This year, unlike other years, I am actually going to rank my Top 10 Favorite Books. I had not planned on doing this, but since I just read one of my original posts and am now in tears, I figured that because one book moved me so much and allowed for such intense personal growth and reflection, it didn't deserve to just be stuck ion the middle of a random list. It rocketed its way to the top of the list.
So, if you can't find time to read 52 books this year (and I know for a fact that with my new addiction to the Outlander series I won't come close to reading 52 books this year), take a look at this list of my Top 10 Favorites and maybe you can find something from this list to read.
Enjoy!
10. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
9. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
8. On the Island (series) by Tracey Garvis Graves
7. Five Brides by Eva Marie Everson
6. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
5. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
4. Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner
3. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
and my favorite book of the year is....
1. The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers
Friday, January 15, 2016
Monday, November 16, 2015
#53: Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Yes, I managed to read the second Outlander book (Dragonfly in Amber) in about two weeks--740 or so pages in two weeks, there a bouts. I tell you this not to brag that I am a fast reader, because truthfully I am not really a fast reader at all. I tell you this because how quickly I read speaks volumes (haha) about how amazing this story really is. I could not get enough of the storyline and I could not wait to see how the story progressed. I can't really say that I could not wait to see how the story ended, because it doesn't really end. There are 8 volumes in all to this epic tale, so one book really just bleeds into the next. Dragonfly in Amber leaves you truly on the edge of a cliff--so far on the edge I was grateful that I had already purchased book 3 (Voyager) and could just start reading. (It's 6:25 in the evening and I haven't picked up the book all day. I am absolutely aching to read on. )
Dragonfly in Amber begins in 1968 and left me quite puzzled for several pages until I really figured out what was going on. 1968 quickly reverts to the 1700's in a flashback tale so that the story that began in Outlander is continued. My friend warned me about this change of time and admitted that when she first started reading she wondered if she had missed a book. Never fear. You have not missed a book. Gabaldon is just a brilliant writer and has begun her second installment of the Outlander tale in a very unique manner. For those of you interested in the time travel component of this story, Dragonfly in Amber will give it to you. Time travel is alive and well in this story!
I will warn you, though, that this novel is filled with the Scottish-English battle we had been hearing so much about in the first book. In fact, there were times I was so bored with battle scenes and political plotting that I couldn't bear the thought of reading anymore. But just when you are about to put the book down, Gabaldon pulls you back in and moves the story forward, or even in a direction you never anticipated. So, stick with it. The battle eventually works itself out.
I have another friend who wants to read these books but is worried about the commitment involved with reading such a large series filled with such lengthy stories. Do not worry about this. You honestly do not notice the length of the story--you simply just don't want the story to end! And as I have said before, if you read this on your iPad, Nook, or Kindle, you'd never even notice the thickness of the book. Personally, I love holding these books and turning the pages. The covers of these books are so majestic. I just love them!
OK. I am going to stop writing and try to read a few pages of Voyager before one of my children needs me for something. I swear I am not neglecting them as I read these amazing stories. I promise they are fed and clothed and loved. :)
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
Dragonfly in Amber begins in 1968 and left me quite puzzled for several pages until I really figured out what was going on. 1968 quickly reverts to the 1700's in a flashback tale so that the story that began in Outlander is continued. My friend warned me about this change of time and admitted that when she first started reading she wondered if she had missed a book. Never fear. You have not missed a book. Gabaldon is just a brilliant writer and has begun her second installment of the Outlander tale in a very unique manner. For those of you interested in the time travel component of this story, Dragonfly in Amber will give it to you. Time travel is alive and well in this story!
I will warn you, though, that this novel is filled with the Scottish-English battle we had been hearing so much about in the first book. In fact, there were times I was so bored with battle scenes and political plotting that I couldn't bear the thought of reading anymore. But just when you are about to put the book down, Gabaldon pulls you back in and moves the story forward, or even in a direction you never anticipated. So, stick with it. The battle eventually works itself out.
I have another friend who wants to read these books but is worried about the commitment involved with reading such a large series filled with such lengthy stories. Do not worry about this. You honestly do not notice the length of the story--you simply just don't want the story to end! And as I have said before, if you read this on your iPad, Nook, or Kindle, you'd never even notice the thickness of the book. Personally, I love holding these books and turning the pages. The covers of these books are so majestic. I just love them!
