is a professor in a different area, and his daughter is in college. She gets kidnapped, her boyfriend is killed, and so much other action happens.
*61. Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith A funny, email based book about a couple who quit their jobs and visited all 58--oops, 59 got added!--National Parks. They are a fun couple, and reading about their adventures is pretty awesome.
*62. Dear Bob and Sue, Season 2 by Matt and Karen Smith They expanded their travels to other types of National lands and returned to many favorites. They are now camping! This is set 5 years later after they've returned to corporate and then actually retired to travel and write.
*63. While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park The second book she wrote, this one about 8 years after she came to the USA. She pulls no punches, going all in on what she sees that is scary in the US based on what she lived in North Korea. She feels this is simply the best country and doesn't want us to lose our freedoms because some people who live in the wealthiest, most stable country think they are victims because they got their feelings hurt. (Okay, a little rough, but that is kind of the gist.) Some repitition about her life in North Korea, escape to China, sex slavery, escape to South Korea and her relationship with her mother and sister, as well as now ex-husband and her son.
*64. Dories, Ho! By Matt & Karen Smith This is specific to their float trip on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was a trip of 26 (the limit) with 10 crew and 16 total people, 7 couples that they knew or knew people on the trip. A really neat way to experience that part of the Canyon. Might be my favorite of all their books.
*65. Land of the Burnt Thigh by Edith Eudora Kohl An autobiography of Edith and her sister as they homestead by the Brule river in South Dakota. This isn't the original wave of homesteading, but those who came out as the government took land from the reservations and opened it up for settlement. The challenges and stories are amazing and what these two young ladies did to unite the homesteaders, start a newpaper and a store, and just stick it out through the harshness of South Dakota is pretty interesting to read.
*66. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles A historical novel of WWII (aren't they all?) but this one focuses on (contrary to the title) the American Library in Paris. It is based on a true story, featuring a woman who gets a job there before the war. We see her twin leave to enlist, multiple library employees leave or be forced to do so, eventually Jewish patrons aren't allowed and they start delivering books to them in their home, so much uncertainty develops and we see the heartbreak and uncertainty during those hard times in Europe.
*67. Happy Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling Reading through the series in my quest to read some that I've never finished. Books that changed a generation and the culture around kids reading. Harry learns that he is a wizard, meets Hagrid, goes to Hogwarts and meets Ron and Hermione. Makes it through his first year with lots of excitement along the way.
*68. Happy Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling They return to Hogwarts for year two, along with Ron's little sister who ends up playing a big role in the end. The Chamber of Secrets has been closed for 50 years and is reopened--Harry is the one who figures it out and saves the day! We see an obnoxious braggart of a professor in this one.
*69, The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson Listened with the kids, which was probably a little more intense than they should have listened to. KY librarian during pack horse librarian days, blue people of KY, racism, medical experimentation, coal mining dangers and more intersect in this book.
*70. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (book 4) This book finds two other magic schools coming to Hogwarts grounds as they compete in a major wizarding competition. Each school puts up one champion, but in the end Harry is entered as a 4th one--but is it because the dark is trying to kill him? Valdemort makes himself known in the most intense book yet. A fellow classmate dies, a teacher again isn't what he seems, and there is lot of action in this book.
*71. The Unsettlers by Mark Sundeen The subtitle is In search of the Good Life in Today's America, which is the liberal way of saying, I'm not into the world and want to drop out, but maybe without hurting my way of life much--but I'll also go check out those who are living their values to the extreme and compare them to the rest of society. It was interesting for sure, and in some places points out that the most conservative and the most liberal are really closer together than you'd think on many topics.
*72. The Hands-On Home by Erica Strauss The writer of NWEdible blogs which I loved--her recipes for home cured bacon and almond zucchini bread are such winners! I had read this years ago and it was a good reread on the drive to and from Sarah's house.
*73. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (Book 5) Garrett's favorite one of the series. The books continue to dive into harder, darker things with increasing danger as evil grows and good people come together to figure out how to battle it. Yet another Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, one who won't teach them, as she herself is a minion of the Dark Lord. Harry's mental connection to Voldemort grows evermore worrisome. Another death of an important character that Harry loves.
*74. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling (Book 6) Who is the Half-Blood Prince and why is his book helping Harry look like a wiz at Potions? Harry first learns about Horcruxes,which become a very important part of what drives him all the way to the end of book 7. This book really introduces them as teenagers, with girlfriends and jealousies growing more and more pronounced. Draco becomes a big target for Harry, as he believes him now to be a Death Eater. Yet another very important, central, beloved character dies as the battle between good and evil continues to move towards a dramatic meeting.
