Books of 2017

What I Read 2017

You know I love to tell you all what I read in 2017. I read 32 books. It would seem I am more partial to non-fiction.

Favorite 5
Chosen because these are the books I talked the most about in 2017 and to me that is a mark of a great book.

The Life We Bury by A Esken
The Magnolia Story by Chip and JoAnn Gaines
Outlier by M Gladwell
Cafe by the Sea by J Colgan
The Story of a Good Marriage by A Patchett

*runner ups
The Sound of Gravel by R Warnier
Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith
The Woman in Cabin 10 by R Warner
Trespassing Across America  by K Ilgunas

Here is the Monthly Breakdown

January
Better Than New by Nicole Curtis
Wish You Happy Forever by J Bowen
The Life We Bury by A Esken

February
The Sound of Gravel by R Warnier
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

March
Girls of Riyadh by R Alsanea

April
A Tender Struggle by K Bremer
Rise  by C Brookins
Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden

May
Finding Fraser by KC Dyer
Outlander by D Gabaldon

June
The Last Season by E Blehm
Life in Motion by M Copeland
Sisi by A Pataki
The Daring Ladies of Lowell by K Alcott
The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel
Trespassing Across America by K Ilgunas

July
The House by the Lake by T Harding
The Other Einstein
Voyager by D Gabaldon
The Wild Truth by Carnie McCandless

August
Traveling Light by L Branard
Unearthed by A Risen
At Home in the World by T Oxenreider
Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith

September
Outlier by M Gladwell
Cafe by the Sea by J Colgan

October
True Crime Addict by J Renner

November

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

December

June by M Bevelry -Whittemore
The Duchess by D Steele
The Story of a Good Marriage by A Patchett
The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne
The Whistler by J Grisham

What I Read November

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone is reading.

Sometimes November reading is hit or miss.  When I am stressed, I like to re-read books I have read already.  I have been re-reading Outlander perhaps not the best use of my time but a lovely diversion from my real life.

Something new to me I read was the Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.  This book had been hyped a lot last year.  Since I get my books through my local library, it seems like I read books a year later than everyone else. I thought it was good and suspenseful. The general story line is Lo, a travel writer, boards a luxury yacht/cruise ship on its maiden voyage and sees something unsavory.  I really didn't see that ending coming .  I liked it.  I also love that it is a book I can recommend to my Mom.

What I Read October

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading this month. This is a double link up as I am also doing my Word to Your Mother Series with the 31 day writers.

I have been watching the Oxygen show The Disappearance of Maura Murray.

They interviewed James Renner so I thought I would check out his book called True Crime Addict - How I lost myself in the mysterious disappearance of Maura Murray. This was an incredibly quick read for me.  It is kinda a scary place inside James Renner's mind.  He has an interesting back story and why it led him to this story. It seems that everyone has a theory on what happened to Maura and Renner discusses what might be his. There seems to be a certain synchronicity to James Renner's life and those who lives he investigates. I don't think I totally agree with his theory on what happened to Maura but it was a good read.

link to the Word to Your Mother Series
check out Write31Days

What I Read September

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading!

I took Modern Mrs Darcy's Reading Personality Quiz and one of the books Recommended was Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan.

I loved it.  The Setting is an Island in Scotland.  It is the perfect escape novel. Flora works in London after fleeing her home in Scotland is sent back on a special assignment for her boss. Of course, there is family drama and romance.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

I thought this was a really thought provoking book. I guess it was my nerdy read of the fall.  If you have ever wondered what makes people successful, this book is for you.   There is stuff about when the best hockey players are born, why the Beattles became famous, and if valedictorians go on to be successful. All this and more is explored in this book. I kinda geek out on that kind of stuff. Gladwell presents the information in a accessible way.  I kept reading parts out aloud to my husband. This is the first book that the Seahawks Micheal Bennett picked for their book club.

What I Read August

I feel like I am having an odd summer.  I am having serious Wanderlust.  So this is what my reading selections are mainly reflecting. I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading.

Dear Bob and Sue - One Couple's Journey through the National Parks. This took me a bit to get into. This is written as a series of letters/emails to Bob and Sue friends of Matt and Karen Smith.  They visited all 59 National Parks.  They even visited American Samoa.  I think their journey is amazing.

At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider

" Choosing stability over volatility means staying put when life throws a curveball. It mean digging in your heels when the economy sends your housing price crashing, or when community crime rates skyrocket. Possibly harder, stability means staying put when life gets boring."

That spoke to me in my right now, right now.  I have a serious case of wanderlust.  My summer has been grounded for various reasons and quite frankly it is boring to me.  The closest thing to going anywhere is reading about it.

This book has been reviewed a lot so I am not going to do that and just say READ THIS.  It is interesting, thought provoking, and enjoyable.

Unearthed by Alexandra Risen

What is it with gardeners and uneasy relationships with their parents.  Alexander and her husband buy a house with a huge overgrown garden.  As they unearth the garden, Alexander has to confront her growing up in an immigrant household where people don't talk about the past. Similar in some ways to Orchard House which by the way I LOVED. I loved the map of the garden at the front of book.  I would of loved bigger pictures other than the one's on the inside of book cover. Overall I thought this was interesting book

Traveling Light by Lynee Branard

I really liked this light read.  Al (Alissa)  buys a storage locker and finds the ashes of Roger Hart.  She decides to get Rogers ashes back to his family in New Mexico.  Her adventure takes her across the country and along the way she picks up some other passengers including 17 year old Blossom.

