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#14. BOUNDARY WATERS by William Kent Krueger // ★★★★☆
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Funny, she thought, how little it took to be happy when there was little choice.  She knew she was still learning the lessons of the wilderness.  To breathe, to eat, to sleep, and to do so fearlessly – how much more did anyone need to be happy? (p.346)

This is the second book in the Cork O’Connor series and it was much better than the first one!  Beautiful atmospheric writing with great character development and just enough action and mystery to keep me turning the pages.  (This was also my 1999 pick for the 20th Century in Literature challenge.)

#15. THE WESTING GAME // ★★☆☆☆
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I waffled between two and three stars for this one.  My seventh grade son read it for school and he needed to talk about it with someone, so I picked it up after him!  I don’t know…I think there were just too many characters and I was often confused with who was who.  (This was also my 1978 pick for the 20th Century in Literature challenge.)

#16. THREE SISTERS by Heather Morris // ★★★☆☆
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This book is a tough one to rate.  Three Sisters is a historical fiction novel based on the true story of three sisters, their horrific ordeal at Auschwitz, and what happens after.  I appreciated the exploration of survivor’s guilt towards the end, but found the majority of the book a little too simplistic for such an important time period.  (Three Sisters was published back in October 2021.  Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#17. PURGATORY RIDGE by William Kent Krueger // ★★★★☆
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I seldom, if ever, “binge read” a single series all at once; usually, I’ll read one and then months will go by before I pick up the next book.  March has been a doozy of a month and I sought out an easy, escape read.  Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series definitely supplied that!  I really enjoyed this one.

#18. BLOOD HOLLOW by William Kent Krueger // ★★★☆☆
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Book #4 in the Cork O’Connor series!  Not as good as the previous two (there were a few icky themes), but still a worthwhile read.

#19. LAST DANCE ON THE STARLIGHT PIER by Sarah Bird // ★★☆☆☆
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I had high hopes for this book and learning more about the dance marathons that occurred during the Great Depression.  Unfortunately, I felt that the characters lacked substance and the plot was too unrealistic.  I would have loved a deeper exploration into the dancing too.  A few scenes were shockingly graphic in an otherwise ordinary book.  This one was just an okay read for me.  (Last Dance on the Starlight Pier will be published on April 12, 2022.  Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#20. BOOK SCAVENGER by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman // ★★★☆☆
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We read this middle grade novel for school read aloud.  The kids really enjoyed the clues and ciphers, but we found the main character to be a bit bratty and selfish.

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#8. A LANTERN IN HER HAND by Bess Streeter Aldrich // ★★★★★
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I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty . . . and maybe after that sorrow. You wouldn’t think that sorrow could be a light would you, dearie? But it can. And then after that, service lights it. Yes. . . . I think that is what love is to a woman . . . a lantern in her hand. (83%)

I love books like this one: a story about hope and hard work and perseverance.  It’s also a beautiful story about motherhood and had so many little bits of wisdom sprinkled throughout.  I originally read this on Kindle, but immediately ordered a physical copy when I was done.  So good.  (This was also my 1928 pick for the 20th Century in Literature challenge.)

#9. LET THEM EAT DIRT: SAVING YOUR CHILD FROM AN OVERSANITIZED WORLD by B. Brett Finlay, PhD and Marie-Claire Arrieta, PhD // ★★★☆☆
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This was an interesting book!  Some of my takeaways:
+ Antibiotics, while a great medical achievement, have been overused in a variety of ways (prescriptions for bacterial infections, being used liberally on the animals we consume, etc.) and have since caused antibiotic-resistant strains of viruses to emerge.
+ The microbiota is an important part of the body and still has so many unknowns!  I have heard the term “leaky gut” often in recent years, but now see the importance of healing and treating your gut well.  Since finishing this book, I started a few of us on probiotics and am learning how to include more fermented foods into our daily life.
+ While the research is still new and needs considerable study, I’m especially interested in the possible connection between the microbiota and anxiety/depression.

#10. A DAY LIKE THIS by Kelley McNeil // ★★★☆☆
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How to describe this one?  The story opens with the main character waking from a car accident only to discover that her daughter never existed and the past few years are completely different than she remembers. Family members think she’s gone crazy, but she’s convinced that there has to be another explanation.  The book went down some trails that I had a hard time following, but the writing was good.  One of the reviewers on Goodreads described this as a cross between a sci-fi movie and a Lifetime movie and I’d say that’s about right.

