This-n-That's Monthly Challenge 2019

I am taking a relaxed approach to my 2019 reading and will keep things flexible. Since my primary goal is to read books off my tbr shelf (mainly books I own), I'll probably only participate in challenges complimenting that plan. Admittedly I'm not the best reading challenge multitasker (or should it be multibooker?) so I'll start out with CalendarCAT.

Other reading goals: I'd like to get back to reading more non-fiction, so I hope to sneak in one book a month. Reading historical fiction is a given, as that is a favorite genre of mine.

Reading outdoors: optional but recommended. :-)

CalendarCAT Updates: Here

BingoDog Updates: Here

Books Read:
1. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl ★★★★
2. Moloka'i ★★★★

Books I Own: 2
Nonfiction: 1
Historical Fiction: 1

Books Read:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing ★★★★★
2. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance ★★★★
3. Black Dove: Mamá, Mi'jo, and Me ★★★
4. News of the World ★★★★★
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian ★★★★
6. The Housekeeper and the Professor ★★★★
7. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn ★★★★

Books I Own: 4
Nonfiction: 2
Historical Fiction: 3

Books Read:
1. Our Native Bees: North America's Endangered Pollinators and the Fight to Save Them ★★★★
2. The Happiness Project ★★
3. The Full Cupboard of Life ★★★★
4. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies ★★★★
5. The Orange Girl ★★★★

Books I Own: 2
Nonfiction: 2
Historical Fiction: 0

Books Read:
1. Blue Shoes and Happiness ★★★
2. In the Midst of Winter: A Novel ★★
3. The Indigo Girl: A Novel ★★★★

Books I Own: 2
Nonfiction: 0
Historical Fiction: 1

Books Read:
1. Odd and the Frost Giants ★★★★
2. A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers ★★★★
3. Uncommon Type: Some Stories ★★★★
4. The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter ★★★★
5. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI ★★★
6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 1) ★★★★★

Books I Own: 4
Nonfiction: 0
Historical Fiction: 1

Books Read:
1. The Great Alone ★★
2. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand ★★★★
3. The Lost Girls of Paris ★★★★ (CalendarCAT)
4. Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment currently reading
5. The Penelopiad ★★★★
6. A Desperate Fortune ★★★★ (RTT)

Books I Own: 2
Nonfiction: 1
Historical Fiction: 4

Books Read:
1. Mr Dickens and His Carol ★★★★
2. The Map of Salt and Stars ★★★
3. The Road to Grantchester ★★★★
4. The Romanov Empress ★★★
5. Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story ★★★★

The Summer Before the War - ★★★★
A Confederacy of Dunces - ★
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail - ★★★
Brief Answers to the Big Questions - ★★★★

1. The Hired Girl ★★★★
2. Washington Black ★★★
3. You Have Arrived at Your Destination ★★★
4. Hattie Big Sky ★★★

1. The Handmaid's Tale ★★★★ (reread)
2. The Tale of Despereaux ★★★
3. Economics in Wonderland: Robert Reich's Cartoon Guide to a Politcal World Gone Mad and Mean ★★★★
4. Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects ★★★★
5. The Kommandant's Girl ★★★
6. Love and Ruin ★★★
7. All Creatures Great and Small ★★★★

1. Joyland ★★★
2. All Things Bright and Beautiful ★★★1/2
3. Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men ★★★★
4. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek ★★★
5. A Place for Us ★★★
6. Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities ★★★1/2
7. The Christmas Letters ★★★1/2

1. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science ★★★★★
2. A Quilt for Christmas: A Novel ★★★

CalendarCAT:

January: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself by Harriet Ann Jacobs
Read for National Public Domain Day on January 1st.

June: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
Read for D-Day anniversary on June 6th.

July: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silve
Read for Christmas in July on the 25th.

