Still up! And, in spite of getting it on December 2nd, it’s still very moist with no discernible dryness. So it will stay up into the New Year. That’s the way my parents did it and it’s a tradition I gladly continue.
I finished Moonflower Murders last night, staying up a bit later than usual in order to find out who the murderer was. Anthony Horowitz, the incredibly skilled author, has once again used the device of writing a book within a book. By the end of this novel, you will have read two books. He is so good at playing with the genre. I’m a big fan.
Next up: one of my Christmas presents, The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly. I’ve been reading at a slower pace lately. I’ve been distracted by other things. So last night’s big chunk of reading was extremely satisfying.
I haven’t read as many books this year as in years past. I was consumed by the election and by text banking for Biden and by lots of outdoor projects. But I did read a lot of great books, starting the year off with Jane Eyre. I was about to work on my one and only job of the year, coaching a production of Jane Eyre at Hartford Stage. I’ll be ending it with The Law of Innocence.
My favorite book of the year was, without a doubt, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell. I’ve never read anything like it. Profound, heartbreaking, glorious, and lyrical. I could come up with 20 more adjectives for it. Don read it, as well, and we spent large chunks of time talking about it. It got me in my very core.
It’s time to share what you are reading at the moment with the addition of your favorite book of the year (if you can pick one.) Feel free to share your thoughts.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Oh gosh, I don’t remember what I read last week!
I am currently reading Lakewood by Megan Giddings. Just started it on the recommendation of a friend. I will tell you 2 of my all time favorite books.
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb, and Gone With the Wind.
I agree, I haven’t been reading much lately. I was too wrapped up in the news and still am. I’m trying to watch less.
Stay safe
I’m also trying to watch less and read more, Marilyn.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
I am currently reading Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David Blight and Words of Radience (Book Two of the Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson. My favorite contemporary read of 2020 was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi and favorite older book The Fortnight in September by RC Sherriff. (O, the Brave Music by Dorothy Evelyn Smith was a very close second.)
Thank you so much for sharing, Laura!
Stay safe.
glad your Christmas tree is doing well.
… it’s beautiful. love those old “shiny brite” ornaments (join the club, huh?)!
favorite book ever … always the Bible.
next favorite for this year? the mysterious mr. quin by agatha christie because it’s the first book (short stories, actually) i’ve read in a very long time … sadly, years. and that’s due to all the book talk here at mhc … thank you very much for that!
we are to get up to ten inches of snow today and tomorrow. it’s started snowing a half-hour ago and right now it’s pretty … but i will think differently about it in about three-plus inches and especially when the sleet and ice get here. still, am glad to be home.
had a lazy, late breakfast so need to wash the dishes.
hope you have a good easy day and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
At least you get a day or two off, Kathy, and goodness knows, you deserve it!
Stay safe.
Yes Kathy the Bible
What translation do you read?
hej, linda.
the Bible is the best source of guidance, support, comfort and hope!
i read the living Bible, paraphrased translation … a gift from my beloved parents many years ago.
how about you?
hope you and your family are well and safe.
happy new year!
kathy in iowa
My favorite book for this year is All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Kim Michelle Richards is a close second. Also enjoyed The Dutch House by Anne Patchett. I find as the Pandemic goes on and on I am concentrating on reading less and less. I am now reading an old Lisa Unger mystery that is hard to follow and seems to have no end! Between books I read Mary Oliver’s poetry.
Louise Penny is always at the top of my list every year, but this year she lost out to Hamnet!
Stay safe, Judy.
I was so glad that I got to read Louise Penny’s All the Devils Are Here. I really love that series. Another book I read that really moved me was Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. So many people are treated unfairly in our country and so many reforms are needed.
So many.
Thank you Ellen!
Stay safe.
I am reading “A Song For The Dark Times” by Ian Rankin. The most powerful book I read in 2020 was “Educated” by Tara Westover. I don’t always like best sellers, but this book was very thought provoking.
I have Educated on my TBR pile. I’m looking at it right now!
Thanks, Melanie.
Stay safe.
I loved “Educated”. Difficult to read at times, but excellent. It will stay with you.
