This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#18. BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY: THE STORY OF THE ILIAD by Rosemary Sutcliff // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I read aloud this Iliad adaptation to my youngest two boys and we all really enjoyed it.

#19. THE HIDDEN POWER OF KINDNESS: A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR SOULS WHO DARE TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD, ONE DEED AT A TIME by Lawrence Lovasik // ★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is the book I read for Lent and don’t let that innocent looking cover deceive you!  I’ve been on an enlightening (sometimes painful) journey with overcoming vice with virtue and this book was perfect for that purpose.  Very straight forward, extremely practical and thought-provoking.

#20. OEDIPUS THE KING by Sophocles // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I read this play as part of the The 10 Year Reading Plan for the Great Books of the Western World and whoa!  Such a brutal story.  I followed along as I watched this production and that was extra helpful.  And while I don’t particularly buy into the idea, I also now get the full background behind Freud’s “Oedipus complex.”

#21. GREEN DOLPHIN STREET by Elizabeth Goudge // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

From the back of the book:

When Marianne Le Patourel meets William Ozanne in the 1830s on an island in the English Channel, she sets her heart on him. Her sister Marguerite, however, falls in love with him too. When his Navy career is cut short, William eventually settles in New Zealand and writes to Mr. Le Patourel to ask for Marguerite’s hand in marriage—but in his nervousness he pens the wrong name in his letter. It is Marianne who arrives aboard the sailing ship Green Dolphin.

And so begins this sweeping novel that takes the characters on dramatic adventures from childhood through old age, on land and at sea, and from the Channel Islands to the New Zealand frontier and back again.

I read this epic novel very slowly and I think that was the perfect pace to fully appreciate the writing and story.  There are a lot of thought-provoking themes in this book that I feel would be interesting discussion for a book club.

#22. FOUR QUARTETS by T.S. Eliot // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This was my first poem from T.S. Eliot and I sought out a lot of help to fully understand it.  (See all the links in this post.)  For me, the biggest theme I identified with was the passage of time.  I’m not sure I would have gotten as much out of this as a young adult, but I definitely understood some of the feelings now at 40.

Who then devised the torment? Love.
Love is the unfamiliar Name
Behind the hands that wove
The intolerable shirt of flame
Which human power cannot remove.
We can only live, only suspire
Consumed by either fire or fire. (p.57)

#23. MRS. POLLIFAX AND THE WHIRLING DERVISH by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I was in need of a little palate cleanser and Mrs. Pollifax did the trick.  This is the ninth book in the series and this time, she went to Morocco!  3.5 stars.

---

MY 2025 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2025: 206
Books Finished in April: 6
Books Donated/Sold in April: -12
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining: 176
Current  “Read 100 Books Off My Shelves Project” Total: 24/100 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#13. GIRL WAITS WITH GUN by Amy Stewart // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This novel is historical fiction but based on real events and real people.  The author pieced together a story from newspaper articles and letters – so interesting.  This is the first book in a series so I’ll definitely pick up book two.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

#14. THE SPIRITUAL WRITINGS OF SAINT JOHN BOSCO edited by Joseph Aubry // ★★★☆☆
(I can’t find a copy of this for sale anywhere!)

It took me a long time to get through this book John Bosco’s writings.  I enjoyed his biographical writings and the conferences written to his order.  Unfortunately, there were also big sections with his correspondence to friends and benefactors and I found it pretty repetitive.  I’m sure there is value in preserving them in their entirety, but I had a hard time picking up the book during those parts!

