The Big White Farmhouse

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#77. CHARLOTTE’S WEB by E.B. White
★★★★★

“Why did you do all this for me?” he asked. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.”
“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing.” (p.164)

Our first read aloud of the school year!  The kids and I were trying to remember how many times we’ve read this classic over the years – this may be the third or fourth time now?  This sweet book was extra special for us as we prepared for our own little piggies here at the homestead.

#78. THE MEMORY POLICE by Yoko Ogawa
★★★☆☆

From the back of the book: “On an unnamed island off an unnamed coast, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses—until things become much more serious. Most of the island’s inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few imbued with the power to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten.”

My feelings on this dystopian novel are hard to explain.  This was an allegory for a country’s fall into totalitarianism and it was so somber and so sad.

#79. ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN: THE GREATEST REPORTING STORY OF ALL TIME by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
★★★☆☆
I’ve been working on this one since early April.  It was crazy to hear about the lengths that reporters had to go to get information back then.  Journalism was hard work!  An interesting story, but there were a TON of names and it was sometimes difficult to keep them all straight.  (This was also my 1974 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#80. JAYBER CROW by Wendell Berry
★★★★☆
I was invited to join my local Well Read Mom group and this was the first book on the schedule.  Wendell Berry is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, so I was excited!  This was another slow going, character driven novel and barring a few quibbles, I enjoyed it.  (Hannah Coulter is still my favorite so far.)  I love the way Berry makes Port William such a vivid place.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the book club meeting (we had the last minute opportunity to attend a Solemn Pontifical Mass!) so I don’t know the final consensus with the other ladies.

#81. JAPANTOWN by Barry Lancet
★★★☆☆
This thriller was a bit outside of my comfort zone!  From the description: this is about “an American antiques-dealer-turned-reluctant-private-eye [who] must use his knowledge of Japanese culture to unravel a major murder in San Francisco—before he and his daughter become targets themselves.”  Interesting premise and fast paced, although some parts seemed a little over the top and/or unbelievable.  A little too James Bond/superhero for my taste, but entertaining.

#82. THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ by Heather Morris
★★★☆☆
I flew through this historical fiction novel in just a few days.  Apparently, it was based on a true story.  I thought it was good, but not great.