OK. I am going to stop writing and try to read a few pages of Voyager before one of my children needs me for something. I swear I am not neglecting them as I read these amazing stories. I promise they are fed and clothed and loved. :)
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
Monday, November 2, 2015
#52: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
As I begin to type, I can't believe that it's November 2 and I am beginning to blog about my 52nd book of this year. I still have two more months of reading before the year is over, too. Those two months are sure to be filled with Dragon in Amber, the second in the Outlander series. Since the book is about 800 pages, and filled with Scottish history that I currently do not know, I suspect it will take me that long to finish it. Maybe longer since the Holidays are fast approaching.
Outlander is the first in a series of (I think) 9 books by Diana Gabaldon that is causing craziness amongst women my age and older (and maybe some younger). My friend, Scottie, told me that I HAD to read the book, but suggested that I first WATCH the first season on Starz (or get the DVDs) in order to more accurately understand what's happening in the book. I knew the book was set in the Scottish Highlands, there was lots of dialect and Gaelic for me to muddle through, and the thought of reading 600+ pages was intimidating, so I took her suggestion and watched the series. On my iPad, nonetheless. Scottie was right. It was so much better this way.
The series is addicting and when you watch it you will understand what I mean, but it provided such a great warm-up for the book that I also recommend watching it before reading the book. And watching the series ruined NOTHING from the book. In fact, it helped me know the characters, their voices, and their Gaelic phrases which, in my opinion, only helped me to better appreciate the beautiful novel even more. The producer of the series took the 600 page book and divided it into 16 one hour TV shows. He pretty much included everything in the book in the series, with only a few minor exceptions. And, if your watch this on Starz Play, you can get a 3 minute bonus segment after each episode which explains why each one was done the way it was done. It's awesome background information. Honestly, I am anxious about reading the second book without the aid of the TV series to help me. I suppose I could wait until April until season 2 came on TV, but I don't think that I can. I want to read on!
Outlander is set in 1945 in Post-war Scotland and it begins as the story of Claire and Frank Randall, as they set out to rekindle a marriage separated by six long years of war. During a second honeymoon to Scotland, Claire ends up traveling back in time to 1745 (it's more realistic than it sounds, trust me!) and becomes separated from Frank, yet determined to make it back home to him. During this separation, Claire, out of necessity, joins the Mackenzie clan and marries James Fraser out of a need for basic protection. Outlander then transition into the beautiful love story of Jamie and Claire, but it's not without the trials and tribulations of typical life in 1745 (which is no picnic). Claire is quite literally thrown back in time and has to adjust and think fast on her feet just to survive. Once you throw into the mix that Jamie is a wanted man with a price on his head, you are in for a story like no other.
I am typically not a fan of time-travel stories, but this one is amazing and worth the time you will take to read the story and watch the TV series. It is a commitment, however. Now that I know that there are about 7 more books for me to read and that Outlander is the skinniest of them all at 600 or so pages, it seems that my reading material over the next four or five years has been determined. I will read them all! And since I know that the TV season 3 is already in the works, I may be set for TV watching for the next decade, too!
This is a good one. A must-read.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
Outlander is the first in a series of (I think) 9 books by Diana Gabaldon that is causing craziness amongst women my age and older (and maybe some younger). My friend, Scottie, told me that I HAD to read the book, but suggested that I first WATCH the first season on Starz (or get the DVDs) in order to more accurately understand what's happening in the book. I knew the book was set in the Scottish Highlands, there was lots of dialect and Gaelic for me to muddle through, and the thought of reading 600+ pages was intimidating, so I took her suggestion and watched the series. On my iPad, nonetheless. Scottie was right. It was so much better this way.
The series is addicting and when you watch it you will understand what I mean, but it provided such a great warm-up for the book that I also recommend watching it before reading the book. And watching the series ruined NOTHING from the book. In fact, it helped me know the characters, their voices, and their Gaelic phrases which, in my opinion, only helped me to better appreciate the beautiful novel even more. The producer of the series took the 600 page book and divided it into 16 one hour TV shows. He pretty much included everything in the book in the series, with only a few minor exceptions. And, if your watch this on Starz Play, you can get a 3 minute bonus segment after each episode which explains why each one was done the way it was done. It's awesome background information. Honestly, I am anxious about reading the second book without the aid of the TV series to help me. I suppose I could wait until April until season 2 came on TV, but I don't think that I can. I want to read on!
Outlander is set in 1945 in Post-war Scotland and it begins as the story of Claire and Frank Randall, as they set out to rekindle a marriage separated by six long years of war. During a second honeymoon to Scotland, Claire ends up traveling back in time to 1745 (it's more realistic than it sounds, trust me!) and becomes separated from Frank, yet determined to make it back home to him. During this separation, Claire, out of necessity, joins the Mackenzie clan and marries James Fraser out of a need for basic protection. Outlander then transition into the beautiful love story of Jamie and Claire, but it's not without the trials and tribulations of typical life in 1745 (which is no picnic). Claire is quite literally thrown back in time and has to adjust and think fast on her feet just to survive. Once you throw into the mix that Jamie is a wanted man with a price on his head, you are in for a story like no other.