Every one of us, each in his own way, has the knowledge and is endowed with qualities and talents which allow us to strive for perfection – if not in all things, then certainly in some.  Let us not be deceived by that false pretext which we hear sometimes: It is none of my business, let someone whose duty it is to take care of it!  When reminded that he was not officially responsible for all these souls and that he did not have to work so hard, Philip would answer: “Did my good Jesus have any obligation to shed His blood for me?  He died on the Cross for the salvation of souls.  And will I, His minister, refuse to put up with some inconvenience or toil in order to reciprocate?” (p.184-185)

#15. FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This was the second book in the series I started back in January.  Like the first, it was an entertaining read, but too far-fetched.  I was already unsure about the “suspense romance” genre and reading this book solidified that it’s just not for me.  2.5 stars, rounded up.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#16. ON THE EDGE OF THE DARK SEA OF DARKNESS by Andrew Peterson // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Book One in the Wingfeather series and our read aloud for school.  I’m not really a fantasy reader, so I’d rate it about a 3, but my boys were big fans.  (I met in the middle with my rating of four stars.)  After we finished the book, we spent the next few afternoons watching the episodes on DVD.

#17. CIVIL WAR WIVES: THE LIVES AND TIMES OF ANGELINA GRIMKE WELD, VARINA HOWELL DAVIS & JULIA DENT GRANT by Carol Berkin // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I’ve been reading deeply about the Civil War era for Mother Academia and this was an interesting rabbit hole to dive into.  The book is comprised of three biographies and while it’s a little dense, I found it to be an interesting read on human temperament and personality.  You may have knee-jerk reactions to the names of any of these women, but ultimately, they were all very human, with strengths and weaknesses like everyone else.  3.5 stars.

---

MY 2025 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2025: 206
Books Finished in March: 5
Books Donated/Sold in March: 0
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining: 194
Current  “Read 100 Books Off My Shelves Project” Total: 19/100 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#8. CHERRIES IN WINTER: MY FAMILY’S RECIPE FOR HOPE IN HARD TIMES by Suzan Colon // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Some reviews thought this book was pretentious and unrelatable, but I felt it was a common experience in 2008 and probably even today (ie. two-income household gets knocked down to one due to layoffs).  I really enjoyed the old recipes and the idea of drawing strength through your ancestors – if our grandmothers could persevere, so can we.  Solid three stars.

I know now that there were many things Nana wanted to do in her life – go to college, become a teacher like Miss Bumstead, be a writer, and at the very least stop having to worry about money.  And there are probably some other things I don’t know about because she made a practice of acceptance.  If she was able to change her situation, she did.  If she wasn’t, she did the best she could and didn’t waste time complaining.  How’re you doing, Tillie?  Fabulous, never better.  This is yet another lesson I have learned from her that will serve me well. (p.206-207)

#9. SOLOMON’S OAK by Jo-Ann Mapson // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)  

The blurb on the back of the book says: “Three survivors find in each other an unexpected solace, the bond of friendship, and a second chance to see the miracles of everyday life.”  A typical women’s fiction novel – there were parts I liked and others I didn’t.

#10. 1984 by George Orwell // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop)

1984 is a dystopian classic for a reason.  Very thought-provoking and quite the warning!  From the book’s afterward: “The mood it expresses is that of near despair about the future of man, and the warning is that unless the course of history changes, men all over the world will lose their most human qualities, will become soulless automatons, and will not even be aware of it.”

The proles, it suddenly occurred to him, had remained in this condition.  They were not loyal to a party or a country or an idea, they were loyal to one another.  For the first time in his life he did not despise the proles or think of them merely as an inert force which would one day spring to life and regenerate the world.  The proles had stayed human.  They had not become hardened inside.  They held on the primitive emotions which he himself had to relearn by conscious effort.  And in thinking this he remembered, without apparent relevance, how a few weeks ago he had seen a severed hand lying on the pavement and had kicked it into the gutter as though it had been a cabbage stalk.

“The proles are human beings,” he said aloud.  “We are not human.” (p.165)

#11. MRS. POLLIFAX AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Number eight in the series!  This one is set in Thailand and the action never lets up.  I really enjoyed this one.

