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| Raegan's still reading |
Days after the previous
reading photo, Raegan is still reading. What better way for me to start our reading year than showing you a young lady who loves to read? In May 2011, I gave Raegan
more books for her second birthday, and one book stopped the party until Raegan's mother read it to her. In July, Raegan was
still reading, Doctor Seuss this time.
====================================================
Books read in the first half of 2011
Title links go to book reviews, if I've written one.
The list for the second half of the year is
here.
JANUARY
1.
Forge ~ by Laurie Halse Anderson, 2010, YA fiction, 8/10
2.
Have You Got My Purr? ~ by Judy West and Tim Warnes, 1999, children's picture book, 8/10
3.
A Place Called Freedom ~ by Ken Follett, 1995, fiction, 8/10
4.
Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name ~ by Vendela Vida, 2007, fiction (Finland), 9/10
5.
Harriet the Spy ~ by Louise Fitzhugh, 1964, children's, 9/10
6.
Little Bee ~ by Chris Cleave, 2008, fiction (Nigeria and England), 9/10
7.
The Cat in the Hat ~ by Dr. Seuss, 1957, children's, 9/10
8.
Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know ~ by John C. Maxwell, 2003, philosophy, 8/10
9.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (30th Anniversary edition) ~ by William Zinsser, 1976, 2006, writing, 9/10
10.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks ~ by E. Lockhart, 2008, YA fiction, 8/10
11.
Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men's Journey to Bethlehem ~ by Brent Landau, 2010, religion, 8/10
12.
Hanna's Daughters ~ by Marianne Fredriksson, 1994 (English 1996, 1998), fiction (Sweden), 8/10
13.
The Age of Orphans ~ by Laleh Kadivi, 2009, fiction (Persia/Iran), 8/10
14.
If I Stay ~ by Gayle Forman, 2009, YA fiction, 10/10
15.
The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus' Birth ~ by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan, 2007, religion, 2/10
16.
While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam Is Destroying the West from Within ~ by Bruce Bawer, 2006, history, 8/10
17.
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy ~ by Gary D. Schmidt, 2004, YA fiction (Maine), 8/10
18.
Fair Weather ~ by Richard Peck, 2001, YA fiction (Illinois), 8/10
19.
My Name Is Memory ~ by Ann Brashares, 2010, fiction, 8/10
 |
| January favorite (#14) |
6 fiction
5 YA fiction
3 children's
0 essays
0 graphic novels
1 history
0 memoir
1 philosophy
2 religion
0 women's studies
1 writing
_______________
Total = 19
FEBRUARY
20.
Noah's Compass ~ by Anne Tyler, 2009, fiction (Maryland), 7/10
21.
True to Form ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2002, fiction, 9/10 (
teaser, pp. 76-77)
22.
Twenty and Ten ~ by Claire Huchet Bishop, 1952, children's (France), 9/10
23.
The Art of Racing in the Rain ~ by Garth Stein, 2008, fiction, 10/10
24.
City of Light, City of Darkness: A Comic-Book Novel ~ story by Avi, art by Brian Floca, 1993, graphic novel, "nah"
25.
YHWH Is Not a Radio Station in Minneapolis ~ by Craig McNair Wilson, 1983, religion, 8/10
26.
Things Not Seen ~ by Andrew Clements, 2002, YA fiction, 9/10
27.
The Summer Book ~ by Tove Jansson, 1974, fiction (Finland), 7/10
28.
The Year of Pleasures ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2005, fiction (Illinois), 9.5/10
29.
The Last Time I Saw You ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2010, fiction, 7/10
30.
The Handmaid and the Carpenter ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2006, fiction, 8/10
31.
Home Safe ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2009, fiction, 8/10
32.
What We Keep ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 1998, fiction, 8/10
33.
We Are All Welcome Here ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2006, fiction, 7/10
34.
The Art of Mending ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2004, fiction, 9/10
35.
Never Change ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2001, fiction, 9/10
36.
The Story of the "W" Road ~ by Kay Baker Gaston, 1980, history, 8/10
37.
The Night Bookmobile ~ by Audrey Niffenegger, 2010, graphic novel, 9/10
38.
Children Make Terrible Pets ~ by Peter Brown, 2010, children's picture book, 10/10
39.
I Still Dream About You ~ by Fannie Flagg, 2010, fiction (Alabama), 9/10
40.
Open House ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2000, fiction, 7/10
41.
Say When ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2003, fiction, 9/10
42.
Until the Real Thing Comes Along ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 1999, fiction, 9/10
43.
Range of Motion ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 1995, fiction, 7/10
44.
Talk Before Sleep ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 1994, fiction, 9/10
45.