#11. THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan // ★★☆☆☆
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This book was CRAZY and nothing like I was expecting.  The story explores a future where mothers who aren’t exemplary are taken to a “school” for a year to learn the skills to be a good one. The stakes are high because if they fail, they never get to see their children again.  Even though the premise sounds awesome, I found the execution slow moving and confusing.  Just an okay read for me.  (The School for Good Mothers was published in January 2022.  Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#12. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L.M. Montgomery // ★★★★★
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One of my favorite books of all time.  I want to see the world like Anne does.

#13. COMMUNISM AND THE CONSCIENCE OF THE WEST by Fulton J. Sheen // ★★★★☆
(amazon)

Christianity agrees with Communists when they point out the need of a revolution, but Christianity places the blame not on institutions but on men; not on legislation but on legislators; not on politics but on politicians; not on property but on man.  Our Lord would never have been crucified had He put the blame on things.  The Physician was killed because He found the source of the disease in the person.  Save man and you save the world; dehumanize man and you wreck the world. (p.92-93)

…the Christian position steers a middle course between extremes.  Freedom for Christianity means neither the right to do what you please, nor the right to do what you must, but rather the right to do whatever you ought.  Ought implies order, law and justice.  Liberty by definition is an attribute which belongs only to a person.  It cannot be attributed to a collectivity or totality whether it be a nation, a state, a race or a class.  The basic fallacy of communism on this point is the transfer of freedom from the person to the collectivity. (p.102)

An incredibly important read.  Sheen’s writing was dense but informative and I learned so much about the Catholic understanding of freedom, private property and work.  My book has about a dozen sticky notes in it!

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#83. GET YOUR LIFE BACK: EVERYDAY PRACTICES FOR A WORLD GONE MAD by John Eldredge
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★★★☆☆
I purchased this book for my husband back in January for Epiphany.  We had listened to an interview featuring John Eldredge and he was so understanding about the modern, chaotic lives we lead.  This book collected his thoughts on the matter and practices we can start to combat the madness.  It started really strong and I was highlighting tons of quotes!  Sadly, by the midpoint, it kind-of fizzled out for me.

#84. CAN’T HURT ME: MASTER YOUR MIND AND DEFY THE ODDS by David Goggins
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★★★☆☆
Oh man, this book!  David Goggins had a tough childhood, but through stubbornness and determination, he achieved so much.  I loved a lot of his advice (work hard, avoid making excuses, embrace suffering) but the examples from his life seemed a little too extreme.  My oldest son has also read it and we’ve had many great discussions.

#85. TALKING ABOUT GOD IS DANGEROUS: THE DIARY OF A RUSSIAN DISSIDENT by Tatiana Goricheva
(amazon // better world books)
★★★☆☆
This little book is the “diary” of a Christian convert during Soviet Russia and the hardships she endured for her new faith.  Eventually, she was forced to emigrate or risk being imprisoned.  My biggest takeaway from this book is that when the stakes are high and it comes at a cost, faith is passionate and strengthened.  On the contrary, comfort and prosperity can quickly diminish or squash it.

#86. THE HIDING PLACE by C.J. Tudor
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★★☆☆☆
I really enjoyed Tudor’s book, The Other People, back in March so I thought I would give another one of hers a try.  This one was super creepy – I didn’t realize it was more in the horror genre!  It also had a confusing plot and I just wasn’t interested in the characters.  A miss for me. (P.S. Apparently, there were a lot of similarities to Stephen King’s book, Pet Cemetery, but I’ve never read that, so I was clueless.)

#87. THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE by George Selden
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★★★★☆
Our second read aloud for school.  We’ve read this one multiple times before and it’s always a crowd favorite – they love that hilarious Tucker Mouse!  After we finished, we immediately dove into the sequel, Tucker’s Countryside.
(This was also my 1960 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#88. BENEATH THE TAMARIND TREE: A STORY OF COURAGE, FAMILY, AND THE LOST SCHOOLGIRLS OF BOKO HARAM by Isha Sasay
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★★☆☆☆
I agree completely with another person’s review of this book – this was “an important story poorly told.”  First the good news: this book was not nearly as graphic as I expected.  The schoolgirls were neglected, starved and sometimes beaten, but I don’t believe they experienced any sexual abuse, praise God.  I found their story of survival powerful.  Now the bad news: my biggest issue was the fact that half of the book was about Sesay: her childhood, her work with CNN, her interviews with important politicians, the way she was always trying to find a way in to the building to get close to the girls, etc.  I wasn’t interested and it just felt like filler.  All in all, I feel the title is misleading and would more accurately be described as Sesay’s memoir of a particular news story that deeply touched her heart.  (Still possibly a worthwhile read if you’re looking for that!)

