Category Archives: books

Looking Back: 2024 In Books

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Last year was not my best for reading. 

I tend to read a healthy mixture of genres in both fiction and nonfiction. These people who read just one genre have my respect but I could never do it because there’s just so much interesting stuff out there. Plus, I’m a moody reader so my tastes can change. Nonfiction is handy when my mind is quiet and able to concentrate. Different fiction genres are reserved for when I wish to just be entertained or when I need a palate cleanser between harder books. Historic fiction has been my favorite for a long time. Photography books and children’s books come in handy for when the mind needs help quieting. 

This year, the bookshelf was sparse. I read about half what I would normally read and abandoned at least a dozen books either because they just weren’t for me or because I truly disliked them. 

Historic fiction was once my go to fiction category but I have become extremely picky about what I will even consider reading. That’s because there have been some troubling trends in that genre these last several years. The first is that it seems every book cover features a woman facing away from the author. Yes, yes, we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but this style choice is often our first clue that the word cookiecutter might be part of our review. The second is that they’re all about ordinary women doing extraordinary things during World War II. It’s like a few of these books performed well and publishers decided to churn out as many as possible without regard to quality. The third trend is that the story starts to drag a little more than half through and you wonder if the author knows how to end the book.

I tell you that to say this: most of my DNF list was World War II historic fiction published in the last two years. 

In 2024, I read far less nonfiction than normal but most of those choices were rock solid. Overall I felt rather uninspired by my reading life last year. Yet, when I went to choose my very favorites to share with you, gentle reader, it was hard to pare down to a manageable number. That’s because the books I did enjoy were mostly books I loved.

Without further ado, here are the books I would recommend!

Nonfiction:

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

This true crime book reads like a thriller, telling the story of the world’s most prolific art thief. He pulled off over 200 heists, mostly in broad daylight in museums across several countries. Priceless paintings, sculptures, tapestries, silver pieces and more were expertly whisked away to his sad attic room that resembled the inside of Ali Baba’s cave. He lived in that room with a girlfriend who was a partner in the spree. I did not want this book to end. If you are a lover of fine art, museums, or true crime, this is the book for you.

Come Fly The World by Julia Cooke

The author is a travel writer and daughter of a former Pan Am executive. She gives us a glimpse inside the golden age of travel and the glamorous life of the Pan Am Stewardess by weaving together the stories of actual women who wore the uniform between 1966 and 1975. During those years, these women had to be college educated, speak two languages and be well versed on current affairs. There were age, height and weight requirements too. Often treated like glorified waitresses in the air and perceived in suggestive ways, these women helped to define midcentury air travel. They also were put at risk when Pam Am added runs from Saigon to Hong Kong for plane loads of soldiers who were off on five days leave before being flown back to battle in the Vietnam War. What a journey this book takes you on! 

The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert

The woman who brought us Eat, Pray, Love has written several other books including this examination of Eustace Conway who left his comfortable suburban life for twenty years of beautiful, rewarding, harsh and unforgiving living in the Appalachian Mountains. I bought this book on a whim without knowing what was in store. It was shelved in the nature section which seems both appropriate and an odd choice. Regardless, I’m glad it found me. Honestly, this book defies description but it’s a fascinating glimpse into a mind and a life that’s a bit offbeat from what we take for granted today. 

The Man From the Train by Bill James and Rebecca McCartthy James

This book is a ruler by which I judge all historic true crime. Oddly enough, Bill James had a career as a baseball writer rather than a crime writer. He read about a series of crimes that occurred in the midwest at the turn of the twentieth century. The worst of them all was in Villisca, Iowa where eight people were murdered by axe in a locked home. The murderer had disappeared into thin air. When the author read about this series of crimes, he was certain there were more. Using modern technology, he pieced together a much larger group of crimes that he believes were committed by the same person and he believes that person traveled and escaped by train. We will never know for sure but this book made a believer out of me.

When Books Went To War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning

It is difficult to describe what this book means to me. It opens in Berlin in 1933 where German college students gathered to burn banned books – books that the government had designated anti-German. Imagine the birthplace of the printing press becoming the crematory for books! It was difficult to stomach. Fast forward to America’s entry to World War II when the War Department and the publishing industry partnered to create a program that put lightweight pocket sized books into the hands of American soldiers. Soldiers carried them into battle and some died with them in their hands. These books connected them to home and inspired them to learn. Men and boys who had never read even one book in their lifetime were suddenly excited to read. Ultimately, this book program led to the creation of the GI Bill and the motivation of an entire generation to better themselves through education and career. I struggled with the book burning but am grateful for the author and the work she put into her research.

Winter’s Song: A Hymn To The North by TD Mischke

The author is a writer, podcaster, former talk radio show host and Minnesota native. This book is his love letter to winter and it is the first book I have read by someone who enjoys the season as much as I do. Of course, his Minnesota winter is far more hardcore than we have in my region of the country. It’s funny, sad and profound and an honest look at the season. He quotes a woman named Nannah who moved from Manilla to Minnesota at the age of 35. When she photographed snow and sent it home to family in Asia she always used the same description “So white, so beautiful, so quiet, so cold.” He wrote “she said she always made sure to include a description of the word quiet, because after each snowfall, that was what struck her most when she stepped outside, the remarkable quiet of the world around her.” It’s a lovely book. 