*75. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows by JK Rowling (Book 7) What an ending--so much action and so many things get tied together. The ending shows a level of love, courage, loyalty, and emotion that had me choked up at times.The three main characters have much to do to set the world right and they are still teens that bicker and love each other as they do it. The battles are intense, there is significant loss as everyone fights for good, and also insight gained that demands sacrifice. I'm highly interested in the class that Angelina will be teaching, as I think there is much to be gleaned from the books that I am just missing. I was a little surprised at the very end of the book, which moves 19 years into the future. I wonder if it was her way of ensuring the end of the series, as things are all wrapped up and moved on?
*76. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park Such a challenge book to hear while we live in such a safe, easy bubble of life in the US. It is hard to imagine how much he endured, or what she goes through on a daily basis. Great story to introduce some of the challenges in African countries without being too, too much for middle school or high school students.
*77. Ourselves by Charlotte Mason (Book 4, both volumes) Book group finished another book! Overall people loved this one, which is highly allegorical in the first volume, and very practical in the second. A great re-read for me, and the end of where I've read. We are on to book 5 and 6, which will both be first time through for me.
*78. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry This is #2 in The Giver quartet, but was originally called a companion book to The Giver. Definitely another one with a completely different, and yet not, society. No overlap in characters that I remember. Kira (two syllables old) loses her mother and, although she is handicapped and should have been killed at birth, is again protected. She has a gift with weaving and is brought to the Council House to live, where she meets a young carver and a tyke future singer. She is tasked with continuing to fix the singer's coat (part of a yearly ceremony), but also with learning dying and preparing to 'write the future' on the bare areas of the coat. Blue is unavailable, until her scamp of a friend goes to "yonder" and finds not only it, but her father who wasn't killed, but attacked by humans and saved by a village of outcasts.
*79. Messenger by Lois Lowry #3 in The Giver quartet. Time has passed and while Kira stayed, along with Thomas, we follow her friend Matt, who has become Matty, and her father in the village. This loving, caring village has developed a dark underbelly that Matty and the Leader and Seer (Kira's father) must figure out. In the effort to bring Kira back to the village before they close to outsiders Forest attacks them and the use of gifts and sacrifice become very important themes.
*80.Nothing to Make a Shadow by Faye C. Lewis A great little book about the author's childhood in South Dakota. Lots of stories about the town, the people, and the prairie. She left after high school, and for a 2nd home South Dakota girl it is very much what I enjoy reading.
*81. Son by Lois Lowry #4 in the Giver Quartet. This one brings characters from each book together to a conclusion, which is a wonderful ending in light of the horror of the societies that they've come from. Kira is married to Leader, who had taken the baby and fled in The Giver. The baby has grown up and this book has a focus around his mother, Claire, and his life stories. It is told in three parts and is most focused on her as she discovers the truth of being human and spends her life trying to get to her boy, trading everything she has just to be near him.
**82. Beyond Mere Motherhood: Moms are People Too by Cindy Rollins I haven't read Mere Motherhood, but I really like this follow up book. She talks to all mothers about the reality of our lives as our children grow up and leave the nest, of continuing to feed and nurture ourselves. She talks of the hardest challenges for different types of moms, of the the joys of growing older and continuing to stretch, of our wisdom and love of our Heavenly Father, and provides a book list and other ideas that matches with each section on a different type of mother. Highly recommend this book for all moms, especially as children enter teen years and beyond.
*83. Self-Portrait: Trina Schart Hyman I wouldn't normally include a short picture book autobiography, but I love this illustrator and had never seen this book. I don't want to forget it! I love the drawings and the early story of her life--the ending definitely felt like she needed to finish the book vs tell a great story--but maybe she was too young at the time? She definitely smoked too much, which you don't see in kids books now!
*84. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys A historical fiction, deeply rooted in fact, that focuses on the lead up to the Romanian Revolution. The dictatorship that led to severe suffering, family spying on family, and a life of deprivation took longer than the fall of the Berlin Wall, longer than the fall of the Soviet Union, and longer than most others. This story of a young boy discovering his first love, betrayal, becoming a spy himself and the guilt that he had over it, the discoveries within his family at the end, the grandpa who had the spark to keep fighting against the fear and gave his life for it. It was a hard, absorbing read.
