Hello! Who is it?
Papa! Are you hiding? Where are you, Papa?? I'm gonna find you!
Don't worry, Nana, we're going to win with these cards, I just know it!
Don't mind me, I'm just gonna stand here like a big girl and show you all the things I can get in to now!
Well hi Papa! I see you!
Reading stories with my Papa--he lets me turn the pages which I love doing!
I don't know that I have grand things to update you all on, but it's a lazy Friday morning and I sit here with my coffee after sleeping in a lot later than normal (yes I do need to do some work today, but I decided it didn't need to be at 8 AM!), so we'll see if my french press brings inspiration.
Barbara Kingsolver. I loved this book in a way that I haven't loved a book in a long time. I laughed, I cried, I found myself so vehemently angry at fictional characters it was almost disturbing, and I had my eyes opened to a part of the world I often don't think much about. The first time I was introduced to this book I was in high school, on a road trip from Sacramento to Denver and back again. Our family liked listening to books on tape as we traveled to make the time go faster, so my mom got this at the recommendation of a friend. Lets just say this is not a book to be listened to as you travel through the unbelievably monotonous landscape of Nevada and Utah. It put me to sleep so many times and did nothing to make the drive go faster. So I was apprehensive to pick it up. But I fell in love. I wrote a lot more about this book when I read it back in January, which you can read here if you want a synopsis or further thoughts, but out of everything I read this year, this is my absolute #1 recommendation.
2. Wouldn't Read This Again Unless I Got A Million Dollars: New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. Oh this one is going to make some of you mad...but I have to be honest. I hated New Moon, the 2nd book in the Twilight saga. It was several hundred pages of agony that did nothing for me. I didn't want to wait for the vampires to get Bella...I wanted to take her out myself by about the 5th chapter. The only reason I read books 3 and 4 after this one is because my sister promised me they got better (book 3 did, marginally, but by book 4 I was relatively enjoying myself). What I really wanted to do was shake the girl and say "your life is NOT over just because a guy walked out on you! He did it for your own good, you're only 17, you have a whole life ahead of you, GET OVER IT!" Which is not all that pastoral or compassionate, and if I actually had a kid who felt this way I'd respond differently, but come on!! I know a billion little girls are being named Bella in the past few years in honor of this er...heroine? Definitely not going on our list of baby names, even if I do like the name! Sorry, Twilight fans, give me Harry Potter any day!
4. The book that really had potential...but definitely fell short: The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. This book really did nothing for me, which was disappointing because it sounded exactly the kind of book I would have normally loved! Five women in the 1960s/early 70s meet at the park, discover a common love of reading and writing, and vow to support one another as they all aim to get something published somewhere. It's a story about writing, books, friendship, motherhood, marriage, and the ups and downs along the road. But it was boring. There was nothing unpredictable about it, you know all along there has to be a happy ending, it's just that kind of book, but it just wasn't real. You know all along that of course the woman struggling with infertility will have a baby, there is no other option with Clayton's writing style. Of course the woman with cancer...she'll be fine. There was nothing that kept me wanting to know more. So sad...there was so much potential in this plot line.
5. Great New Young Adult Fiction: The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecelia Galante. A new book for about early high school age (maybe late junior high, but there are some issues of abuse dealt with that might be better handled in high school). I was drawn to this book because I love butterflies, and well the cover was cute (I know, I'm failing in obedience to not judge a book by its cover). I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it! It actually followed along with a theme I ended up having with many books I chose for the year--that being religious fanaticism, and spiritual abuse (trust me I didn't expect that but SO many books I read had this as part of their plot line!) Two girls are raised in Mount Blessing, a religious commune fully controlled by Emmanuel, their "prophet" whom they regard as only 1 small step below Christ himself. Emmanuel is in charge of everything, including the disciplining of children. Honey & Agnes are essentially kidnapped by Agnes' grandmother who has always believed life in this commune to be horrific, and it's a story about a journey to freedom, both physical, but also spiritual and emotional--the undoing of past lies the girls have been fed, and the dealing with their pasts. It's definitely worth it if you want a quick read that will make you think.