✔️1. Book made into a movie - A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - 4 stars

✔️2. Main title has 6 or more words in it - Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself - 4 stars

✔️3. Title contains a homophone word (such as hair/hare, slay/sleigh, there/their/they’re) - Salt to the Sea - 4 stars

4. Weather (title contains a weather word, or book involves/centers around a weather event) -

✔️5. Book has an LT rating of 4.0 or more - News of the World - (LT rating 4.21) - 5 stars

✔️6. Book in translation - The Housekeeper and the Professor - 4 stars

✔️7. Prize-winning book - A Confederacy of Dunces - 1 star

✔️8. Children’s/YA book, or reread a childhood favorite - The Tale of Despereaux - 3 stars

✔️9. Graphic novel - Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story - 4 stars

✔️10. Food-related title or topic - Our Native Bees - 4 stars

✔️11. Read a book bullet (meaning another LT member inspired you to read it) - Killers of the Flower Moon - 3 stars

12. Book mentioned in another book you have read

✔️13. Animal on cover/in title/plays a significant role - All Creatures Great and Small - 4 stars

✔️14. Short stories or essays - Uncommon Type - 4 stars

✔️15. Debut novel - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - 4 stars

✔️16. Book about/featuring siblings - The Map of Salt and Stars - 3 stars

✔️17. Book with an artistic character - The Girl Who Drew Butterflies - 5 stars

✔️18. Fairy tale (classic or reworked) - Odd and the Frost Giants - 4 stars

✔️19. Author uses middle name or middle initial - Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith - 3 stars

✔️20. Cover has at least two human figures - Farewell to the East End: The Last Days of the East End Midwives - 5 stars

✔️21. Part of a series - The Road to Grantchester - 4 stars

✔️22. Alliterative title - Black Dove: Mamá, Mi'jo, and Me - 3 stars

✔️23. Topic or character related to medicine/health - Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst - 4 stars

✔️24. Eastern European author or setting - You Have Arrived at Your Destination by Amor Towles - 3 stars

✔️25. Read a CAT - July: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva - 4 stars (Read for Christmas in July on the 25th)

Welcome to the challenge, reading from our shelves seems to be a popular trend for next year. :)

reserved

More space....just in case.

>16 DeltaQueen50: Thank you. :)

I'm a big non-fiction fan too, so I look forward to seeing what you read there. I'm also tackling (again) Mt TBR for my challenge, I had hoped that 2018 would be the year I started making a dent in it rather than piling it even higher, but will have to aim for that next year instead as I fell off the book-buying wagon quite spectacularly!

Welcome! Looks like you have an interesting list to choose from. Looking forward to seeing what you get to.

>20 Jackie_K: Thanks, Jackie. I understand what you mean about falling off the book-buying wagon, lol. I did much better this year, even considering the tempting kindle daily deals. Still, it feels as though I didn't make much of a dent in Mt TBR this year.

>21 LittleTaiko: Thanks so much for the warm welcome.

Welcome aboard and enjoy playing with the CATs and KITtens! :)

>23 rabbitprincess: Thanks so much. I do plan to have fun.

The Challenge group is a laid back fun group and I hope you like participating in it. Good wishes for a great reading year!

Welcome and good luck for a wonderful reading year!

Thanks for welcoming me to the challenge, Luanne & Birgit. I wish everyone a good year of reading too!

Welcome!! I love the pictures of the birth month flowers.

Thank you, Monica. It took some searching to find some pictures relating to months that I liked.

Good luck with your reading challenge!

Thanks so much, Tess.

Welcome and wishing you a wonderful reading year in 2019!

Thank you, Lori. The planning has been fun. Now I am ready to start my reading challenges.

Lots of great authors and books on your TBR - I look forward to following along.

Thanks, Lisa. :)

Nice set-up! Good luck with the reading.

Thanks so much, Vivienne!

However you celebrate, wishing all my LT friends ...

(Photo credit: Charles Schulz/Peanuts)

What a great way to organize your reading year! I look forward to checking back and seeing how you're doing. And offer mutual support!

>39 threadnsong: Thank you! Mutual support for reading goals is certainly welcomed. :-)

Good luck! Happy New Year!

I've always been a fan of Snoopy and his friends.

Have a wonderful New Year.

>41 The_Hibernator: >42 hailelib: Thank you both. : )

>44 thornton37814: >45 Tess_W: Thank You & Happy New Year.