2020 has been my year of reading to escape reality! I’m currently on number ninety for this year—definitely a record for me. Favorite read was Troubled Blood/Galbraith (JKRowling) and number ninety (current read) is The Wife/Alafair Burke. I decided to see if I like her writing as much as I do her father’s. (J. L. Burke)
p.s. Just got my library card, so I can read e-books without going broke. I was having trouble finding anything I wanted to read on kindle unlimited. Seems they’ve skewed it so that any series you are into might have free reads in them—just not the next one or two that you need to read in order. Just buy a couple and then read a couple for free (except for their monthly fee, of course). Oh, there’s always a catch.
During the year I’ve completely overdosed on Guido Brunetti/Donna Leon and Ruth Galloway/Elly Griffiths. But I will read more of them, for sure.
Love that little chinese-lantern-shaped ornament, too.
Shanna, I love the Ruth Galloway books too! I try to read each new one slowly, but just can’t do it! I also got my online library account set up and it’s made it so much easier to read a lot!
You done good! That’s a lot of books, Shanna. James Burke is one of my favorite authors, by the way.
I keep hearing about Elly Griffiths, so I’m going to have to read her books.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I read one of hers last week. It wasn’t one of the Ruth Galloway books, but I liked it, too. It was The Stranger Diaries.
xo
Coincidentally I started The Moonflower Murders on Sunday! I do like Horowitz, he’s an excellent TV writer too. I keep a record of books read and give marks out of five. The ones to achieve full marks this year were The Shrouded Path by Sarah Ward, it’s fourth in a series of detective novels set in Derbyshire and I like to go back to books read many years ago so my other favourite was A Tree grows in Brooklyn.
Another one received for Christmas was The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Osman hosts teatime cerebral quizzes on TV which are hugely popular. Spielberg has brought the rights to the book.
Happy Tuesday
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Thursday Murder Club. Let us know what you think of it.
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
Hi Claudia, right now I am reading The Year of Living Danishly. I enjoy learning about other cultures so am finding this book very interesting.
Enjoy your day.
Sounds very interesting, Robin!
Stay safe.
I’ve read a ton this year. It’s been my escape from all the crap in the world/country. By the end of the year, I will have read 143 books!! I’m currently reading through the “new” Hercule Poirot books by Sophie Hannah (approved by Agatha Christie’s estate to carry on the Poirot stories). I had several favorites this year, it’s difficult to choose just one. I enjoyed all the Fiona Davis books I read, I liked “The Book of Two Ways” by Jodi Picoult, and “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd. While I liked “All the Devils Are Here” by Louise Penny, I missed the village of Three Pines and all those personalities too much to call it my favorite. Okay, if I have to choose one, it would be “The Overstory” by Richard Powers, one that you recommended, Claudia. It was a beautifully written book, and I really got lost in it. Thanks for your recommendations – I’ve read several of them!! Happy New Year to you and Don!!
Wow! 143! Wow! You escaped much more reality than I did, Jayne+Duey!
WOW! You win the award for most books read, Jayne! Bravo!
Normally, I don’t like it when the plot in a Louise Penny book veers away from Three Pines, but since it was Paris – my favorite city – I loved every minute of it.
The Overstory. One of my all time favorites. So happy you enjoyed it, Jayne.
Stay safe.
Happy New Year! And happy it will be.
I have to admit that I have not read nearly as many books in 2020 as I usually read each year. Consumed by other things is an understatement.
However, my favorite book(s) are Dear Girl, and Dear Boy by Paris Rosenthal and Holly Hatam. Truly wonderful books with great lessons. The most fun book is Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith and Katz Cowley. All are children’s books. But, being a reading tutor of kids K-3 this should not be a surprise.
I just finished The Girl in Cabin 3 by A.J. Rivers. And have started the second book in series The Girl That Vanished.
My hope is that 2021 will allow me to read more.
That is my hope as well, Trudy. We deserve a break! Stress-free time in which to read.
Thank you, Trudy.
Stay safe!
You have convinced me to give “Hamnet” a try. The title keeps cropping up. An omen, yes? I finally finished “The Book of Two Ways” and am finally disappointed in Jodi Picoult. I believed I’d read everything she’s written and kept going back for more. Ancient Egypt is still a fascinating topic and I did learn bits from the actual facts presented and Googled, but the story did not ring true.
“Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger”seemed like the ideal palate cleanser, but the foul language is a complete turnoff. Every Tom, Dick and Harry seems to love the “eff” word, and fling it about like confetti, to the point of saturation. I still struggle with “Caste.” It is a painful read that leaves tens of tiny cuts that often fester. I can read it in small doses only.
“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” was a breath of much needed fresh air. The narrator is perfect for the audio version. The writing is so lyrical one could dance to the beat, but it too surprised and offended with the sudden and unexpected, unwanted details of homosexuality. I am no prude but there are some things that are better left unsaid.
“Deacon King Kong” has been put on mute (audio version) for later. I have never lived a single day without reading or listening to at least one author, although my maximum number of books read at once is six. I used to pray for enough time to read as much as I could without interruption. But now that I have all the time in the world, I find myself reading less. There is less fiction in my book bag as well.
I finished “When They Call You a Terrorist.” I’m still bruised and scarred from the truths of such lives. Being an African American is tiring and painful. Reading about the lives of African Americans is painful and frightful and depressing, but necessary if we are to understand the why and how and when of it all. Art does not just imitate life. It helps us understand why some people are so hurt and angry and bitter and want to burn the world.
Reading is fundamental.
Don read Caste – we have it here – and loved it. Said it was the most important book he ever read, that everything we see made sense (not good sense) in a way it hadn’t before. I want to read it but I’m going to have to be in the right mood.
Stay safe, Bobbie!
I have been able to read a lot this year. I think my favorite one was “South of the Buttonwood Tree” by Heather Webber. I actually enjoyed many of the books I read but was disappointed in some of the “best sellers” or more well known authors. I really didn’t like “Rebecca” by Daphne DuMaurier and I thought I would.
I am getting ready to read The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin. I haven’t read any of her books before so I’m looking forward to it.
They all sound good, Carol!
Thank you
Stay safe.
I started Dan Rather’s What Unites Us, right before the election. And with all that still continues to go on, plus the holiday….I’m only about half way through. But I intend to finish it in the next week or so. It is by far the best read of not only this year, but perhaps the last several for me. It is powerful, hopeful, and reminds me what we have been as a country, what we are, and what we will continue to be. It is a bible if you will, of democracy at its best.
My TBR list continues to grow, I cannot wait to start earnestly reading again. And, I’m coming back later, to take notes on all the suggestions, from all your readers. Stay safe! ;)
That book is on my TBR list. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. You’ve convinced me to order it, Donna.
Stay safe!
I just received What Unites Us as a gift and can’t wait to start reading it! Dan Rather has been a delight with his Twitter contributions this year! Here is to a 2021 that will treat us all much better than the past year has done!
I read several books a year from net galley and I was getting books picked up library
I have read so many this year
Hundreds as u fortunately I read so fast.
No real favorite except I enjoyed Book Woman of Troublesome Creek about the librarians riding horses in Kentucky and the Blue People.
Enjoyed Lilac Girls and Lost Roses, two books about WW II. Loved Louise Penny book in Paris-one of her best ever. So many…
I read the Little House books yearly and Little Women-traditions. I loved Carlene Thompson new one-my favorite mystery writer.
Enjoy the last few days. I have been through so much in my life-most good/some not at all-but 2020 can’t go by fast enough. Claudia, I am so thankful for you and your lovely blog. You are so dear and are appreciated. You have a fan base who listens to you and loves your blog. Go into 2021 with that spirit you have and with your darling Don. Prayers
Thank you for your kind words, Brenda. I’m so glad you’re a part of this wonderful readership.
I will be so glad to say goodbye to 2020! Stay safe, my friend.
Claudia, I could only find Hamnet & Judith, by Maggie O’Farrell listed at our library. Wikipedia does not have any reference to this title. I wonder if it has a different title in Canada and it’s actually the same book?
Hi Gail+Hunt, if you google Hamnet’s ISBN, you will be able to use it to search your local library’s catalogue. There are ISBN’s for the hardback, paperback, audio version and ebook available. I hope this helps
Thank you for the suggestion, Miche
Gail
Just looked it up. That’s the book. Why the heck they changed the title in Canada I will never know! The Penguin website confirms that Hamnet and Judith was published as Hamnet in the US and Great Britain.
