LATE DECEMBER
Snot Stew, by Bill Wallace (1988)
It's rough being a kitten. Bill Wallace was amazing at writing in first-person POV.
Pudd'nhead Wilson, by Mark Twain (1894)
An eccentric lawyer in rural Missouri solves a murder due to his unusual habit of collecting fingerprints. Also, racial tension plays a role.
Total read this month: 2.
JANUARY
There's Treasure Everywhere, by Bill Watterson (1996)
A collection of Calvin and Hobbes strips.
At Home in Mitford, by Jan Karon (1994)
Our introduction to the residents of Mitford, North Carolina.
Rebecca, by Daphne de Maurier (1938)
For Gothic Film and Lit. This was a good book; very introspective and realistic as a young bride learns about her rich husband's mysterious past.
The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson (1959)
For Gothic Film and Lit. Shirley Jackson was great at writing things just ever-so-slightly off. It's a good example of a haunted-house story.
Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline (2011)
Read to understand its current popularity in pop culture. Too unstructured to be good, but the idea was great.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith (1956)
A wonderfully British tale of dogs trying to find their way back home after rescuing their kidnapped offspring.
Total read this month: 6, bringing fiction total to 8.
FEBRUARY
The Woman in Black, by Susan Hill (1983)
For Gothic Film and Lit. A ghost story, simply dreadfully-written when it comes to quality.
Jayber Crow: The Life Story of Jayber Crow, Barber, of the Port William Membership, As Written By Himself, by Wendell Berry (2000)
That subtitle pretty well sums it up.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain (1876)
A classic of American children's lit.
The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James (1898)
This book raises many more questions than it answers. For Gothic Film and Lit.
The Longest Ride, by Nicholas Sparks (2013)
An elderly man trapped after a car wreck is cut back and forth with the romance of a bull rider and an art history student. The intersection of the two stories is handled well.
Rosemary's Baby, by Ira Levin (1967)
A woman's neighbors kidnap her newborn baby as she discovers they are a group of Satanist witches. For Gothic Film and Lit, and it definitely fell onto the far edge of the "horror" side of Gothic. Besides that, the characters were flat and the tone far too dated. It was dreadful.
The Shining, by Stephen King (1977)
The first two-thirds of this book are Gothic, the last third is horror. It's a good read, much better than the movie. For Gothic Film and Lit.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume (1972)
9-year-old Peter tries to deal with his annoying toddler brother Fudge, who causes mayhem and disaster everywhere.
The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton (1967)
Growing up in 1960's Tulsa was tough if you were from the wrong side of the tracks, and a teenager decided to do something about it, writing a novel after a friend of hers was beaten up for needing a haircut. This is an amazing use of first-person narration.
Total read this month: 9, bringing fiction total to 17.
MARCH
Grave Heritage, by Blanche Manos (2016)
The fourth book of the Darcy and Flora Cozy Mysteries, there are thirty scenes of people drinking coffee or tea, and that doesn't include meals eaten. It was pretty good in a printed-Hallmark-movie way. And Blanche was Mimi's best friend.
Jim the Boy, by Tony Earley (2000)
Set in the western North Carolina town of Aliceville in 1934, this book follows Jim Glass throughout the year he turned ten. There are shades of E.B. White, Mark Twain and Wendell Berry in the author's writing style.
The Blue Star, by Tony Earley (2008)
Jim is seventeen now, in his senior year of high school, and Pearl Harbor was just bombed. The total lack of familiarity with Indians from the townspeople was really strange to witness. (Jim's sort-of girlfriend Chrissie is -gasp- half Cherokee, which for some reason is a huge problem for everybody.)
We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson (1962)
Even for something Shirley Jackson wrote, this was messed up. But it was a very well-constructed mystery, I'll give it that. For Gothic Film and Lit.
Where the Heart Is, by Billie Letts (1995)
She was a professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State, and her son wrote the play August, Osage County, which the film adaptation of was almost shot at the Joneses' house. This was adapted into a movie starring Natalie Portman; and the town of Sequoyah is Claremore. (In the book I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be Sallisaw.) Anyway, this is probably southern Gothic, given the focus on weird characters. They are bizarre, but it's abnormally right, because that's how people act in real life. It was a hard read at times, given the awful events described, but overall I think I liked this one.
Total read this month: 5, bringing total fiction to 22.
APRIL
True Neutral, by Joliet Sharpe (2017)
Julie Gear wrote this LOTR imitation, which is why I read it. Fantasy isn't my genre, but it was okay.
