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#22. ZETTY by Debra Whiting Alexander // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
The blurb on the back describes the book this way: “The powerful story of a mother lost to a rare form of schizophrenia and a daughter’s quest to find her.” It took me a little while to really get into the story and some parts were really heavy. But I also got choked up multiple times, which is definitely a sign of a good book! (I read this for the last book in the Reading the Alphabet Fiction Challenge (!!) as well as for the WILLA Literary Award Winners Challenge.)
#23. THE ELUSIVE MRS. POLLIFAX by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★★☆
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Number three in the series! Mrs. Pollifax is tasked with carrying fake passports into Belgium (in her hat!) and of course, nothing goes to plan.
#24. THE PERSONALITY BROKERS: THE STRANGE HISTORY OF MYERS-BRIGGS AND THE BIRTH OF PERSONALITY TESTING by Merve Emre // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
Hmm…this was a weird one. It’s the story of the mother and daughter duo that began the Myers-Briggs Test and how that test became widely well-known. It reads well and there are a lot of interesting stories. But ultimately, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to take away from the book. There was a lot of information and even some critique, but no clear thesis. Interesting, but muddy.
#25. WHEN SHE FLEW by Jennie Shortridge // ★★★☆☆
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From the blurb, this is a “novel about faith, family, and finding the courage to do the right thing.” A fast read, but ultimately forgettable.
#26. THE MOFFATS by Eleanor Estes // ★★★★☆
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Read aloud for school about four siblings and the antics they get into. We all really enjoyed it!
#27. CARRYING ALBERT HOME: THE SOMEWHAT TRUE STORY OF A MAN, HIS WIFE, AND HER ALLIGATOR by Homer Hickam // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)
I was trying to explain this book to my husband and the best I could do was say, “If Secondhand Lions and The Princess Bride had a baby, it would be a little like this book!” It’s written to be like family stories that get stretched and exaggerated over time…to the point where you wonder where the facts end and the pretend parts begin! I found it bizarre and charming and funny. A very entertaining read, for sure!
#28. OPEN SEASON by C.J. Box // ★★★★☆
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This book had a slow start and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. It’s about a Wyoming game warden who discovers a dead man on his backyard woodpile. Why was he there and what secrets did he hold? Thankfully, at a certain point, the plot really got going and I became invested. All in all, a decent series starter – I think I may pick up book two in the future. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
#29. UPROOTED: RECOVERING THE LEGACY OF THE PLACES WE’VE LEFT BEHIND by Grace Olmstead // ★★★☆☆
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This was a thought-provoking read. Sadly though, the book tried to accomplish too many things at once: it was a personal memoir about her childhood, had interviews with farmers about the current landscape, included an introductory lesson on soil health and regenerative agriculture, and even included thoughts about sticking in one location versus more modern migratory behavior. While I would recommend this book as a way to begin the discussion, there are better choices out there that dive more deeply into these individual topics. (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)
#30. CATECHISM OF SAINT PIUS X by Saint Pius X // ★★★★★
(amazon)
I’ve been working through this catechism with a series on Youtube. It’s not a huge book (only 155 pages!) but I watched the videos in fits and spurts and it took me a long time to finish. According to the back blurb, “The Catechism of Pope St. Pius X is the pope’s partial realization of a simple, plain, brief, popular Catechism for uniform use through the whole world. In other words it is directed to the layman.” I really appreciated how straightforward the questions and answers were. I learned a lot.
#31. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST by Thomas a Kempis // ★★★★★
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My Lenten reading for 2024. So, so good.
#32. THE LIFE OF SR. MARY WILHELMINA by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles // ★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop)
TAN Books had their annual St. Benedict sale and I quickly snatched up this book at 40% off! In case you’re not aware of Sr. Mary Wilhelmina, she made headlines last year when her coffin was exhumed to discover her body intact, four years after her death. This book is her life story and man, I wish I had had the opportunity to meet her! What a beautiful soul and a holy Sister.
MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT
Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in March: 11
Books Donated/Sold in March: -4
Books Added: +8
Unread Books Remaining: 213