Stay safe, Gail!
Thank you for doing the footwork for me, Claudia. Odd indeed. I look forward to reading it.
Gail
xoxo
“Moonflower Murders” and “Hamnet” are both on my list. I love Horowitz’ work and have heard nothing but praise for “Moonflower…”
I am reading a cozy mystery set in Scotland called “Plaid and Plagerism” that was a gift from a friend. Well, it will go into the pass-along pile, not a keeper. Lightweight and borderline entertaining but mostly annoying. Mitch Albom’s new one is under the tree and will possibly make it in 2020. Or not. I’m getting to write my year-end book post and so far, counting “Plaid” at 64 this year. And that includes a couple I would never recommend!
Picking a best is hard — apples and oranges, fiction and non. “Les Parisiennes” wins the non-fiction, though it’s a tight race with “The Wild Remedy.” Louise Penny probably wins the fiction with “All the Devils Are Here,” but she has competitors in the genre — anything by Susan Hill in the Serallier series (read in order, please), Kate Atkinson’s “Big Sky” and Elly Griffith’s “Ruth Galloway” series. Traditional non-mystery fiction goes to Ann Patchett’s “The Dutch House.”
My tree won’t be down for awhile. The big one, right after Twelfth Night and some of the smaller ones, but I will be leaving two or three that aren’t too holiday for the light and cheer. I’m not willing to bid it farewell yet, but soon I’ll be wanting the real estate in my living room again! Enjoy the day!
I’ve read all the Susan Hills (though I was a bit disappointed in the last two Seralliers.) And all of Kate Atkinson and Louise Penny of course. I haven’t read any Ely Griffiths and I keep hearing people rave about her, so that’s now on my list.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Hi Claudia,
I love to read but for whatever the reason don ‘t get to really sit down and read and read. Guess I need to make that a priority in 2021.
I just finished reading a book on Elaine Stritch. I really enjoyed it as several years ago I saw a documentary on her and thought she was a very interesting person.
I can’t think of what is my favorite book as I like so many books and read and reread them.
Happy New Year to you and Don!
Linda Cunha
I loved Elaine Stritch and saw her one woman show in NY. It moved me to tears as she addressed getting sober and turning her life around. She was a force of nature and seeing her live is one of the highlights of my theatrical life.
Stay safe!
I need The Vanishing Halves read by my January 8th book club meet-up. I haven’t started yet, but will be a good New Years Day and Saturday red.
A commitment is sometimes the best excuse to read, Sam.
Stay safe!
I am reading The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz
By Jeremy Dronfield
We must never ever forget this period in history
Amen.
Thank you, Linda!
Stay safe.
I spy that lovely vintage ornament with the wee bird; I remember that from before!
Can’t settle down to reading, but it’s an aim for 2021; I need the stress relief.
Wow, what a mess with our grocery pickup today. My husband drives 35 miles to another town that’s better in Covid caseload than our own (he actually goes out of county). He waited (get this) one hour and 25 minutes for his curbside pickup. They’d had a rash of absenteeism due to Covid, i.e. people who’ve gotten the virus or who are having to quarantine due to exposure (per the folks finally bringing out the groceries to us); my husband was quite angry with the long wait but toned it down after he knew how they were struggling with reduced staff, and this is one very-big, big-box chain grocery store, so it seems this may be the way it is in SoCalif for the coming weeks; what a hassle but also very sad and concerning. It’s grim here; very, very grim. I haven’t watched much headline or local news on TV (except weather reports) since before Christmas because I can’t take the Covid ‘numbers’ and the warnings in my immediate vicinity; just trying to continue to stay safe at home, which is why my husband opted out of in-person grocery shopping (no swapping of air in an enclosed building, not with how bad it is in SoCalif right now for Covid).
But we opened up all the windows in our house and let a lot of good, clean, rain-washed ‘air’ inside today even though, for a while, it was only in the 50s; bright sun, though; blue sky. Nice! We did get snow in the backcountry and have a frost advisory for tonight as we dip into the 30s but I know this is ‘nuth’in’ compared to what other folks/readers here are going through!