#12. DARK WINTER: HOW THE SUN IS CAUSING A 30-YEAR COLD SPELL by John L. Casey // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

The premise of this book is that climate change can be explained by cyclical periods that seem to have occurred throughout history, ie. a period of warming followed by a period of (sometimes severe) cooling.  His theory is intriguing and definitely warrants further research.  I especially like that he wrote:

It is my hope that the RC theory will be fully reviewed, critiqued, and forced to stand against the best scientific scrutiny that can be mustered.  If it fails the test, then so be it.  I will be the first to support the talented researcher who comes up with a better concept.  There is no ego to be bruised here, no research grant to be preserved, and no university tenure to be maintained. (p.42)

The academic humility is refreshing to see!  As for the book itself, I found the layout bizarre – there were 45 pages of actual book but the real meat of the argument/theory was back in the Appendix.

---

MY 2025 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2025: 206
Books Finished in February: 5
Books Donated/Sold in February: -2
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining: 198
Current  “Read 100 Books Off My Shelves Project” Total: 16/100 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#1. FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This book is about a writer who is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel.  She is mistaken for a contract killer and the shenanigans begin!  A fast, easy, entertaining read to start the new year.  My only critique is that I didn’t really like the romance parts, but that’s just personal preference.  Guess I’m not a fan of the “suspense romance” genre.  3.5 stars.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#2. MRS. POLLIFAX AND THE HONG KONG BUDDHA by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Number seven in the series!  I liked how characters from previous books made a return appearance.  This book was centered around a terrorist attack and it was interesting to hear perennial thoughts on evil from a book written in 1985.  Like this quote:

“But terrorists–” He shook his head.  “They’re the parasites of the century.  They want to make a statement, they simply toss a bomb or round up innocent people to hold hostage, or kill without compunction, remorse or compassion.  If they need money, they simply rob a bank.  I have to admit not only my contempt for them,” he added, “but my fear, too, because their only passion is to mock and destroy, and that really is frightening.” (p.127)

#3. WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE: A BIOGRAPHY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Stephen B. Oates // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This biography was a highly readable, honest look at Abraham Lincoln: a melancholic, inexperienced man trying to do his best.  Reading about this testy time in American history also made it evident that politics is always the same – so many opinions from a bunch of hotheads!

In 1864, in a biographical assessment published in two Boston journals, [Harriet Beecher Stowe] extolled Lincoln as a man of peculiar strengths, not a strong, aggressive individual so much as a passive one with the durability of an iron cable, swaying back and forth in the tempest of politics, yet tenacious in carrying his “great end.”  “Surrounded by all sorts of conflicting claims, by traitors, by half-hearted, timid men, by Border States men, and Free States men, by radical Abolitionists and Conservatives, he has listened to all, weighed the words of all, waited, observed, yielded now here and now there, but in the main kept one inflexible, honest purpose, and drawn the national ship through.” (p.389)

#4. BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS by Alexander McCall Smith // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Number seven in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series!  I haven’t read a book in this series since September 2021 so it was nice to return to Botswana and Mma Ramotswe.  This was a meandering story with no strong plot line, typical of Alexander McCall Smith’s writing.  Cozy, but probably forgettable.

#5. SECRET SOLDIERS by Keely Hutton // ★★★★☆
(amazon // better world books)  

A young adult novel recommended to me by my son.  This was fascinating historical fiction about tunnel warfare during WWI.  I’m interested to learn more about this aspect of war.  I loved the brotherhood theme throughout this book too.

“Bats said after shifts last summer he’d come out here and sit among the poppies to remember that even in the middle of all this fighting and death, beauty still exists and life continues.” (p.144)

#6. NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE: HAMLET by William Shakespeare // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I took this “No Fear Shakespeare” version of Hamlet off of our school shelves and it proved helpful.  I also read the play alongside the 1948 rendition starring Laurence Olivier.  I still don’t know if I completely got it, but I did identify it as a tale of failed revenge as Hamlet has an existential crisis of who he is and what he needs to do.  Definitely would like to revisit it with a professional on Shakespeare someday.  (Ellen says Dr. Henry Russell is excellent!)

