Archived Reading

Books of 2024

2024 Books in Review:

I’ve read so many books this year that I didn’t post about them all here, including some of my favorites. And because I love a good book list, I’m writing my first “Books of the Year” list. Here is a list of some of my more notable reads this year. Each category is listed in the order by which I read them. May you find a new friend among them.

Favorite Read of the Year:

Lavinia by Ursela K. Le Guin. I listened to this one on Audiobook (narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan). I can’t even remember how it came to my notice or why I chose it, but I found a new friend. It kept me on the treadmill longer, had me getting laundry folded the day it was washed, and even taking the longer drive home just to keep listening. I have never read The Aeneid, so other than picking up on the stories from the boys school readings, I didn’t have much background. This is the story of Lavinia from her life before she meets Aeneas through to the end of her life. I enjoyed living in the culture of the pre-Rome Italian hillsides and loved how Virgil was a character. I am already looking forward to re-reading this one.

Favorite Chapter Books of the Year (I couldn’t narrow it down to one):

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis – This was a recommendation from Heritage Mom that I’ve had on my list for a while. It’s a story of a traumatic childhood, so I was concerned about handing it to my son. But it is so joyful through it all that I can’t wait for him to read it so we can talk about it.
Single Shard by Linda Sue Park – I’d seen this on several recommended lists and finally picked it up. I learned so much about Korea and pottery. It has some sad parts that I’ve had to warn my son about (a loved one’s death), but I hope he chooses to read it anyway.

Other new books I’m still thinking about:

The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot – (Slight spoiler alert ahead) In my attempt to read through the classics, I listened to this one on audio read by Laura Paton. It was an engaging story and I blew through the 20 hours. But I was shocked by the ending. This is a book I wish I had read in a group or along with a podcast.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson – I read this along with the Close Reads podcast. It was a short, light read that is still in my thoughts today.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center – a light read to keep me distracted while on a spontaneous trip to visit a sick relative.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – Every year I try to read at least on biography. This reading showed me a place and people I’d never read about and now want to know more.
Jonah for Normal People by Jared Byas – In preparing to read through Jonah with the boys next year, I read this short and readable commentary. I’ve never enjoyed a commentary like I did this one.
Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe – Last year I read the first book in the triliogy, Things Fall Apart,with the Close Reads podcast and was captivated by the world it described. So I read this one this year, though afterwards realized it was the last in the trilogy. As before, the world intrigued me. I wish I knew more about this time in Africa. But I also wish I had a podcast to listen to while I was reading it. I am planning on reading the second book of the trilogy next year.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward – This was another Close Reads pick. It was full of difficult topics, but was so beautifully written, I now want to read more of Ward’s books.
Beloved by Toni Morrison – This one has been on my “classics to read” list for a while but I’ve been intimidated by it. It was another one filled with difficult subjects, but was so beautifully written that I feel ready to read more Morrison.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson – This book kept popping up on my library app’s recommendations, so I put it on hold thinking I might read it when it became available. It was a fascinating look at a culture I know very little about and I read through it quickly. I was a little disappointed at how things were wrapped up at the end, but I’m still thinking about the characters.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard – I picked this one up at the library book sale and instead of working on my pre-read-for-school pile, started reading it. I only read a little every day, because it’s one to savor. But I still ended up getting through it pretty quickly. And I’ve been recommending it to people since.
On Beauty by Zadie Smith – I re-read Howard’s End by E.M. Forster along with the Literary Life podcast early in the year. And somewhere heard that this book was a take on it, so listened to it on audiobook. It is only slightly similar to Howard’s End. The book held my attention but when it was done I felt like I missed something. Another one that would be good to read with a group.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – another light read when I needed a pallet cleanser. I love a good magical romance ;).
Trust by Hernan Diaz – Another Close Reads podcast pick. I was originally going to skip this one. But after finishing the audiobook I was on and needing something else to get me through laundry, this one popped up as a recommendation so I gave it a try. And I have been recommending this one too! The audiobook is read by Edoardo Ballerini, Jonathan Davis, Mozhan Marnó, and Orlagh Cassidy.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman – This is one I saw on several lists and added to my library kindle on hold list. When it came it, I was between books so decided to accept it. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I read it in two days. It was the book I needed at the moment – as I’m going through perimenopause, parenting young(ish) children, and worrying about aging parents. It’s not a book for everyone, but I was glad for it.
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner – This is another from my “classics to be read” list. I picked it next since I’d seen it on audible and noticed the Close Reads podcast had done it several years ago. Just like when I was reading Sandwich, I related to things that were unlikable about one of the characters. And felt seen. I would not have gotten as much out of this book if I had not listened along with the podcast. But it will probably be on my re-read list.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins – I bought this Big Book several years ago as part of my read through the classics. But just never picked it up. So this year I listened to it on audiobook (narrated by Josphine Bailey and Simon Prebble) and flew through all 25 hours of it. This comes in as a close second to Lavinia for favorite book of the year. I will definitely be re-reading this one.

