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Tamara's Reads and Reviews in 2020
Goal: 70 books for the year33/70. I finally read The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. I've read a few of her other books but never this one. It was absolutely amazing. I can't get over the fact that she was only 23 years old when she wrote it.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
19/45. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.
Goal: 5 classics
8/5. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year34/70. The Red Sofa by Michel Lesbre, translated from the French by Nicole Ball and David Ball. It's a quiet, unassuming novel about a woman's internal meanderings while on the Trans-Siberian Railway and the lasting impact of her friendship with her elderly neighbor.
I thought it was very good.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
20/45. The Red Sofa by Michel Lesbre, translated from the French by Nicole Ball and David Ball.
Goal: 12 books in translation
12/12. The Red Sofa by Michel Lesbre, translated from the French by Nicole Ball and David Ball.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year35/70. Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem by Michael Schmidt. It's an exploration of the various aspects of the ancient Mesopotamian poem, including its translations and interpretations. It's not for everyone, but if you're like me and love the poem, you'll enjoy this.
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
6/5. Gilgamesh: The Life of a Poem by Michael Schmidt.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year36/70. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. A beautiful story, beautifully told about South Africa during Apartheid. Although it's been years since I last read it, I think this is the third time around for me. It is as powerful and as beautiful now as ever.
Goal: 5 classics
9/5. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.
Goal: 12 books by African authors
6/12. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (South Africa).
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year37/70. Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths by Helen Morales. She deconstructs some classical myths by interpreting them with a feminist lens and demonstrating their relevance to today. Some of the connections she makes are fascinating.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
21/45. Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths by Helen Morales.
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
7/5. Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths by Helen Morales.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year38/70. Weep Not, Child by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Published in 1964, it is considered a classic. Told through the eyes of a child, it has as its backdrop the escalating tensions in Kenya during British colonialism.
Goal: 12 books by African authors
7/12. Weep Not, Child by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Goal: 5 classics
10/5. Weep Not, Child by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year39/70. The Familiars by Stacey Halls set in 17thC England. I'd read some positive reviews about the book, so I was expecting it to be good. I was disappointed. Perhaps it just wasn't for me.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
22/45. The Familiars by Stacey Halls.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You have such fabulous goal numbers. I am rather jealous. I plan 60 and thought it was a big nu. Ber! I am in awe!
Thanks, Colette!I've always been a goal-oriented list-maker. My children have been telling me for years I should seek therapy for my affliction :)
Goal: 70 books for the year40/70. The Unpassing
by Chia-Chia Lin--a compelling narrative exploring the challenges facing an immigrant Taiwanese family in Alaska.Goal: 45 books by women authors
23/45. The Unpassing by Chia-Chia Lin
My 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year41/70. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. A magical fantasy set in 14thC Russia with elements of folk and fairy tales. I enjoyed it but I don't think I was quite as thrilled with it as many others seem to have been.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
24/45. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year42/70. Disoriental by Négar Djavadi, translated from the French by Tina Kover. It won a lot of writing awards in France. It captures the immigrant experience of an upper class Iranian family forced to flee to France. I thought it was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the narrator's voice. I highly recommend it.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
25/45. Disoriental by Négar Djavadi, translated from the French by Tina Kover.
Goal: 12 books in translation
13/12. Disoriental by Négar Djavadi, translated from the French by Tina Kover.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year43/70. Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀. It is set in Nigeria. The narrative unfolds through the alternating first-person voices of a husband and wife. The plot is well-constructed with shocking revelations interspersed throughout. The narrative weaves elements of Nigerian culture, traditions, customs, and folk tales. I thought it was very well done.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
26/45. Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀.
Goal: 12 books by African authors
8/12. Stay with Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year44/70. The Break by Katherena Vermette. A dark and intense intergenerational family saga that sheds light on the plight of Métis women in Canada. The story is very powerful; the language, beautiful; the execution, problematic. This is not an easy read because of the nature of the subject matter.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
27/45. The Break by Katherena Vermette.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year45/70. The Good People by Hannah Kent. Set in Ireland in the 1820s, it's a story about a young boy suspected of being a changeling and the efforts to "cure" him. Based on a true story. Irish folklore, superstitions, rituals, etc. are woven into the fabric of the lives of the villagers.
Kent is a very talented writer, skilled at generating atmosphere and cultural climate. I thought this was as good as her first novel, Burial Rites.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
28/45. The Good People by Hannah Kent.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year46/70. Lost City Radio by Daniel Alarcón. A powerful depiction of the horrors and injustice of living under a tyrannical government.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year47/70. The Blue Fox by Sjón. Translated from the Icelandic. It won the 2005 Nordic Council Literature Prize. It is part fable, part fairy tale, part myth, and part magical realism. The language is sheer poetry.