Love Snoopy's new year wish! Wishing you the same.

>47 VivienneR: Thank You! :)

Just a a general note, the books I am currently reading are listed in message #1. One of my January choices is Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst which is going to take me a long while to get through. It is interesting subject matter but dense in detailed information.

First book of 2019!

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself by Harriet Ann Jacobs

“I can testify, from my own experience and observation, that slavery is a curse to the whites as well as to the blacks. It makes white fathers cruel and sensual; the sons violent and licentious; it contaminates the daughters, and makes the wives wretched. And as for the colored race, it needs an abler pen than mine to describe the extremity of their sufferings, the depth of their degradation.”
― Harriet Jacobs (Linda)

At times this was a difficult book to read, not due to the writing but instead because of the subject. Although the author never worked in the fields and learned to read and write, she suffered in different ways. Written in eloquent language, this memoir is as much about sexual and emotional abuse, as it is about slavery. Perhaps due to the time period, the suffering is not represented in an overtly explicit way, but enough details are provided to paint a picture of what Harriet Jacobs had to endure. Linda (Jacob's pseudonym in the memoir) makes some difficult and questionable decisions while trying to escape the advances of her obsessed master. At one point the author asks, “Reader, did you ever hate? I hope not. I never did but once; and I trust I never shall again. Somebody has called it "the atmosphere of hell; and I believe it is so.”

Based on historical information, this is one of the few first person narratives written from a woman's point of view. It was edited by women's rights activist L. Maria Child, so one is left to wonder how much of her influence is represented in the final draft.

I'd recommend this book to everyone and it is free to read through Project Gutenberg. The Audible version narrated by Jean Barrett is also well done. 4 stars.

Used for CalendarCat and BingoDog.

>50 This-n-That: Sounds like a wonderful read; am going in search of it now!

>51 Tess_W: I'll look forward to your thoughts on the book when you get a chance to read it.

>50 This-n-That: That's a wow book for me and I'll look for it as well.

>53 LisaMorr: I'm glad you have also added it to your tbr. : )

Book #2 of 2019 and another one off my tbr that I own! (I'm still slowly working through Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst)



Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

“...she bid me to look out on the lawn at the leper girls who were running on lame feet, playing croquet with crippled hands.

"There is beauty," she said, "in the least beautiful of things.”

After contracting Hansen's disease, Rachel Kalama struggles to cope with the loss of her family and health as she is banished to an isolated leper colony on Moloka'i. This is a coming of age story, mixed in with a history of Hawaii and the progression of available treatments for Hansen's disease.

Beginning in 1891, this is Rachel's story as readers learn of her inner thoughts about isolation, fear, hope, love and coming to terms with having a disfiguring disease. As she grows up, her point of view changes, as she finds a new type of Ohana.

I must mention that I was also taken in by the care given to children by devoted nuns, largely represented in the book Sister Catherine. Although I realize some of it was fictionalized, it added a much needed component of caring, compassion and hope. Readers are also privy to the hardships, doubts and struggles that the nuns had to endure.

"I used to wonder, why did God give children leprosy? Now I believe: God doesn't give anyone leprosy. He gives us, if we choose to use it, the spirit to live with leprosy, and with the imminence of death. Because it is in our own mortality that we are most Divine.”

Although I did appreciate the inclusion of some major historical events about Hawaii, in some instances the plot felt manipulated to include those details. During the final third of the story, there were some plot points that didn't ring true to me or felt contrived but overall, this was a solid historical fiction novel.

My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

I am trying to play catch-up here, as I haven't participated for a while or created any new posts. I'll try to add more updates soon. Happy reading to all, whether it is summer or winter in your realm of the world.

Currently Reading:
The Lost Girls of Paris (The audio and multiple narrators are quite good!)
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment (This is interesting so far but the author rambles on too much. It could have been a shorter book.)
The Penelopiad (I am not a huge mythology buff but this is quite engaging so far.)

