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Confession: I have never been very good about keeping track of the books that I read. Maybe it didn’t matter years ago, but as I grow older, I would really like to remember the year that I read THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL. And if I rated and wrote a review, all the better.
Enter Goodreads. For several years now, Goodreads has helped me keep track of the books I read. It’s easy to rate, review, and write private notes to myself about a book. I love that. And something about keeping track makes me want to read more and more. How fun is that!
For 2016, I set myself a goal of reading 48 books (4 per month). Thanks to the wonder of audiobooks, I have already met my goal. Today, I’d like to share some of my favorite reads of the year thus far.
DRUG MUGGERS (5 stars):
I wish I’d had this book years ago because my nutrition has definitely been mugged by prescription and OTC drugs. This is an excellent resource book that I think should be on everybody’s bookshelf. For instance, something as simple as Tums could be robbing you of quite a few important vitamins and minerals your body needs. The author isn’t saying don’t take the antacid or what your doctor prescribes. She is helping you know the foods and/or supplements you can use to replace what the drug has depleted while helping you with what ails you.
RISEN (5 stars):
You may have already seen the movie, Risen, which is being praised from all quarters. I haven’t had the chance yet (update: that was true when I wrote the review; I have since seen it and loved it). But I did listen to the audiobook, and it is AMAZING. The story is told from two points of view, a Roman Tribune, Clavius, and a Jewish widow, Rachel. There were times when I felt as if I were right there in the days before and after the crucifixion. And Yeshua was so real to me because of the wonderful storytelling, I felt like I could reach out and touch him. It was like I had spent time with Him on the edge of the Sea of Galilee.
Rachel didn’t make it into the movie due to time constraints. Well, her part of the story shouldn’t be missed. Read the book!
THE WORST HARD TIME (5 stars):
I thought I’d been taught about the dust bowl era from the 1930’s while in high school. Whew! Either I wasn’t listening or they didn’t think teenagers were ready for the full horrors of this era and our (mankind’s) part in it.
This book is so very good. Because it tells stories of real people who lived in the dust bowl, it held my interest throughout. I was actually sorry when I reached the end. Even more sorry to learn that many parts of that country have still not recovered 80+ years later. Have we learned from the mistakes made in the 1920’s and 1930’s? I wish I could believe we have.
AVA’S MAN (5 stars):
Oh. My. Word. I can hardly wrap my mind around how much I love this book. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, in his wonderful Southern accent, which only served to immerse me even deeper into the story of Charlie, Ava’s man (and the author’s grandfather). The book was published in 2001, so it isn’t new. But if you haven’t read it, you should.
It is filled to the brim with wonderful turns of phrases that will make you not just fall in love with the people in the story but with their down-home language. One line from early in the book said that he died “soft and quiet, like a cat leaving a room.” And another: “But when the spirit, or the liquor, moved him, he was one of the finest storytellers who ever lived in our part of the country … A man who didn’t need a gun to kill you because he was capable of talking you to death.”
I wish my mom was still alive. She grew up in much the same time frame as Charlie and Ava, although not in the same area of the country. I wish I could ask her to tell me more about my grandfather, who died before I was born. Listening to Ava’s Man made me want to discover my own family’s stories about the Great Depression and the years that followed.
Read. This. Book. Even better, listen to it in the audio form.
ESTHER: ROYAL BEAUTY (5 stars):
I loved this book for many reasons. I loved imagining with the author all of those parts of Esther’s story that are not detailed in the biblical recounting. I loved the bits of real history (the war with Greece, etc.) that were included, painting an even fuller picture of the times and the king. I loved getting the story from Esther’s point of view, but I thought getting another part from Harbonah the eunuch’s point of view added depth that the story wouldn’t have had otherwise. Long ago I learned that I can count on Angela Hunt to do her research, and it shows in her books. I thoroughly enjoyed Esther: Royal Beauty.
LILAC GIRLS (5 stars):
Lilac Girls was not an easy novel to read. It puts a human face on a painful, ugly part of 20th century history. I didn’t know going in that the characters in the story were real people or based on real people. Not knowing made me wonder how on earth the author would redeem the German viewpoint character in my eyes. Turns out she (the author) didn’t have to. And the American and Polish viewpoint characters owned my heart from almost page one. If you like WWII fiction or fiction based on fact, you won’t want to miss Lilac Girls. I’m very glad Goodreads recommended it to me.
THE MAGIC STRINGS OF FRANKIE PRESTO (5 stars):
Every so often I’m blessed to read a book that makes me wish I’d written it. This is one of those books. It was also one of those books that I rushed to finish because I had to know how it ended. And than I was left bereft, as if I’d lost a close friend. I want to read more. I want it to last a little longer.
I listened to the novel on audio, and the cast is amazing. They really brought the characters to life.. And the narrator of Music (Albom) stamped those portions of the story on my heart.
I know. This is sort of a sappy review. I can’t help it. I loved the story that much.
