1.01.2015

2014 reading list


:: The Movement of Stars, Amy Brill
:: The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
:: The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt
:: *A Northern Light, Jennifer Donnelly
:: Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton
:: *How Yoga Works, Michael Roach
:: A Gift From the Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh
:: The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe, Mary Simses
:: *Isabel's Daughter, Judi Hendricks
:: Summer Rental, Mary Kay Andrews
:: *Me Before You, Jojo Moyes
:: My Wish List (can't recall the author, but it was a short sweet story)
:: Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter
:: Delicious!, Ruth Reichl
:: *The Invention of Wings, Sue Monk Kidd
:: Delancey, Molly Wizenberg
:: *Evergreen, Rebecca Rasmussen
:: Wild, Cheryl Strayed
:: The Moon Sisters, Therese Walsh
:: The Whole Golden World, Kristina Riggle
:: The Optimist's Daughter, Eudora Welty
:: The Girl on the Cliff, Lucinda Riley
:: Better Off, Eric Brende
:: So Far Away, Meg Mitchell Moore
:: *Flight of the Sparrow, Amy Belding Brown
:: *Home Grown, Ben Hewitt



There were so many books checked out and started and left sitting for one reason or another this year.
I did make it through 26 books though, and I reckon a book every two weeks isn't so bad.

Last year's book list is here.  Many thanks to Amanda for inspiring me to start keeping lists of my own.  I so enjoy the practice for many reasons.  Her lists are always such inspiration, and a great place to look when I'm debating my next read.


*books with an asterisk were my favorites.  How Yoga Works moved me in so many ways that I'll even go so far as to say it was life-changing.  Without a doubt it helped me through some of my more difficult moments earlier this year when my mom was so very sick.  My other standout favorites were Me Before You, The Invention of Wings, and Evergreen.  Though not necessarily in that order.

Here's to many more great books in 2015!  Please do share your favorites, I'm always on the lookout for a good read.

24 comments:

  1. Happy New Year and thank you for all your comments and support throughout the past year.

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    1. Happy New Year to you as well!
      it has been a pleasure~

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  2. Thanks for the list!!! I have a goal of more fiction reading this year, I tend to stick with the homesteading, gardening, homeschooling, nature related books, but not this year. I look forward to using your list as inspiration.

    And I got started last night with Nora Webster yesterday...it is good so far.

    Happy New Year!!!

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    1. I've so enjoyed keeping these lists the last couple of years. I keep a draft for the current year going with books I'm reading and want to read. It has been a good reference for me, for sure. I feel like we've always got a couple non-fiction library books floating around about bees or canning or homeschooling as well, but for my own pleasure reading I mostly stick to fiction. A lot of historical fiction, some memoirs…. I like fiction that reads like a real story, though certainly I enjoy deviating from that a bit now and again.

      Nora Webster, ha! I actually picked that up at the library after Thanksgiving and renewed it the maximum three times allowed before Christmas, but just hadn't had a chance to get more than a couple pages in. Do let me know how you like it- because it really did look right up my alley!

      Happy New Year to you as well!

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  3. thank you for the list, I'm reading me before you right now :) I am hoping to read better books this year .

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    1. How do you like it? I really loved it, emotional roller coaster and all. It was easily in my top three. One of our librarians recommended it to me (she and I seem to love the same books, so usually she's right on in her recommendations) in the spring but told me to wait until my mom was doing better because she thought it'd be too much! I think it'd make a fabulous movie, though of course I'd likely loathe the movie if it were to come out. As is usually the case.

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  4. Just finished Home Grown - it was my Christmas present from my husband, who is also reading it. Awesome read - I definitely recommend it!

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    1. I'm reading it right now- it's the last one on the list! I really enjoy his writing.

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  5. I'm participating in Shelia of Book Journey's First Book of the Year and What are you reading now? These are brainless and don't require reviewing which became too much for me. One genre I read is supernatural romance so my first book of 2015 is Deborah Harkness' third installment to her All Souls trilogy. I call it an adult, intellectual twilight where you're taken in and out of Oxford's Bodleian library and laboratories that are researching bloodworm and genetics, roaming the hills of Auvergne, and learning history.

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    1. Oh I'm not much for reviews myself. At least not writing them. Never feel I can do a book justice, really. I've never heard of supernatural romance, but the description you give of that book is quite fun!

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    2. Ooh...I loved the All Souls trilogy. Many late nights because I couldn't put the books down.

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  6. Oh I love these book lists! I am almost done with Gone Girl. It will be my first book of the new year. My friends are thrilled I've finally jumped on the bandwagon and started reading it. ;)

    Happy New Year to you and yours!!

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    1. What do you think of it? I had a bit of trouble with it because it is just sooooo far outside of my typical reads. I went to see the movie recently and, well, eh. But that is how it is with movies from books you read, right?

      Happy New Year, Summer!

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  7. thanks for the list! I just finished One + One...by Jojo Moyes. Loved it as much as her other books!!!!

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    1. oh I'll definitely give that one a try! I LOVED Me Before You.

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  8. I'm so excited about your list. I need to read way more. I read all the time but it's either picture books, garden books or blogs. Rarely fiction. I'm going to see if our library has them!

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    1. I find that keeping these lists keeps me motivated to read more, too. Hope you find some good ones at the library! I agree- sometimes (often), much as I acknowledge their place and am quite grateful for them, the reference and children's books just don't cut it for me.

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  9. A book every 2 weeks is impressive (to me!). I just finished reading The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. I really enjoyed it. I also LOVED the Call the Midwife books. I want to read Me Before You and something by Gail Godwin, perhaps Evensong or Father Melancholy's Daughter. Not sure what else I will read this year, but my book club usually comes up with some good ones.

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    1. You know, I think so, too. I am happy with the amount of books- and I shouldn't compare the length of my list to others' thinking it isn't 'enough'. The Signature of All Things is one of the ones I started but wasn't able to get into. Not due to a lack of interest, but rather the timing was off. I watched a few episodes of Call the Midwife on PBS and really liked it- I'll check into the books, thanks! I'll also look into Gail Godwin.

      ps- lately Claire pretty much nonstop wears the lacy white dress you gave her.

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    2. I actually listened to the audio of Signature of All Things. That might have helped me get through it!
      Glad Claire likes the dress!

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  10. Thanks for the great list! I always get slowed down when things don't fall in my lap :) I was on a Jojo Moyes kick recently ~ and also really loved Where'd you go, Bernadette. I did also enjoy Gone Girl, although it wasn't a typical read for me either. Hope your new year is off to a great start.

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    1. You are very welcome. I am much the same- I like a good, long, inspired list to go by. Otherwise I end up scanning titles and cover artwork at the library and it can be rather hit or miss. I'll be adding more Jojo Moyes and Where'd You Go, Bernadette to my list- thanks!

      a happy new year to you as well!

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  11. i am so thankful for your reading lists :) i am 3/4 through the snow child now and i love it so very much! i remember there were three you recommended... the snow child and another and then one that was their "baby" :) i don't remember what the titles of the other two were though.... and i want to read them next :)

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    1. I really need to read the Snow Child again- it was soooo beautiful. Yes! The other two are The Language of Flowers and then the baby is Evergreen. funny. of course, there is a good chance there is just something weird that stood out to make me think that…. I'd be so interested to know if you agreed after reading them.

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~