#7. KENNEDY’S AVENGER: ASSASSINATION, CONSPIRACY, AND THE FORGOTTEN TRIAL OF JACK RUBY by Dan Abrams // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)  

This book was focused on the JFK assassination and subsequent shenanigans from a new-to-me viewpoint: the court system.  I enjoyed reading what amounted to transcripts rewritten in prose.  It’s really interesting to think that Ruby’s murder of Lee Harvey Oswald was played on television, giving the world access to this information before the trial.  It also highlighted the question of how modern technology impacts the legal system – I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to find truly impartial jurors in the age of social media.  3.5 stars.

---

MY 2025 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2025: 206
Books Finished in January: 7
Books Donated/Sold in January: -0
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining: 202
Current  “Read 100 Books Off My Shelves Project” Total: 11/100 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#82. BEFORE THE CHANGE: TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR PERIMENOPAUSE by Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I’m so thankful that I found this book!  I need a blood test to officially confirm if I’m actually in this stage yet, but I feel like I have a plan for when the worst of the symptoms come.  I really loved how the author focused on the importance of good nutrition – most of our complaints can be mitigated or reduced simply by making sure our vitamins and minerals are at optimal levels!  A very empowering read.

#83. BAD BLOOD: SECRETS AND LIES IN A SILICON VALLEY STARTUP by John Carreyrou // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I flew through this book because the story is WILD!  This is about Elizabeth Holmes and her fraudulent company, Theranos.

#84. THE MAN IN THE QUEUE by Josephine Tey // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

A police procedural with an ending I did not see coming!  It took me a bit to get used to Tey’s writing and her love of looong paragraphs (sometimes filling almost an entire page!), but I enjoyed it.

#85. SHOP CLASS AS SOULCRAFT: AN INQUIRY INTO THE VALUE OF WORK by Matthew B. Crawford // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Equal parts philosophy and real talk from a motorcycle mechanic.  Really thought-provoking.  (I also read this for my Reading the Alphabet Challenge.)

#86. THE HOUSE OF SILK by Anthony Horowitz // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

A Sherlock Holmes retelling and definitely a page turner!  Unfortunately, the twist at the end was quite sordid and disturbing, which lowered my overall reading experience.

#87. WHY IS IT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU? THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF NARCISSISM by Sandy Hotchkiss, LCSW // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This book is an interesting introduction to narcissism, both in individuals and in greater society.  Lots of good tips and coping strategies.

#88. ONCE UPON A RIVER by Diane Setterfield // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Diane Setterfield has a way of incorporating magical realism into her stories that just straddle the line between enchanting and unbelievable.  This book revolves around a small child that seems to have died, but then returns to life.  Who is she and how did this happen?  I enjoyed this novel but only really got into the story at around the halfway point.  There is a full cast of characters that I struggled to keep straight!  Still a solid three star read.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in December: 7
Books Donated/Sold in December: -3
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining as of December 31, 2024: 206

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#77. HAPPY ARE YOU POOR: THE SIMPLE LIFE AND SPIRITUAL FREEDOM by Thomas Dubay // ★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop)

This might be one of the most convicting religious books I’ve ever read.  So very thought provoking and challenging.  I’ll be praying about this a lot in the coming months.

#78. DRACULA by Bram Stoker // ★★☆☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

I probably should have just DNFed this one, but I stubbornly persevered, even though it took me forever to finish and just about killed my love of reading.  (Dramatic much?)  It’s written in letters and journal entries, which I typically enjoy, but for some reason, I just could not get into the story.  I’m happy to have read it and even happier to be done.

#79. ROVERANDOM by J.R.R. Tolkien // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

I picked up this short story (because of this recommendation) to read aloud to my littlest boys.  We liked it!

#80. MRS. POLLIFAX ON THE CHINA STATION by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Number six in the series!  Entertaining but didn’t have a dramatic twist at the end like some of the earlier ones.

