2017 Wrap-up: Thoughts and Stats

And so we close the book on 2017...

This hasn't been the most productive year in terms of reading or blogging, but it has certainly been the most stress-free.

• I did not accept any books for review in 2017. 
• I did not join any challenges - not even the goodreads challenge. 
• I participated in only a handful of events and readalongs.
• I mostly abandoned book reviews, opting instead for one paragraph reaction/ratings included with my weekly wrap-up posts.
• I pretty much read what I wanted, when I wanted.

Number Of Books Read
51 - same as last year. One book per week is a comfortable pace.

Fiction/Nonfiction
56% / 44%
A nonfiction record... due, in part, to the realization that nonfiction cures my reading slumps!

Female/Male authors 
64% / 36%
about average for me

New authors/ tried-and-true authors
68% / 32%

In translation
5 - same as last year, but dramatically lower than previous years

Classics
only 7, but enough to complete my Classics Club 50 list and begin another

Audiobooks
24 - 11 as audio only, 13 were read/listen combinations
nearly 50% of my reading included an audio component

Shortest & longest book:
How Reading Changed My Life  by Anna Quindlen, 96 pages
The Eustace Diamonds  by Anthony Trollope, 804 pages

Most popular & least popular book: 
(based on number of goodreads ratings)
Sense and Sensibility  by Jane Austen - 1,198,837 other readers
Nagasaki  by Éric Faye - 1,078 other readers

Most surprising book (in a good way):
The People in the Photo by Hélène Gestern
A book I'd never heard of, read on a whim (thanks to a goodreads suggestion) turned out to be a favorite of 2017.

Most beautifully written book read in 2017:
A Gentleman in Moscow  by Amor Towles

2017 bookish highlights:

• Our #PalliserParty
• Completing my Classics Club list and starting a second
• The Southwest Florida Reading Festival and meeting Nathan Hill
• Nonfiction November

Plans for 2018:
No major changes...

• continue reading literary fiction, classics, and nonfiction
• post weekly updates
• join a few fun events (like Nonfiction November)
• participate in some readalongs (Did I really not do one with Care this year??)
• finish the Palliser series with Audrey
• celebrate Lakeside Musing's 10th anniversary

Thank you all for reading and talking about books with me again this year.
Happy 2018!
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My Favorite Books of 2017

I'm not sorry to see 2017 draw to a close - it's been a trying year on many levels. Despite a massive reading slump in the late summer/early fall, I read the same number of books as last year, averaging a comfortable one book per week pace. Of particular interest was a dramatic increase in nonfiction. I usually average around 30% nonfiction, but in 2017 nonfiction accounted for a whopping 44% of my reading.

Here is the list of my favorite books read in 2017, obviously not all were published this year. An asterisk denotes a read/listen combination... my favorite way to consume long novels, especially classics, and nonfiction.

FICTION

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Set in NYC during the financial collapse of 2008, this novel juxtaposes the lives of a wealthy Lehman executive with that of his Cameroonian immigrant chauffeur. The immigration aspect is especially timely and it offers an interesting perspective on the issue. I even read it before Oprah selected it for her book club ;-)

*The Nix by Nathan Hill

I absolutely loved the writing in this debut novel. At over 600 pages, it required quite a time commitment, but the ending made it all worthwhile. Meeting the author was a big plus, too.

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

This collection of short stories revisits characters introduced in My Name is Lucy Barton. In fact, the author worked on both books at the same time. It stands on it's own, but my experience was enriched by a quick reread of Strout's earlier novel.

The People in the Photo by Hélène Gestern

My unexpected treasure of 2017! I'd never even heard of it until goodreads suggested I might enjoy this "dark yet touching drama which deftly explores the themes of blame and forgiveness, identity and love."

*The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope

You know any of my favorites lists must include at least one Trollope novel! This is the third book of the Palliser series, but is able to stand on its own...  and might even be a good introduction to the author.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Another excellent novel from Celeste Ng and winner of the goodreads choice award for best fiction of 2017, I'll be recommending this one to my book club.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

The first book of my Rereading High School project, I didn't expect such a string emotional response to this novel and am glad it's still assigned to junior high/high school students.


Honorable Mention//
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

NONFICTION

*Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

Published nearly a decade ago, this book still offers valuable insight into North Korean life and culture.

Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America by Michael Ruhlman (audio)

Grocery stores, along with their operation and management, are endlessly interesting to me... just wish they could all be like Wegmans! This was a fascinating audiobook.

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks: A Librarian's Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in Her Life by Annie Spence  (audio)

The audio version of this book was a delight. If you're into books about books, you might love it, too.

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder 

This is NOT a book about merry bands of retirees exploring America in RVs, but rather a tale of the American dream gone awry. There is a sizable (and growing) portion of 21st century retirees who roam the country living in vans, RVs, and even cars traveling from job to job. Bruder lived the life for several years in order to tell this story.

Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste by Bianca Bosker (audio)

Everything you ever wanted to know about wine and then some... with the added bonus of a little Mary Roach-like taste science. The author does an excellent job narrating her book.