I am typically not a fan of time-travel stories, but this one is amazing and worth the time you will take to read the story and watch the TV series. It is a commitment, however. Now that I know that there are about 7 more books for me to read and that Outlander is the skinniest of them all at 600 or so pages, it seems that my reading material over the next four or five years has been determined. I will read them all! And since I know that the TV season 3 is already in the works, I may be set for TV watching for the next decade, too!
This is a good one. A must-read.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
#51: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I had seen commercials and listings for Olive Kitteridge on HBO long before a good friend recommended the book to me. It's apparently a TV mini-series and I suspect its good. The book, after all, won The Pulitzer Prize. I, however, found it to be the single most depressing book I have ever read. I'm not kidding.
However, even with that said, Olive Kitteridge is a brilliantly written novel. Strout very cleverly constructed the book from a series of stories, all about Crosby, Maine and the people who live there. Each story centers on a new character, but each story intersects in some way with Olive Kitteridge herself. Olive, a retired junior high school teacher, seems to know everyone in the town whether because she taught the person, the person was at one time in her school, or because it's just a small town and everyone pretty much knows everybody else.
I was hooked on the book in chapter one, when Olive's husband Henry takes center stage. This is a rather ingenious chapter because it is through Henry that we form our first opinions of Olive, and for me they were not the best. I did, however, adore her sweet husband, Henry, the pharmacist who just loved everyone and wanted to take care of the entire town. The tone for the entire book is set in this first chapter, called "Pharmacy," and it is a slow, somber tone. The tone never changes, in my opinion, until the very last chapter, where a bit of hope is breathed into Olive's life and you think things might actually be OK for our friend Olive.
I was warned by the friend who suggested this book to me that the prevalent themes in the book included suicide and death (I will also include the theme of sadness from dealing with every day life) so I knew this wasn't going to be a feel-good, happy-go-lucky sort of book when I picked it up. However, I had no idea that that there wasn't going to be any happiness at all. Even a wedding is portrayed as a sad event. My goodness. Such despair.
But, my friends, that is the point. With sadness and despair comes reflection--upon your life, other people's lives, your hopes and dreams, your marriage, your children...you name it. And Olive did. She did a lot of thinking. And as a result, so did I. And I bet every other person who read this book did the exact same thing. It's hard not to. You read about people's hardships and you instantly become grateful for your own life. I did. Yet, at the same time, the idea that life can change in an instant becomes ever more obvious and frightening. It did for Olive. Her life changed several times in an instant. I am 43 and terrified that I will one day have to live without my family. It happened to Olive. It can happen to me. Or you, dear reader. (At one point in reading this book, I closed it, closed my eyes and said a prayer, hoping that I will one day die before Rob. The thought of living without him is excruciating. I can't even imagine trying to get out of bed each day knowing that he's not with me any longer.)
Yet at the end of the book, there is hope for Olive, and I suppose hope for us all. Hope in the form of Jack Kennison. You'll have to read it to see what I mean.
I don't think I will be reading Olive Kitteridge again. (Unless I am feeling down on my luck and need to feel that there are people worse off than me in the world.) But, I can see exactly why it won the Pulitzer. It's quite real and everyone can take something from it into their own lives. I will take the gratitude I have for my husband and my girls and will move on to a new, happier book.
Happy reading, everyone!
:) Dodie
Monday, October 26, 2015
#50: See Me by Nicholas Sparks
I could watch "A Walk To Remember," "The Notebook," or "The Longest Ride" on a video loop for all of eternity. Those movies never get old for me. I could re-read the books, too, over and over and never grow tired of them. They are classic Nicholas Sparks. They are why we read his books. But, I am afraid that these classic stories may truly be a thing of the past.
When I read Safe Haven a few years back, I remember thinking that I missed the soft, romantic Nicholas Sparks' characters. After reading See Me, a book filled with violence from the first chapter, I am ready to be more choosy when I pre-order Sparks' books from now on. I held out hope, too, that Colin and Maria's story would take a turn but it didn't--it stayed violent and dark until the very end.