Wow. Just posting these covers and reviews let me relive a little bit of this great reading year. Hope yours is going as well.
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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Thanks so much for all the great recommendations, Robin. Oh, for a solid month to do nothing but read. I’m impressed that you’re on track with 48 books for the year! I hoped to read 24 this year and I’m woefully behind! Before I started writing, I read at least a book a week, sometimes two. And I will say that I read a lot for research, but since I often skim those books, or read only the part that applies to what I’m researching, I don’t “count” them and don’t add them to my list of book’s read…only those I’ve read cover-to-cover. If I ever retire, reading will be high on my list of things to accomplish!
Deb, without audiobooks I wouldn’t have reached 50 books already. I would have read maybe six to ten. The vast majority of these books have been audio. I listen in the car. I listen while I’m getting dressed and messing with hair and so forth. I listen when I’m doing any mindless task, like apply essential oils to the bottoms of my feet each morning. Like you, I used to read more than a book a week before I was a writer. But now, if I can be reading, I know I should be writing. :-\
These look like gems and I want to read every single one! Thanks so much for sharing!
Enjoy!
I love Audible! I might meet my goal (50) this year, too–thanks to audiobooks. I’m putting all of these into my wishlist. I loved “Risen” the movie, so watch it, if you can. I’ve enjoyed listening to the classics on Audible: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Black Beauty, The Man With Two Left Feet. I’ve always been a slow reader & only read the books I had to read when I was younger. Audiobooks are like a new lease on life to me. My recommendations are: Jan Karon’s Mitford series read by John MacDonough. True Grit, anything written by Charles Martin but especially The Mountain Between Us, Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler, & The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. My friend Sally tells me The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd should be up next on my list.
JJ, I should have said that I have seen the movie Risen since I wrote that review. Maybe I’ll go edit that. Loved the movie. The book is still richer. You have named many books that I have loved: Mitford series, Guernsey Literary, etc. I own several others that you mentioned that I have yet to listen to but are in my playlist.
Robin, I love it when you suggest books! I have already ordered the Drug Muggers and hope to read more you suggested. I am an avid reader, retired, health issues keep me at home more…so I read about 10-12 books a month. I never miss reading your books, as well as Deb Raney! Thanks for giving us readers such wonderful books to read!
Blessings~~~
Oh, thanks, Jackie. How kind of you to tell me that you never miss my books. You will be so glad you bought Drug Muggers. I took it to my doctor who then said she was ordering copies for the waiting room. It really is a valuable book. Not fun like a novel of course, but definitely should be in everybody’s library and put to use.
Fantastic post, Robin! I loved reading your reviews of the books you’ve loved so far this year. You’ve given me fresh ideas about what to read (or listen to) next. 🙂
I got the Mitch Albom book because of an author friend’s recommendation. I am so glad I bought it and listened at once. So. Very. Good.
Thank you for the recommendations, Robin! I don’t know how you narrow it down to just four a month, I lack that kind of self-control 😉
I don’t choose to narrow it down to four a month. Between writing full time and my college studies, I just plain don’t have any more reading time available. If I didn’t need to sleep, but I consider a really good night’s sleep six hours as it is. Sigh…
Thanks, Robin! I’m on my way to the library to check them out!
Enjoy!
Love this post! Thank you so much, Robin, for the book recommendations! I had not read any of those books and have yet to try audible. I’m having a difficult time embracing the idea of listening to a book. Maybe after I’ve read it? I do see the value of listening to a book when you’re driving. I’m going to have to try it! IBLF is one blog I do read faithfully. Thank you to all the contributors!
Sandy, try listening to The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto or to Ava’s Man or to The Help. Those are all amazing audiobooks.
Great post. I love Goodreads, which my daughter encouraged me to join two years ago. Although I had started keeping a running list of books read on my computer in 2004, Goodreads makes it easy to do and gives great information. Congratulations on reaching your goal.
Thanks for the recommendations. I already have Lilac Girls.
I often tried to keep track of my reading on paper, and then I would start forgetting to make entries and the notebook would eventually go to waste. Goodreads has made me much better at tracking every single book from start to finish.
I love Goodreads for keeping track of the books I read and review. This year I have not read as much. I was in the hospital twice and so was my hubby. He passed away at the end of July.
Oh, Jan. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I completely understand how your husband’s passing can affect your reading. When I went through a period of deep grief years ago, I lost all interest in reading fiction. I tried, and there wasn’t a single book that could keep my attention. I did still read some non-fiction. Mostly books to help me deal with the grief, although not all overtly related to that subject. That lasted for more than a year, and then one day it suddenly changed.
Anyway, read if it helps you and don’t if it doesn’t. Grieving is a personal journey. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I have recently read a couple of your books.The Forgiving Hour and FirstBorn.I loved how you shared the Holy Spirit speaking to them.It also made me examine some areas in my life that needed to change.I also loved Ribbon of Years.It was a powerful redemption story of God’s love.Keep the great faith based books coming….Diana G.