Book: The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Used for Challenge: CalendarCAT, June 6, D-Day anniversary

Keeping this short and (hopefully) sweet, so I don't fall completely behind in composing my reviews this month. Told from several perspectives and timelines, the majority of the story focuses on a group of female SOE agents sent into occupied France during WWII. The second timeline is set directly after WWII with a different ensemble of characters (not agents) but more serves to tie together the loose ends of what happened to specific agents after the war ended. Some readers felt the second timeline was superfluous to the outcome of the story but it didn't bother me. I actually appreciated the occasional change in pace and setting. I listened to this entirely on audio and the use of multiple narrators added interest and depth to the individual characters. Had I read the book, I have a feeling I wouldn't have liked it quite as much. There wasn't an author's note section in the audio version, so I am not certain how much of the story is historically accurate.

Thanks for stopping by! I also have Moloka'i in my TBR pile!

>58 This-n-That: Thanks for the chuckle! That is definitely true of me. :)

>58 This-n-That: I don't think I could fall asleep without my fifteen minutes (or so - depending on the book) read before turning off the lights!

Book: The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Mythology/Fantasy
Used for Challenge: No

What do you get when you mix a faithful and intelligent wife, a beautiful cousin, a cunning (yet absent) husband, a power hungry son, lurking suitors and twelve maids caught in the middle of it all? Well, that is what Atwood’s novel is all about, told from the perspective of Penelope and her maids. I must admit I am not a big mythology fan and cannot recall if I ever read The Odyssey in its entirety but this story kept me engaged and coming back for more. Just a quick word of warning to those who are easily offended, as this story has some descriptive passages and naughty overtones.

>58 This-n-That: That's especially true of some large hardbacks. You either lay on your back and have to hold it up so it doesn't bomp you on the nose, or lay on one side and have to hold all the weight on one hand. It's a tough choice.

>58 This-n-That: >63 Helenliz: Oh, ain't that the truth. I have to really brace myself for the handful of large hardbacks I have. My dodgy wrist makes it a real effort.

Even some of the trade paperbacks are painful to hold, if they've been bound a certain way. I'm finding The Trespasser painful to hold when reading it on the bus, whereas The Sentence is Death was much more comfortable to hold.

>63 Helenliz: >64 Jackie_K: >65 rabbitprincess: It really is true! Books (and ereaders) can be heavy and difficult to hold for long periods. Sometimes I lose my grip on a book or my kindle and it falls backwards, usually whacking me in the face. Then after the stinging subsides, I have to laugh at myself for being so klutzy.

>63 Helenliz: I'm developing arthritis in my thumbs and I think holding those big books up is why.

Book: A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: HF/Romance
Used for Challenge: RTT/Codebreaking

Susanna Kearsley offers yet another dual timeline story with a romantic twist, this time centered on a diary written in code by Mary Dundas during the Jacobite movement in Europe. In the present day, we find a novice codebreaker set with the task of discovering the secrets of the journal. Both the past and present contain mysterious circumstances and possibilities for romance.

This is a slow paced novel, with details about each character revealed layer by layer. It wasn’t quite up to par with The Winter Sea, which is the first novel I read by Kearsley and continues to be my favorite. Still, I enjoyed the historical setting and the inclusion of a character with Asperger syndrome to decipher the diary, added a unique element. I am pleased the author included a note at the end, describing her historical research and how she chose the characters in the story. Romance novels usually aren’t my preference anymore but I enjoyed the change of pace from my nonfiction reading. Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes.

Book: Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: NF
Used for Challenge: No

Wow, this took me a month to read. I got bogged down midway through but am glad I kept going with it.

The primary title Why Buddhism is True is misleading, as the information presented focuses on secular Buddhist ideas, including the benefits of mindful meditation practice. Wright does mention this and provides an explanation as to why he still decided to chose the title. In a nutshell, the book covers select Buddhist themes related to human suffering, including how humans fail to see the world clearly based on illusory feelings and the cycle of craving, leading to attainment, eventually leading to more craving. Well, you get the idea. Meditation is offered as a way to reduce the suffering from these ongoing feelings and thoughts. Wright offers theories from evolutionary psychology as an explanation for some of these basic human behaviors.