We’re off to grocery shop today. For the time being, we’ll shop in person, early in the day. But that’s always subject to change.
Stay safe, Vicki.
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger and The Dutch House were 2 of my favs. Although right now I am reading Tomorrow Will be Better by Bette Smith who wrote A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, probably one of my most favorite books of all time. This one is referred to as her “forgotten book”, and I am so enjoying it! I had such a hard time reading in March and April, and then finally found my groove and was able to immerse myself once again, which is truly my salvation. Especially in 2020. But I don’t know why I had a hard time with journaling my books this year. It is something I have done for years. I think I read about 80 or so. I am determined to start that journal up faithfully once again when 2021 starts.
I have no date when or if we might take Christmas down. With an artificial tree, it really doesn’t matter. With no one coming to our house, it truly doesn’t matter. I will take my Santas and the old ceramic Christmas trees down in the next few weeks, but my Snow-peeps always stay up until mid-March anyway. The lights on the tree simply make me happy. Maybe after Innauguration Day I will be more inclined. If not, my hubs says we should just keep it up until next Christmas since that might be the next time we can have company. Luckily and happily there is no rush for any possible reason.
We are in the midst of the Winter Storm to which they warned us. 6-8 inches. Again, no one is going anywhere, so it is what it is!! Take care.
I hope all is well for you in the storm, Chris.
I haven’t read The Dutch House yet but it’s on my list. Reading is one of the things that has saved me this year.
Stay safe!
Thank heavens for books! I’m curled up with “A Muse of Nightmares” by Laini Taylor. I just loved the creativity of “Strange the Dreamer”. It was my favorite book of 2020 and this second in the series is just wonderful. I’m also reading two of Heather Cox Richardson’s books–Wounded Knee (heartbreaking to read on this anniversary of the massacre) as well as How the South Won the Civil War.
Meanwhile, our tree is also still up and hasn’t lost a needle yet. The beauty of her lights and ornaments make my heart sing.
I’m getting lots of good ideas for books to read next–thanks, everyone!
Thank goodness for long lasting Christmas trees, Roxie!
Thank you.
Stay safe.
My favorite book this year by far is American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. I was on the waiting list from the library for months before I got it. It is a can’t put down book. I always write down what books I read and rate them. This was a 5 star book. My husband read it and then my neighbor, we all gave it 5 stars. For Christmas I got two more older Cummins books The Outside Boy and The Crooked Branch. Looking forward to some rainy days for some long book time.
Sounds like a good book, Janet!
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
“American Dirt” was my top book too. Still thinking about it a month later.
I have been reading (and thoroughly enjoying) MC Beaton’s Agatha Raisin murder mysteries. Each one is a quick, easy read – just what I needed this year. I love the Agatha Raisin character, a bawdy middle-aged love-starved accidental detective with some laugh out loud lines. One review called her a mix of Miss Marple, Lucille Ball and a pit bull, which describes her beautifully.
I’ve read several books in that series, Anne, and enjoyed them.
Thanks!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia and Don. Your tree is so beautiful. When we were kids, we put our tree up the first day of school vacation and it stayed up until New Year’s Day even if the California climate dried it out to cinders. Some years, tho, I take mine down even before Christmas. My cats are toooo tempted, not by the ornaments, but by chewing the needles. LOL. We had a glorious sunrise this morning (Wed.) which reminded me of some of your glorious sunrise photos. The moon last night was so brilliant and white that it radiated across the sky. The final days of 2020 are hopeful, at least astronomically. I’m trying to hang on to that.
BTW, my favorite read this year was Penney’s Where All the Devils are (my mind is shot on remembering titles, etc.). I loved the characters and of course the setting. And I got a kick out of the fact that the unpleasant cologne that was referred to is my very favorite. Not for everyone, I guess. LOL
Blessings to you and Don. May this new year have a peaceful, healthy end, and the new one be less chaotic and more humane.
I love that book. Penny just gets better and better!
Stay safe, Nora.
“The Gift 12 lessons to live your life by”
by the Holocaust survivor Dr Edith Eger
what a gem of lady God Bless her
Thank you! Sounds wonderful.
Stay safe!