#89. BLANCHE ON THE LAM by Barbara Neely
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★★★☆☆
From the back: “Blanche White is a plump, feisty, middle-aged African-American housekeeper working for the genteel rich in North Carolina.”  While working for a wealthy family at their summer home, Blanche gets caught up in a murder and needs to figure out whodunit before it gets pinned on her!  I enjoyed this one – solid three stars.  

#90. A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE by Brittany Cavallaro
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★★★☆☆
I’m not usually a fan of YA, so this is another step outside of my comfort zone!  This mystery follows the great-great-great-grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson who attend a private school in Connecticut.  Someone is trying to frame them for a string of crimes and they have to solve the case to save themselves from imprisonment.  This one was fun.  Better than I was expecting!

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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.

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#68. PATTERN OF WOUNDS by J. Mark Bertrand
★★★★☆
The “Series September” Readathon was held this month and even though I don’t read a lot of series, I still wanted to participate!  I decided to start with this police procedural, which is the second book in the Roland March Mystery series.  (I read the first book back in June.)  Gritty and dark for sure, but without all of the swearing and gratuitous descriptions of violence and sex.  I’ll definitely be picking up book #3 soon.

#69. SAINT MONICA: MODEL OF CHRISTIAN MOTHERS by F.A. Forbes
★★★☆☆

“So it is, my child,” said the old woman.  “It is those who are strong and true in the little things of life who are strong and true in the great trials.” (p.5)

A little book about a mother’s great love for her son.  I need to add Saint Augustine’s Confessions to my TBR list now!

#70. CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 by Lisa Unger
★★☆☆☆
Meh.  I heard about this thriller from someone on Youtube and it was described as a story about two women who, stuck on a train together, strike up a conversation and each divulge a secret.  Sounded intriguing!  Other than that description, I went into it completely blind and did not realize that infidelity was such a huge part of the story line.  (I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that infidelity, especially one where the reader is pushed to feel sympathetic toward such behavior, is one of my literary pet peeves.)  The level of “man hate” was over the top as well.  The whole story just felt crass and icky and I was happy to be done.

#71. DAYS ON THE ROAD: CROSSING THE PLAINS IN 1865, THE DIARY OF SARAH RAYMOND HERNDON
★★★☆☆

If I was gifted with a talent, with which I could give pleasure to people, I would certainly do so whenever opportunity was afforded.  I would be glad to promote the happiness, and dispel as much sorrow as possible, in this sorrowful world. (p.42)

This was a diary written by a 24-year-old woman as she journeyed to Montana via wagon train.  There were lots of little details from her everyday life, but I still wanted more!  Hard to rate someone’s personal diary in that way, though.  Solid three stars.  (This was also my 1902 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#72. WATCH HER FALL by Erin Kelly
★★☆☆☆
The beginning of this mystery/thriller hooked me as we dove into the cut-throat world of professional ballet.  The costumes, rehearsals, the complicated relationships between dancers and coaches…all so good!  Unfortunately, the storyline deviated significantly from the ballet world and into something completely different.  I found much of it implausible and far-fetched and struggled to stay invested in the story.  Just an okay read for me.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

#73. IN THE COMPANY OF CHEERFUL LADIES by Alexander McCall Smith
★★★☆☆
Another book for the Series September readathon!  This is the sixth book in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, so it fit the prompt “Read a book in a series that is longer than 5 books.”  I sure do love that Mma Ramotswe.  Some of the tongue-in-cheek references to her being a “traditionally built woman” cracked me up in this one.  Solid three stars.

#74. THE GLOVEMAKER by Ann Weisgarber
★★☆☆☆
This book was really slow going, which is not necessarily a bad thing if I cared about the characters.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t just connect with the concept of hiding polygamists and the extensive lies it required. On a positive note, Weisgarber’s descriptions of the cold, snowy weather were great.  And fun fact: this won the WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction in 2020.

#75. IRON LAKE by William Kent Krueger
★★★☆☆
One more book for Series September!  I really enjoyed Krueger’s book, Ordinary Grace, so I was excited to dive into his Cork O’Connor mystery series.  Unfortunately, infidelity was a big part of this storyline (you know how I feel about that…) but man, the writing was so, so good.  The ending was great too!  I ultimately settled on three stars for this one and I’m curious to see what I think about book #2.

