#AMonthofFaves, hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO, continues. The prompts this month cover a wide variety of fun, end-of-the year-ish topics. Today we're talking about the most unique or memorable book(s) read this year. Those are two very distinct categories for me... especially this year.
Most Memorable Book(s)
The six novels making up Anthony Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire have been my most memorable books of the year. In fact, they have provided one of my most memorable reading experiences ever. Along with a small group of blogging friends, I read one book every two months. We compared notes on twitter (#6Barsets) as we went along... an activity appropriately dubbed "Trolloping with friends" by Audrey. In the process, I acquired a new favorite author.
Perhaps we'll throw a #PalliserParty in 2016.
Most Unique Book
This honor goes to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (my review). Her basic principles of organizing and decluttering are sound, but eventually the book got a little too weird for me. Talk to my possessions? Thank them for serving my needs? Be considerate of their feelings? I don't think so.
Still, the book inspired me to get rid of all the clothes in my closet that I no longer wore, were out of style, or simply did not fit. And that really made me happy. I'm not so sure about the life-changing part though...
What were the most unique or memorable books you read this year?
Ha! I think everyone (me included) had the best luck using the Kondo method on their closets. I haven't yet talked to my kitchen gadgets, though that might explain why I haven't cleaned out my kitchen drawers in, well, ever.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - Now if I could only follow through to my kitchen...
DeleteOh, I like #PalliserParty :) Is Last Chronicle your favorite of the #6Barsets?
ReplyDeleteI have tried some of the Kondo technique on my bookshelves, with good results.
Lisa - I'd have a really hard time choosing a favorite from the series.... working on a spoiler-free post now. I'm missing Trollope, the narrator, too!
DeleteHaha! I hear you on Tidying Up...the whole thing seems so over the top and hokey to me. But, I do get that it's refreshing to clean out your junk every once now and then. I recently went through the kids toys and filled an entire industrial size garbage bag of toys to donate.
ReplyDeleteSarah - The whole thing was just a little too weird for me, but it did inspire me to tackle the closet!
DeleteThe Trollope books sounds wonderful. He's an author I'd really love to read. The Tidying book was definitely unique! I don't feel the need to talk to my possessions anytime soon. It was useful for cleaning out closets and the vertical folding style is pretty awesome but there was a lot I didn't feel really translated over to Western lifestyles. It has made me better at getting rid of stuff so I guess that's a win!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I've been feeling a little sad ever since finishing the Trollope series... it's ridiculous how much I miss the characters!
DeleteHa ha, your comments on the Kondo book made me laugh. I read it too, and agree that some parts were a little out there ;) But I sure did love her message. Now, if I could only put those ideas into practice... ha!
ReplyDeleteJennifer - I need be re-inspired... totally stalled after finishing my closet. Maybe after the holidays.
DeleteYou've got me super curious about The Chronicles of Barsetshire.
ReplyDeleteLaura - If you've never read Trollope, I might recommend skipping The Warden and going straight to Barchester Towers. I loved the whole series!
DeleteI haven't read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up but did pick up a few pointers from other people's reviews.
ReplyDeleteKathy - After reading all the reviews, you probably don't even need to read the book.
DeleteI admit to not reading Trollope yet, but am intrigued by your enthusiasm for him over the past few months, so I'll check him out further.
ReplyDeleteI didn't take away much from the Kondo book and really didn't enjoy it, but that's just me. Her idea to declutter and simplify is great and I need to work on that, but I didn't like her writing style too much. Just my .02 on it :)
Rita - I know Victorian authors aren't for everyone, but I just love Trollope's novels! The Kondo book was a little too weird for me, and I think some of it may be cultural. Still, I love how my closet looks now :)
DeleteI don't know these books, but I like The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My A Month of Faves
Elizabeth - Life-Changing Magic was not a particularly great book, but it sure helped my closet!
