Sunday, January 10, 2016

Ten Good Books, One So-So Book, and One Disappointment



                    2016 has been an amazing year so far. Why, you ask? Well, I've already knocked out twelve books. Half were fiction (I hoped to read more fiction this year). And all but two were very good. A strong start.

                    What have I read that I recommend highly? Write these titles down: Our Souls at Night. Humans of New York. Jesus: A Pilgrimage. Everything, Everything. Very good books? The Dust that Falls from Dreams. A Beginner's Guide to Paradise. Pacific. The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine. The Unforgettable Photograph. Deep, Dark Fears. So-so read? Fungus the Bogeyman. Disappointing? Fates and Furies.

                    Two new books arrived in the mail, both quite promising:


                     How is your 2016 proving? Any recommendations so far? Any disappointments?



cover
titleauthorreview
Humans of New York is the kind of book I like best.

Reasons?

(1) Little stories about lots of people.

(2) Photography of the people.

(3) Lots of surprising
 ...more
I hate to write this review, because it's completely unexpected; after hearing all the positive buzz, I just knew I'd love this story. Man's pov and w ...more
The four McCosh sisters grow up between the well-mannered Pendennis boys and the wild Pitt boys in Edwardian England. Then along comes World War I to...more
Here’s the subtitle (and, honestly, it’s better than the blurb on the back or my thoughts when it comes to deciding if this is a book for you): “9 ste ...more
In a quest to learn more about making good photos, I bought this book.

It’s all about taking photos of people, and the author is all about spontaneity
...more
Two priests take a pilgrimage into the Holy Land, walking in the steps of Jesus, sharing close knowledge of Christ.

I’ll never make it to the Holy Land
 ...more
Addie stops by Louis’ house and asks him a question: Would he stay the night with her? Just to talk? And Louis says yes.

But Addie and Louis aren’t two
 ...more
Fungus and his bogeyman friends are the cause of all the gross and upsetting things in the world, though those of us who live Up Top know little of th ...more
Winchester presents a collage of stories all centering on a place, the Pacific.

He doesn’t stand back from a subject, like a good journalist, but leap
 ...more
Fear is the devil, maybe. I’ve heard it says “Fear not” in the Bible 365 times. Whether or not that is true, I know fear crushes us.

So, then, a book
 ...more
It’s the latest in Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. You know what you get when you read a series; part of the fun is th...more
I didn’t read as much fiction in 2015 as I wished, so I wanted to start 2016 out with some good fiction reads. Oh my, did I ever hit the jackpot with ...more




What is the Sunday SalonImagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week.  It is now being hosted here.

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme Book Date loves to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. 

36 comments:

  1. You are off to a good start on the reading year! I got Humans of New York for Christmas -- looking forward to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keeping a blog first seems to be a good way to write a book these days.

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  2. I'm having an OK year so far, a week and change in :) I got Felines of New York for Christmas and it's pretty good, lol :-) I get enough humans of New York on my subway rides, I don't need to own a book on the subject :-)

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  3. I'll be honest. I had, still have ZERO interest in Fates and Furies. I did like her Monsters of Templeton but the subject matter here just didn't interest me. I'm glad to see someone not buying into the hype. :)

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    Replies
    1. Agreed. I picked it up based on all the raves I heard from bloggers. Didn't know it was another marriage drama.

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  4. That's too bad about Fates and Furies. I have heard some really positive buzz for it as well but it hadn't really grabbed my attention. Humans of New York sounds like a fascinating read and I'm really looking forward to reading Everything Everything. Have a great week!

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  5. Wow! A Great start to the year in reading! I bought Fates and Furies and put it down. It just didn't pull me in, but I'm not giving up yet (a problem I'm working on about NOT giving up when I don't enjoy something)... I have Everything Everything on my list to read though and seeing that you enjoyed it gives me more confidence this is a good choice!
    Enjoy your week!

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    Replies
    1. I don't have any problem setting down a book, but I do tend to give a book more pages when it has been talked about so positively by so many people. This time I read to the end before saying, What?

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  6. Twelve books- wow! That IS a great start. I think A Guide to Paradise looks funny and interesting.

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  7. I am glad I'm not missing much with Fates & Furies...something about it put me off, so I didn't even bother to stop and consider it.

    I've heard good things about Everything, Everything.

    Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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  8. You have been moving right along. I see Humans of New York all the time being shared on Facebook. Sometimes I look and sometimes not. Didn't know there was a book, but I'm not surprised. I've got Fates and Furies on my Kindle and will likely read it at some point. I am going to make an effort to read Everything Everything soon. Have a good week!

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  9. I don't think I've heard of Fates and Furies before, but certainly have heard good things about Everything, Everything. I don't think I've ever seen either in a shop here though. You've certainly made a great start to the year with 12. I've done 3... How many books did you read last year?

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    Replies
    1. Last year I read a ridiculous number of books, but you have to remember that of that final yearly total of 398, 250 were small children's picture books.

      Still, it sounds rather grand to tell people I read 398 books last year.

      Delete
  10. Wow! 12 books is amazing... (Not to mention 398 last year!) I only read 134!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it sounds good but let's do the math...398 minus 250 is 148, a mere 14 more than you. Not sure if most people count picture books in their totals for the year.

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  11. Sounds like a very energetic start!

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  12. Wow. You've read ten book already? I am just finishing up my third. Sigh. I really do more thinking about reading than reading I suspect. What did you think of Everything Everything?

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    Replies
    1. Everything Everything made me think about what it means to live.

      Delete
  13. Oh I read Everything Everything late last year. Couldn't put it down, Loved it!!

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  14. Twelve books! That's equivalent to a book a day. Wow. Glad you read some great books.

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  15. Thanks for reminding me about The Humans of New York book - I've been trying to read more non fiction books this year and I made note of that a couple of months ago but had entirely forgot about it until now.

    It sounds like 2016 has got off to a great start book wise - I hope that continues!

    Reading With Jade

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  16. Humans of New York looks like a good one! Happy Reading! Here's my list for this week: http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-im-reading-january-11-2016.html

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  17. Fates and Furies, wow, so many 1 or 2 stars, that seals the deal, taking off my TBR list, it is out of my norm anyways. Thank you.

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  18. Wow 12 books that is a lot to get read. You can see mine here: http://theresaraymer.blogspot.com/

    New Follower

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  19. 12 books awesome. I remember Fungus being in my class library when I took over the classroom, it never seemed to inspire any readers!

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  20. Everything Everything is on my tbr and Instant Happy Journal looks like a nice, inspiring read. I hope you have a great start to the New Year!

    My Weekly Update

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  21. Sad to hear that you didn't enjoy Fates and Furies! I got it for Christmas...might wait a bit to read...

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  22. That is some great reading. Our Souls at Nights looks interesting. Have a great week!

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  23. Love your post.

    Thanks for sharing.

    I have started five books since January 1, and had to DNF three of them. Very disappointing.

    I hope you are having a good week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Mailbox Monday

    ReplyDelete

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