What on Earth Have I Done? : Stories, Observations, and Affirmations ~ by Robert Fulghum, 2007, esssays, 8/10
 |
| February favorite (#23) |
18 fiction
1 YA fiction
2 children's
1 essays
2 graphic novels
1 history
0 memoir
0 philosophy
1 religion
0 women's studies
0 writing
_______________
Total = 26
MARCH
46.
Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis ~ by John R. Coats, 2009, religion, 9/10
47.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda ~ by Tom Angleberger, 2010, children's, 9/10
48.
Joy School ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 1997, fiction, 7/10
49.
Sing You Home ~ by Jodi Picoult, 2011, fiction (Rhode Island), 9.5/10
50.
I Am the Cheese ~ by Robert Cormier, 1977, YA fiction, 7/10
51.
The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears ~ by Dinaw Mengestu, 2007, fiction (DC and Ethiopia), 6/10
52.
Queen of the Underworld ~ by Gail Godwin, 2006, fiction, 7/10
53.
Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States ~ by Bill Bryson, 1994, history, 8/10
54.
A Doll's House ~ by Henrik Ibsen, 1879 (translated by R. Farquharson Sharp and Eleanor Marx-Aveling, 1993), women's studies, 8/10
55.
Every Visible Thing ~ by Lisa Carey, 2006, fiction, 7/10
56.
Missing May ~ by Cynthia Rylant, 1992, YA fiction (West Virginia), 7/10
57.
The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts ~ by Richard Peck, 2004, YA fiction (Indiana), 8/10
58.
Disobedience ~ by Jane Hamilton, 2000, fiction (Chicago, Illinois), 7/10
59.
House of Sand and Fog ~ by Andre Dubus III, 1999, fiction (California), 8/10
60.
The Septembers of Shiraz ~ by Dalia Sofer, 2007, fiction (Iran), 8/10
61.
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire ~ by Jack Weatherford, 2010, history (Mongolia), 8/10
62.
Two or Three Things I Know for Sure ~ by Dorothy Allison, 1995, memoir, 7/10
63.
In the Country of Men ~ by Hisham Matar, 2006, fiction (Libya), 7/10
 |
| March favorite (#49) |
9 fiction
3 YA fiction
1 children's
0 essays
0 graphic novels
2 history
1 memoir
0 philosophy
1 religion
1 women's studies
0 writing
_______________
Total = 18
APRIL
64.
Sixpence House: Lost in a Town of Books ~ by Paul Collins, 2003, memoir (Wales), 8/10
65.
The Red Judge ~ by Pauline Fisk, 2005, YA fiction (Wales), 6/10
66.
The Secret of Sabrina Fludde ~ by Pauline Fisk, 2001, YA fiction (Wales), 6/10
67.
Steal Away Home ~ by Lois Ruby, 1994, YA fiction (Kansas), 9/10
68.
The Dive from Clausen's Pier ~ by Ann Packer, 2002, fiction (Wisconsin and New York), 8/10
69.
How Do I Love You? ~ by Marion Dane Bauer, 2009, children's, 9/10
70.
California Blue ~ by David Klass, 1994, YA fiction (California), 9/10
71.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough ~ by Ruth Pennebaker, 2011, fiction (Texas), 7/10
72.
The Grand Inquisitor ~ by Fyodor Dostoevsky, 1880 (translated by Constance Garnett, 1956 edition), fiction (Spain), 8/10
73.
The Grand Inquisitor ~ by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1880 (translated by David McDuff, 1993), fiction (Spain), 8/10
74.
Leeway Cottage ~ by Beth Gutcheon, 2005, fiction (Maine and Denmark), 9/10
75.
Whale Rider ~ by Witi Tame Ihimaera, 2003, YA fiction (New Zealand), 9/10
76.
Winter's Bone ~ by Daniel Woodrell, 2006, fiction (Missouri Ozarks), 8/10
77.
My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World ~ by Gilles Bachelet, 2004, children's, 10/10
78.
Raining Cats and Dogs ~ by Jane Yolen, 1993, children's, 7/10
79.
The Shell Woman and the King: A Chinese Folktale ~ by Laurence Yep, 1993, children's, 9/10
80.
Six Months to Live ~ by Lurlene McDaniel, 1985, YA fiction (Ohio), 8/10
81.
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! : Voices from a Medieval Village ~ by Laura Amy Schlitz, 2007, children's (England), 10/10
82.
The White Darkness ~ by Geraldine McCaughrean, 2005, YA fiction (Antarctica), 8/10
83.
Domestic Pleasures ~ by Beth Gutcheon, 1991, fiction (New York), 9/10
84.
Still Missing ~ by Beth Gutcheon, 1981, fiction (Massachusetts), 9/10
 |
| April favorite (#81) |
9 fiction
6 YA fiction
5 children's
0 essays
0 graphic novels
0 history
1 memoir
0 philosophy
0 religion
0 women's studies
0 writing
_______________
Total =21
MAY
85.