Goal: 12 books in translation
14/12. The Blue Fox by Sjón. Translated from the Icelandic by Victoria Cribb.
My 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year48/70. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. I thought it was brilliant. I loved the narrative voice of the feisty old woman. So different from Flights, which I also loved. Tokarczuk is such a talented writer with an amazing range.
Goal 45 books by women authors
29/45. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.
Goal: 12 books in translation
15/12. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from the Polish by Antonia Lloyd-Jones.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year49/70. Last Train to Istanbul by Ayşe Kulin. It had a lot of potential but I thought there were a lot of problems with the structure and quality of writing.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
30/45. Last Train to Istanbul by Ayşe Kulin.
Goal: 12 books in translation
16/12. Last Train to Istanbul by Ayşe Kulin, translated from the Turkish by John W. Baker.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year50/70. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. It was an inspirational memoir of a very courageous woman.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
31/45. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai.
Goal: 12 books by African authors
9/12. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai.
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
8/5. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year51/70. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. A coming-of-age story of a young girl in Zimbabwe. Very well done.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
32/45. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
Goal: 12 books by African authors
10/12. Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year52/70. Quixote: The Novel and the World by Ilan Stavans. A delightful companion to Cervantes' masterpiece.
Goal: 5 books of non fiction
9/5. Quixote: The Novel and the World by Ilan Stavans
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year53/70. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. A very moving and sensitive portrayal of a Syrian couple as refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria. The story was well-crafted and the writing was excellent.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
33/45. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year54/70. Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree. A detailed account of returning a 3,500 acre estate back to nature and the positive impact doing so has had on the natural environment. Informative and inspirational.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
34/45. Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree.
Goal: 5 books of non fiction
10/5. Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm by Isabella Tree.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year55/70. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Based on the 1620 witch trials in Vardo, a remote Norwegian coastal village. The novel is well-researched and the writing is immersive and full of vivid detail.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
35/45. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year56/70. The Translator by Leila Aboulela. A tender love story between a Sudanese widow and a Scottish professor. I've read a couple of Aboulela's novels and love the way she writes. Her writing is elegant and restrained.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
36/45. The Translator by Leila Aboulela
Goal: 12 books by African authors
11/12. The Translator by Leila Aboulela (Sudan).
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year57/70. Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis. It's a fable using dogs as its vehicle. It won a few awards, but it just didn't work for me.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year58/70. Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera about the civil war in Sri Lanka told through the voices of two young women on opposite sides of the ethnic divide. The writing was lyrical, eloquent, and immersive. I highly recommend it.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
37/45. Island of a Thousand Mirrors by Nayomi Munaweera.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year59/70. Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers: Monstrosity, Patriarchy, and the Fear of Female Power by Sady Doyle, a feminist exploration of how popular culture reflects and reinforces patriarchal norms. The work is well-researched, educational, and insightful.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
38/45. Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers: Monstrosity, Patriarchy, and the Fear of Female Power by Sady Doyle
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
11/5. Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers: Monstrosity, Patriarchy, and the Fear of Female Power by Sady Doyle
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year60/70. Just Call Me Superhero by Alina Bronsky, translated from the German by Tim Mohr.
I've loved everything I've read by her so far. This is a compelling coming-of-age story about a seventeen-year-old boy whose face has been badly disfigured by a Rottweiler. The boy has a strong narrative voice and he's very funny.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
39/45. Just Call Me Superhero by Alina Bronsky
Goal: 12 books in translation
17/12. Just Call Me Superhero by Alina Bronsky; translated from the German by Tim Mohr
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year61/70. The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder.
It takes place on an unnamed island where things keep disappearing and where the population is under strict surveillance by the Memory Police. Weird and haunting but very good.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
40/45. The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder.
Goal: 12 books in translation
18/12. The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year62/70. Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck. It depicts life in an upper class family in 1940s China. It focuses on Madame Wu, the overtly calm and sophisticated head of the large family household and the momentous decision she makes on her 40th birthday.
I enjoyed it, especially the first half of the novel because of Pearl Buck's detailed description of the traditions and customs of upper class Chinese families.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
41/45. Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck.
Goal: 5 classics
11/5. Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year63/70. Sisters by Daisy Johnson, a haunting, psychological drama of the relationship between two sisters. Although not quite as riveting as Johnson's Everything Under, I thought it was still a compelling read.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
42/45. Sisters by Daisy Johnson.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year64/70. The Book of Night Women by Marlon James. A slave narrative set in Jamaica. Very graphic violence. An amazing narrative voice and a remarkable achievement.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year65/70. An Imaginary Life by David Malouf.
Malouf envisions the life of the Roman poet Ovid after he has been exiled to the outskirts of the Roman Empire. An interesting re-creation that can be interpreted on many levels.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year66/70. How It All Began by Penelope Lively.
An elderly woman's mugging in a London street triggers a series of events with characters whose lives intersect. Penelope Lively weaves an entertaining tale illustrating the butterfly effect. Her narrative voice is funny and engaging. I recommend it if you're looking for something light to read.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
43/45. How It All Began by Penelope Lively.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year67/70. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. A re-read for me. I've been reading it with a group for the last few weeks. Finally finished it. I think it is as relevant today as it was when Swift first wrote it.
Goal: 5 classics
12/5. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift.
Goal: 70 books for the year
68/70. American Indian Women by Patrick Deval, translated from the French by Jane-Marie Todd.
I recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the contributions of American Indian women. The photographs alone, dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, were amazing.
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
12/5 American Indian Women by Patrick Deval, translated from the French by Jane-Marie Todd.
Goal: 12 books in translation
19/12. American Indian Women by Patrick Deval, translated from the French by Jane-Marie Todd.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year69/70. A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, translated from the Spanish by Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson.
I think it got bogged down with recounting the political events in Spain and Chile to the detriment of the narrative.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
44/45. A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, translated from the Spanish by Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson.
Goal: 12 books in translation
20/12. A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, translated from the Spanish by Nick Caistor and Amanda Hopkinson.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year70/70. The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun, translated from the French by André Naffis-Sahely.
A thought-provoking novel which interrogates class and racial tensions, age-disparity, and a traditional versus a modern view of a Moroccan marriage. I thought it was an interesting approach, skillfully handled.
Goal: 12 books in translation
21/12. The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun, translated from the French by André Naffis-Sahely.
Goal: 12 books by African authors
12/12. The Happy Marriage by Tahar Ben Jelloun (Morocco), translated from the French by André Naffis-Sahely.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed three of the challenges I set for myself. I intend to keep chugging along.
Goal: 70 books for the year71/70. Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie. I've loved nearly everything I've read by her. I thought this was a great read.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
45/45. Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another challenge completed :)
Goal: 70 books for the year72/70. Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States by James C. Scott.
Scott's analysis of state formation focuses primarily on ancient Mesopotamia. He challenges the narrative that states were formed as a result of the domestication of animals and plants. The study is replete with fascinating insights. It may not be for everyone, but I loved it.
Goal: 5 books of non-fiction
13/5. Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States by James C. Scott.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year73/70. The Lambs of London by Peter Ackroyd.
Historical fiction set in late 18th/early 19thC London. A little disappointing because I had hoped it would be about Charles and Mary Lamb. Instead the focus was on William Ireland, the man who claimed to have discovered some never-before-seen manuscripts by Shakespeare.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year74/70. Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky.
It is her debut novel and is translated from the German by Tim Mohr. It's good, but I think her later novels are much stronger. She is generally very good at doing first-person narratives.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
46/45. Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky.
Goal: 12 books in translation
22/12. Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky, translated from the German by Tim Mohr.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year75/70. The Wind That Lays Waste by Selva Almada, translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews.
A wonderful story, skillfully executed in vivid imagery and concise diction. The narrative is deceptively simple but it packs a powerful punch.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
47/45. The Wind That Lays Waste by Selva Almada, translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews.
Goal: 12 books in translation
23/12. The Wind That Lays Waste by Selva Almada, translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year76/70. The Still Point by Amy Sackville. Her style of writing is unique. She weaves different narrative threads together, but it is in the telling of the story that Amy Sackville demonstrates her truly exceptional talent.
Goal 45 books by women authors
48/45. The Still Point by Amy Sackville.
My 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year77/70. Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar.
A hybrid combining memoir and fiction presenting a raw and gripping portrait of America and of life post 9/11 for an American born Muslim son of immigrants.
My 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year78/70. Apeirogon by Colum McCann.
Based on the true story of the tragic deaths of two young girls and the unlikely friendship and collaboration forged by their respective fathers--an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian Muslim.
A challenging read that leaves a profound impact.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year79/70. Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley.
A feisty, energetic translation of Beowulf replete with contemporary idioms, raucous rhymes, and refreshing language. An absolute riot and definitely not your father's Beowulf.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
49/45. Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley.
Goal: 12 books in translation
24/12. Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley.
Goal: 5 classics
13/5. Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Goal: 70 books for the year80/70.The Grass Is Singing by Doris Lessing.
A compelling novel that shows the damaging impact of South African apartheid.
Goal: 45 books by women authors
50/45. The Grass Is Singing by Doris Lessing.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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I was able to download it for free from Seagull Books. They post different books on their site every week to help people out during the pande..."
I will, thanks!