The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, translated by Lucia Graves (2001)
A bookstore employee tries to track down more works by the author of his favorite novel, becoming enmeshed in a sprawling mystery leading to murder. Worthwhile to read, though I'm not immediately sure why. For Gothic Film and Lit.
Marvels, by Kurt Busiek (words) and Alex Ross (illustrations) (1993)
This graphic novel grapples with what it means to be human in a world of superheroes, through the eyes of a career photojournalist named Phil Sheldon, who lost an eye early in his career as a young man from collateral damage in a Human Torch-Namor fight. It ends with his retirement just after the death of Gwen Stacy. This is a fantastic piece of literature.
Hannah Coulter, by Wendell Berry (2004)
Hannah Coulter, who married Nathan after he came back from WWII, tells her life story over from fall 2000-spring 2001. It's sad and thoughtful and pleasant and miserable and right, like all of his fiction.
The Story Girl, by L.M. Montgomery (1911)
A man recalls the adventures he and his cousins shared one year. Not much plot, they just live.
Total read this month: 5, bringing fiction total to 27.
MAY
The Golden Road, by L.M. Montgomery (1913)
More adventures of the King cousins, and possibly my favorite Montgomery book ever.
The Violent Bear It Away, by Flannery O'Connor (1955)
Francis Tarwater tries to escape the memory of his grandfather by running away to the city, and the home of the only other relative he has, his uncle. It's kind of incomprehensible, but worth reading, somehow.
Airframe, by Michael Crichton (1996)
Investigators try to determine why a plane crashed. It's not my favorite Crichton, but it was worth reading.
Excursions: A Collection of Short Stories, by Emily Dial-Driver (2016)
Dial-Driver short stories are exactly what you would expect if you've taken one of her courses - interesting, but offbeat.
Conjunction: A Novel of Manners and Murder, by Emily Dial-Driver (2017)
This was odd but memorable - as it should have been, written by Dr. Dial-Driver. It was a romance, with murder attached.
A Light in the Window, by Jan Karon (1995)
The second Mitford book, in which Edith Mallory causes trouble and Father Tim and Cynthia get lost in a cave.
Total read this month: 6, bringing total fiction to 33.
JUNE
A World Lost, by Wendell Berry (1996)
As an adult, Andy Catlett tries to process his childhood memories of his uncle's murder. Not Berry's best, but still worth reading.
The Little Sister, by Raymond Chandler (1949)
A Phillip Marlowe, classic hardboiled detective read. Amazing descriptions.
A Common Life, by Jan Karon (2001)
Chronologically the third Mitford book, this tells about Father Tim and Cynthia's wedding.
These High Green Hills, by Jan Karon (1996)
Father Tim and Cynthia are married now, but that doesn't mean their difficulties end...
Chronicles of Avonlea, by L.M. Montgomery (1912)
A series of short stories about Avonlea folks.
Total read this month: 5, bringng total fiction to 38.
JULY
Stuart Little, by E.B. White (1945)
Stuart Little looks very much like a mouse, and this book tells about his adventures.
Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White (1952)
This is a heartbreaking, wonderful book about friendship.
The Trumpet of the Swan, by E.B. White (1970)
Lots of "Andy's" childhood history found its way into this book, written in his early seventies.
Civil War, by Mike Millar, illustrated by Steve McNiven (2006)
The Marvel Universe gets political in this graphic novel after a disaster blows up an elementary school....things will never be the same.
Total read this month: 4, bringing total fiction to 42.
AUGUST
The New Moon With the Old, by Dodie Smith (1963)
Four young-adult siblings have to find their way into the Big Scary World after their father runs away from imprisonment.
The Redheaded Outfield and Other Stories, by Zane Grey (1920)
Short stories about base ball.
Play Ball!, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Robbie wants to play baseball this summer in the city's middle-school league so bad he invents a fictional cousin to give the team enough players.
Home Run Hero, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Wilson struggles with learning how to play catcher and adjust his goofy-looking batting stance.
Team Player, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Trent worries over Robbie and Gloria's constant trash talking and its effect on the Scrappers' morale.
Look Who's Talking, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Spacey pitcher Ollie tries to trick himself into not audibly talking to himself on the mound, therreby telling the opposition what he's going to throw.
Bases Loaded, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Gloria's temper results in a fistfight, a forfeiture, and almost the end of the Scrappers' season.
No Easy Out, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Equally-spacey pitcher Adam struggles with how much to help his cousin Stan with his hitting, since they play in the same league.