The Rest of Us: Dispatches from the Mother Ship ~ by Jacquelyn Mitchard, 1997, essays, 9/10
86.
Daughters of the Stone ~ by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa, 2009, fiction (Puerto Rico), 9/10
87.
Ninth Ward ~ by Jewell Parker Rhodes, 2010, YA fiction (Louisiana), 9/10
88.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon ~ by Sarah Addison Allen, 2010, fiction (North Carolina), 9/10
89.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret ~ by Brian Selznick, 2007, YA fiction (France), 10/10
90.
Hickory, Dickory, Dock ~ illustrated by Sanja Rescek, 2006, children's, 8/10
91.
Butterfly in the Garden ~ illustrated by Ana Martin-Larranag, 2006, children's board book, 8/10
92.
Wings: A Book to Touch and Feel ~ by Salina Yoon, 2010, children's board book, 8/10
93.
There Once Was a Puffin ~ by Florence Page Jaques, 1995, children's, 8/10
94.
School for the Blind ~ by Dennis McFarland, 1994, fiction (Florida), 8/10
95.
Lord, Teach Us: The Lord's Prayer and the Christian Life ~ by William H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas, 1996, religion, 7/10
96.
Please Look After Mom ~ by Kyung-sook Shin, 2008 (translation 2011), fiction (South Korea), 8/10
97.
Read One Tonight and Call Me in the Morning: Stories to Make You Feel Better ~ by Richard Speight, 1998, essays, 8/10
98.
31 Hours ~ by Masha Hamilton, 2009, fiction (New York), 8/10
99.
Dear Mr. Henshaw ~ by Beverly Cleary, 1983, YA fiction, 9/10
 |
| May favorite (#89) |
5 fiction
3 YA fiction
4 children's
2 essays
0 graphic novels
0 history
0 memoir
0 philosophy
1 religion
0 women's studies
0 writing
_______________
Total = 15
JUNE
100.
Once Upon a Time There Was You ~ by Elizabeth Berg, 2011, fiction, 8/10
101.
Caleb's Crossing ~ by Geraldine Brooks, 2011, fiction (Massachusetts), 9/10
102.
Not My
Daughter ~ by Barbara Delinsky, 2010, fiction (Maine), 9/10
103.
Clara and Mr. Tiffany ~ by Susan Vreeland, 2001, fiction (New York), 8/10
104.
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise ~ by Ruth Reichl, 2005, memoir (New York), 8/10
105.
A Place to Pray: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer ~ by Roberta C. Bondi, 1998, religion, 9/10
106.
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty ~ by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke, 2010, graphic novel (Illinois), 8/10
107.
The Bird Sisters ~ by Rebecca Rasmussen, 2011, fiction (Wisconsin), 7/10
108.
The Coming Global Superstorm ~ by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber, 2000, science, 9/10
109.
Mother Nature's Greatest Hits: The Top 40 Wonders of the Animal World ~ by Bartleby Nash, 1991, science, 8/10
110.
Bird ~ by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, 2008, children's, 9/10
111.
Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace ~ by Jen Cullerton Johnson, illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler, 2010, biography of Wangari Maathai (Kenya), 9/10
112.
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible ~ by A. J. Jacobs, 2007, memoir/religion, 9/10
113.
The Year of Magical Thinking ~ by Joan Didion, 2005, memoir, 8/10
114.
Go and Come Back ~ by Joan Abelove, 1998, fiction (Peru), 9/10
115.
The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University ~ by Kevin Roose, 2009, memoir (Virginia), 9/10
116.
75 Years: A History of East Lake United Methodist Church 1908-1983 ~ by Bonnie Setliffe Jacobs, 1983, history, 5/10
117.
Animals Are the Funniest People ~ by Professor Percy Niwrad, 1976, humor, 6/10
118.
The English Teacher ~ by Lily King, 2005, fiction (Maine), 9.5/10
119.
The Faded Flower ~ by Paul McCusker, 2001, fiction (Pennsylvania), 8/10
120.
Wild Words from Wild Women: An Unbridled Collection of Candid Observations and Extremely Opinionated Bon Mots ~ compiled by Autumn Stephens, 1993, 1996, women's studies, 8/10
 |
| June favorite (#118) |
8 fiction
0 YA fiction
1 children's
0 essays
1 graphic novels
1 history
1 humor
5 memoir / biography
0 philosophy
1 religion
2 science
1 women's studies
0 writing
_______________
Total = 21
Today's teaser comes from Ken Follett's novel A Place Called Freedom (1995), page 109:
This novel was standing on my shelf beside Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, a chunkster (973 pages) I had decided to start reading that evening. A Place Called Freedom is a considerably smaller mass market paperback (only 437 pages) that I'd seen mentioned favorably on several blogs lately. You can guess which one I picked up. Ken Follett mentions that same scene on his web site:
