In December I managed to read 9 books (thank you nursing, lazy Saturdays, and vacation!):
- Island Under the Sea by Isabel Allende
Grade: A-. Allende is always a solid writer with really colorful characters and interweaving plotlines.
- Blindness by Jose Saramago
Grade: B. A different book than I typically read (darker), but interesting and unexpected. A study on human behavior and weaknesses.
- The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney (young adult)
- Whatever Happened to Janie by Caroline Cooney (young adult)
- The Voice on the Radio by Caroline Cooney (young adult)
- What Janie Found by Caroline Cooney (young adult)
Grade: C. I read these just for fun. I’d read the first two in middle school, but hadn’t ever read the whole series. It was a fun flashback (although they were definitely more “fluffy” than other young adult books).
- Plenty by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon (nonfiction)
Grade: A. Alisa and J.B. eat only local (within 100 miles) foods for one year. It was really interesting and funny and while I really respect their challenge, I don’t think I would take it on myself (at least not completely).
- The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma (nonfiction)
Grade: C. The book seemed really promising but the ending was so cliche and flat that it really deflated the whole experience.
- A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg (nonfiction)
Grade: A+. LOVED this book. Bookmarked about 12 different recipes in it, too. Each chapter is a short story talking about an experience and food and is followed by the corresponding recipe(s). The author keeps the blog Orangette.
In total this year I read 81 books and listened to 12 audio books. I read at least one book each month. My highest month was February (13 books) when we went to Florida on vacation (airplane plus poolside equals lots of reading!).
I’m also really glad I finished off the year with A Homemade Life. It was one of my favorites to read this year (it even made it to the books page!).
What were your favorite books this past year?
January 5, 2012 at 12:38 pm
81! That’s incredible. I think I read 8 or 9 and thought that was pretty successful. I’m reading 1q84 by Haruki Murakami right now and I love it. I also really loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by rebecca Skloot and Mile Markers by Kristin Armstrong (Lance’s ex wife)
As a longtime follower of Orangette I’ve been wanting to read A Homemade Life so i’ll have to put that on the schedule for this year.
January 5, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Oh my gosh!! I read the first two Caroline Cooney books but didn’t know there were two others! I’ll have to hit up the library!
I LOVE spending more time reading during the holidays.
January 5, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I love “A Homemade Life”! Great reading.