Take Your Base, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Jeremy tries to overcome his smallness, with mixed results.
No Fear, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Tracy is justifiably scared of the ball now, after getting smashed in the face by a hard grounder in a key game. But that's a really bad thing to happen for the starting second baseman....
Grand Slam, by Dean Hughes (1999)
Thurlow never wanted to be part of the Scrappers, but they grew on him. And they finally have a shot to beat the hated Mustangs for the league championship.
The Ordinary Princess, by M.M. Kaye (1980)
Not all princesses are perfect... This is an amazing fairy tale.
Roller Hockey Radicals, by Matt Christopher (1998)
A boy named Kirby makes new friends in his new city while discovering roller hockey.
The Kill Order, by James Dashner (2012)
Before the Maze, and the Scorch, there was a world falling apart, and survivors trying to live another day.
Total read this month: 14, bringing total to 56.
SEPTEMBER
The Fever Code, by James Dashner (2016)
Tells the story of how WICKED built the Maze.
My Antonia, by Willa Cather (1918)
Young adulthood and the complexities of love are some of the subjects detailed in this Nebraska-set terrific classic, which I can't believe it took me so long to get around to reading.
A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks (1999)
In 1950's South Carolina, the preacher's daughter falls in love with the senator's son.
Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott (1952)
The script of the play the movie was based on.
Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters 1915)
A novel written in poetry about the town of Spoon River, written in short poems by the deceased in the graveyard. Kind of sad, but a very interesting angle to write from.
Tarzan of the Apes, by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1914)
The novel that started the legend of Tarzan. It was unbelievably racist, to the point where I had a hard time finishing it.
Total read this month: 6, bringing total to 62.
OCTOBER
The Last Newspaper Boy in America, by Sue Corbett (2009)
A nerdy homeschooled 12-year-old tries to save his paper route.
We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart (2014)
Cadence tries to deal with young love, drug addiction and the guilt of accidentally murdering her cousins and best friends in this YA ghost story. It failed as a ghost story, but the mind of an addict was well captured.
Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary (1983)
Sad, but good (and Newbery-winning) story of a boy writing letters to his favorite author.
The Complete Short Stories of Flannery O'Connor, by Flannery O'Connor (1971)
All the stories she had published.
Star Wars: X-Wing: Mercy Kill, by Aaron Allston (2012)
One of the last Expanded Universe novels before The Force Awakens erased thirty years of post-Original Trilogy history, the spies of Wraith Squadron reassemble fifteen years after retirement for a new mission.
The Blood Race, by K.A. Emmons (2017)
This was written by one of Susan's friends, so that's why I read it. Fantasy isn't my genre, but the premise of two people a hundred years apart being 'half-souls" is kind of interesting.
Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen (1818)
A parody of Gothic novels; very funny in an Austen-ish way.
Zits Supersized, by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman (2003)
The third year of Zits strips is in this treasury.
Big Honkin' Zits, by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman (2001)
The second year of Zits strips.
Total read this month: 9, bringing total fiction to 71.
NOVEMBER
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding (1954)
Boys are stranded on an island, mostly go crazy and murder each other.
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett (2009)
Skeeter Phelan, a recent college graduate, decides to interview the black maids in town for a book during the unrest in 1963 Jackson, Mississippi. If Harper Lee were alive today, this would be what Mockingbird would have looked like.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, by Kate Douglas Wiggin (1903)
Rebecca Randall is a more realistic version of Anne Shirley, and came five years earlier.
The Evangelist, by William R. King (2016)
A pastor gets shot and converts his psychatrist thanks to the help of an angel.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy, by T. Davis Bunn (1997)
A saccharine tale of an English village's struggle to keep an orphanage afloat at the close of WWII.
To Be Where You Are, by Jan Karon (2017)
The fourteenth of the Mitford series chronicles Dooley and Lace's newly-married life, a Barlowe family reconciliation and the death of Esther Bolick.
Total read this month: 6, bringing total fiction to 77.
DECEMBER
Wonder, by R.J. Palacio (2012)
This novel was far too real. Books are supposed to be an escape.
A Minnesota Book of Days, by Howard Mohr (1989)
A writer for The Prairie Home Companion wrote this loose history of Harold Mire and his wife Ethel as they go through 1988 in rural Minnesota.
Persuasion, by Jane Austen (1817)
A woman falls in love and the aristocracy is satirized in Austen's final novel.
Total read this month: 3, bringing total fiction this year to 80.
No comments:
Post a Comment