A December Wrap-Up and January Reading Possibilities

Happy New Year's Eve! As we wind down the final few hours of December, I can't help but think about what an unusual month this has been. I spent much of the first half at home with an awful cold and sinus infection. We missed two holiday parties in one weekend, did most of the Christmas shopping online, and I never baked a single cookie! 

The holidays began early when our NYC daughter, son-in-law, and Winnie the Whippet arrived on the 20th for an extended stay. Our CT daughter and SIL joined us on Christmas Day, and for several other meals and activities, too. Everyone left yesterday afternoon... and I took a nap! Today we clean, regroup, and prepare for a quick visit to my parents (weather permitting) before our trek south.

Despite the sickness (or maybe because of it?) December turned out to be a pretty good reading month.

BOOKS READ IN DECEMBER 

The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler

nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

nonfiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Merry by Susan Breen

holiday, ⭐⭐💫

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

holiday, ⭐⭐⭐💫

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

JANUARY READING POSSIBIILITIES

Sipsworth by Simin Van Booy (reread, in progress) 

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks

This is an ambitious list for January, typically a slow reading month for me, but we'll see how it goes. I hope to be back in the next few days with my 2025 wrap-up and list of favorites. But if I run out of time, look for it in mid-January instead.

How was your month? What was your favorite December read?

 

A November Wrap-Up and December Reading Possibilities

Hello, friends, and happy December! November turned out to be a busy month for us. It was packed with family events, celebrations, and milestones. It started on November first with our nephew's wedding in central New York. From there we moved on to my husband's birthday dinner here in CT, and then back to central New York for a combined 90th birthday celebration for both of my parents. The long Thanksgiving weekend was a blur of activity. Our daughter and son-in-law hosted for the first time (a delicious dinner for 12!) in their new home. It all ended on the 30th as we marked our 40th wedding anniversary. Whew!

As you might have guessed, there wasn't much reading. I did finish four books -  all were on the shorter side, two were rereads, and one was a slow group read that actually began last summer.

 

BOOKS READ/FINISHED IN NOVEMBER

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

This was a long term, real-time reading project that began back in May and concluded in early November. I hadn't realize Dracula consisted of a series of journal entires. The novel itself was not at all what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed this reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Promise by Damon Galgut

I  reread this 2021 Booker Prize winner for my World Lit book club. It was a 2022 favorite and, since I was already familiar with the plot, I was able to focus more on the structure and writing this time. Still a solid 4-star read.⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 3 by Beth Brower

I continue to enjoy this delightful series, reading one volume per month with a small group of friends from the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. These books are the perfect light read after a more serious literary fiction or nonfiction title. I may end up reading both volumes 4 and 5 in December! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

This novella is the December/holiday selection at MMD book club. It was also a reread of an old favorite. It may not have been quite as magical or funny this time around, but still a very enjoyable reading experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

DECEMBER READING POSSIBILITIES

• The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler (in progress)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 4 by Beth Brower (in progress)
• Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 5 by Beth Brower
• Sipsworth by Simon Von Booy (reread - MMD January selection)

My basic plan for December is to abandon the tbr list and read whatever strikes my fancy. The books listed above are either in progress, borrowed from the library, or currently on my nightstand. But we'll see where my mood takes me!

Also in December, we have plenty of holiday activities, concerts, and parties. At the end of the month we'll be closing up here and preparing for our annual trek to Florida. There will be one more visit with my parents around New Years, and we'll head south from there.

How was your November? What was your favorite book?

 

October Reading Wrap-Up and November Possibilities

I love fall and October is my favorite month of the year! The weather and foliage were glorious, so we visited quite a few parks, trails, and historic sites. This photo, taken early in the month at Gillette Castle, looks south down the Connecticut River.

Our NYC daughter and son-in-law and my sister-in-law all visited in October. We took a couple of short trips, too. First was five days in NYC. Highlights included an afternoon at the newly renovated Frick Collection  and dinner at the Gramercy Tavern. My husband has been wanting to try their tasting menu for years! We ended the month with a trip to central NY for my nephew's wedding.

As for reading, I finished four book - all four or five stars - early in the month. I barely had time to read for the last week or two.

BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén

literary fiction in translation, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heart the Lover by Lily King

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, group reading project, ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring

literary fiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*my Quick Lit reviews are here*

NOVEMBER READING POSSIBILITIES

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

a long term group read, wraps up this week

The Gods of New York: Egotists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990 by Jonathan Mahler  

nonfiction, in progress

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower

group reading project, in progress

The Promise by Damon Galgut

reread, World Lit book club selection

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

reread, MMD December selection

How was your October? What was your favorite book?

 

September Reading Wrap-Up and a List of October Possibilities

It seems like I'm writing these monthly wrap-up posts every couple of weeks lately, but here we are easing into the fourth quarter of 2025! September was a good month for us. We spent almost two weeks with family in central NY, enjoyed time with friends both old and new, replaced our gas fireplace (just in time, as it turns out!) and I read plenty of good books.