DeleteReading: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. If I can't be there just now, a good book is the next best thing. :-) Tomorrow I pick up the latest by Orhan Pamuk. Love it when he strolls through Istanbul ..... armchair traveling with Pamuk as flaneur ..... and gives us his take on all things Turkish.
ReplyDeleteJudyMac - I've read a few very positive reviews of The Little Paris Bookshop. Glad you're enjoying it, too! I've wanted to read Pamuk for a long time, but just never seem to get around to him. Love armchair traveling though :)
DeleteI've heard pretty much the same stuff that you stated here. While it was helpful for some, it seemed like it got out of hand there a little bit!
ReplyDeleteJillian - Very true! I'm glad I borrowed it from the library rather than purchasing a copy.
DeleteI am happy to report I completed the whole M Kondo book. Got rid of clothes, 3 garbage bags of bags, over 1000 books, kitchen stuff, papers, everything. I took 2 more the and went through it chapter by chapter and I didn't speak to any of my things or thank them. I did like her idea that if you don't really love it then it should not be kept. Even my husband got into the spirit of things and cleaned out the garage. It felt amazing gly good. So this year is devoted to books. I love the Penguin copies of the B arches ter books and I would love to have the set and read them all. Everyone who reads them loves them. I hope you find new inspiration in 2016.
ReplyDeletePam - Wow, good for you! I need to find another source of inspiration to continue with the project around here...
DeleteI am glad that you enjoyed The Commentary of Barset. I enjoyed reading your commentary on these books.
ReplyDeleteI like the graphic of the six books that you posted.
Brian Joseph - Audrey made the graphic... I love it!
DeleteI love your thoughts about the tidying up book...I don't think I could talk to my clothes either! I have to really think about what books really affected me...
ReplyDeletePatty - Talking to my clothes was definitely a little 'out there' for me... still glad to have an organized closet now.
DeleteI haven't read the Kondo yet but I feel like I've read so much ABOUT it now that I basically have it down pat. Talking to one's clothes seems a liiiittle over the top, though!
ReplyDeleteKerry - This book has been reviewed on so many blogs, you probably DON'T need to read it... or talk to your your clothes;-)
DeleteThe Life Changing Magic ... sounds funny. It does feel good to clear out old things though. I've been doing that some lately. This looks like a fun meme.
ReplyDeletePat - It is such a great feeling looking at my emptier, more organized closet! Not sure I'd call it life-changing though;-)
DeleteI clean out the house several times a year by playing a game I have dubbed, Let's Pretend we're Moving. If I wouldn't want to pack it and take it to the imaginary new house, it goes to charity. I have to look at clothes I have kept for years (Hoping I'll fit in them again), or books I have read that I won't reread or have no sentimental value....they go too.
ReplyDeleteTina - I LOVE THAT!!! Maybe you should write a book outlining the 'rules'! ;-)
DeleteA Palliser party sounds like fun! I spent this past Sunday at the used bookstore trying to find Barsetshire and Palliser books (and was pretty successful, thinking that doing a Palliser group read would be a good idea. So count me in, if you decide to do it!
ReplyDeleteSharon - I'm still trying to decide whether two Trollope projects two years in a row would be too much. Other possibilities might be The Forsyte Saga (read first 3 years ago) or Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time.
DeleteI've read the Kondo book and while I never thanked my clothes, I did picked up and asked myself if each and every piece of clothing sparked joy. I got rid of so much and even got my husband to get rid of old shirts, ties and pants. I went on to do this with all of my books and got rid of a ton! I've gone through the kitchen, somewhat, but need to go through the entire house a second time, hopefully in January. It certainly is a good feeling to get rid of the clutter. Decisions are made so much more easily now. :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as memorable books, I think I'll wait until I post my Top Ten (or Dozen). I didn't read a record number of books this year, but there were a few gems in the bunch.
Les - I should probably reread the Kondo book. My enthusiasm was zapped after my own closet and I never did a thorough job on the rest of the house. Definitely a project for 2016.
DeleteI'm looking forward to your end-of-the year list!!