What I Read July

I am linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  If you haven't taken her reading personality quiz YOU SHOULD. My reading personality is escapist.  I thought the book test was spot on. 

The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless

If you read Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer about Chris McCandless his escape into the wilds of Alaska and ultimate death this book explores more of the McCandless family dynamics.  Carine, his sister, gives us the back story of their turbulent home life and just how that might of contributed to her brother's escape into the wild.

Voyager by Diane Gabaldon

I have continued on in the Outlander Series.  I think I am ready to take a break from Jamie and Claire.

The Other Einstein

This book is about Einstein's first wife Mileva who was a physicists and mathematician in her own right. There is much speculation that she was more than a supporter and rather a contributor to Einstein's theories. I honestly don't think Einstein would of come up with many of his theories without Mileva. This book also addresses the fact that in that day and age to be an educated woman was tough and even harder to be a scientist. I found the book interesting. This book is part of the Big Library Read

I don't know if anybody else has been watching the National Geographical Channel program, "Genius", on Albert Einstein.  I think this would be a great companion to watch while reading this book.

The House by the Lake by Thomas Harding

This book is about a house in Germany first owned by the Alexander's by the lake in Grob Glienicke. Thomas Harding sets off to find the house with his Grandmother in 1993 who remembers it as a safe haven during the rise of Hilter.  20 years later when Thomas returns to visit the house, the house is about to be demolish.  The story is of 5 families and the history of Germany and how they lived in the house.  This is also a story about how Thomas set off to save the lake house. I found the book fascinating.

What I Read June

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy.  Check out what everyone else is reading this month. I managed to read quite a lot of books this month. I was on a roll.

Trespassing Across America By Ken Ilgunas

When I picked this up, I thought that this was perhaps too liberal of book for me.  The cover intrigued me.  I didn't really want to read about the Alaskan Pipeline. I can say why Ken is not for the pipeline but he got me to think about the pipeline as he walked what would be the route of the pipeline.  I thought it was thoughtful and there is something there for both liberals and conservatives. This was an incredibly interesting book about the many sides of the pipeline and where it runs through the US and the people along it.

What is the solution? How will we get there? If we could travel five hundred years into the future and see things turned out okay, how did we make it okay, and how can we now, as individuals  and as a country, make real this future of okayness.- Ken Ilgunas

A pipeline is built to send a resource form a place that has a lot of resources to a place that doesn't. But civilization won't collapse without new oil pipelines, it'll will collapse without clean water, healthy soil, and a stable climate. What we ultimately  need, it seems , cannot be delivered by a pipe.- Ken Ilgunas

The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randel

I had a hard time putting this down.  It was intriguing read about Empress Wu and what happens behind palace doors. Of course, there is back stabbing, romance, political intrigue. There is a sequel to this book but I haven't read it yet.

Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott

This was OK for me. Set in the early start of the industrial age and talks about the girls who work in the cotton mill in Lowell. There was mystery and romance.  This is a good summer read.

Sisi by Allison Pataki

Married to Emperor Franz Joseph, Elisabeth—fondly known as Sisi—captures the hearts of her people as their “fairy queen,” but beneath that dazzling persona lives a far more complex figure. In mid-nineteenth-century Vienna, the halls of the Hofburg Palace buzz not only with imperial waltzes and champagne but with temptations, rivals, and cutthroat intrigue. Feeling stifled by strict protocols and a turbulent marriage, Sisi grows restless. A free-spirited wanderer, she finds solace at her estate outside Budapest. There she rides her beloved horses and enjoys visits from the Hungarian statesman Count Andrássy, the man with whom she’s unwittingly fallen in love. But tragic news brings Sisi out of her fragile seclusion, forcing her to return to her capital and a world of gossip, envy, and sorrow where a dangerous fate lurks in the shadows.- Amazon review

This was an interesting read. I am a sucker for this type of historical fiction.

Life in Motion by Misty Copeland

This was a Modern Mrs Darcy recommendation for a memoir.  I have been a fan of Misty for a while. I find her back story on how she became a ballerina fascinating. You can't but help but admire Misty's drive. Misty is a remarkable woman and dancer.

The Last Season by Eric Blehm

The story of a missing back country ranger, Randy Morgenson,  and the resulting search in the Sierra Nevada's.  The mystery why he disappeared . Wow, this book was hard to put down true story.  Some parts of this reminded me of Ranger Confidential. I am in awe of the jobs our Rangers do in National Parks.

What I Read May

 It was a bit of a slow reading month for me.

I feel like I should go to the reading confessional.  I re-read Outlander after watching the first season on DVD.  It is on the racy side but I thought well done

So I read Outlander in book form and Dragonfly in Amber in e book format. I am waiting to read Voyager .

So in the mean time I read fan fiction but recommended by Diana Gabaldon herself Finding Fraser by KC Dyer.  It was a quick chick lit book and I enjoyed it.

