Book Status!
As a quick recap, this past year I had one main goal of reading 200 books. I met my quantity goal and am pretty satisfied with how I did on my sub-goals, although I didn't finish a foreign-language book like I wanted (I had started a Welsh version of Alice in Wonderland, but began it late in the year and it's a rather slow process). I read a good mix of books, including several series (including A Series of Unfortunate Events, all the Oz books I hadn't previously read, the Divergent books), a number of books relating to mental health, a smattering of books on the FLDS/Mormonism, and lots of "classics" that I had never before gotten around to reading.
I'll post the entire year's list in the comments, but here's my quick list of recommended reads/favorite books out of everything I read this year (in no particular order). General criteria for these are: they made me think and challenged me in some way, I felt they were well written, and I think others would enjoy them/benefit from reading them. I tried to include a variety of types/genres in the short list, as well.
I'm happy to further discuss anything I've read and make further recommendations (and still interested in what everyone else is reading and recommends!).
:)
I'm happy to further discuss anything I've read and make further recommendations (and still interested in what everyone else is reading and recommends!).
:)
-Seven Pillars of Wisdom (by T.E. Lawrence) and A Prince of Our Disorder (by Mack)
Seven Pillars was one of my absolute favorites in terms of prose and the author's voice coming through. I found it strangely mesmerizing and beautiful. However, I'll readily admit that the book isn't necessarily an easy read; most of the first roughly 1/4 of the book goes over a lot of historical details and military strategy that gets kind of mind-numbing. Despite this, I found the book a very worthwhile investment.
Mack's book is a great companion book. I found this biography on Lawrence seemed very fair, thorough, well-written, and interesting. It's long, but if you're at all interested in the life and historical background of T. E. Lawrence (even if you haven't read Seven Pillars), this is the book for you.
Seven Pillars was one of my absolute favorites in terms of prose and the author's voice coming through. I found it strangely mesmerizing and beautiful. However, I'll readily admit that the book isn't necessarily an easy read; most of the first roughly 1/4 of the book goes over a lot of historical details and military strategy that gets kind of mind-numbing. Despite this, I found the book a very worthwhile investment.
Mack's book is a great companion book. I found this biography on Lawrence seemed very fair, thorough, well-written, and interesting. It's long, but if you're at all interested in the life and historical background of T. E. Lawrence (even if you haven't read Seven Pillars), this is the book for you.
-The Cross in the Closet (Kurek) and Unorthodox (Feldman)
In a Black-Like-Me scenario, Kurek (a conservative, straight Christian) comes out as gay to friends and family and writes about his experiences . No matter your thoughts on the subject (and opinions as to Kurek's actions), it's definitely a thought-provoking read.
In Unorthodox, Feldman writes about her experiences growing up in a Hasidic community. I felt I gained a greater understanding of the culture and found I could relate in certain ways.
In a Black-Like-Me scenario, Kurek (a conservative, straight Christian) comes out as gay to friends and family and writes about his experiences . No matter your thoughts on the subject (and opinions as to Kurek's actions), it's definitely a thought-provoking read.
In Unorthodox, Feldman writes about her experiences growing up in a Hasidic community. I felt I gained a greater understanding of the culture and found I could relate in certain ways.
-Escape (Jessop) and Triumph (Jessop)
I read a number of books written by former members of the FLDS, and felt these two were probably the most readable and interesting (written by a mother with several children who escaped the cult). You'll get a clearer picture of the entire story of the various people and backgrounds mentioned in these books if you read other books written by former members, and I can point out and discuss others I've read for anyone interested.
I read a number of books written by former members of the FLDS, and felt these two were probably the most readable and interesting (written by a mother with several children who escaped the cult). You'll get a clearer picture of the entire story of the various people and backgrounds mentioned in these books if you read other books written by former members, and I can point out and discuss others I've read for anyone interested.
-The Golem and the Jinni (Wecker)
I'm including this partially because I don't, as a rule, read many recently-published fiction. The writing style and subject matter (a blend of fantasy, religious elements, and historical fiction) appealed to me, though, and I really enjoyed the book.
I'm including this partially because I don't, as a rule, read many recently-published fiction. The writing style and subject matter (a blend of fantasy, religious elements, and historical fiction) appealed to me, though, and I really enjoyed the book.
-Ishmael (Quinn), The Story of B (Quinn), My Ishmael (Quinn)
I'm recommending the books as the loose trilogy that they comprise, although they can be read out of order and I'll note that the final book is the easiest read. Quinn's Socratic-method discussion of his ideas based on New Tribalism are interesting, difficult, depressing, thought-provoking, and challenging.
I'm recommending the books as the loose trilogy that they comprise, although they can be read out of order and I'll note that the final book is the easiest read. Quinn's Socratic-method discussion of his ideas based on New Tribalism are interesting, difficult, depressing, thought-provoking, and challenging.
-Catch Me If You Can (Abagnale) and The Princess Bride (Goldman)
These get a mention in part because most people are familiar with the movies (but many may not be aware of the existence of the books).
As much as I'm a fan of the movie, the original book Catch Me If You Can is even MORE interesting, especially as Abagnale's voice comes through. It manages to be both a fun and sobering read.
I'm sad I'd put off reading The Princess Bride for so long, but this is one of those books that I know I'll read and re-read again and again (I actually re-read parts of it many times in the earlier part of 2014, although I didn't count that towards the goal at all and I was trying to avoid doing that in general).
These get a mention in part because most people are familiar with the movies (but many may not be aware of the existence of the books).
As much as I'm a fan of the movie, the original book Catch Me If You Can is even MORE interesting, especially as Abagnale's voice comes through. It manages to be both a fun and sobering read.
I'm sad I'd put off reading The Princess Bride for so long, but this is one of those books that I know I'll read and re-read again and again (I actually re-read parts of it many times in the earlier part of 2014, although I didn't count that towards the goal at all and I was trying to avoid doing that in general).
-The Subjection of Women (John Stuart Mills)
Technically an essay rather than a book. Definitely worth a read (even if you have disagreements with his methods of argument) if simply because it's (in my opinion) an important historical/political piece.
Technically an essay rather than a book. Definitely worth a read (even if you have disagreements with his methods of argument) if simply because it's (in my opinion) an important historical/political piece.
Sticking to just a few recommendations is really hard because I honestly read a lot of great books, and I'd probably have different recommendations for every person (I also read a few books I didn't like, but that's another subject!). I'll wrap this list up here, though, and end with a thanks to all of you for putting up with my monthly posts and for encouraging me and sharing in the journey. :)
:)
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