Sunday, July 7, 2019

Midyear Musings and Favorites



We're halfway through 2019 and so far it's been a great year for reading. My overall totals are up and I seem to be choosing better books.

In an unplanned development, 43% of those books have been nonfiction - a personal record. The Supreme Court is the subject that's come up most frequently. I've also read quite a few new releases. We'll see if these trends continue.

Unfortunately, the increase in nonfiction has been at the expense of classics. I've read only one(!) all year and am considering throwing the the towel for the Back to the Classics challenge.

Here are my midyear favorites in no particular order:


FICTION


Quirky, funny, and probably not for everyone... I loved it. 




Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 
I avoided this novel for a very long time (too much hype), but gave in when my book club decided to read it. I'm very glad they did!




As We Are Now by May Sarton
This is, without a doubt, both the most beautifully written and the most depressing novel I've read this year. At just 144 pages, it's also one of the shortest.




Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (read/listen combination)

This was a solid 5-star read for me.  An all-consuming novel, I lived with these people for a week. Whenever I wasn't reading about them, I was thinking about them! The audio version, narrated by Molly Pope, is also excellent.




If Beale Street Could Talk (audio) by James Baldwin
This 1974 classic is even more wonderful with Bahni Turpin's moving narration.




The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (read/listen combination)

An "issue novel" about the AIDS crisis, specifically in 1980s Chicago. It triggered memories, both happy and sad, of lost friends and caused me to reflect on my time on the front lines, as a clinical pharmacist in a teaching hospital where research and drug trials were conducted. The audio version, narrated by Michael Crouch added much to my overall experience.





Normal People (audio)
by Sally Rooney, narrated by Aoife McMahon
Quiet and well-written, this is an interior, character-driven novel about relationships. I loved the narrator's Irish accent.




NONFICTION



by Dani Shapiro, narrated by the author

Easily my favorite nonfiction this year. Dani Shapiro, a 50-something writer brought up in an Orthodox Jewish family in NYC, takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers that her father was not her biological father. Her history and identity seem to crumbles beneath her, but this is not what you might think. It's actually far more complicated and raises many complex questions. I think listening to Shapiro tell her own story is the best way to experience this book.




by Dani Shapiro, narrated by the author

Since I loved Inheritance so much, a dive into Shapiro's backlist was immediately necessary. This book examines the role of faith, prayer, and devotion in everyday life. Again, I found Shapiro's writing to be thoughtful, intelligent, and insightful.




by Ann Hood, narrated by Donna Postel
I can't resist books about books, so raced through this short audiobook in just a day and a half!




SUPREME COURT READING

My interest in the Supreme Court goes back decades, but over the past few years I've felt a growing sense of urgency and need for more information and deeper understanding. To that end, I've read four very good books so far this year.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron De Hart (read/listen combination)
The audio version, narrated by Suzanne Toren, helped me get through the drier, more technical sections.

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg (audio)
Listening to Linda Lavin's narration, along with several recordings of RBG delivering her own words, was wonderful!

Breaking in: The Rise of Sonia Sotomayor and the Politics of Justice by Joan Biskupic (audio)
After reading Sotomayor's memoir, My Beloved World, several years ago, this was the logical next step. Carrington McDuffie is an excellent narrator.

The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts by Joan Biskupic (read/listen combination)
It is now obvious that Roberts will play a pivotal role in close rulings. This book helped me understand his background and other factors which may influence his decision-making. The audio version is skillfully narrated by Jennywren Walker.


What are your favorite so far this year? Have you noticed any trends in your reading?



The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

48 comments:

  1. I really want to read more non fiction, generally I only seem to squeeze one in every few weeks. Inheritance is high on my TBR list

    Have a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - My nonfiction reading has been gradually increasing over the past 5 years or so, but this is definitely a record!

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  2. I've been reading a lot of nonfiction, too, and have somehow become fascinated with the opioid crisis. I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing for my book club right now and, so far, it's just okay for me.

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    1. Kathy - I know you've been reading a lot about the opioid crisis lately. I thought of you today when I heard an author interview on NPR... the book is In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder and it sounded very interesting.