#76. THE GIFT OF FEAR: SURVIVAL SIGNALS THAT PROTECT US FROM VIOLENCE by Gavin de Becker
★★★★☆
This book was fascinating and an important one for people who tend to second guess their instincts.  Becker details a handful of violent crimes and ultimately argues that crimes don’t just happen out of nowhere.  There are always signs and predictions, most of which we intuitively recognize.  I found it to be an empowering read and challenged me to let go of unnecessary anxiety/fear and instead listen to my gut.  Very thought-provoking.

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#61. THE DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART by Fr. John Croiset, SJ
★★★★★
It took me two months to read this beautiful book recommended by one of the priests at our parish.  He described it as the best resource on the devotion of the Sacred Heart.  So many incredible passages and nuggets of wisdom – you should see how many sticky tabs I have down the side!  I know I’ll be returning to the prayer section in the back.  Highly recommend.  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

#62. WHAT SHE KNEW by Gilly Macmillan
★★★☆☆
This book is a about every parent’s worst nightmare: a mother allows her eight-year-old son to run up ahead and when she catches up, he has disappeared.  The story follows what happens next: the police procedures, the way the media starts to become suspicious, and how life unravels when someone you love is missing.  I really liked how Macmillan included things like emails and social media comments to further the story – so cool.  3.5 stars.

#63. YOUR PERFECT YEAR by Charlotte Lucas
★★☆☆☆
For the life of me, I just could not get into this book.  Going into it (and judging from the cute, illustrated cover), I thought this was a light romantic comedy about a curmudgeon who finds a mysterious diary filled with tasks for a “perfect year.”  I was not expecting the dark and really heavy theme of suicide.  Add to that some translation issues and the weird pacing…it was just an okay read.

#64. WISDOM OF THE DESERT FATHERS AND MOTHERS by Fr. Philip G. Bochanski
★★★☆☆

St. Anthony’s plan for the monastic life, recorded in chapters 16 to 43 of the Life, begins with a simple mission statement: “Beginning over each day,” Anthony says, “let us increase our zeal.”  The monk (and hence the saint) is to be formed through daily effort and by persevering.  Day by day, choice by choice, he is called to be attentive to God’s will and zealous in his pursuit of holiness, without losing heart amid the struggle.  Life on earth is short in comparison to heaven, after all, and so the sacrifices that one has to endure, whatever pain and suffering might come, are small compared to the glory awaiting one who can persevere to the end. – p.57

This was an interesting little book about fifth century desert monks and mystics.  Another overview-type book that can serve as a jumping off point for deeper investigation.  Solid three stars.

#65. THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY: A NIGHTMARE by G.K. Chesterton
★★★☆☆
My first thought as I finished the last page of this book: “What in the world did I just read?!”  The Man Who Was Thursday is a detective story that centers around seven anarchists who go by the names of the week (our main character is Thursday).  I know the bigger story is allegorical, but I had trouble figuring it out.  After reading a few articles online (including this one and this one), I’m happy to hear that most people don’t “get it” and it’s not just me, ha!  From the second article above:

In the book’s dedicatory poem to his life-long friend, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, Chesterton warns that this adventure is difficult to understand, being drawn out of a prevalent nihilism and into a realm of ultimate idealism—or perhaps even Catholicism. Moreover, he supposes that it may be the case that no one, except E. C. Bentley, will be able to understand what the story is about. “‘Who shall understand but you?’” Chesterton reminisces in his autobiography, “In reply to which a book-reviewer very sensibly remarked that if nobody understood the book except Mr. Bentley, it seemed unreasonable to ask other people to read it.”

Still a worthwhile read if only for the detective adventure.  (This was also my 1908 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#66. THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTAby J. Ryan Stradal
★★★★☆
From the blurb: “A novel of family, Midwestern values, hard work, fate and the secrets of making a world-class beer.”  As someone who doesn’t even really like beer, I can’t believe how much I enjoyed this book!  The family dynamic as they struggle with life and each other was hard but also hopeful.  I sure loved those hard-working grandmas!  This won the WILLA Literary Award for Contemporary Fiction in 2020 (where I first heard about it) – well deserved.