#81. SO BRAVE, YOUNG, AND HANDSOME by Leif Enger // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Enger’s Peace Like a River is one of my favorite books, so I was excited to finally read more of his work.  This one is a Wild West/cowboy story with themes like justice and forgiveness and redemption.  I really enjoyed it.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in November: 5
Books Donated/Sold in November: -1
Books Added: +0
Unread Books Remaining: 210

---

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#70. LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is a story about two sisters taking drastically different paths in life and how addiction affects them both.  Quite the heavy book, but really good.

#71. THE POWER OF SILENCE: AGAINST THE DICTATORSHIP OF NOISE by Robert Cardinal Sarah // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is a book to be read slowly.  Cardinal Sarah is so wise and his book is full of insightful nuggets to contemplate and pray about.  I enjoyed it so much and used a ton of sticky tabs throughout!

#72. ANNE OF THE ISLAND by L.M. Montgomery // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

So good to return to Anne Shirley and Green Gables!

#73. RUFUS M. by Eleanor Estes // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I read this one aloud for school.  We actually read the first book in the series, The Moffats, earlier this year and accidentally jumped into book number three.  This book focused on the youngest brother’s antics, but we’ll have to go back and see what we missed in book two.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

#74. A MAN CLEANSED BY GOD: A NOVEL BASED ON THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK by John E. Beahn // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop)

I have a special love for Saint Patrick and I really enjoyed this look at his early years.  I learned a lot!

#75. THE HUNGRY YEARS: A NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN AMERICA by T. H. Watkins // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This book was a doozy at over 500 pages and wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be.  I was hoping to read personal firsthand accounts – and there were some – but it was primarily fact-based like a typical history book.  I found some parts really interesting, but others were boring (ie. chapters upon chapters of detailed strike accounts).  I’m glad to have read it as background for the Great Depression, but I’m still on the hunt for those firsthand accounts.

#76. THE SHEPHERD WHO DIDN’T RUN: FR. STANLEY ROTHER, MARTYR FROM OKLAHOMA by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is the biography of a missionary priest from Oklahoma who was murdered in Guatemala in 1981.  With a violent civil war raging and his name on a death list, he refused to leave his parishioners and was killed for it.  So inspiring.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in October: 7
Books Donated/Sold in October: 0
Books Added: +11 (birthday gifts!)
Unread Books Remaining: 214

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#65. MRS. POLLIFAX ON SAFARI by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Number five in the Mrs. Pollifax series!  This one took place on a Zambian safari and while it was enjoyable to read, I didn’t think it was as great as some of the earlier ones.  3.5 stars.

#66. THE EVERY by Dave Eggers // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is the sequel to The Circle and another book to check off the School of the Unconformed reading list.  The premise is that the Circle (a conglomeration of Facebook/Google/Twitter) merges with a company like Amazon and becomes a powerful monopoly that ultimately creates a surveillance state.  And man…this was bleak.  As someone who tries to fight back the Machine in little ways, I found the amount of human apathy really discouraging and yet accurate for most of real-life society.  3.5 stars.

#67. THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY by Homer // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I finally finished this mammoth book at over 700 pages!  Happy to have read both stories in full and happy to be move onto something new.

#68. THE ONE-IN-A-MILLION BOY by Monica Wood // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

After reading The Every, I was looking for something a little less heavy and this (kind-of?) fit the bill.  I love stories that share multi-generational friendships and while this book was centered around that, I just didn’t connect with the story like I had hoped.  Still worth reading – I gave it 3.5 stars.