There were several concepts that I had difficulty embracing including the idea of "not-self," with one definition stating the self simply doesn't exist. The author does present these ideas multiple times throughout the book and offers different definitions and perspectives. (In other words, is a glass half empty, half full or something in between? It is left open to interpretation and as reader, sometimes I couldn't decide which definition best aligned with my beliefs.) I could write several pages on this subject but then I'd just be delving into themes presented in the book that are too difficult to explain within the framework of a few sentences.

I don't know if I accept or agree with everything presented by Wright but a lot of it does make sense. Even if some of my feelings are distorted, and I am sure that is the case, I am not willing to discount my intuition in certain situations. However, if mindful meditation can create a sense of inner calm and clearer view of the world, that seems like a good thing. If that translates into less (emotional) pain or reactivity and more empathy for other people, then even better. During the past eight years, I have noticed some positive effects from my own efforts to meditate, although I don't practice as often or long as I should to get the most benefits.

This book may not be for everyone but Wright does offer a free online class called Buddhism and Modern Psychology through Coursera.org. Otherwise, for someone new to these concepts or for children, there is always A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh. Sometimes simple and cute will suffice to get a message across.

Book: Mr Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
Rating: Four twinkling, shiny stars, although I could not give it the five stars I’d reserve for a masterpiece such A Christmas Carol.
Genre: HF
Used for Challenge: CalendarCAT/Christmas in July

Topping popped inside, carrying an unwieldy stack of letters. Interruptin’, sir?”

“I should think that unlikely. Haven’t managed to write one good world all day.”

“Just the post. A few bills, past due. Usual contingent of beggin’ letters. . . “

“’Tis the season,” Dickens said with a sigh.

Poor Mr. Dickens. His latest book is a flop, bills are past due and around every corner lurks a person seeking a donation for their cause. Christmas is only a few weeks away and the publishers want Dickens to write a new book, with a seemingly impossible deadline. His family just doesn’t understand the dire financial straits they are in and there isn’t any reprieve from the demands of family or the noisy children. Samantha Silva takes it from there, weaving an imaginative tale that shows how A Christmas Carol may have come into existence. Some of the story is predictable but much is not. Overall it is an imaginative, well-crafted and delightfully fun piece of fiction. Even though I read this during the warmth of the summer months, there is never a wrong time for a good story.

>70 This-n-That: a BB for me, it's something different!

>70 This-n-That: that sounds excellent! What an interesting surmise. Adding that to the BB list.

>69 This-n-That: Interesting review! I have this book on my wishlist at the library and wondered what others thought of it. I will look forward to it now.

>71 Tess_W: >72 Helenliz: >73 VivienneR: Thank you. I hope you all enjoy reading it at some point.

>69 This-n-That: - Just remembered that I bought this one last year and haven't gotten around to reading it. Sounds like it should be an interesting read.

>70 This-n-That: - That one sounds delightful!

I am still here but have just been adding updates within preexisting messages.

For My Annual October Creepy Read:



Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects ★★★★

DRUGSTORE BEETLE Stegobium paniceum Entomologists call this a “cosmopolitan species” because of its wide-ranging and sophisticated preferences—it enjoys books and leather, antique furniture, chocolates, spices, and prescription medications, including opium. A tiny reddish beetle not much larger than a flea, this reviled creature is an enemy of rare book rooms, museums, and pharmacies. It once infested the Huntington Library in Southern California, requiring truckloads of books to be placed into a vacuum fumigator and gassed with a mixture of ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, killing even its tiny eggs.

Maybe a more apt title for this book could have been Creepy, Poisonous and Destructive Bugs as I don't know that any insect is capable of purposely being wicked. Their actions are likely more instinctively driven by a biological need to survive long enough to reproduce. Still, I get the idea the author was trying to get across with the title and it is a catchy one at that.

Bugs generally do not freak me out. I am usually the person in charge of household bug removal and I think jumping spiders are cute. Bees don't bother me either and I don't mind if they crawl on me to get warm, but then I am not allergic to them. This book did create some "eeeeew yuck" worthy moments though and made me glad many of the critters included in the book aren't native to the US. I think the blood sucking insects bothered me the most, as it seems they often are capable of transmitting some type of disease. If you are a reader who generally is squeamish around spiders, worms and flying insects, I don't know if reading this will make you feel empowered by knowledge or feel even more fearful.