#67. FUTURE WIDOW: LOSING MY HUSBAND, SAVING MY FAMILY, AND FINDING MY VOICE by Jenny Lisk
★★★★☆
This heartbreaking memoir detailed one woman’s experience as her husband battled stage four gliobastoma for eight months.  So, so sad but beautiful too.  I thought the way she interspersed advice for those going through a similar experience (as well as people who want to get involved) was smart and I’m sure will be really helpful for someone out there.  3.5 stars, rounded up.  (And thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!)

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#56. ASHES OF FIERY WEATHER by Kathleen Donohoe
★★★☆☆
This book is a multi-generational story from the point-of-view of the matriarchs of an Irish-American family.  Firefighting is a common link through the generations and the family suffers through heartache, betrayal and family drama.  I found this one well-written, but the flow of narrators and timelines was hard to follow.  Thank goodness for the family tree in the front!  Solid three stars, although I wish Catholicism had been portrayed in a more positive light. 

#57. PROMISE by Minrose Gwin
★★★☆☆
From the author’s note: “A few minutes after 9 P.M. on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1936, a massive funnel cloud flashing a giant fireball and roaring like a runaway train careened into the thriving cotton-mill town of Tupelo, in northeastern Mississippi.  The tornado was measured as an F5, the highest level on the Fujita scale.  Winds were estimated at 261 to 318 miles per hour, leveling 48 city blocks, about half the town.”  This novel is the fictional account of what happens after this devastating event.  I liked this story, but didn’t love it.

#58. FAIR AND TENDER LADIES by Lee Smith
★★★☆☆

For all of a sudden…I said to myself, Ivy, this is your life, this is your real life, and you are living it.  Your life is not going to start later.  This is it, this is now.  It’s funny how a person can be so busy living that they forget this is it.  This is my life. (p.195)

Fair and Tender Ladies is an epistolary novel, told through letters from Ivy Rowe to her family and friends and spanning her lifetime.  I’d describe this one as melancholy in tone.  I felt for Ivy, but also could not understand some of her decisions or her justification of them.  Thought provoking, for sure.  3.5 stars.

#59. THE CATHOLIC GUIDE TO MIRACLES: SEPARATING THE AUTHENTIC FROM THE COUNTERFEIT by Adam Blai
★★★★★
This book was so good.  A quick, interesting read about everything from the stigmata and incorruptibility, to miraculous healings and Marian apparitions.  This is the perfect overview book that can provoke interest in deeper investigation.  I really enjoyed it.  (P.S. How beautiful is the artwork on the cover?  It’s called “Jesus Walking on Water” by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky and I found a print of it here.)

#60. THE TIMEPIECE AND THE GIRL WHO WENT ASTRAY by O.R. Simmonds
★★☆☆☆
The Timepiece is a mix of history and time travel – a type of genre I don’t think I’ve ever read before!  The story is about an American man who is staying in London with his girlfriend.  She recommends that he find a unique thrift shop that specializes in various watches of all shapes and sizes.  When the shop owner convinces him to buy one particular piece, the adventure and craziness begins.  I think this book had a lot of potential, but got bogged down in the particulars.  The complex time travel system required a lot of explanation, which slowed the pacing of the storyline.  I did appreciate the cliff hanger at the end, which definitely opens this up to becoming a series.  All in all, just an okay read for me.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  The Timepiece and the Girl Who Went Astray will be published on July 30, 2021!)

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#47. BACK ON MURDER by J. Mark Bertrand
★★★☆☆
Another book from my early TBR archives on Goodreads.  This is actually a police procedural from a Christian publisher and I wasn’t sure what to expect (would it be cheesy?), but I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought!  While the book was still gritty – it is about murder and corruption, after all! – I did appreciate that it told the story without gratuitous sex, swearing or intense descriptions of violence.  I’d rate this somewhere in the middle of three and three and a half stars.

#48. THE PILOT’S DAUGHTER by Audrey J. Cole
★★★☆☆
Well, this book certainly makes the idea of flying terrifying now, ha!  I flew through this suspense novel about a hijacked flight and the passengers that must survive the ordeal.  Not the best book I’ve ever read, but definitely entertaining.  My biggest complaint was that I found the romantic undertone to be a little odd, given the circumstances, but maybe that’s just me.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  The Pilot’s Daughter was published June 22, 2021!)

#49. THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A WOMAN by Alice von Hildebrand
★★★☆☆
I mentioned back in January that I’ve been feeling a nudge toward the more feminine, which has been quite the journey for a tomboy like me!  Somewhere along the way, this little book about the value of womanhood was recommended and I slowly worked my way through it this month.  Lots to ponder and chew on – I think I’ll have to read it again soon.