#69. AN IMPARTIAL WITNESS by Charles Todd // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

I read the first book in this Bess Crawford mystery series last year and was excited to finally get my hands on book two.  It was an interesting story that kept me turning the pages, but wasn’t as great as the first one.  I still think I’ll continue on and look for book three.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in September: 5
Books Donated/Sold in September: -1
Books Added: +6
Unread Books Remaining: 208

---

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#58. THE CIRCLE by Dave Eggers // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

My next read from a reading list created by the School of the Unconformed.  The story is about a woman who starts working at the Circle, a tech company that is a conglomeration of sites like Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc.  Throughout the book, the Circle tracks more and more user data, but masks the invasion of privacy by focusing on terms like community and transparency.  And man!  This book gave me anxiety just reading it!  I found it fascinating to see that it was written in 2013 – how eerily prescient to social media sites today.  There were some unnecessarily added sex scenes and the ending was unsatisfying, but otherwise this was a thought-provoking novel.  3.5 stars.

#59. THINGS AS THEY ARE by Paul Horgan // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

This one is about a boy named Richard and his stories from childhood where he learned lessons of right from wrong.  Another thought-provoking book.  (This was also my 1964 pick for the 20th Century in Literature Challenge.)

#60. WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING by Alyssa Cole // ★★☆☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

There was a lot going on in this book!  It was sold as a a thriller, but there was also significant current events commentary on race and even an enemies to lovers romance!  The writing was pretty crass, but the ideas surrounding gentrification were interesting.  Ultimately, just an okay read for me.

#61. THE STORY OF A FAMILY: THE HOME OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX by Fr. Stephane-Joseph Piat, OFM // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop)

I have a special love for St. Therese and now I really appreciate her mother.  Lots to ponder and pray about with this one.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

#62. DEATH ON THE NILE by Agatha Christie // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed an Agatha Christie mystery!  I actually predicted “whodunit” this time but couldn’t figure out the how, so…half credit?

#63. THE DIVINE COMEDY by Dante // ★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Going into this epic poem, I had no idea how deeply spiritually edifying it would be for me.  Highly recommend reading along with the 100 Days of Dante lectures.  So, so good.  I already know I’d like to read it again sometime in the future.

#64. THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O’Brien // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This book is part memoir and part fiction and O’Brien kind-of blurs the lines of what is truth and what is not.  The blurb on the back describes it as a “meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling.”  I thought it was a really good primer on the complexity of feelings around war.

“War is hell, but that’s not the half of it, because war is also mystery and terror and adventure and courage and discovery and holiness and pity and despair and longing and love.  War is nasty; war is fun.  War is thrilling; war is drudgery.  War makes you a man; war makes you dead.” (p.76)

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in August: 7
Books Donated/Sold in August: -2
Books Added: +3
Unread Books Remaining: 206

---

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#54. THE DUN COW RIB: A VERY NATURAL CHILDHOOD by John Lister-Kaye // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

John Lister-Kaye is apparently a well regarded conservationist in the UK.  This is an autobiography of sorts and describes his childhood and how it influenced his later vocation.  So much of his story is unfamiliar to me (boarding schools, manor houses, etc) and it really felt like a long lost era.  Interesting.

#55. YOU CAN RUN by Karen Cleveland // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

After reading so many “difficult” books lately, this thriller felt like candy: I devoured it in days!  Karen Cleveland wrote one of my favorite thrillers, Need to Know, so I knew I would enjoy this one written in 2021.  There are dual perspectives and I definitely preferred one story over another, but still quite good!

#56. NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO by Annie Jacobsen // ★★★★★
(amazon // bookshop)

“How tragic and ironic it is that human beings developed slow and steady over hundreds of thousands of years, culminating in the creation of vast and complex civilizations, only to get zeroed out in a war that takes less than a few hours from beginning to end.” (p.247)  Excellent book, but absolutely terrifying.

#57. RAFT OF STARS by Andrew J. Graff // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is the story of two young boys who think they’ve committed a crime, so they flee into the Northwoods of Wisconsin. A handful of adults seek to find them before it’s too late!  I found this one very atmospheric.  3.5 stars.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in July: 4
Books Donated/Sold in July: -2
Books Added: +2
Unread Books Remaining: 208

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#49. ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME by William Landay // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

From the blurb: “A mother vanished. A father presumed guilty. There is no proof. There are no witnesses. For the children, there is only doubt.”  I had high hopes for this concept but due to the uneven pacing, it was good but not great.