Old favorites that made the re-read list this year:

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – I listened to this with the boys and am so happy they liked it. And since then, they will casually mention Anne in conversation. I love she’s become their friend too!
Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte – I read this one again along with the Literary Life Podcast. And realized that I love reading Anne Bronte. This time through I listened to the audio version read by Emilia Fox.
Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte – Agnes Grey is so short, I downloaded this audio next just to keep reading Anne Bronte. I listened to the version read by Alex Jennings and Jenny Agutter. This book is in my top 10 of all-time list (please don’t ask for that list – I’ve never written it down so that I won’t be held to only 10 in the list!)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – And what can I do after finishing a heartbook like Tenant but start another heartbook. Jane Eyre makes my top 5 of all-time list (again, don’t ask to see the list!) and I have a hard time not starting it again every time I finish a really good book. This was the first time I listened to it, so it was a new experience. I listened to the version read by Thandiwe Newton.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Another one for the Close Reads podcast. I hadn’t read it in 15 years or so. I listened to it this time and enjoyed it as much as ever. I listened to the version read by Sissy Spacek.
Jane Austen – I try to limit myself to one or two Austens a year, but once again failed this year. Last year I decided to re-read them in the order that Austen wrote them (not published, so Northanger Abby was first). This year I read Sense and Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, and Mansfield Park. I have had a pretty clear ranking of my favorite Austens since forever. But with developing a new appreciation of Emma last year and these this year, my ordering got all shifted around. It’s hard not to put the one I’m reading on top! But surprisingly, this year S&S moved down. I liked it less than I have in the past. P&P has always ranked in the bottom somewhere, but it moved further to the top this year. Mansfield Park stayed at the top. With Persuasion still my favorite.

Other enjoyable chapter books. These were all read-a-louds or listen-alongs with the boys and they enjoyed them as much (or more!) than I did:

The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers (the illustrations in this one are fabulous)
The Day Boy and the Night Girl by George MacDonald
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus (a pre-read I haven’t read to them yet)
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin (audiobook read by Kim Mai Guest)
Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry

September 2024

On Audio: On Beauty by Zadie Smith narrated by Peter Francis James (I read Howard’s End earlier this year and am enjoying this homage to it.)
On Kindle: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (I decided to attempt this masterpiece and am enjoying it so far, though I can tell it will take me a while to get through it.)
Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers (I’m reading this along with the Literary Life Podcast.)
The Poetry of John Donne (I’ve decided I’ll read from one poet each year, so I’m slowly making my way through this. I read a poem two or three times a week, not necessarily in order.)
Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soil Back to Life by David R. Montgomery. (My nature study read to go with our cultivated crops study in the fall and our soil study in the winter.)
Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry (This is our afternoon read-a-loud book.)
In Freedom’s Cause: A Story of Wallace and Bruce by G.A. Henty (A pre-read for AO7 next year – I’ve got to start early this time!)
The Lost World of Adam and Eve by John Walton (I try to read one or two theology or Christian living books a year. I have read several other of Walton’s books and enjoy his insights into the ancient cultures.)
Ourselves by Charlotte Mason (This is my fifth of her volumes, and a pre-read for when M starts reading this next year in AO7.)
BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Back Artists and Models in Western Art by Zaria Ware (I’ve seen this book recommended by several people and when I saw it on sale, decided to get it. Then when it came, I couldn’t resist digging into it right away.)

August 2024

On Audio: Waverly by Sir Walter Scott read by David Rintoul (I’m just starting this one.) – I got bored and started a new one. I might come back to it…
On Audio in the car with the boys: Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery read by Susie Berners and Tara Ward (We read Anne earlier this year and then skipped to this one. I summarized the others but thought they would enjoy another story about the kids. Also, I want M to read Rilla of Ingleside this year as he’s studying WWI and wanted him to be familiar with the characters.) – The boys said they were bored with this one, so we moved on. (Though I was sad, I’m not going to force them into a free read.)
On Kindle: Beloved by Toni Morrison (This is my first Morrison and I’m hooked.) – Wow. I would like to go back and read this with a group or a study guide or some discussion. And I’m already thinking of adding another Morrison in for next year.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard (I picked this up at a library sale a while back, and it caught my eye as I was looking for something new to read. It is a peaceful read that I’m enjoying.) – This was an easy read. I just kept going every time I picked it up. It was peaceful and interesting. And it took place near where I lived for 6 years. I am sad for my previous self that I did not take time to get out in nature more while I was there.
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor (I’m reading this one for the Close Reads Podcast.) – This was not what I had expected. It is more than melancholy, it is sad. But it haunts me. I’m still thinking about it.
The Poetry of John Donne (I’m reading a poem or two a week and then looking up an analysis of it. The poems are in chronological written order and it’s been interesting to see themes repeat and change.) – This is my poetry book for the year, so I’m just taking my time.
Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soil Back to Life by David R. Montgomery. (My nature study read to go with our cultivated crops study in the fall and our soil study in the winter.) – Still working on this one. It is very interesting and I’m learning so much.
Arrow of God by China Achebe (I started this one at the beginning of the summer and then put it down and now have picked it back up. I read Things Fall Apart last year along with the Close Reads Podcast and was inspired to read the rest of the trilogy.) – I finally picked this one back up and finished it pretty quickly. I will continue to think about this for a while. And am planning to read the third of the trilogy next year.
School Education by Charlotte Mason (This is my fourth of her volumes, but the hardest one to get through so far – my progress is very slow.) – I finally finished this one!

January 2024

On Audio: The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot read by Laura Paton (I’m 5 hours into this 20 hour listen.) – Wow. I had no idea what kind of book this is. I still think about it months later. Though it took me weeks of light reads to recover.
On Audio in the car with the boys: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery read by Susie Berners and Tara Ward (I’m so glad the boys are enjoying one of my all time favorites!) – I’m happy to report they loved it! And will refer to Anne as an old friend.
On Kindle: Helen by Maria Edgeworth (I saw mention of this contemporary of Jane Austen and couldn’t resist another Big Book.) – I got about 60% through this one. This one is not so much a comedy of manners like Austen’s books because there is no humor in it. A study of characters for sure. And a bit preachy. I may return to it…
Israel by Noa Tishby (I have found my lack of knowledge of the history of Israel disturbing, so am starting to rectify that.) – Another one I did not finish but will finish later.
The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers (This is a read-a-loud with the boys and we are all enjoying it.). – We all loved this one.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (Continuing my mythology education.) – I only got a couple of chapters in. I may keep it in the stack, but I’m reading a lot of mythology with the boys so I don’t really want to pick it up in my free time right now.
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalid (A different perspective on the Middle East to rectify my lack of knowledge on the area.) – I didn’t get far into this one either. I will get back to it.
The Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley (This is to help me with Spring’s Nature Study on weather.) – I read the first third and skimmed the rest. A good reference more than a book I’ll read all the way through.
School Education by Charlotte Mason (This is my fourth of her volumes, but the hardest one to get through so far – my progress is very slow.) – Still working on this one. I have neglected to prioritize it.

November 2023

On Audio: The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot read by Laura Paton (I’ve just started this 20 hour listen.)
On Audio in the car with the boys: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens read by Hugh Grant (We just finished Pinocchio and are about to start this one.)
Epiphany by Fleming Rutledge (I’m reading through The Fullness of Time series to help with our family liturgy.)
October, October by Katy Balen (This Y.A. novel was a birthday gift and I’m finding it enchanting.)
Things Fall Apart by China Achebe (I am reading this along with the Close Reads Podcast)
The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers (This one is with the Literary Life Podcast. It’s a heavy read, but lots of good, deep thoughts.)
School Education by Charlotte Mason (This is my fourth of her volumes, but the hardest one to get through so far – my progress is very slow.)
The Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley (This is to help me with Spring’s Nature Study on weather.)