#50. THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND by Jojo Moyes
★★☆☆☆
This one was a dual timeline novel (1916 France during WWI and then modern day) about an important piece of artwork that connects the two main characters together.  The beginning started strong and I was really interested, but it fizzled significantly by the midpoint of the book.  It definitely follows the typical chick flick tropes – as I read, I could picture the movie in my head!  Just an okay read for me.

#51. THE GREAT PRETENDER: THE UNDERCOVER MISSION THAT CHANGED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF MADNESS by Susannah Cahalan
★★★☆☆
Brain on Fire was one of my favorite books in 2018, so I couldn’t wait to read Cahalan’s latest book about mental health and psychiatry.  From the cover: “In 1973, a charismatic doctor convinced eight healthy people to commit themselves to mental hospitals.  They had to prove their sanity to be set free.  Their undercover mission would change our understanding of madness forever.”  This one wasn’t nearly as good as her memoir and seemed to lose focus with multiple side stories.  Still interesting and I learned a lot.

#52. WHEN WE WERE THE KENNEDYS: A MEMOIR FROM MEXICO, MAINE by Monica Wood
★★★☆☆

Anne pulls out her chair and gathers me into her lap, which is too small for me now…”We have two choices,” she says, holding me fast.  “We can ask why-why-why, over and over.  Why-why-why?”  She pauses, letting that useless plea sink in.  “Or,” she says, “we can just do.”
I well up.  “I don’t want to just do.”
She waits; this is how I always know she’s listening.  Then: “Monnie,” she whispers.  “Just doing doesn’t hurt as much as why-why-why.” (p.150-151)

This is a quiet story of grief, seen through the eyes of a young girl living in Mexico, Maine in 1963.  It’s sad, but not depressing.  My family is from a town not that far from Mexico and I loved reading about some of the same things from my parents’ childhood.  I need to pass this one on to my mom to read next.

#53. THE HOUSE AT THE END OF HOPE STREET by Menna Van Praag
★★☆☆☆
I purchased this one entirely because of the beautiful cover!  The dust jacket describes the book as “a whimsical novel of hope and feminine wisdom that will enchant readers from first page to last.”  Sounds charming!  Sadly, I didn’t love it.  It’s probably much better suited from someone who enjoys magical realism and can see past melodramatic characters and silly, cliched plot lines.

#54. SUCH A QUIET PLACE by Megan Miranda
★★★☆☆
This book is a new type of “closed room” murder mystery for me, taking place in a quiet neighborhood.  The storyline was a slow burn and I didn’t find any of the plot twists incredibly shocking.  I’ve heard that this isn’t her strongest work, so I’ll have to try one from her backlist soon.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  Such a Quiet Place will be published on July 13, 2021!)

#55. THE ART OF LOADING BRUSH by Wendell Berry
★★★★☆

Andy knew well, and he has remembered again and again, the household of his Catlett grandparents, who shared pretty fully in the imperfections of their time and place, who no doubt lived in poverty by modern standards as they struggled to hold on to their farm, and did hold on to it, though almost losing it, and never quite “got ahead.”  They lived from their garden, their flock of chickens, their milk cows, their meat hogs.  His grandmother made her own soap.  And so they survived, and at least ate well, through the predations and depressions of an economy that gutted upon the primary producers of its wealth, as dominant economies have always done.  They spent little, wasted nothing, and saved everything that could be saved.  Andy remembers, after his grandmother’s death, finding her collections of bits of string, ribbon, and dress trimmings all wound neatly on pieces of cardboard and put away, those and other things too nice, too costly, too potentially useful to be thrown out or burned… He found her collection of pretty greeting cards that she could not part with because they had so gladdened her heart.  And he wonders how in the time only of his own life his nation can have progressed from that old effort and hardship and saving to the normality of spending, consuming, and throwing away. (p.212-213)

This book is a collection of Berry’s writings, including long essays and a few fictional stories at the end.  I read this really slowly because they were so dense and thought-provoking.  His essay entitled “Leaving the Future Behind: A Letter to a Scientific Friend” was especially timely.  So good.

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#39. DIARIES OF THE CHINESE MARTYRS by Gerolamo Fazzini
★★★★☆

I recall that Jesus himself arrived at the Resurrection only after he completed the ascent of Calvary, carrying the cross on the Via Dolorosa.  Why should I, a follower of Christ, expect something different?…So I began to transform my fears into something positive, to cultivate love as the purpose of my life, learning to suffer with my divine Lord for the Church in China, for the universal Church, [and] for all humanity. (p.189)

This is such an important book.  There are four testimonies included from both priests and laymen, detailing their experience during Mao’s dictatorship in 1950s and 60s.  Such suffering!  Two of them were imprisoned for over twenty years!  I found the parts about propaganda and changing laws especially fascinating and scary.  Definitely a cautionary tale.

