Annbury At It Again!

Greetings to one and all, as the new year gets underway. Once again, I have a list. Once again, it is equally divided between fiction and non-fiction (do many other readers have to resist the lure of new history and political books to get in their quota of fiction?). And once again, I have no expectation of reading the whole list. Other books intrude -- not just history and politics, but blood-drenched thrillers from Scandinavia, and the entire output of certain lady mystery writers. Last year, I did make (just barely) my secret target of 100. My completion rate on my hundred book list, however, was just 47% (including one book I couldn't finish). This year, the target will simply be to beat last year's completion rate -- and, of course, to hit a marginally higher secret total target.

Have started off the year with a five-star read -- Michael Lind's Land of Promise. As discussed in my review, this is an excellently written look at the relationship between U.S. economic development and U.S. political structure. It is illuminating over the long haul, and pertinent to today's arguments. Now, I am reading Oliver Stone's Untold History of the U.S. (couldn't resist) and then we will get on to the serious work of reading fiction.

Welcome back!

Less than a month into the new year, and I am already straying from my list. The latest excursion Why We Love The Dogs We Do was not very profitable. It has a number of weak points, as noted in my review, it disses cats, and it says that I should not have standard poodles. I adore standard poodles, and will persist with poodle "ownership". Back to Oliver Stone, he may also mislead, but at least he is interesting about it.

A mild case of flu plus bitter weather outside has led to truly frenetic reading. I have finished The Untold History of the United States, read two novels (The Secret Agent, and The Testament of Mary, and read another dog book -- What's a Dog For?. As noted in my reviews, the Untold History is bracing if biased, the Testament of Mary is moving but not for believers, and the latest dog book pretty good. Didn't review The Secret Agent; my husband has already done so on my account.

Next stop -- more U.S. history, to see what kind of support there is for Mr. Stone's take on the American Empire.

Still suffering from the flu, so still reading compulsively; the latest almost makes the flu worthwhile. I decided to read a novel before forging ahead with American history, and have just devoured The French Lieutenant's Woman. WHAT A TERRIFIC BOOK!! For specifics, see my review. Now, back to reality land -- well, sort of.

Have read Where They Stand, a book that looks at the comparative performance of American presidents. Interesting enough, as noted in my review, if inevitably biased in some respects. I notice this, since I don't share the author's views (he much admires Reagan), but that's what makes a horse race.

Just finished Understanding Health Policy, and in so doing made a bit step towards my goal of understanding (at least a bit) the U.S. healthcare system. As discussed in my review, this is an EXCELLENT book for anyone who wants a very clear, very comprehensive overview of our so-called system.

Have read one serious novel, de Maupassant's Bel Ami, and one thriller, Robert Crais' Suspect. As noted in my reviews, I enjoyed both very much. De Maupassant's work is almost 130 years old, but its exploration of amoral ambition has powerful contemporary echoes -- plus, it's a gripping story. The Crais book is mostly about a dog (which means of course I love it) but it's good enough to make me try some of this author's non-dog work. Now, back to Freedom from Fear, and my nice new Irene Huss thriller.

Finally finished Freedom From Fear, the volume of the Oxford History of the US covering the period 1930-1945. It's a magisterial and refreshingly even-handed book, as noted in my review, a key entry in this terrific series. Also downed another Nordic thriller, Helene Tursten's The Golden Calf -- don't know why the touchstones note comes up with the Swedish title. Shall continue with the Oxford history, alternating with a novel.