Now...am I a realist? Yes. I completely understand that life is messy and unpredictable and often, these days, violent. But truthfully, that's why I read--to escape this crazy world. I don't need it, nor do I want it, in the books I read. Sparks' previous titles were filled with heartache and disappointment and life at it's worst, but his characters were never dark. These characters are dark. Even Maria with her stereotypical lawyer-like profile has some darkness in her. Colin...oh, goodness is he dark. And yet I had the most hope for him. He was coming around. Maria had such an impact on him that he was truly coming around. Furthermore, Colin did make some big changes with his actions by the end of the novel which made me so proud of him and excited for Maria and the life they could now have together. Maybe, then, there was a semi-happy ending in this book, but not one big enough to change how I felt about the novel as a whole.
I read recently that Nicholas Sparks and his wife have separated with the intent to divorce after 25 years of marriage. I hope that See Me is not sign of things to come from this great writer now that he is single. Otherwise, I really am going to have to start re-reading his old books from years ago. Back in the good old days of Nicholas Sparks.
Let me sum up my feelings this way. I am taking my copy, my brand-new (well...read once by me) hard cover copy, of See Me to work tomorrow to pass along to a friend who hasn't read it yet. And I don't care if I ever get it back. Now...what does that tell you about this book?
Happy reading, everyone.
:) Dodie
When I read Safe Haven a few years back, I remember thinking that I missed the soft, romantic Nicholas Sparks' characters. After reading See Me, a book filled with violence from the first chapter, I am ready to be more choosy when I pre-order Sparks' books from now on. I held out hope, too, that Colin and Maria's story would take a turn but it didn't--it stayed violent and dark until the very end.
Now...am I a realist? Yes. I completely understand that life is messy and unpredictable and often, these days, violent. But truthfully, that's why I read--to escape this crazy world. I don't need it, nor do I want it, in the books I read. Sparks' previous titles were filled with heartache and disappointment and life at it's worst, but his characters were never dark. These characters are dark. Even Maria with her stereotypical lawyer-like profile has some darkness in her. Colin...oh, goodness is he dark. And yet I had the most hope for him. He was coming around. Maria had such an impact on him that he was truly coming around. Furthermore, Colin did make some big changes with his actions by the end of the novel which made me so proud of him and excited for Maria and the life they could now have together. Maybe, then, there was a semi-happy ending in this book, but not one big enough to change how I felt about the novel as a whole.
I read recently that Nicholas Sparks and his wife have separated with the intent to divorce after 25 years of marriage. I hope that See Me is not sign of things to come from this great writer now that he is single. Otherwise, I really am going to have to start re-reading his old books from years ago. Back in the good old days of Nicholas Sparks.
Let me sum up my feelings this way. I am taking my copy, my brand-new (well...read once by me) hard cover copy, of See Me to work tomorrow to pass along to a friend who hasn't read it yet. And I don't care if I ever get it back. Now...what does that tell you about this book?
Happy reading, everyone.
:) Dodie
Monday, October 19, 2015
#48 and #49: Me Before You and After You by Jojo Moyes
Me Before You is a book that has touched my heart not only once but twice. I read it several years ago and was elated to learn that Moyes, after prompting from many, many readers, decided to create a sequel to the story, After You, so readers could know what happened to Lou after Will. Because I am old and forgetful, I decided to re-read Me Before You as a little refresher before tackling After You. In some ways I am glad that I did and in some ways I wish I hadn't. Let me explain.
I am glad I re-read the first story, Me Before You, because it is the most heartfelt love story I have ever read and now I have read it twice. The love between Lou and Will is so touching and so overwhelmingly beautiful I started to feel guilty about the level of love I have for my own husband. I love my husband more than I love myself and yet the unconditional love Lou has for Will overwhelmed me. I cried and cried and cried at the end of the book and felt such heartache for Lou that at times I could not breathe. I was sad for the rest of the day. I couldn't even pick up After Me because I was such an emotional wreck. These are not real people, I kept reminding myself, as I cried on and on.
Once I realized maybe Moyes had created a happy ending for Lou, I picked up After You and read on. While I am a big fan of sequels because I am the girl who always wants to know what happens next, I was disappointed with this particular one. But let me explain--I was not disappointed with the writing of the book or the story. Moyes is a fantastic writer and the book was as well-done as Me Before You. What disappointed me was Lou and how she handled her life after Will. She had every opportunity in the world to make something of herself, to make Will proud, and she just couldn't move forward. Yes--she had some stumbling blocks (Lily) and she's such a good person that she could never turn her back on another person, let alone a troubled teenager, but at times I just wanted to shake her (yes--I know she's not real). Even the ending, while seemingly positive as she finally is going to do something with her life, made me sad because she turned her back on love. UGH. What is the matter with this girl??? So, while it's hard to separate the book from the author, I do think that characters sometimes take on a life of their own and I bet that Lou just took over and Moyes had to write her how she wanted to be written. That's what disappointed me. I had such high hopes for her and while I would hazard a guess that if a third book were written to detail her life in NYC and her potential long distance relationship with Richard, who clearly adores her, she might still disappoint me in her careless ways. Lou is just that sort of person.