September 2023

On Audio: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens read by Richard Armitage (I finally finished this while doing a deep clean of M’s room!)
On Audio in the car with the boys: Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling read by Ralph Cosham (we did not finish this – after the stories of Mowgli they were not as interested. Though they loved Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, they were not asking to listen in the car so I moved on.)
The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin (I read this along with the Close Reads Podcast. It was an entertaining jaunt around Oxford.)
School Education by Charlotte Mason (This is my fourth of her volumes, but the hardest one to get through so far – my progress is very slow.)
On the Niemen by Eliza Orzeszkowa, translated by Michelle Grants (While reading the Marie Curie biography, it mentioned that this book helped her see joy in life. I enjoyed reading about Curie and learning more about Poland because of my heritage, so I decided to tackle this Big Book too. ) Note: I have actually put this book back on the TBR shelf – I haven’t had the time to dedicate to it so will pick it up again later.
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer (This is inspired by next Winter’s Nature Study on flowerless plants. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.)
Mythos by Stephen Fry (I finally took this off the bottom of the stack and made myself work through it. I enjoyed and look forward to reading his others.)

April 2023

On my Kindle: A Passage to India by E.M. Forster (Did not finish. I got overwhelmed with pre-reading, so I hope to return to it in the future)
On Audio: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens read by Richard Armitage
On Audio in the car with the boys: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis read by Michael York (we also finished Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Battlethis month – they are just picking favorites out of order for a re-listen.)
The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty (Read this along with the Close Reads Podcast. I admired the writing through-out, but it wasn’t until the end that I fell in love with the book. Definitely a re-read.)
School Education by Charlotte Mason (This is my fourth of her volumes. I am always either reading her or another education book.)
Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep by Tish Harrison Warren (I put this one aside to restart in the future)
Three Men in A Boat (To say nothing of the dog) by Jerome K. Jerome (The humor in this one was not my style so I could not read much of it at a time. I gave up, but may return to it in the future.)
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano (I got bored with this one and stopped before getting very far in to it.)
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer (This is inspired by next Winter’s Nature Study on flowerless plants.)
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro (This is my devotional reading this year)
Mythos by Stephen Fry (Still working on this one. I enjoy reading it, but it’s another one that I can only take in small doses.)

February 2023

On my Kindle: A Passage to India by E.M. Forster
On Audio: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens read by Richard Armitage
Abandoned: On Audio in the car with the boys: The Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang read by Neil Shah – The boys were enjoying these stories, but 4 hours in to the almost 12 hour book, they asked for something new. Maybe we’ll come back to it later.
Completed: Poetics by Aristotle (I am reading this along with the Literary Life Podcast)
Completed: The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wohlleben – I read this to prepare for the fall term Nature Study on Trees. I enjoyed it and plan on including it in Nature / Science readings when the boys are older.
Three Men in A Boat (To say nothing of the dog) by Jerome K. Jerome
Completed: A Place to Belong by Amber O’Neal Johnston – I will keep this book handy as a reference and probably re-read it regularly for inspiration.
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro (This is my devotional reading this year)
Mythos by Stephen Fry

January 2023

Completed: On my Kindle: Marie Yavanovich: Lessons From the Edge – Highly Recommend this account of a Foreign Service Officer’s life and especially the insight into the former Soviet Union countries, including Ukraine.
Completed: On Audio: The LibriVox recording of Vanity Fair by William Thackeray read by Helen Taylor – I enjoyed this book and its humorous portrayal of British society in the early 1800s.
Completed: On Audio: Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers read by Sophie Thompson – we listened to this in the car. Both M & Em couldn’t get enough and would ask for it even on the shortest drives.
Completed: Villette by Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre is a top 5 favorite of mine, so I’m hoping for another good one.) – I was so angry at Charlotte Bronte for weeks after finishing this one. For so many reasons.
Completed: The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton – Highly Recommend. This book gives a view of Genesis 1 that both creationists and evolutionists should be able to agree on based on reading it through the lens of Ancient Near East culture.
Completed: Prayer: Letters to Malcolm by C.S. Lewis – I enjoyed this thoughtful read and had many commonplace quotes from it.
A Place to Belong by Amber O’Neal Johnston
Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, and Enuma Okoro (This is my devotional reading this year)
Mythos by Stephen Fry