I'll be back this weekend with some final stats and thoughts to wrap up 2017 and look ahead to 2018. Happy New Year!









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Pre-Holiday Update: December 22, 2017

Home at last... what a week! If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you may have noticed we were caught in the Atlanta airport power outage last Sunday. Overall we fared better than many, but still have plenty of stories to tell... Station Eleven, anyone? We spent Sunday night in a downtown hotel and finally arrived home around 1AM Tuesday. I still cannot fathom how the busiest airport in the world lost power, backup power, internet, and cell service for twelve hours...  apparently without any kind of disaster plan in place!!

The rest of the week has been spent decorating, shopping, and baking. Our two daughters in NYC are coming home (on separate trains!) today. My husband will provide shuttle service, while I spend the day wrapping.

Finished this week//

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

by Erik Larson, narrated by Richard Davidson

This book is about the disastrous Galveston, Texas hurricane of 1900. It was interesting to learn how far we've come in terms of tropical storm forecasting and the sections about the storm itself were positively gripping. Overall I didn't think it was as good as Larson's later work, but still recommended for weather buffs.

Flowers for Algernon

by Daniel Keyes

My Rereading High School project is off to a strong start. I remembered only the barest plot essentials and had vague positive associations with this book, but did not recall having such a strong emotional response. In addition to Charlie's story, at this stage in life I'm struck by his parents response to their mentally disabled son. Bottom line: I loved this book and am glad it's still assigned to junior high/high school students.

Currently reading//

Hot Milk

by Deborah Levy

I purchased this Man Booker nominee as a kindle daily deal nearly a year ago and also borrowed the audiobook from my library via hoopla. It seems to be a character-driven, interior novel and I tend to enjoy books like this. We'll see...


Coming up//

Sheila at Book Journey is continuing her New Years tradition by hosting the fifth annual First Book of the Year. I love this event and look forward to participating once again. Check out the details here.


I'll be back sometime next week with my 2017 wrap-up and list of favorites. In the meantime, I wish you all peace and joy during this holiday season.

Sanibel Sunday: 12/10/17

Good morning from chilly Sanibel, Florida! I had to turn the heat on this morning, but expect no sympathy from family and friends up north. It's been gloriously warm all week and these cooler temps will allow for longer walks and bike rides... and maybe even a little holiday baking.


Finished this week//

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

A little rain yesterday morning was my excuse to stay indoors and finish this amazing book. A 5-star reading experience and one of my favorite books of 2017, book clubs will have a field day with this novel. I'll be buying a copy or two for gift-giving this season.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

My second Jane Austen novel of the year and my first reread of Persuasion  in nearly 20 years - Jane only improves with age! Juliet Stevenson's narration, as always, was a treat for my ears. I'd forgotten how much I love this novel, and am thankful James' Jane Austen Read All-Along nudged me to pick it up again. It was a joy to come across some old favorite lines, though a "mature" heroine of twenty-eight seems ridiculously young to me these days ;-)

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope...I have loved none but you.

Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story... the pen has been in their hands.


Current reading//

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I've been contemplating a "Rereading High School" project for several years. I'm sure I missed the point of, and certainly did not fully appreciate, many of the books assigned back then. Last night I started reading a sample of this book and was pulled in right away. Looks like project begins now...


Listening to//

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

by Erik Larson, narrated by Richard Davidson

I started this a day or two ago and am not fully invested yet, but I've enjoyed other Erik Larson books and am interested in weather. It should be a winner.


The week ahead//

I'll finish my Christmas shopping this week, we'll attend a neighborhood holiday gathering, then my BIL and his family fly in on Thursday. We'll overlap a few days before heading back up north for Christmas. It's going to be hard to face the snow and cold again...


How was your week? What are you reading?

This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

Nonfiction November, Week 5: New to My TBR

Here we are at week 5 of  Nonfiction November.  The topic is "New to my TBR" and our host is Lory at Emerald City Book Review.

It’s been a month full of amazing nonfiction books! Which ones have made it onto your TBR? Be sure to link back to the original blogger who posted about that book!

Naturally I started the month with the best intentions, and a running list of recommendations, complete with source. But you know how it goes... so much excitement, so many new possibilities. Within a few days I was simply adding books to my wish list without notation. Please accept my apologies in advance if I neglect to credit your recommendation.

For the first time ever, I can list recommendations which I actually read during Nonfiction November!

• Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence  -  recommended by Katie at Doing Dewey (my review)
• Reading People by Anne Bogel - recommended by Debbie at The Friday Friends
• Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker - recommended by Tina at Novel Meals

One recommendation was purchased as a Christmas gift for my daughter (Shhhh!)

• Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline - recommended by Catherine at The Gilmore Guide to Books

Finally, here is a sampling of titles added to my wish list this month. I've only included those which I'd not heard of prior to the start of Nonfiction November:

Counting Backwards: A Doctor's Notes on Anesthesia 
by Henry Jay Przybylo
- Katie at Doing Dewey

The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor
by Mark Schatzker
- An Adventure in Reading

The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food
by Dan Barber
- Based on a True Story

The Great Dissent: How Oliver Wendell Holmes Changed His Mind--and Changed the History of Free Speech in America by Thomas Healy
- TJ at My Book Strings

Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life
by Jessica Nutik Zitter
- Tara at Running 'n' Reading

Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening
by Manal Al-Sharif
- Susie at Novel Visits







What's new on your nonfiction TBR list?
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A Post-Thanksgiving Update

What a weekend... family, food, and fun for five days! I am exhausted, but happy. Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday. As an added bonus, I even managed to squeeze in some reading...