Despite all of this disappointment, Lou's stories are worth reading. They are like nothing I have ever read before. Especially Me Before You. It will always be one of my very favorite books.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
I am glad I re-read the first story, Me Before You, because it is the most heartfelt love story I have ever read and now I have read it twice. The love between Lou and Will is so touching and so overwhelmingly beautiful I started to feel guilty about the level of love I have for my own husband. I love my husband more than I love myself and yet the unconditional love Lou has for Will overwhelmed me. I cried and cried and cried at the end of the book and felt such heartache for Lou that at times I could not breathe. I was sad for the rest of the day. I couldn't even pick up After Me because I was such an emotional wreck. These are not real people, I kept reminding myself, as I cried on and on.
Once I realized maybe Moyes had created a happy ending for Lou, I picked up After You and read on. While I am a big fan of sequels because I am the girl who always wants to know what happens next, I was disappointed with this particular one. But let me explain--I was not disappointed with the writing of the book or the story. Moyes is a fantastic writer and the book was as well-done as Me Before You. What disappointed me was Lou and how she handled her life after Will. She had every opportunity in the world to make something of herself, to make Will proud, and she just couldn't move forward. Yes--she had some stumbling blocks (Lily) and she's such a good person that she could never turn her back on another person, let alone a troubled teenager, but at times I just wanted to shake her (yes--I know she's not real). Even the ending, while seemingly positive as she finally is going to do something with her life, made me sad because she turned her back on love. UGH. What is the matter with this girl??? So, while it's hard to separate the book from the author, I do think that characters sometimes take on a life of their own and I bet that Lou just took over and Moyes had to write her how she wanted to be written. That's what disappointed me. I had such high hopes for her and while I would hazard a guess that if a third book were written to detail her life in NYC and her potential long distance relationship with Richard, who clearly adores her, she might still disappoint me in her careless ways. Lou is just that sort of person.
Despite all of this disappointment, Lou's stories are worth reading. They are like nothing I have ever read before. Especially Me Before You. It will always be one of my very favorite books.
Happy reading everyone!
:) Dodie
Friday, October 2, 2015
#47: The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy
I promised myself that I was done reading books about WW2 for a while. I typically love these stories, but I find that I just get so saddened by them that I need to pace myself and spread them out a bit. And lately it seems as though WW2 has become such a hot topic, so many new books are touching on this subject matter that it's hard to find a book that isn't about WW2. The Baker's Daughter was recommended to me by a friend and she even loaned me her copy, which was so nice. So, I read it sooner than I usually would in order to get it back to her in a timely fashion. But I am so glad that I did because it was an amazing story--one that I have already recommended to two other friends!
By now we all know the story of WW2. But what, in my opinion, sets The Baker's Daughter apart from other WW2 tales, is that the main characters are German women. How often do you hear their side of this story? Even more fresh and unique is that McCoy parallels the story of Elsie, the Baker's Daughter, with that of Reba, a reporter trying to get a story on German Christmastime traditions. On top of it, McCoy mixes in letters that Elsie and her sister Hazel write to each other during the war. All of this makes for a novel that is unique and special. Being truthful, parts of the story were horrific--it is a story about WW2 after all, but the story as a whole was inspiring and beautiful. And a reminder, once again, that we will never know the stories of every person touched and impacted by WW2. Even though we should.
Read this one. It's fantastic!
Happy reading!
:) Dodie
By now we all know the story of WW2. But what, in my opinion, sets The Baker's Daughter apart from other WW2 tales, is that the main characters are German women. How often do you hear their side of this story? Even more fresh and unique is that McCoy parallels the story of Elsie, the Baker's Daughter, with that of Reba, a reporter trying to get a story on German Christmastime traditions. On top of it, McCoy mixes in letters that Elsie and her sister Hazel write to each other during the war. All of this makes for a novel that is unique and special. Being truthful, parts of the story were horrific--it is a story about WW2 after all, but the story as a whole was inspiring and beautiful. And a reminder, once again, that we will never know the stories of every person touched and impacted by WW2. Even though we should.
Read this one. It's fantastic!
Happy reading!
:) Dodie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)