Year in Books 2014: Highlights

I always enjoy the book chat that abounds at this time of the year. Casting a look over my own Goodreads I see that once again I’ve read at least 200 books during the past year, as I wasn’t always diligent in recording I know I read more.

Taking a look at your readings in its yearly entirety can be a little sobering, this year I’ve read way too much light fiction, plenty of mysteries and a little too much Christian romance.  Though I did find towards the end of the year some novels with substance and also discovered the pleasures of some light Catholic literature and dabbled a little with health and diet books.  I can see a need in 2015 to actually plan my readings, in the past I’ve made resolutions and had good intentions to read ‘meatier fare’ but I know I need to compile a deliberate list.
Any list recommendations or must read books you can suggest? 


As for the past year sharing a few highlights from each month:

January
The beginning of the year saw me on a Biggles binge, re-reading old friends.  With a newborn it was probably all I was mentally capable of.

February
Made up for January’s lightness in style and reviewed most

• Discovered Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy mysteries which I absolutely loved.
• Read Lorna Barnett and Jade del Cameron mysteries which were so so.
• Devoured Terri Blackstock’s Restoration Novels, initially I was irritated by the characters then I became engrossed.
• Read the Book Thief, so popular with many but I didn’t like the writing style.
• Loved Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours which I raved about.

March
Delved into Christian fiction and tried a bit of Christian romance

• Was ‘on my seat’ with Deliver Us From Evil – Robin Caroll, suspense mixed with romance
• Read Rekindled – Tamera Alexander, a Fountain Creek Chronicle novel, a reflection of a marriage and a second chance.

April
Read some more Christian romance, trying to find an author as enjoyable as Janette Oke, continue to be disappointed

• Acceptable Loss – Anne Perry a William Monk mystery. Perry still remains my all time favourite mystery writer:)

May
Read a couple of auto-biographies as well as mysteries

• Something Other Than God – Jennifer Fulwiler, enjoyed:)
• Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape – Jenna Miscavige Hill, riveted, horrified!
• The Potter’s Field – Ellis Peters a Brother Cadfael mystery. Mystery and history my two favourite genres
• Blind Justice – Anne Perry, another William Monk mystery

June
Experimented with a bit of chick lit and discovered a new mystery author

• Read Jodi Thomas’ Widows of Wichita County
• and Emilie Richards’ Happiness Key
• Enjoyed Anne Perry’s Blood on Water, a new William Monk Mystery
• Discovered Charles Todd, reading An Impartial Witness and a Duty to The Dead, both Bess Crawford mysteries

July
Tried some non-fiction

• Nutrient Power – William J Walsh, too technical and not the answers I was searching for
• The Geno-type Diet – Peter d’Adamo the premise of this book with 12 people and so many different types/needs would be a nightmare diet to follow!

August
A couple of new mystery series discovered and a couple of new health books read

• Read more Charles Todd’s mysteries, discovering his Ian Rutledge series, read all 8 books our library had.
• Discovered Linda Castillo’s Kate Burkholder mysteries, beginning with Her Last Breath, found the main character fascinating and enjoyed the mysteries, read all three our library had.
• Went on a Brother Cadfael – Ellis Peters binge, reading all I could find
• Borrowed Trim Healthy Mama from inter-library loan. Whilst I agreed in parts they really lost me with their sugar substitutes and a lifestyle that supports so much dessert consumption.
• What Your Doctor May Not Tell you About Depression – Michael B Schachter, very helpful

September

• The Reading Promise – Alice Ozma, ‘everyone’ was raving about this book but I couldn’t see the excitement.

October
Read a few books of real substance

• The Atonement Child – Francine Rivers, loved, loved, loved this book.  A total pro-life message in a non preachy manner, a must read!
• Let Her Go – Dawn Barker, a powerful message about surrogacy. Explored the feelings of the mother who ‘let her daughter go’ via surrogacy, and the lack of society’s acceptance for her feelings.
• New York Parent’s Guide to the Best Books for Children, I always enjoy reading books about books, constantly searching for good recs
• Running Like a Girl – Alexandria Heminsley, totally different to my usual type of book. Whilst I found the author irritating (she was a real princess) the story stayed with me
• Discovered The Mermaid in the Basement my first of Gilbert Morris’ Lady Trent Mysteries, read a couple more and enjoyed them

November
New mystery authors discovered, a couple of books with Catholic themes and a book on style

• Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death – James Runcie a Grantchester Mystery, enjoyed
• Vow of Compassion – Veronica Black a Sr Joan Mystery and two others. Sr Joan belongs to a contemplative order but she is the lay sister (can move between ‘both worlds’). Totally enjoyed her interactions within the world and the glimpse of the community of the Sisters.
• The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd, Catholic themes, but strange
• Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile: Dressing Your Truth – Carol Tuttle, I drove everyone mad obsessing talking about this book. It really made me accept myself for who I am, and brought and understanding as to why I am drawn to certain fabrics, patterns, styles

December
Another series with a Catholic flavour and a new title by a favourite author

• A Miracle for St Cecilia’s – Katherine Valentine – A Christmas gift, devoured already, the first in a series.  Loved the spiritual interwoven with the everyday, an ordinary parish life, living ordinary lives, working with God
• Every Living Thing – James Herriot, one I hadn’t read! enjoyed:)

Children’s Books
Read a little more to the children in 2014 than I did in the previous year, determined though to read yet more in the new year. Sharing our best reads.

• Happy Little Family – Rebecca Caudill, sweet
• The Hobbit – JR Tolkien, totally loved!
• Break In At The Bascilia – Dianne Ahern, a little credulous but enjoyable Catholic lit
• The Curse of the Coins – Dianne Ahern more of the series, the younger children love these
• Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, an old, old favourite, I think our fourth time round
• Alvin Fernald, Foreign Trader – Clifford  B Hicks, children enjoyed but I confess I found it boring
• A Little Child’s Life of Jesus – Amy Steedman, gentle
• Read to myself
• A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story – Linda Sue Park. Set in Sudan, gripping, fascinating twist at the end!
• Elsie Dinsmore – Martha Finley – Absolutely loathed this book, ranted and raved to all with great passion, am determined to burn the entire set/s!