Books Read in September 

Good Morning Comrades by Ondjaki

World Lit Book Club, literary fiction in translation ⭐⭐⭐

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol 1 by Beth Brower

historical fiction, reading project ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

MMD September selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

literary fiction, reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris

nonfiction, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff 

nonfiction, audio reread ⭐⭐⭐⭐

October Reading Possibilities

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (completed)

Heart the Lover by Lily King (completed)

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

(in progress)

In a Distant Valley by Shannon Bowring

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

(MMD November Selection)

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

(ongoing real time readalong)

My October reading is already off to a good start. I've finished two books - one started last month and one short, highly-anticipated new release. What was your favorite September book? What are you looking forward to this month?

August Reading Wrap-Up and a List of September Possibilities

Hello, friends, and happy September! Fall is definitely on the way, but before I settle in with autumnal reading, here's a quick wrap-up of my August books.

August was a good reading month for me. I only read four books, but they were all winners. Two were  backlist titles from favorite authors, one was a classic reread (a long annotated edition this time) and I enjoyed one popular new release.

Books Read in August

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

literary fiction, I'm an Elizabeth Strout completist! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman

literary fiction, a favorite author,  backlist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Annotated Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, David M. Shapard

classic, reread,  MMD Austen in August ⭐⭐⭐⭐

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

contemporary fiction, new release ⭐⭐⭐⭐

September Reading Possibilities

Good Morning Comrades by Ondjaki 

World Lit Digital PBC, in translation (completed)

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1 by Beth Brower 

historical fiction, buddy read project, (completed)

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

MMD September selection (in progress)

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén

literary fiction, in translation, new release

Writers & Lovers by Lily King 

reread, literary fiction

No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris

nonfiction, read/listen combination

I finished the two short books already, so my September reading is already off to a good start. What was your favorite August book? What are you looking forward to reading this month?

A July Wrap-Up, At Last and a Reading Update

Hi, remember me? I'm still here, but can't seem to manage any kind of blogging consistency lately. The summer seems to be flying by and it's been a hot, humid, and relatively dry one in our corner of CT. Friday we had a brief respite from the humidity, but still nothing in the way of rain. Overall, we've kept things low-key the last couple of months, and I couldn't be happier. There have been no major trips, weddings, or remodeling projects and as a result, it's been a pretty relaxing summer. 

So what have we been doing? We visited central NY a couple of times to see my family and attend a bridal shower for my nephew's fiancé. Our oldest daughter and son-in-law moved into their house in West Hartford, so we've been trying to help them as much as possible. (We still have one more daughter and son-in-law left in NYC.) My morning walks, when they happen, have been early and we've been exploring historic sites, gardens, and lobster shacks all around the state. July was also a decent reading month.

 Books Read in July

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

The Jane Austen Insult Guide for Well-Bred Women by Emily Reed

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison

Recent Reading//

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

This was my only unread Elizabeth Strout novel, and now I'm a completist! Originally published in 2006, it is a somber story about a Congregational minister in a small, rural Maine town trying to hold it all together after his wife's untimely death. He has two young daughters, parishioners with complex problems who look to him for guidance, and is also dealing with his own crisis of faith. As he tries to work through it all, the local gossip mill churns mercilessly painting an unfavorable, largely inaccurate portrait of Reverend Tyler Caskey. 

As always, I loved Strout's writing, but this book will not go down as one of my favorites. It's worth a read especially if, like me, you're angling to become a Strout completist, but I much preferred the Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge novels.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Current Reading//

The Annotated Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, David Shapard

This year for Austen in August, I'm reading a couple chapters a day of Jane's longest novel and discussing with a small group over at Modern Mrs. Darcy book club. This annotated edition is nearly 900 pages long and I'm just past the midpoint.

The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman

A backlist (2020) title from a new favorite author, I've read just over a third of this one.

Dracula Daily by Bram Stoker

The real-time reading of this epistolary novel continues. It's getting creepy!

How is your summer going? What have you been reading lately?

 

June Reading Wrap-Up and a List of July Possibilities

Despite the recent heat wave, June has been a very good month. For the first time in what feels like years, we went an entire month without traveling! Our oldest daughter and son-in-law spent some time with us as they closed on their new house, and a week later everyone was here for Father's Day. It's been wonderful to stay close to home and enjoy the CT shoreline.

The reading was good this month, too. I finished six books! That's a lot for me, but most of them were on the short side. Now I'm caught up with book club selections, and look forward to a month of commitment-free reading in July. 

BOOKS READ IN JUNE

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

My favorite book of the year so far!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Annotated Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A beautifully annotated edition of a favorite classic

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

nonfiction, especially good on audio

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami

Murakami's first published work, book #1 of The Rat series, for book club

⭐⭐⭐

Pinball, 1973 by Haruki Murakami

The Rat #2, for book club

⭐⭐⭐💫

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King

debut fiction, MMD July selection

⭐⭐⭐

JULY READING POSSIBILITIES

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham (in progress)

Bel Canto: The Annotated Edition by Ann Patchett 

True Grit by Charles Portis

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder

An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Dracula Daily (ongoing, real time read-along)

Also in July//

We're going to central NY to spend the long 4th of July weekend with family, and are looking forward to my sister-in-law's visit here mid-month. "The kids" will all be around to help celebrate my birthday later in the month. With no big travel plans ahead, I'm looking forward to plenty of porch reading!

How was your month? What was you favorite June book?