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  3. I rely on you for good recommendations. This year I've picked up Normal People (liked a lot) and Where the Crawdads Sing (mixed feelings) based on your recommendations. I have a copy of Morningstar here that would be easy to fit in this week; I, like you, love books-about-books. And I'm waiting for Ask Again, Yes.

    I find it interesting that your nonfiction now composes such a large component of your reading. I wonder if that will continue.

    BTW, It was all the way back in 2007, and I know you probably want to curtail the nonfiction, but I loved reading The Nine, a story about the Supreme Court.

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    1. Deb - I get a lot of good recommendations from you, too, so it goes both ways! :)

      I absolutely loved The Nine when I read it was back when, too! That's the book that got me so interested in reading more about the Supreme Court.

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  4. Looks like you've had a good reading year so far! I see a few that I've read and a few on my list to read.

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    1. Vicki - It's been a great reading year for me... so many 4 or 5 star books!

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  5. This is a lovely book list and I read a few of them!

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    1. Patty - Hope I can keep up this streak of great books!

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  6. I"m glad to hear Inheritance was one of your favorites. I read an article about it and wasn't sure I needed to read the book but I"m thinking I need to add it to my TBR. I'm hoping to get more nonfiction in for the 2nd half of this year. It's one of my favorite genres but one I regularly neglect.

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    1. Katherine - If you can get Inheritance on audio, try to listen. The author is an excellent narrator!

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  7. It's hard to believe the year is half over already. It sounds like you have had a good first half--and wow on all the nonfiction! That's wonderful, JoAnn. The Great Believers has been on my radar for awhile now. I am glad to see it made your list of favorites so far this year. I hope you have a great second half of 2019!

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    1. Wendy - I hope you are able to get to The Great Believers. Have some tissues handy!

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  8. I've read a few of your recommendations. Most of the fiction is on my list. Currently reading The Overstory by Richard Powers -- and loving it. Fascinates me how the writer mind creates. Looking forward to seeing your picks during the rest of the year.

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    1. Midlife Roadtripper - It was your goodreads review that prompted me to pick up As We Are Now... thank you very much! I read the kindle sample of The Overstory and thought it was excellent. Just purchased a copy for myself, so I hope to continue with it soon. I like keeping tabs on your reading, too ;-)

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  9. Good for you on the nonfiction. I've read 32 books and only 7 were nonfiction. Only one 5/5, but four 2/5! I wonder if I'm being more harsh with my ratings this year. Like you, I've only read one classic this year, but I'm not really a big fan so I don't feel too bad about that. What I do feel bad about is my low numbers for audio. Only four so far! That's kind of shocking to me. I need to get outside and do more walking. :) I really enjoyed the Crawdads book, but gave up on Tursten's. May have been a timing issue. Who knows. Morningstar is a favorite and I love pretty much all of Hood's more recent works. Her early stuff, though, leaves a lot to be desired. All your other fiction reads are on my TBR list. What is my favorite so far this year? Becoming (Obama) and Bury Your Dead (Penny).

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    1. Les - I sometimes wonder if I've become easy in my ratings or am doing a better job of selecting books I enjoy! Hoping I can try some of Hood's fiction this year and also want to get to Becoming. My daughter listed it as one of her favorites this year. And I keep saying this, but I really need to try Louise Penny!!

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  10. Wow, you're reading a lot of nonfiction! I thought I was reading a lot, but it's only about 12% of my totals for the year.

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    1. Angela - My nonfiction totals surprised me. I knew I was reading more, but didn't think it was THAT much more! We'll see what happens the rest of the year...

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  11. Thanks for this list, JoAnn! I think I’ll check out the two Dani Shapiro right away, as well as Morningstar. But I’m afraid the waiting list for these will be very long.

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    1. Arti - I listened to all three of those... all excellent audio productions. Hope you don't have to wait too long!

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  12. I love your list of nonfiction books...Ruth Bader Ginsburg is my "hero."

    I'm curious about An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good.

    I saw the movie If Beale Street Could Talk on Prime and loved it!

    Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - The humor in An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good definitely worked for me, but I can see how it may not to everyone's liking. My sister loved it, too. I still need to see If Beale Street Could Talk... we haven't been watching many movies lately though. Hope you have a good week!