#40. THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz
★★★★☆
This book was so much more than a thriller!  The story follows a man named Jacob who is a bit of a “one hit wonder” writer: his first book was well received, but his subsequent novels were duds.  So while working as a professor in a college writing program, he is introduced to a student with an unbelievable story.  Fast forward a few years.  Jacob discovers that his student has died without finishing the book, so he decides to take the plot idea and run with it as his own.  His book is a huge hit and he’s finally living the dream…until he gets an email that says, “You are a thief.”  Someone knows the truth and Jacob has to figure out who it is before the world discovers that he is a fraud.

I’d consider this one a slow burn with a book within a book.  I’m sure writers will especially love and relate to the ups and downs of the writing process.  3.5 stars, rounded up.  (The Plot was released on May 11, 2021.  Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.)

#41. HOSTAGE by Clare Mackintosh
★★★★☆
This thriller had a slow start, but quickly picked up the pace and I couldn’t put it down!  In this book, we meet Mina, a flight attendant who is working on the first nonstop flight from London to Sydney.  When she receives a threatening note from a passenger, she has to make an impossible choice, which creates a series of nail-biting events on the 20-hour flight.  I really enjoyed this one.  (Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.  Hostage will be released on June 22, 2021!)

#42. THE WIVES OF LOS ALAMOS by Tarashea Nesbit
★★★☆☆
This book focuses on the women married to the scientists who worked on the atomic bomb during WWII.  The entire book was written in first person plural, which I don’t think I’ve ever read before.  An example: We sometimes resented how our husbands asked us to step out of the room in our own house so they could talk to their friends late into the night.  And some of us spied and heard things, and some of us would never eavesdrop though we really, really wanted to, and some of us did not even think to listen to what our husbands and their friends were talking about because we were too busy thinking about our own worries: what Shirley meant when she said that thing yesterday, how to stretch the ration coupons to make a nice dinner tomorrow. (p.100-101)

Despite the distracting writing style, I actually found this book thought provoking.  I’m interested in learning more about this specific aspect of WWII history.

#43. THE CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London
★★★☆☆
When I picked up this short classic, I was expecting a little story about a dog in the frozen Yukon.  I was not expecting the violence and animal cruelty. Brutal!  My favorite part was the section describing Buck’s devotion to John Thornton.  (This was also my 1903 pick for the 20th Century in Books Challenge.)

#44. THE ESCAPE ROOM by Megan Goldin
★★★☆☆

“Welcome to the escape room.  Your goal is simple.  Get out alive.”

I flew through this suspense thriller in 24 hours!  This is a story of greed and revenge with a whole cast of unlikeable characters.  Definitely have to be in the mood for that kind of thing, but still a good escapist read.  I only wish that there had been more time on the “escape room”-type puzzles.  Solid three stars.

#45. WIFE, MOTHER AND MYSTIC: BLESSED ANNA-MARIA TAIGI by Albert Bessières, S.J.
★★★☆☆

“It is a question of a humble wife and mother, an angel of consolation to her parents, a model of schoolgirls and young women of the working classes, a mother of children who knew how to unite labor with recollection, a mother of children upon whom weighed the care of her old parents, the care, too, of a husband who was not always good-tempered, and the education of a large family.  It is a question of a mother of children, who, without neglecting any duty whatever, yet found time to visit the sick and to make herself all things to all men.” – Pope Benedict XV, on declaring her “Blessed” and approving the miracles (p.210)

I first learned about Blessed Anna-Maria from the Saint’s Name Generator back in January and was excited to find a book dedicated to her life.  She was a wife and mother and I enjoyed learning a little about her home life and relationships with those around her.  Unfortunately, I found the book itself somewhat awkward to read, though it may be because it has been translated from the original French?

#46. THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE by Alexander McCall Smith
★★★★☆
It’s been too long since I’ve visited Mma Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency!  This is the fifth book in the series and it was just the wholesome, cozy read I needed.  Three and a half stars, rounded up.