Emma quits her job and travels to Scotland to find her Jaime Fraser.  Her sister does not approve. She starts a blog to detail her adventures. Emma starts by visiting the landmarks found in the book Outlander.  She has lots of mishaps and challenges.  You'll have to read if she finds her Jaime Fraser.

Spring Fever Book Reviews

Once again, I am linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  This was a better reading month for me.

I was so excited to get the Floret Cut Flower Garden book.  Floret is actually not to far from where I live. I have been following Erin's blog for a bit. This is book is so good.

I am anxious to get out in my garden. I have been talking about how inspired I am to have a cut flower garden this year. Mine will be small. Erin makes a Cut Flower Garden so approachable.  The pictures in this book are amazing. I can't stop gushing about this book.

Loved this article - What happened to traditional floral bouquets?

Rise  by Cara Brookins is another book I tackled this past month.  I think many people may have heard of Cara's house building project using YouTube videos.  This book was brought to my attention through this article by CNN. This is really a remarkable story of a single Mom to 4 kids building a home.  Cara is a domestic abuse survivor and the remarkable behind the story of her journey of rebuilding her life after leaving her abusive husband and prior to that a husband that was a scary schizophrenic. You can't not read this and not admire Cara and her kids.  They are survivors. This book isn't eloquently written but it is raw and real. If you can build a house, you can do anything.

Lastly, I read A Tender Struggle by Krista Bremer.  This book I had the most mixed feelings about. The language in this book is beautiful.  I think the word pictures is what kept me reading.  This is a memoir about Krista's marriage to a Muslim from Libya.  Krista describes herself as a feminist.  This is a true story about a marriage of people from 2 very different cultures. Krista retells her visit to Libya when Muammar Gaddafi was in power. Sometimes it was a bit raw but it was definitely interesting.

What I Read March

I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy and her Quick Lit Linky. Please check out what everyone else is reading. I had a sad reading month clocking in with exactly one book. This is sadness, folks

I read Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea in one day.  I rarely have such a luxury but had a rare free afternoon and this was a compelling faster read.  As all readers know time to sit uninterrupted, that is a beautiful gift. Girls of Riyadh  follows 4 Saudi Woman and their relationships and love.  I think when we are from the western world the Saudi culture is foreign and hard to understand. I am fascinated by their culture and how relationships, love, and marriage work. In the thinking of Modern Mrs Darcy book flights, I think the books by Zoe Ferraris -  Finding Nouf, City of Veils, Kingdom of Strangers would make a great book flight with the Girls of Riyadh.

What I Read February

Book Read Printable from Starts at Eight

I am once again linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading. I slowed down on my reading a bit but I had some interesting reads none the less.

I read Chip and JoAnna Gaines book, The Magnolia Story.

I really enjoyed it.  I keep bringing it up in conversations with my husband. Last month, I read Nicole Curtis's book, Better Than New (my review) You can't help but compare the two as both are passionate about old houses, risk taking, and flipping houses. I did enjoy The Magnolia Story more. I found myself discussing with my husband The Magnolia Story a lot.  I really admire Chip and Joanna Gaines. This is a good quick read.

The Sound of Gravel -This is a true story about Ruth who grew up in a Polygamous family.  Ruth was the 39th of 42 children by her father. Her biological father is murdered by another member of their church. Parts of this book are incredibly raw. There is sexual abuse by Ruth's step father.  The family moves between Mexico and the United States.  It is a childhood of hardship.  Eventually Ruth is able to essentially escape and begin a new life wtih her siblings. This is a fascinating and gripping story.

January Edition " What I Read"

Reading Log from Starts at Eight. I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone else is reading.

The Life We Bury by Allen Esken.  This is a story that really draws you in. I found this book hard to put down.  I read this during Christmas.

Joe a college student is tasked to write a biography of a stranger for his English Teacher.  He ends up writing a biography of Carl, a Vietnam Veteran, who is also a convicted murderer.  Carl is confined to a nursing home with just a few months to live.  Carl spent 30 years in jail for the crimes of murder and rape.  Joe research into Carl's life leads him on some adventures that end up involving another college student and Joe's  autistic brother. This is a bit on the graphic side but the story is really compelling.  Excellent Read!

Wish You Happy Forever by Jenny Bowen

The hot reads table at the library got me again. It think what is so compelling about this true story is how much love Jenny has for the orphans in China.  Jenny not only adopted 2 Chinese girls but she developed an organization called, Half the Sky, that is organization devoted to improving Chinese orphanages by changing the operating practices from the inside out. They worked as partners with China to radically improve orphanages.

Better Than New by Nicole Curtis  - Nicole is passionate about Old Houses, Old People, and Old Dogs.  I found her book fascinating.  Nicole is also kinda a polarizing figure in real life with strong opinions on restoring old houses.  I can see where she might rub people the wrong way.  I found her story interesting and a quick read.  Last year seemed to be the year of flipping houses books with Nicole Curtis's book and the Gaines Book Magnolia House.  I am guessing these are radically different in their take on restoring houses and life. I am on the hold list for Magnolia House.