Finished last week//

How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen

Anna Quindlen is a favorite and I love books about books and reading, but must admit this is not one of her best. It's enjoyable enough and I'm glad to have read it. However, if you're new to Quindlen, this is not the place to start.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker 

This was a such an interesting book! I listened to the audio version, read by the author, and plan to write a review soon.

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand 

After delivering our daughters to the train station yesterday, I took to the couch with a blanket, a cup of tea, and this fourth and final installment of Hilderbrand's Winter series. It was the perfect ending to a long holiday weekend. Mini-review coming soon.


Current reading//

Persuasion by Jane Austen

It's always a pleasure to spend time with Jane! This reread is a read/listen combination... with Juliet Stevenson narrating, of course.

Likely to read next//

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 

I've finally made it to the top of the library hold list! Ng's latest is downloaded and ready to go on my kindle.


The week ahead//
Today we pack up fall decorations and get started on Christmas. There's also plenty of post-holiday cleaning and laundry. We're off to Florida for a couple of weeks on Friday, but before that I'd like to wrap up Nonfiction November and write a couple of short reviews. Fingers crossed!


How was you week? What are you reading?

This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

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Thanksgiving Week Update: 11/20/17

The first winter storm of the season is upon us - several inches of snow on the ground now, high winds, and a few school delays/cancellations. Just in time to make holiday preparation a bit more challenging. I have a 4WD vehicle and still plan to do major grocery shopping at Wegmans... it has to happen today!

Our Manhattan daughters arrive tomorrow (on separate trains!), my brother and his family are coming in from Philadelphia and Boston Wednesday, and my sister's German exchange student from several years ago currently has an internship in the US and will fly in Thursday morning. Twenty people will gather around our Thanksgiving table... definitely my favorite holiday.


Finished last week//

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century

by Jessica Bruder 

I mistakenly thought this was a book about merry bands of retirees exploring America in big RVs. Wrong! Instead, I found myself engrossed in a tale of the American dream gone awry. There is a sizable (and growing) portion of 21st century retirees who roam the country living in vans, RVs, and even cars as they travel from job to job. They make up Amazon's CamperForce, filling a seasonal demand for warehouse help. They are the "workampers" of the sugar beet harvest in North Dakota or your summer hosts at KOA campgrounds. They flip burgers at concession stands during baseball's spring training or at 'premier tourist traps' like Wall Drug in South Dakota... all to make ends meet. The author took to the road in a van of her own for three years. Along the way, she befriended many in the community while learning of their hopes, struggles, and triumphs. A consuming, albeit slightly scary read.

Current reading//

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

Last week I started the audio version. This week I borrowed a print copy from the library, so now it's a read/listen combination. Who knew a book about wine could be this interesting? Very good so far.

How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen

I also brought this little gem home from the library last week. I think I've read it before, but for whatever reason it doesn't appear on any of my lists. Anna Quindlen is the best.



Up next//

Something light and quick would be perfect for the holiday weekend... like Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand. I devoured the first three books of the series between Christmas and New Year last year. The fourth and final book might be perfect for Black Friday. I certainly won't be shopping!!

Or maybe one of the books I recently purchased at Book Culture... we'll see.


On the blog//
Review: Dear Fahrenheit 451  by Annie Spence
Nonfiction November, Week 3: Books About Books
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (including thoughts on Reading People)


The week ahead//
Thanksgiving week means cleaning, then lots of cooking, followed by four days of nonstop family gatherings. Bring it on!



What are you reading this week? Any big plans for Thanksgiving?

This post will link to It's Monday, What Are You Reading? hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
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Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks
by Annie Spence
narrated by Stephanie Spicer
Dreamscape Media, 2017
5 hours and 35 minutes



Dear Annie,

Well done! Dear Fahrenheit 451  was an absolute joy to read. The idea to write love letters (or 'Dear John' letters) to books while weeding the library shelves was brilliant.

I loved hearing about favorites from bygone days. It's gratifying to know these old treasures still merit a place on the shelf. You also had me laughing out loud at some of the discard books. Hard to believe anyone ever thought they might be a good idea.  I'm not even sure they'll find a home at the book sale!

Reading your book made my already unmanageable to-be-read list even more unwieldy. I know it's your job, but you know about a lot of books... and across so many different genres. I only wish I could read faster.

I'm also wondering if you had a say in choosing the audiobook narrator, because Stephanie Spicer is perfect! I imagine you sound just like her... enough snark to be entertaining, but a genuine love of books and reading shines through.

Anyway, thanks for a great book... and I promise to give  Jeffrey Eugenides another try.

Happy reading,
JoAnn


My rating: