Some of you bloggers count the books you read each year. I have not counted them before, but since 2011 I have been writing down each title I read, so I decided to look at my list and found I read 92 books in 2016. That is a nice number of books. Now that I am retired I have time to indulge my reading passion.
The list includes several 500 page Anthony Trollope novels and the Bible which I read in a year.
Reading Highlights
"The Belton Estate" by Anthony Trollope. I love this book: who will Clara marry?
"Bilbury Grange" by Vernon Coleman, the memoirs of a U.K. country doctor. I read the first two in this series before figuring out it is fiction. It is fun to read and very realistic.
"God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew. One of my top 20 all time favorite books, this is the true story of how Brother Andrew smuggled Bibles to countries where it was illegal to buy or give away Bibles. He was in dangerous situations, fell in love, had almost no money, but a lot of faith and courage.
"The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" by Phaedra Patrick. Upbeat book about an older widower who uses his wife's charm bracelet to track down more about her past. I reviewed this on my blog recently.
"Cruelest Month" by Louise Penny. This is the third in the series about Inspector Gamache, a mystery set in Canada in a small town south of Quebec. Gamache is a man of high character and his own unorthodox ways of solving mysteries.
"The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine" by Alexander McCall Smith. Number 16 in this series about Mma Ramotswe, a lady detective who lives in Botswana. I give all in this series 5 stars.
"The Enchanted April" by Elizabeth von Arnim. Another book on my 20 all time favorites book list.
"Even Dogs in the Wild" by Ian Rankin. Rebus, Fox and Shiobhan are back in this great detective series.
"A Man Named Ove", a curmudgeon at age 59. One of my favorite books this year.
"Pursuit of Love" by Nancy Mitford. Witty, upper class England between the wars.
"The Three Clerks" by Anthony Trollope. I like all 15 of his novels I have read. The 3 clerks all take wildly divergent paths in life, careers, and love.
"Ralph the Heir" by Anthony Trollope. There is more than one Ralph in this novel, which one will be the heir?
"Is He Popenjoy" by Anthony Trollope. Love and inheritance. Is the child legitimate? Is the man a pretender to a title and an estate? This novel echoes an actual scandal in England in the 1870s of a pretender to a title.
"Let's Pretend This Never Happened" by Jenny Lawson. Brilliant, dark memoir by young woman who copes with mental illness. I bought her next book "Furiously Happy", haven't read the new one yet.
"Mother Was It Worth It?", number 3 in humorous memoirs by Tottie Limejuice, who moved to Auvergne in rural France from England with her ill mother and troubled brother. Start the series with the first book so it makes sense.
I like reading books other bloggers enjoyed and hope you like my list of reading highlights from 2016. I recommend all of the above.
28 comments:
Thank you Terra. Have never read anything by Trollope. Think of you often. Very often, I can't even remember the title of the book I am reading and who's who etc. I am afraid it might be dementia or something. I am hoping I am just picking all the wrong books or maybe I might have to start reading in the morning instead of in bed at night.
Wow, 92! I wrote down some of your titles for when I next go to the library, which I hope to do soon. I 'love' to read.
Have a great weekend. Love & hugs ~ FlowerLady
P.S. Is the email addy in your profile correct? I sent an email a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I sent it out into cyberspace. :-) It wouldn't be the first time that happened.
That sure is a LOT of books!! My goal is to read 50 and last year I missed by a few. Have a good start this year though - 7 so far.
Happy Reading.
I didn't read much last year, but I did read "Ove" and LOVED it! What a great story!
Impressed! Great reviews...not to figure which one to start with......
I still have The Last Chronicles of Barset by Trollope unread - having read the previous ones in that series. I've not read anything else by him, I think. I have read all of the Mma Ramotswe books, including the one you mention here. And I think that once upon a time I read that Brother Andrew book (way back in the 70's?) but I don't have it now. Maybe I borrowed it from someone.
I also keep a list of all the books I read. I do it so I don't read the same book twice (unless I want to, of course). I am also a big fan of Alexander McCall Smith. I haven't read this one, but it's on my list. I am particularly fond of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series and the Bertie series, but they are all good.
I have since read everything by Fredrik Backman. His writing makes my heart sing! And I agree, Louise Penny is a delight. Do you get her newsletter? Her husband died this past year, too, and the way she pens about the loss is both heartbreaking and hopeful. I feel like you'd appreciate that.
That's a great list of classic and contemporary!
Oh Green Girl in Wisconsin, thanks for the tip about Louise Penny's newsletter; I will subscribe to it. It sounds especially meaningful to me, with each of us having our husband die last year. I want to read all of Fredrik Backman's novels too.
Terra, I absolutely LOVE this picture of the girl in yellow reading. In fact, Nel used to have a jewelry box with this picture on the cover when she was growing up. I wonder if she still has it. I'm so impressed that you read so much. I haven't read a good book in a very long time.....it's time!
love, ~Sheri
I have recently started reading the Alexander McCall Smith series and really love it.
92 books sounds great. I want to read Backman but he is on my list to read. So many have enjoyed his works.
The Trollopes sound great - I'm about ready for another Barchester one, I think. A wonderful discovery to make in my 40s, I have to say!
I love Anthony Trollope's books but haven't read the ones you've mentioned here. I'll look forward to reading them after I've finished his Palliser series.
Hi Terra,
Just scrolled down to get a feel of your lovely blog and was sad to read about the recent passing of your beloved husband. How thoughtful and considerate your boys are, and now that you have a new furry friend, I'm sure he will keep you busy.
What wonderful picks! Thanks for all your feedback on these fabulous sounding books.
Thanks for visiting Poppy View.
Take care,
Poppy
We will be reading The Man Called Ove for book club this year. I think someone said it is coming out as a movie soon. Thanks for visiting my blog! I got the angels on the mantel at an estate sale and they are also musical. :)
Joy @ Books and Life
Wow that is a lot of books in one year! Thanks for popping by my blog. I'm a giggler too especially in places where you shouldn't giggle....that just makes me giggle more! Have a good day xx
I read the first few McCall Smith mysteries and hope to pick up the more recent ones soon.
Love your fav's! I remember reading Alexander McCall's books when he first came out with the first one but I got tired of waiting for the next one so drifted off to read other books. I think now it's time to go back and start over as there are quite few now. I also loved A Man Called Ove and at first I wasn't sure. I have got to read Anthony Trollope. Okay, is Tottie Limejuice her real name? Have a great day!
That's a wonderful list of books there, thanks for sharing them and also for visiting and leaving a nice comment on my blog :)
Your books all look very good! I have herd of the Arthur Pepper one, and may buy it! This is a wonderful assortment for the year!
i am a non reader for a medical reason - i wish i were a reader!! this list however will be enjoyed and appreciated by many of your readers. 92 books, wow, that's a lot!!!
i hope my comment went through - i had some difficulty. very impressive list and i'm sure helpful to and appreciated by your readers!!!
Love hearing your reading list! It's nice to get someone's take on what is a good book so I can just write down the titles and go get them! :) Thank you for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I'm so sorry about your stitches. How does your mouth feel now? Do you have to return to have the stitches taken out, or will they dissolve?
Ginny, the doctor said the stitches will dissolve; my mouth feels good now. Thanks for asking.
I'm writing these down Terra, I'm always looking for good books. I'll let you know the ones I read! Thank-you!!
Some great ideas here, Terra! Cheers from carole's Chatter
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