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#1. THE LIFE WE BURY by Allen Eskens // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
This book is about a college student who is assigned the task of interviewing a stranger and then writing a biography about him. The student looks into the local nursing home for a subject and meets a Vietnam vet…who is also a convicted murderer. But is he actually guilty of the crime he is accused of committing? Unique and very thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this one. (This is also supposedly the first in a series, so I hope to check that out soon.)
#2. THE UNEXPECTED MRS. POLLIFAX by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★★★
(amazon // better world books)
I loved this book! I know a recent popular literary trope is a senior citizen solving crimes and this is the OG version from the ’60s. Mrs. Pollifax is a widow with grown children and decides one day that she’s going to be a CIA agent. The agency is obviously dumbfounded, but puts her on a case and things go quickly awry. I loved Mrs. Pollifax and her wit and quick thinking, while also being such a grandma. So good. (This was also my 1966 pick for the 20th Century in Literature Challenge.)
#3. THE DITCHDIGGER’S DAUGHTERS: A BLACK FAMILY’S ASTONISHING SUCCESS STORY by Yvonne S. Thornton, MD // ★★★☆☆
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I don’t remember exactly where I heard about this memoir, but I’m glad I read it. Ultimately, it’s the story of a father’s love for his daughters and his dream to help them become respectable and successful adults. Another thought-provoking read. 3.5 stars.
#4. THE MACHINE STOPS by E.M. Forster // ★★★★☆
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At less than 50 pages, this is one I think everyone in 2024 should read. It’s a science fiction (maybe speculative fiction?) short story about humanity’s attachment to “The Machine.” I wrote down pages of quotes in my notebook. Excellent. (This was also my 1909 pick for the 20th Century in Literature Challenge.)
#5. PERFECT SHOT by Steve Urszenyi // ★★★☆☆
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From the blurb, this sounded like a book I’d love. A female CIA special agent who is also a sniper? Sign me up! Unfortunately, I had a very disjointed reading experience. The first half was very clunky with lots of military acronyms and over explanations. It was hard to stay connected with the story. Thankfully, the second half was significantly better and read quickly. 2.5 stars, rounded up. (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book! Perfect Shot was released in November 2023.)
#6. TAMARACK COUNTY by William Kent Krueger // ★★★☆☆
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Number thirteen in the Cork O’Connor series! There was a blizzard in this one, which was quite appropriate for this time of year. I thought the plot was really good, but some of the side story lines were weird. Definitely not my favorite in the series.
#7. THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis // ★★★★★
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I think this was our third or fourth reading of this beautiful book? This time was especially fun because we started it during the snow storm/polar vortex and by the time we finished, we had a day in the 70’s and everything was thawing. It almost perfectly matched up with the arrival of springtime in the book! So cool.
#8. THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien // ★★★★☆
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All of my older boys have read and loved this classic and they finally convinced me to read it. I was a little nervous because I don’t love fantasy, but it was really good! (This was also my 1937 pick for the 20th Century in Literature Challenge.)
#9. EXPLORING J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S THE HOBBIT by Corey Olsen // ★★★★☆
(amazon // better world books)
I read this book alongside The Hobbit, chapter by chapter. It really helped with fleshing out some of the overarching themes, like a literature class in a book.
MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT
Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in January: 9
Books Donated/Sold in January: -3
Books Added: +7
Unread Books Remaining: 208