7. The best book for animal lovers: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. An absolutely delightful, heart-wrenching, but very funny story told through the eyes of the family dog, Enzo, who has incredible insight into the human condition. On the eve of his death he recounts to the reader the story of his life lived with his family, mostly his best friend and master Denny, a professional race car driver. I read this book in just several hours, flying from Los Angeles to Providence one weekend, definitely a book worth picking up if you love dogs...or just a great story!
8. Best mystery: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I know he's controversial, especially among Christians, but I really love Dan Brown's novels, and especially since they are so popular I think Christians should read them and be able to engage in intelligent conversation about the books with non-Christians. I liked The DaVinci Code, and I really liked Angels & Demons...The Lost Symbol was not a disappointment at all. With his usual page-turning writing style full of clues involving theology, art, history and travel Dan Brown tells another story involving symbolist Robert Langdon (who will forever look like Tom Hanks in my mind). If you enjoyed his other books, you'll like this one. If you hated his other books...then probably don't bother.
9. The "Don't Bother" Award: (unfortunately) goes to You Know Where to Find Me by Rachel Cohen. Well, I take that back. If you're a teenager struggling with depression, addiction, or suicide, then perhaps this book might bring you some hope. I'm currently not at that place, therefore this book wasn't all that inspiring to me. I didn't find myself really attached to any of the characters, I didn't connect with the plot line, basically, it was an easy read but definitely is not one I would recommend to too many people.
10. Best non-fiction: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. The inspiring, disturbing, and captivating memoir of Walls, that really does live up to all the hype that this book has received. Her story of growing up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity will both inspire and horrify the reader. According to one online review: "What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms. For two decades Jeannette Walls hid her roots, now she tells her own story." Definitely worth picking up one of these weekends!
11. Best Theology: Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell. I feel like I wrote a lot about this book while I was reading it, so I won't belabor this one here. I will say that this is one book I think all Christians should read. It addresses the difficult, but crucial issue of justice (or rather the lack thereof) in our world, and how that grieves God because God is a God of justice. God longs for ALL his children to live in perfect Shalom, and when a quarter of the world's population is using way more than its fair share of the world's resources, well that's a problem. Seriously, read this book, then let me know what you think so we can talk about it!
12. Because Civil Rights still matter: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. One of the year's best novels, and a stable on the New York Times best seller list, The Help will allow you to take a look into the stories and lives of the courageous black women who spent their lives raising white babies instead of their own. Set in the south in the early 60s, The Help is the story of a black community and the white community that employs them. It never occurs to any of the whites that perhaps there is something wrong with this social arrangement until one of their own starts quietly convincing the black nannies/housekeepers to begin telling their stories anonymously. It's a powerful story of justice, social hierarchy, and life in a very tumultuous time. It's a fast read, and definitely worth it.
13. My re-read of the year: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. This made my list last year because it was a book club selection with my (short-lived) book club, and I loved the chance to re-read this for probably the 4th or 5th time. I don't know what it is, but I never get tired of reading the story of Angel, the prostitute, and Michael Hosea, the man of God who pursues her relentlessly because God told him to take her home and marry her. (If you didn't catch that already the story follows the prophet Hosea's story). A fast paced, yet powerful work of religious fiction, Redeeming Love is a great book for anyone high school or up to help them come to terms with the never ending grace of God.
14 & 15. Most unique poetry: Nine Horses and Sailing Alone Around My Room by Billy Collins. About a year ago I was commenting to my friend Ashley (a devout lover of poetry and words) that I just was not into poetry. I never seemed to "get" it, but there's a part of me that really wishes I did. She told me I needed to read Billy Collins. She was right. I loved his work. Unique, written about normal, every day activities and events, Collins has this incredible gift of words that paint the most beautiful images in the reader's mind. If you're not so sure you like poetry, or you wish you liked it more, start here. You won't be disappointed! I laughed the other day when my friend Courtney posted one of his poems on her blog. I've "borrowed" it to give you a taste of his work :)
"Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House"
16. Most Improved Story from It's Predecessor Award: Eclipse (Twilight book 3) by Stephanie Meyer. What started a bit painfully turned into a relatively entertaining third installment of an otherwise not so entertaining series. I didn't really like Bella a whole lot more, but the vampires grew on me, and I ended up respecting some of Edward's choices (to not sleep with Bella until they were married, for one). I still don't totally get the hype, and I am still very much a "Team Jacob" person (what can I say the warm-blooded wolves did more for me than the ice-cold granite-like vampires) :) Definitely a mindless read easy to get lost in, and nowhere near as painful as New Moon was.