I do wish the author had included photographs for easier bug identification, instead of black and white illustrations. Still it was an interesting book that I decided to use for my annual October creepy read. I think this book qualifies.

>77 This-n-That: Really good review of Wicked Bugs! I think I want to read it...

>78 LisaMorr: Thank You. I hope you enjoy the book. It is creepy but not too creepy.

Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities ★★★1/2

This book might be a good choice for people who are a bit squeamish and would rather skip Stewart's Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects. After reading Wicked Plants, I was surprised how many houseplants and common garden plants are toxic and it made me wonder why there aren't clearer standards for labeling by growers and nurseries. Otherwise, it also made me wonder historically how many people lost their lives or became ill while trying to figure out which plants were safe to eat and which weren't.

As with my similar criticism of Wicked Bugs, I wish the author had included photographs for identification purposes. In this case, I really did not care for the illustrations at all, even from an artistic perspective. Still I appreciate books I learn something useful from and knowing a few plants in my garden can potentially cause major skin irritation is definitely useful.

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men ★★★★

The author makes some compelling points concerning how the majority of data collected on a global scale is based on men and women are not even considered as a separate entity. There is evidence to support a plethora of hidden biases against women ranging from dismissive healthcare treatment to ill fitting unisex uniforms. However the author also heavily relies on the use of statistics to support her positions but I feel some of those statistics are too limited in scope or generalized to make a strong argument for cause and effect. That is just my opinion though and I am not an expert on the subject. Even so, this is definitely a worthwhile book to read and the information presented in a few chapters mirrored some of my personal experiences. The author is also the narrator of the audio version and she does an excellent job.

I think that is it for me with BingoDog, as I won't have an opportunity to complete the last two themes during the remainder of December. It was a fun challenge though and I look forward to attempting the 2020 bingo card. :-)

>82 This-n-That: Congrats on covering so much of your card! Having fun is the most important thing!

>83 christina_reads: Thanks so much. :-) I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts about the importance of having fun with reading challenges.

Great job with your Bingo card!

Good review of Invisible Women - I do have that on my wishlist, and plan to pick it up one of these days.

>85 LisaMorr: Thanks so much. I'll look forward to your thoughts on Invisible Women, if you have the opportunity to read it next year.

Since the year is winding down and I am basically just reading short little holiday stories for the moment, I thought I'd take stock of what I read during 2019 and list a few of my favorites. Thank goodness I wrote reviews for most of these, otherwise this task would be much harder. This year I was surprised a few children's/YA books made it onto my list.

1. Where the Crawdads Sing: I listened to this one on audio and I suspect that enhanced the reading experience. Some of the writing was lovely and I got quite caught up in Kia's story of survival and an accompanying mystery that slowly unfolds. If I were to read it again, I suspect I might not be able to overlook the slowness of the plot and some of the inconsistencies that other readers have pointed out though. It seems this is a story either readers love or dislike.

2. News of the World: I thought this relatively short historical story was excellent. The ongoing paternal-like relationship between Captain Kidd and the 10 year old Johanna, pulled at one's heartstrings. It was a stroke of genius to have one character make his a career as a news reader. (I had never heard of traveling news readers prior to reading this book.) That was a creative way to sneak some historical facts from the time period into the story. Some passages read like a YA novel but given some of the themes presented, I don't feel the story would be appropriate for children.

3. Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End: This memoir continues on with the recollections of Jennifer Worth and the other midwives living at Nonnatus House. There are three books in this series. After reading book #2, which was incredibly bleak and depressing, I wasn't certain if I wanted to continue on with the series. Thankfully this final book had a much better mix of humorous stories, along with the devastating tales of suffering, disease and poverty. Although I am a fan of the tv series, I realized the scripts didn't precisely follow the books. It provided a sense of resolution to discover what really happened to Chummy and sweet, sensitive, Cynthia. Upon completion of these books, I can only say I am awestruck by the dedicated service and compassion these midwives and nuns bestowed upon their patients and the East End community.

4. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science: This book by Joyce Sidman is also a thing of beauty. It is well written and includes many of Maria's original illustrations and scientific research. I can understand why The Girl Who Drew Butterflies won multiple literary awards during 2018. Prior to reading this, I had never heard of Maria Merian and had no idea she is considered to be one of the first European naturalists, in addition to an accomplished artist. It was inspiring to read about her dedication to studying the whole process of metamorphosis from egg to butterfly, including documentation of the hosts plants. Prior to Maria's research and beautifully illustrated publications completed during the 1600s, the belief was most insects were a product of spontaneous generation. Maria's books not only transformed the world of etymology, but they were also works of art.

5. Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper: This book sat on my physical bookshelf for years and I am glad to have finally read it. It isn't really about stargazing but about a young art student named Peter Hill, who is given an opportunity to work at several lighthouses in Scotland during the early 1970s. Along with Peter's youthful musings about his experiences, the book is filled with the colorful stories of other lighthouse keepers, some novices and others near retirement age. There are 1970s references to the Vietnam War, music, tv shows and politics. (Evidently Watergate was a hot topic during that time period in Scotland.) All and all, this was an enjoyable and enlightening read about a bygone era, before the days when lighthouses started to become automated.

Honorable Mention:

Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst: After taking over two months to complete this, I am not sure what to say except 'whew'. This is the most comprehensive book I have read on human behavior. Sapolsky goes beyond the (neuro)biological factors and incorporates cultural, psychological and environmental considerations into the discussion. I wouldn't say this is a difficult read but it is a richly complex and detailed book. Sapolsky's sense of humor helps take the edge off things. By the end, the reader is fully aware of the meaning of, 'it's complicated' when attempting to explain human behavior. In essence, it is very complicated and scientists probably have just scratched the surface in their understanding.

What struck me is how 'me' vs 'us' vs 'them' factors into things, even in our split second decision making. The chapters discussing the roles of hormones and neurotransmitters were quite interesting and sometimes the information surprised me. Finally, the chapter titled 'Metaphors We Kill By,' discussing symbolism and symbolic values was actually frightening. The different parts of our brain aren't adept at handling that information in a logical way and symbolic meanings can be interpreted as physical pain or rejection. Ouch and Yikes! Scary stuff. After reading all this, I do believe there is some meaning to the saying 'reality is the stories we tell ourselves' (greatly influenced by our brain's interpretation of things, along with hormonal regulation, genetics, environmental factors, childhood experiences, etc.)

The Penelopiad: What do you get when you mix a faithful and intelligent wife, a beautiful cousin, a cunning (yet absent) husband, a power hungry son, lurking suitors and twelve maids caught in the middle of it all? Well, that is what Atwood’s novel is all about, told from the perspective of Penelope and her maids. I must admit I am not a big mythology fan and cannot recall if I ever read The Odyssey in its entirety but this story kept me engaged and coming back for more. Just a quick word of warning to those who are easily offended, as this story has some descriptive passages and naughty overtones.

The Road to Grantchester: Since I am a fan of the Masterpiece Mystery TV series, Grantchester, I started reading this novel a whim, more out of curiosity than anything else. This book is a prequel, written after the initial mystery series had been published. The story begins with the main character, Sidney Chambers, serving in the Scots Guard during WWII. There are some graphic descriptions of battle scenes but much of the story focuses on the psychological effects of war, continuing on into peacetime. Readers are given glimpses into the factors leading up to Sidney finally making the decision to become a clergyman, including one horrible event that happens during a battle, and his ongoing discussions with Reverend (Rev) Nev. It was also interesting to learn about Sydney's family members, who don't play much of a role in the TV series.

It was difficult not to insert mental images and voices of actors from the tv series into the story, so I just let them be part of the characters in the book. I am also not sure how much my enjoyment of the TV series played into my rating of the book, but it doesn't really matter. I am not usually a big reader of mysteries (although I enjoy some mystery TV shows) but I did like this novel and the way it was written.

Looks like some great reads!