Last month, I had just been to the library and my nightstand was full:
The books were flying off the nightstand this month–so fast that I replenished my supply halfway through!
This month, I read:
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
A terrific dystopian novel that touches on bioethics, personhood, genetic engineering, helicopter parenting, and more–but does it in a non-propagandist, non-pedantic way. Imagine that! (Read my full review.
Another Homecoming by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn
When Martha’s husband of less than a year is missing in action, she’s not sure what she should do. One thing is for sure-she knows she wants better than she can give for the daughter growing in her womb. So she gives her baby up for adoption. Then her husband returns, a broken man–and their family is a broken family, grieving for the lost child even as a new child arrives. A lovely little story about a family split by war, later to be brought together by God’s grace.
Batman: No Man’s Land
I’ve always kinda assumed that comic books aren’t really my thing–and after reading this, I have decided that my assumption was correct. The format is lost on someone like me who cares only for words and little for illustrations.
The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse
More Wooster and Jeeves hilarity. These follow a typical formula, but manage to be funny regardless.
A Family-Style Christmas by Carolyne Aarsen
A “Love Inspired” novel in the typical “Love Inspired” fashion. Twaddle. Short on plot, characterization, and pretty much everything. But that’s the “Aa’s” in the adult fiction section of my library.
An Honorable German by Charles McCain
This story centers around a youngish Max Brekendorf, a German Naval officer who finds himself embroiled in Germany’s war–what would become World War II. Seeing World War II from the perspective of an “honorable German”–a German warrior who wasn’t a Nazi–was interesting. The story itself? Meh. Nothing spectacular, but not bad. Some gratuitous sex, lots of descriptions of life on board a U-boat. A so-so book altogether.
Kristallnacht by Martin Gilbert
A stunning look at the night that began the Holocaust–from the personal viewpoints of dozens of heretofore unpublished eyewitnesses. This is a great book that clearly shows the widespread devastation of “the night of the broken glass”.
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
This novel tried (unsuccessfully) to be profound–but succeeded wonderfully in greatly surpassing Pattillo’s “Betsy Blessing” series (see here.) I enjoyed this novel–and it’s induced me to give Pattillo a second chance after those two awful “Betsy” books.
The Obama Diaries by Laura Ingraham
It’s true. I enjoy reading conservative rants. Most are entertaining but few have lasting power. I enjoyed this specific conservative rant. But with money tight and opportunities to spend it plentiful, I’ll keep borrowing these from the library (but not even consider spending money on them.)
The Third Reich by David Williamson
Another children’s nonfiction title–this time a not-so-great children’s nonfiction title. Even with all my prior reading on the topic, it was hard for me to follow this title. It used quite a few names, places, and unique terms without bothering to identify or define them. So, if you didn’t already know what the SA and the SS and Lebensraum and Kristallnacht and the Treaty of Versailles were, you would be completely lost.
What? What? What? by Lyn Thomas
Subtitled “Astounding Weird, Wonderful, and Just Plain Unbelievable Facts.” Interesting, but not as jam-packed or information-full as one of the Dorling-Kindersley books I’ve read previously. I don’t think I’d be buying this one for my reference library.
The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum
It was filed in with the children’s picture books–and since I was reading the “BAU”‘s, I read it. Then I got to the end and realized it had been misfiled. This illustrated edition of The Wizard belonged in the general old juvenile fiction section. Oh well.
Also read, but not (yet) reviewed (even in short):
- The Amusement Park Mystery created by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- The Book Thief by Markeus Zusak
- Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds and Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the UFO by David A. Adler
- The Complete Worst Case Scenario Handbook: Man Skills
- Mike’s Mystery by Marcie Aboff
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo
- Your Teeth by somebody whose name I’ve forgotten
- Children’s picture books author name BAUER-BECCIA
Having read all that I read this month (and with the extra additions along the way, I still have a bit left on my shelf for next month:
Don’t forget to drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading this month!
Oh, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Book Thief! You’ve done a lot of reading (again)!
Your list is always so impressive – I love your “fly by” reviews. The “Aa” comment cracked me up, and I appreciate the insight on books I’d need some background to appreciate fully. Happy reading in May!
Wow! What a list. I am surprised that I haven’t read one of those books. Not a one.
Did you like Book Thief? I haven’t been able to finish it myself and would love to hear your thoughts.
I tried ‘Her Fearful Symmetry’ by Niffenegger and it promised to be captivating, but I wasn’t sure I wanted my mind to “go there” (into that fictional situation) and didn’t finish it. Maybe Time Traveler’s Wife would be a better one to try.
As usual, quite a stack over here at B3!
I always get inspired by you yet get depressed by how much I’m not reading! :-) I’ve tried P.G. Woodhouse because my hubby loves it so much but I can’t seem to get into them! I still want to try them again. I’m going to try Mr. Darcy broke my heart!!
The Time Travelers Wife is on my list…can’t wait to see what you have to say about it! Nope, I’m with Jessie, I haven’t read a one of these!
I checked a few weeks ago and my library does carry “The Adoration of Jenna Fox”; I plan to get it next time I’m there. I occasionally read conservative rants too. :-) I’ll have to check into “The Obama Diaries” since you enjoyed it.
I’ve heard a bit about some of your titles here, and I’m a huge Niffenegger fan, so I can’t refrain from saying that I hope you enjoyed TTTW!!
The sheer amount of what you’ve read is incredible, as always. :)
-Dawn, 5 Minutes for Books
As always your list is impressive and quite varied. Although I think you’re slacking a little based on that picture of your current book shelf! :)
My oldest loved Cam Jansen books when he was younger.
It’s been a long since since I read Another Homecoming, but it was one of my favorites ok Oke and Bunn.
I’ve been on the fence about trying Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo — maybe some day when my stack is smaller.
Great list! I love the diversity. I’ve got Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get to…hopefully soon.
I am always impressed by your reading!
Thank you for mentioning that the Betsy books were worse than Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart. I really want to read that one but was scared off by finding out that the Betsy books are written by the same author. Eek!
Happy May reading!
Oh, and I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about The Time Travelers Wife!
Last month was my introduction to Wodehouse & Jeeves, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
However, I also tried Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart, but I didn’t enjoy it (so I didn’t finish it).
Wow! You have been quite busy! I’m not familiar with very many from your list. Interesting…
You are unbelievable! I’m trying to finish my one and only book on my nightstand for the past week!
I love the quick reviews….just my cup o’ tea x
Hard to believe how many books you can read in one month. I am obviously a beginner or out of my league here :)
An impressive list! I saw a few I have enjoyed, The Book Thief, The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society and of course anything by Wodehouse.
I really want to read The Book Thief as well as The Adoration of Jenna Fox – both look good!
The Mr. Darcy book is on my list as I really enjoyed Jane Austen Ruined My Life. The Book Thief sounds intriguing too – I love the title!
Man, you did make it through a lot last month. (Playing catchup in my Google Reader here!) Glad you gave Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart and enjoyed it. I got my mom hooked on those books when she was here this past week.