17. About the time it got good, it ended: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (Twilight #4). I can admit it, I actually enjoyed book 4 and thought Meyer did a pretty good job of wrapping this series up. I liked seeing some plot twists that I wasn't expecting, I enjoyed seeing the begrudging relationships between the wolves and the vampires form, and well Bell still annoyed me. This book is LONG (rivaling the longer Harry Potter books) but it kept my attention and I found that I read through it really quickly. If you haven't read Twilight, I don't know that I'd tell you to start, but if you have started and aren't so sure, keep going, it does get better (you were right, Megs!)
18. I will never be too old for Newberry Award books: The Witch on Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. Someday, it's my goal to read all the Newberry Award winning books, there are several on my list for next year, but this is one I somehow hadn't read before. It's a terrific book involving a sea voyage from Barbados to the New England puritan colonies, a young girls' struggle to adjust to life in cold, gray, strict New England, a witch hunt, and love, friendship and family. It really has it all, and I would highly recommend it!
19. One of the two most repetitive books I read: Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. I know, I wrote about this one already, and I really did learn quite a bit, but oh my word! What is it with Christian authors who feel the need to beat the horse to death?? And then keep going?? The two Christian "relationship" books I read this year had the exact same problem--neither one communicated their message succinctly. If you haven't read Boundaries, I'd recommend it. The lack of boundaries is a big problem in our society today, and in our families and with friends, but just be prepared after you read the first few chapters closely, skimming is a perfectly viable option!
20. The second most repetitive book I read: Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs. My husband and I have this joke, pastors are pros at taking a concept that is really simple and could be well explained in about 20 minutes and turning it into a two hour sermon. The same is true for pastors who write books I think, as is the case with this one. This is a book given to me as a wedding gift by a dear friend, who has a marriage that I really respect. I know she and her husband have both read this book and are putting into practice, and they have a great marriage, so I know there is truth to what Eggerichs is saying! I learned several new things about what men need from women that were really helpful, so I would especially recommend the chapters for women about men to newly weds or dating couples. I just wish he hadn't repeated himself quite so many times or used quite so many letters/stories from couples--they are interesting but I think made the book a lot longer than necessary! 
21. My venture into the fantasy world: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline l'Engle. I know so many people who grew up with the "time" books by L'Engle, and who are appalled I haven't read them yet. So I picked up the first one, which is super easy to read since it's written for 4th graders, and flew through it. It was pretty good! Confusing, especially for a really concrete thinker like a 4th grader, I would imagine, but I enjoyed it. It's about three kids who are sent through time and space to another universe or something to rescue their father who is a time traveler/scientist. There are some good theological themes, and just since it's so famous I'd say give it a whirl. I'm not sure I feel the need to read the rest of the series at this point though.
22. Best WWII book since Number the Stars: Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay. Okay, Number the Stars is a kid's book, this definitely isn't, but it has always been one of my favorite books ever, so it seemed like a good comparison, because Sarah's Key is an excellent book! Definitely worth reading! My mom, sister and I all read this this past year and all of us really enjoyed it. It's intense, it's not a "fluffy" book because it does center around a family and a child during the Nazi occupation of France and the eviction of all the French Jews from Paris. Every other chapter moves you from WWII era to present day, following two paralleling story lines that eventually intersect in a beautiful way. If you're looking for a good read, this is definitely one!
23. Most interesting religious historical fiction: The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. This was a fascinating book for me to read, as it deals with a period of time and a group of people I'm really interested in. This book tells the story of Brigham Young and his many wives, and parallels a modern day story of another religious sect in the same part of the country where the Bishop has multiple wives as well. It's a unique look at a part of history told through voices of individuals who probably didn't have much of a voice for themselves, the women in these polygamist families. The very real picture of jealousy, marital relationships, having to share a house with other women and raise children together etc was fascinating, and Ebershoff writes a very compelling novel that was easy to read. It's been one of the top sellers this year, and for good reason. Definitely gets a recommendation from me!
