Naomi reads more in 2015

[Mimi V]

I didn't read much in 2014 -- I discovered felting, quilting, and painting. That didn't leave a lot of time for books. I suspect I can do better in 2015.

[Powder River Rose]

Naomi wrote: "I didn't read much in 2014 -- I discovered felting, quilting, and painting. That didn't leave a lot of time for books. I suspect I can do better in 2015."

I love projects and have lots of sewing, scrapping and gardening to do so I really enjoy audiobooks...the perfect hands-free way to enjoy books. Maybe you will enjoy that format too.....though don't read instructions and try to listen at the same time.....speaking from experience here. Have a great 2015.

[Tiffany, Administrator]

I was also going to suggest audiobooks during the crafting time. A fun way to kill two birds with one stone :)

Good luck on the 50, Naomi!

[Mimi V]

Tiffany wrote: "I was also going to suggest audiobooks during the crafting time. A fun way to kill two birds with one stone :)

Good luck on the 50, Naomi!"

Thanks, Tiffany. I think I'll try that -- good idea.

[Mimi V]

I haven't had time to write reviews like I have in the past, but here's what I've read so far this year:
1 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. I understand now why it won so many awards 4-1/2 stars
2 The Secret Place by Tana French Another installment of the brilliant "Dublin Murder Squad" books, wherein Tana French focuses on a different character from the squad in each book. 3-1/2 stars
3 Levels of Life by Julian Barnes Heart-aching book. Lovely. 4 stars
4 The Children Act by Ian McEwan One of my favorite authors back to form. 4 stars
5 Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" by Lena Dunham It took me a while to "get" Dunham, and now I think she's brilliant--and good at making people uncomfortable. 3-1/2 stars
6 Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer Amazing book. Reminded me a bit of Oryx and Crake because of the post-apocalyptic setting. 3-1/2 stars. already have the second and third book of the series

[Mimi V]

7 Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit A collection of essays, starting with the story of the bloviating man who insisted on telling Solnit about her own book and refusing to be interrupted to learn that she had written the book he was so sure he knew more about than she did. (and yes, that's a horrible run-on sentence.) 5 stars
8 Funny Girl by Nick Hornby 3-1/2 stars
9 So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson audiobook 3 stars
10 Luminarium by Alex Shakar completely amazing book. i was transported 5 stars
11 Mr Mac and Me by Esther Freud England in the First World War. A small boy and a soon-to-be famous artist. 4 stars
12 Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine Beautifully written and horrible stories of racism. Rankine is also a poet, and it shows. 5 stars
13 H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald Another beautifully written book. 5 stars
14 We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Yes, we should. 5 stars

[Mimi V]

15 Life After Life by Kate Atkinson 4 stars
16 The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 3 stars
17 Paris, He Said by Christine Sneed 4 stars
18 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 5 stars
19 The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith 3 stars
20 Garnethill by Denise Mina 4 stars
21 The Dinner by Herman Koch 5 stars Harrowing.
22 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon pure entertainment 4 stars
23 A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki loved it so much! one of my favorites this year 5 stars
24 I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 5 stars
25 The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami not one of his best, but i did enjoy the art 3-1/2 stars
26 Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay 4 stars

[Mimi V]

27 The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City by David Lebovitz 3-1/2 stars. VERY helpful when I went to Paris
28 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier a re-read. Love this book 4-1/2 stars
29 Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Recommended to me many times and I finally got around to reading it. Well done -- 4-1/2 stars
30 Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith J K Rowling knows what she's doing -- good story, but perhaps a little longer than it needed to be 3-1/2 stars
31 The Crossing by Michael Connelly Reliable Harry Bosch novel 3-1/2 stars
32 Exile by Denise Mina Disappointing follow-up to Garnethill. 2-1/2 stars