85. Below the Root by Zilpha Keatley Snyder After reading The Giver, which is so disturbing, but so well told, this was hard to get in to. It is similar in that the world is like ours in many ways, but also totally different. The people live in the tree tops, there is a terrible group that lives in The Root who are stealing (and probably killing and maybe even eating!) the Kindar. There are specific roles that are assigned at a certain age, most things are named differently (sleep in a nid, food taking, etc.). It is part of a three part series and the end of the book is working towards solving multiple parts of the puzzle of the different people--and it leaves you in a cliff hanger :)
86. And All Between by Zilpha Keatley Snyder The second in the series. This tells a lot of the same story, but from a different character's viewpoint. The people below the root are a much bigger part of this story, with multiple trips below, bringing a few of them above, the discovery that the two little girls are able to engage the spirit forces, and a collision course of the powerful elites above who want to protect their peaceful way of life and their own power (using force if necessary) and those who want the below the root people freed and the societies to be know the full stories, even if it disrupts the protected utopia. The ending of this one is also bit of a cliff hanger, with a powerful discovery. I'm intrigued to see how the third one handles the story line.
*87. A Year Down Yonder--listened to the audio book, which we have listened to before. Such a good story set between the World Wars, during the depression. A girl, a grandmother, a small town story.
88. Until the Celebration by Zilpha Keatley Snyder The third and last of the Green-sky series. I'm glad it is done, it wasn't that the story was dragging, but I had a hard time getting myself to actually finish the book. It is definitely an anti-violence, anti-hero worship type Suof series. I'd also say that the ending 'wisdom' made me uncomfortable. It wasn't anti-Christian, but it was our hope should be in the power and strength that comes from within and among us--leaving little room for God, imo. There is a major character death (he really was a hero) although things work out really well overall, so not a sad ending or scarey series. I will likely keep them, although they are a little valuable and I wouldn't be terribly upset if I sold them instead.
*89. Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur This was listed as a good read by Sarah MacKenzie (I think). It was okay and better than a lot of modern fiction, but it took me forever to finish and it is a book I should have flown through. I appreciate that the author is well steeped in great kids lit, but it felt like she tried too hard or something. Good for modern read fairy tale that has generational conflict that has to be overcome.
*90. Black Gold by Marguerite Henry Oh, to read her books again! This one is about a Thoroughbred who was out of a OK mare and a KY sire. He went on to win the KY Derby even as a little horse. His trainer and jockey were so devoted to him, but he was over raced (1920s) and developed a quarter crack that was never repaired. During an attempted comeback that the jockey didn't participate in or support, he broke his leg trying to win and was euthanized. I am going to try to read through all her books again.
*91. Marguerite, Misty, and Me by Susan Frieland A gift from Marcee and a beloved one at that. Such an interesting book about the author's life and all her connections to Marguerite, as well as what she learned while researching this book. I really enjoyed it and it made me love Marguerite Henry even more--and want to reach all her books (thus the Black Gold, which was right after this one.)
**92. The Cost of Free Land by Rebecca Claren Such a good, hard book. Amanda, my cousin, introduced me to it and, as someone with has strong ties to South Dakota, I think it was important to understand how the Natives were and continue to be treated. She looks at her Jewish relatives who settled in Jew Flats and how that compared to how the Native Americans were being treated there--as they lost land, her family was given land. She is a bit repetative at times, but it is truly shocking to learn not only how poorly native tribes were treated, but how so many of the paternalistic laws continue. Most Native don't own their land, it is held in trust and the the funds for some of the atrocities and land grabs are also held in trust. We have a long way to go for equal treatment and understanding of their sovereign nation status. Knowing peole in SD it is easy to hear their frustrations and know why there is so much quiet (and not quiet) racism, but I think very few people understand (me included) how many times we violated treaties and continue to not acknowledge the laws the US made.
*93. Skipping Christmas by John A quick Christmas read about a couple who decide to skip Christmas and go on a cruise because their daughter joined the Peace Corps and they need to get away (and he wants to save money.) After a month or more of fighting with the neighbors, disappointing everyone, being in the media, and more the daughter turns their plans upside down by showing up--it is pretty crazy what they go through to pretend they were having a normal Christmas.
*94. Christmas in the Midwest edited by Clarence Andrews This is a sweet collection of essays and poems that are all connected by their midwestern roots--it really is about Iowa, but I'm guessing they changed the name to make it have broader appeal. Very nostalgic, sweet writings by some famous authors and many that are just credited to the magazine that they first appeared in.