24. Most delightful and endearing characters: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Another book my mom and sister told me I needed to read, and another excellent recommendation. What is cool is that this entire book is nothing but letters that went back and forth during WWII from a small town to an author describing life for them during the war and in the post-war era. There is nothing dull, boring, or dry about these letters though! They describe the town of Guernsey's colorful characters and how they helped one another survive the war with creativity, humor, the occasional prank, romance and of course, their literary society they created one night to save them from being arrested. A literary society made of some individuals who hate reading. You will laugh multiple times while reading this, I promise!
25. My second favorite book of the year: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I loved this book. Really really loved it. But I know others who didn't at all, so maybe you should get multiple opinions before deciding if you should read it or not. Recommended to me by my favorite literary critic (my former high school English teacher who has very similar taste in books to me), she said this book matched To Kill a Mockingbird for her new favorite (which has always been my favorite book). The Book Thief is a different sort of book. It's told through the eyes of Death, set in WWII Germany, and is the story of a young girl's relationship with her foster parents, her neighborhood, and a Jewish fist-fighter hiding from the Germans in her basement. Death finds this girl's life fascinating, and watches as she lives through hell during the war, her stolen books and love of learning to read a big part of what sustains her. This book haunted me, made me think, and had me standing in awe of Zusak's literary abilities to craft such a story.
26. An all-around great read: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. I'm not sure there's anything exceptionally unique about this book that sets is apart from the rest of the list, but I did really enjoy this story. It caught my attention because it was described by one of the quotes on the back as "a classic coming of age story in this To Kill a Mockingbird-like reminiscence..." In many ways, that's accurate. Told through the eyes of the midwife's pre-teen daughter, Midwives is the story of a midwife who took desperate measures to save a baby's life by performing an emergency c-section in a patient's bedroom. She believes the mother has already died from a stroke, but accusations arise that perhaps the mother wasn't already gone, that it was Sybil's drastic actions that killed her. One reviewer describes this book's unfolding drama in this way: "As Sibyl faces the antagonism of the law, the hostility of traditional doctors, and the accusations of her own conscience, Midwives engages, moves, and transfixes us as only the very best novels ever do." The reviewer is right, this book will grip you and keep you turning pages to find out what happens.
27. You'll appreciate this more as an adult: The Giver by Lois Lowry. The Giver is on many elementary school's reading lists for 4th or 5th graders, but somehow I never read this as a kid. I read it a while ago, maybe early in college, when someone told me how good it was, and I thought it was decent, but I'm not sure I loved it. Last September when I was deciding what to read this year, someone from church was using this book as a discussion starter with our youth, and my interest was piqued. I re-read it, and fell in love. It's the futuristic story of a community where everything in a person's life is carefully planned. People don't make choices for themselves, everything is decided for them by the community. There is no snow, or sunshine, or colors, or music or pain. People work hard to blend in, to avoid standing out or being different. When a child becomes twelve, they receive their "Assignments" for a career, and begin training. Jonas is selected for the most honored and respected Assignment in the community, he will become the Receiver of Memories. There is 1 person in the community who has access to all the memories of the past--good ones, bad ones, painful ones, and he keeps them to himself until he can train a new Receiver. Thus Jonas gains knowledge no one else in the community has access to, but also has the burden to bear the sorrow and pain the memories bring all alone. A beautiful story of feelings, memories, emotion, and life--definitely pick this up and read it with your family aloud one day!
28. The Allegory: Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. I chose to add this book to my list this year because I have heard so many people talk about how it is the most famous Christian fiction book of all time. As a future pastor I felt a bit like a failure for having not read it, so I decided to go for it. I think I'm okay having made it this far in life without reading it. I agree, it's message is important, but the bottom line is that I just don't like allegories. I read Hind's Feet on High Places (another very famous Christian allegory by Hannah Hurnard) in college because this girl on my floor was obsessed with it, but I'm not sure it did a whole lot for me either. If you like allegories, then this book is for you. If for some reason they annoy you, then read something else, you won't enjoy this!