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#31. THE BAKER’S DAUGHTER by Sarah McCoy
★★☆☆☆
Another book from the beginning of my Goodreads TBR list.  This was a dual-perspective novel set in two time periods: 1940s Nazi Germany and current day El Paso, Texas.  The modern day protagonist is a journalist for a local magazine who interviews the owner of a German bakery for a story.  The two women strike up a friendship of sorts and we learn more of the baker’s past during World War II.  I was invested in the historical fiction parts, but did not find the modern day compelling at all (which is like half of the book).  I also couldn’t really figure out what the connection the author was trying to make with the two time periods.  Ultimately, just an okay read for me.

#32.  AN EVERLASTING MEAL: COOKING WITH ECONOMY AND GRACE by Tamar Adler
★★★★☆
This is one of those books that you can pick up and set down easily, grabbing a bit of inspiration each time you read it.  I typically have a hard time when people wax poetic about things, but I really enjoyed this book about making delicious food with simple ingredients.  As someone who prefers a recipe with exact measurements, I really have had to stretch my culinary muscles to follow her instructions…and that’s a good thing!  My biggest takeaway is that good food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive to be satisfying.

#33. THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST by Anne Catherine Emmerich
★★★★☆
This was my book for Lent this year.  Beautiful and descriptive and heart-wrenching and hopeful all wrapped into one book.  I really enjoyed it and hope to read it again.

#34. SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt
★★☆☆☆
Another one where I closed the book and said, “What in the world did I just read?”  I heard about this one from someone on Youtube and she raved about it, but I had quite the opposite reading experience.  The story is about a female doctor who is wrongfully accused of murder and has to disappear into wild Texas territory.  It sounded right up my alley, and it was, except for the fact that the beginning was a bit too “I am woman, hear me roar!” for my taste.  One example that had me rolling my eyes:

I watched Harriet walk away with pity, which I suspect she would have loathed.  She was a woman with no place, save by her brother’s side.  Unmarried and without a profession, she most likely relied on the charity of her brother or surviving parents.  Reliance meant subordination.  She could not be her own person and would naturally resent a woman like me who could. (p.177)

She’s talking about a young woman who lost her fiancé in war.  I mean…condescending much?  The rest of the book redeemed her pretentious character a bit, but had so many gratuitous descriptions of Indian massacres and sexual assaults and I was just done.  Definitely won’t be continuing on to Book #2.

#35. THE COLOR OF BEE LARKHAM’S MURDER by Sarah J. Harris
★★★☆☆
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this book before.  The main character is a 13-year-old boy with autism and synethesia (experiencing sounds as colors) as well as an inability to recognize faces.  He is convinced that he killed his neighbor and the book explores the events leading up to that day.  I found the concept interesting, but there were some icky situations that were uncomfortable for me (think Mary Kay Letourneau) and the constant use of colors to label other characters was confusing.  Not sure it’s one that I would widely recommend, but definitely a unique read.

#36. A CATHOLIC GUIDE TO SPENDING LESS AND LIVING MORE: ADVICE FROM A DEBT-FREE FAMILY OF 16 by Sam and Rob Fatzinger
★★★★☆
This is the personal finance book I wish I had read shortly after getting married!  The Fatzingers are further along on the parenting/financial journey than us, but we have learned many of the same lessons they describe.  There’s nothing particularly new or ground-breaking, but financial freedom isn’t all that complicated in the first place.  I loved the reminder to be good stewards with the money we have, whether that be a lot or a little.  I also particularly liked the section about saving and early retirement, two ideas that are definitely on our radar these days!  3.5 stars, rounded up.  (A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More was just published on April 23, 2021.  Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.)

#37. THE DOG STARS by Peter Heller
★★★☆☆
This was a post-apocalyptic novel about a pilot who survived a terrible super flu that killed everyone he loved except his dog, Jasper.  The first half of the book focused on his grief and his day-to-day survival and while the writing was a bit rough (stilted sentence fragments with weird punctuation placement and no quotation marks), I did enjoy the story.  The second half fell short for me and felt a little cheesy.  

#38. I’LL NEVER TELL by Catherine McKenzie
★★★☆☆
The premise of this mystery was intriguing: a group of siblings are forced to figure out “whodunit” on an unsolved murder case from twenty years ago.  They all gather at the family’s summer camp to read their father’s will and then learn that the murder will have to be solved before anyone can collect the money.  It had a bit of a closed room feel because one of the siblings committed the crime, but who?  A super fast read, but tons of sexual “secrets” and too many unlikeable characters.  Wavering between 2.5 and 3 stars for this one.