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  13. A few of these books are on my TBR list, so I’m thrilled to see them here. I hope I like them as much as you did. Have a great second half of the year!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. AJ - I hope you like them, too! Sorry I haven't visited your blog... having issues getting it to load on my computer. I'm sure the problem is with my computer... it's dying a slow death, but I'll keep trying.

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  14. Wow! You have so many great books on your mid-year list. Many I've read, but others I still need to get to, like Inheritance. Your favorite nonfiction of the year is quite an endorsement! Hope the second half of the year is equally as good.

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    1. Thanks, Susie. It's been a great reading year so far. I hope you get a chance to try Inheritance. The audio is excellent!

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  15. I really liked Crawdad, but one of my brothers is reading it now and says he only kind of likes it. My library hold of Inheritance came in last week. Hope I get to it before it expires! You've had a super reading year so far.

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    1. Beth F - Oh, I hope you can get to Inheritance... and hope you're planning to listen!

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  16. You really did read a bunch of Supreme Court books! That is awesome. I had Inheritance to read but had to return it before I could get to it. I will get it again though, it looks awesome. And Crawdads...omg. Amazing!!!! I was feeling similar about Ask Again, Yes, so maybe I will read that one after all. :) Have a great week!!

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    1. Erin - Crawdads is my favorite fiction so far this year... such an amazing story and a completely satisfying ending. Hope you get back on the list for Inheritance. Such a good listen!

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  17. I don't think my previous comment made via iPhone got though but wanted to say how much I loved the first 5 as well as Ann Hood's Morningstar! I have a print copy and audio download of Great Believers but, I'm waiting for the right time as I think it may be quite sad.

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    1. Diane - No, I didn't get the first comment. Need to thank you for at least a couple of my favorites... Elderly Lady and Morningstar. Have a feeling you're going to enjoy The Great Believers, but it is sad. Good idea to wait for the right time.

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  18. This is a great post. Enjoyed hearing about your favorite reads. I'm looking forward to Sally Rooney's book and Crawdads. Also, your Supreme Court reading is impressive.

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    1. Thanks, Monica... it's been a really good reading year so far! Hope you enjoy Normal People and Crawdads as much as I did.

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  19. I have had a year of great reading so far myself. I usually do a top 25 at year end and I already have almost that many at midyear. If Beale Street Could Talk is an amazing book. Baldwin is a special favorite of mine. Just finished Normal People and you saw my review of Where the Crawdads Sing. Here's to another 6 months of wonderfulness!

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    1. Judy - Let's hope that continues for both of us! I need to watch If Beale Street Could Talk, and will definitely read more Baldwin. Any suggestions for a follow-up? I'll be interested in your thoughts on Normal People. That will take some processing, I'm sure. I've added Rooney's earlier novel, Conversations with Friends, to my list.

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    2. Re Baldwin: Go Tell It On the Mountain, Giovanni's Room.

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    3. Thanks, Judy. Adding them to my list now!

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  20. You give rave reviews to a few recent (for me) releases that I'm warming up to reading - Where the Crawdads Sing, Ask Again, Yes, and Inheritance - I love your SC reading project. It's rewarding to dive into an area like that and really get a handle on the institution and current players.

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    1. Jane - Hope you enjoy those new releases. They always seem to be tough sells for me, but I've loved quite a few this year. My book club will read Inheritance next month, since several of us are already raving about it. The SC reading will be a highlight of my year. I'd like to fit in another book or two. We'll see...

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  21. Looks like you have done some great reading, JoAnn! I have just reflected back on my last 6 months of reading with the Six in Six meme. Unfortunately, my only trend this year seems to be my lower number of books read.

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    1. Jessica - I'm so glad to see the Six in Six meme going again this year and will be over directly to check out your post. I wouldn't worry about lower numbers though, you've read some great books this year!

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  22. I'm not doing very well with my classics either...maybe in the fall (channeling my back-to-school self?)

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    1. Audrey - That's exactly what I was thinking! ;-)

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  23. I've been not so good on the Classics challenge either. I need to get back to reading them!

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    1. Laura - Here'e hoping we both read more classics in the second half!

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