What I’ve been Reading Lately: December 2019

Every month I share short and simple reviews of the books I’ve been reading lately. You should know that I don’t generally have a problem setting aside a book if I’m not interested in it. There are just too many awesome books out there to waste my time on one I’m not into.

However, there are also books that I consider “important” and I will plug along through those books if needed.

I hit my goal of reading 100 books in 2019! And then I promptly fell into a rut and nothing has sounded appealing. I don’t usually set lofty reading goals for precisely this reason. The number of books I read in a year doesn’t have any bearing on the things I learn or the reading experiences I have.

While it was fun to actually hit that number, I have decided not to set a numerical goal for 2020. I’m just going to read, and learn and enjoy the process.

On to the reviews!

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

I’ve read this book aloud to my kids several times and I love it more every time.  It ranks up there as one of the best children’s books of all time. I always sob through the last two chapters. I love it.

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Why haven’t I read this sooner? I loved it. It’s a long book, but in never lagged for me. The characters were perfect, the story achingly lovely. I just loved it.

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore

Wow. Such a fascinating premise and the juxtaposition of the two stories is really well done. A great book to start a discussion about race and privilege and the choices we make.

Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children’s Home Society

by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Real life stories of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society and the horrible experiences families faced. (What ‘Before We Were Yours‘ is based on). Incredible and unbelievable stories. This really hit home for me, because we are an adoptive family, but I’m certain anyone would find it fascinating.

The Priesthood Power of Women by Wendy Ulrich

I feel like a learned a lot, but also like I’m just scratching the surface of this topic.

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O’Farrell

Wow. This was amazing and alarming and fascinating all at once. I love O’Farrell’s writing style and want to read more by her asap.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Awesome middle-grade fantasy. Not too dark. Great characters. Would make a great read aloud!

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron

This book was just fine for me. Very easy to read, very relatable. Not very deep or at all life-changing.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Great middle-grade graphic novel. My son received this as a Christmas gift and I promptly borrowed it from him. I loved the artwork and the storytelling. Excited to read more by this author. My reluctant reader 11 year old loved it, too.

What have you been reading lately? Any suggestion to get me out of my reading rut?