"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known...Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Book Review, 2010
I read 24 books this year.
10 biographical
6 fiction/brain candy
4 spiritual/religious
4 educational
Biographies still lead my list, I guess there is no denying that I am interested in people and what makes them who they are.
For my least favorite book of the year, I'm going to have to go with Mean Mothers. I was disappointed that on a topic as complicated and emotional as the relationship between mothers and daughters, in my opinion it spent too much time talking about why what mothers do or don't do effects their daughters (umm...duh?), and very little time on how to learn to grow and thrive even if that relationship wasn't ideal. Ultimately, it wasn't a hopeful book...which maybe wasn't even what the author was trying to write, but I had bought it with the intentions of giving it to someone, and after reading it decided it wouldn't be helpful.
As for my favorite...this is hard. I read several books this year that I really enjoyed. But strictly from a reader's perspective (as in, really well written and engrossing to read) I am going to go with Still Alice by Lisa Genova. When I asked for suggestions for what to read after last year's book review, a friend suggested it and I am SO glad that I listened to her. When I think back on the book I still have a hard time remembering that Alice Howland isn't real, and to me that is the mark of a well written character and story. It manages to be painfully real about what Alzheimer's can look and feel like, and yet I finished the book with a tender, hopeful feeling.
Other books from 2010 that I would recommend:
Every Patient Tells A Story, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, Mistaken Identity, Burying Our Swords
So, what should I read this year?
10 biographical
6 fiction/brain candy
4 spiritual/religious
4 educational
Biographies still lead my list, I guess there is no denying that I am interested in people and what makes them who they are.
For my least favorite book of the year, I'm going to have to go with Mean Mothers. I was disappointed that on a topic as complicated and emotional as the relationship between mothers and daughters, in my opinion it spent too much time talking about why what mothers do or don't do effects their daughters (umm...duh?), and very little time on how to learn to grow and thrive even if that relationship wasn't ideal. Ultimately, it wasn't a hopeful book...which maybe wasn't even what the author was trying to write, but I had bought it with the intentions of giving it to someone, and after reading it decided it wouldn't be helpful.
As for my favorite...this is hard. I read several books this year that I really enjoyed. But strictly from a reader's perspective (as in, really well written and engrossing to read) I am going to go with Still Alice by Lisa Genova. When I asked for suggestions for what to read after last year's book review, a friend suggested it and I am SO glad that I listened to her. When I think back on the book I still have a hard time remembering that Alice Howland isn't real, and to me that is the mark of a well written character and story. It manages to be painfully real about what Alzheimer's can look and feel like, and yet I finished the book with a tender, hopeful feeling.
Other books from 2010 that I would recommend:
Every Patient Tells A Story, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, Mistaken Identity, Burying Our Swords
So, what should I read this year?
Monday, February 14, 2011
quote of the week...
you can see my reflection in the picture...that makes me happy, for some reason.
Monday, February 07, 2011
quote of the week...
"I think the best evenings are when we have messages, things that make us think, but we can also laugh and enjoy other's company."
--Jane Goodall
We had one of these nights last night. What a joy to have good friends.
--Jane Goodall
We had one of these nights last night. What a joy to have good friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)