#50. TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES by Ashley Tate // ★★☆☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

This is a story of a death in a small town that continues to haunt them even ten years later.  A quick read, but ultimately forgettable.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  Twenty-Seven Minutes was published in January 2024.)

#51. HUM IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE WORDS by Bianca Marais // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

An interesting fictional look at apartheid South Africa in the 1970’s.  This is an area in which I’m not well read, so it was a good introduction to the time period.  Overall I liked the story, but there were some parts that seemed unnecessary, didn’t further the plot or seemed a bit too unbelievable.

#52. 1917: RED BANNERS, WHITE MANTLE by Warren H. Carroll // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop)

I found this little book fascinating!  It breaks down the year 1917 into months and describes all of the moving parts of this time period: the destruction of World War I and the many attempts at peace, the rolling in of Russian Communism and even a Marian apparition in Fatima.

#53. THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL by Sujata Massey // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Another book that introduced me to something new!  This mystery took place in 1920’s India and the main character was one of the first female lawyers.  This book definitely felt like it was gearing up for a series (not necessarily bad, but a little distracting) but I did learn quite a bit about Indian culture.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in June: 5
Books Donated/Sold in June: -3
Books Added: +3
Unread Books Remaining: 209

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

#42. ST. VINCENT FERRER: THE ANGEL OF JUDGMENT by Fr. Andrew Pradel, OP // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop)

An interesting biography about a great saint.  My only complaint with this book is that it is written in a way that makes St. Vincent Ferrer appear almost “super human” and doesn’t include any of his struggles.  Inspiring but makes it hard to relate.

#43. THE BROTHERS K by David James Duncan // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This is such a hard book to describe.  It’s an epic story about a family and baseball and religion and politics.  It’s definitely a chunker at over 600 pages and some parts were a little slow going, but man, those last 100 pages were beautiful!  A book that will make you laugh and cry.

#44. HOME by Harlan Coben // ★★☆☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Just okay.  This was another used bookstore pick (for $1.85!) and I didn’t know anything about the author or the fact that it was #11 in a series.  I can’t really pinpoint what bugged me about the book…something about the way he writes dialogue maybe?

#45. HOME ECONOMICS by Wendell Berry // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

So thought-provoking and beautiful and inspiring and good.  This collection contains essays from the 1980s and I was constantly amazed at how we still deal with much of the same issues today.

#46. BAD SHEPHERDS: THE DARK YEARS IN WHICH THE FAITHFUL THRIVED WHILE BISHOPS DID THE DEVIL’S WORK by Rod Bennett // ★★★☆☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

Is it possible to feel hope after reading a book this depressing?  While I was saddened/shocked/disgusted at the behavior of the religious hierarchy, it also very clearly showed the role that laity plays throughout the ages.  Hold on to that one true faith that spans the generations!

#47. LORD OF THE WORLD by Robert Hugh Benson // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop)

What a book.  This is Benson’s imagining of the end times and the last battle with the anti-Christ.  Even though it was written over 100 years ago, I found the joys and agonies of living the Christian life in a post-Christian world so astute and relatable.  (This was also my 1907 pick for the 20th Century in Literature Challenge.)

#48. A PALM FOR MRS. POLLIFAX by Dorothy Gilman // ★★★★☆
(amazon // bookshop // better world books)

This was number four in the series and definitely the weakest so far.  Even so, I still love Mrs. Pollifax’s character and will continue reading.  3.5 stars, rounded up.

---

MY 2024 UNREAD SHELF PROJECT

Unread Books as of January 1, 2024: 209
Books Finished in May: 7
Books Donated/Sold in May: -1
Books Added: +2
Unread Books Remaining: 210