Honorable Mentions: Nonfiction

Courageous Women Of The Vietnam War: Medics, Journalists, Survivors and More by Kathryn J. Atwood (part of the Women of Action series geared toward young women)

Life Makeover by Dominique Sachse

Out of the Forties by Nicholas Lemann

Stories In The Grove by Phil Nuxhall

What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia by Elizabeth Catte

The Wright Sister by Richard Maurer ((ages 10-14 but extremely well researched and told)

Fiction

The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore

This was a much anticipated release last year and I can understand why. It’s the story of a wealthy family, missing children, and secrets that stretch across time from the 1950s until the current day setting in 1975. That’s when a girl goes missing from a summer camp that the family owns. This is a nonlinear telling of the story, meaning that it jumps around a lot. I personally like that kind of story and especially appreciated it in this case. It kept me engaged and guessing from the first page to the last and that’s honestly something I can’t say about most fiction. 

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

This chapter book was written for about the 7-10 year old set but I don’t care. It was like a warm blanket and cookie after a long day in the rain. It is the first in a series that follows Mona the Mouse, an orphan who finds her way to the exclusive Heartwood Hotel. This hotel is in a tree in the Fernwood Forest and is a place for all kinds of animals to come together for stays both brief and long and where everyone mostly coexists happily. In fact, the hotel motto is “We live by protect and respect. Not by tooth and claw.” It’s a delightful book that’s well written and beautifully illustrated. It would make a great read aloud book for your family but is awfully nice for us tired grownups who just want to live peacefully among our neighbors. I also read book two in the series and it held up as well. I’m holding on to the next two for a proverbial rainy day. 

Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich

This year gave me a new author. A southern writer. A man who is open about once being a middle school drop out. He studies people and loves traditional music. He sees the good in this world and seems to do his part to make up for some of the bad out there. His oral storytelling is second to none. His written storytelling is probably my new favorite as I read his daily essays online. This book was my gateway into his world of fiction. I won’t try to describe it for you other than to say it’s a beautiful story about rich characters and about what brings us together. It’s set in the seventies but the themes are timeless. Do not miss out on this book. 

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Two boys go missing in a West Virginia state forest only to reappear six months later with no explanation for where they have been or how they got back. Fifteen years later one has become a reclusive artist with no memory of what happened. The other is a famous missing persons investigator who knows they spent those six months in a magical realm that he can only access again with help from his friend. The two set off on a journey with a woman whose sister went missing in that very forest. What happens next is a magical, awe inspiring fairy tale that makes you want to go find your own portal into a magical land. 

Olivetti by Allie Millington

Olivetti is a typewriter who despises books and the laptop computer that has replaced him. But he feels deeply for the family he lives with and about protecting their secrets. That is, until one day he realizes that the code of the typewriter is less important than a member of the family who has gone missing. He knows secrets that can help and begins to speak in the only way he knows how. This is fantasy writing at its best because it doesn’t feel like a fantasy. It feels like it could actually happen and I liked that. By the way, I bought this book for its cover and title. I guess you can sometimes judge a book by its cover after all. 

The Women by Kristen Hannah

I actually wrote about this book after I read it. Click here for that story. Meanwhile, I would like to emphasize that this isn’t the absolute best fiction book I read this year. However, it may be the most important. What our men and women endured in Vietnam was unspeakable and the treatment they received when they came home was reprehensible. We owe a debt of gratitude to them but the topic has always been taboo. I was in a store the other day and witnessed a teenager thank a Vietnam veteran for his service and I noticed he stood a little taller after that. It’s important. These women who were nurses deserve to be noticed, thanked and treated just the same as the men but their stories have largely gone untold. I hope this will spark a conversation and inspire more books like it.

Honorable Mentions: Fiction

Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

Saturday Night At The Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

The Rosewood Casket by Sharyn McCrumb

The Trackers by Charles Frazier

So that’s the cream of the crop. What did you read that you can recommend? I would very much like to know!

The Bookery

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The first stop on our fifteen store book tour of the Cincinnati area was The Bookery. First of all, can you think of a better name for a bookstore?

The Bookery. I like it.

Situated in Cincinnati’s quaint Columbia Tuscolum neighborhood, their closest neighbors are an art gallery, a florist and a church. It’s a quiet, lovely little area with free street parking.

It’s owned by a couple who simply love books and who say on their website they are trying to help others take back their time from technology and screens in favor of reading books.

This store was so much fun to browse because the fiction collection is really extensive and the nonfiction area, while smaller, is high quality.

Not to mention the near magical children’s section with murals and furniture invites the wee ones to sit and enjoy their finds while parents shop. I also discovered a sweet little chapter book series for youngsters that has been good for my tired brain. Don’t judge but children’s books make great palette cleansers.

The woman who checked us out was pleasant and well informed about the books we were buying. She really seemed to know her stuff and was excited for our business. I want to go back soon.

Simply put, The Bookery is the kind of place that offers a little something for everyone and where you’re sure to find something you didn’t know you couldn’t live without.

It’s a warm and inviting space that makes you want to linger and enjoy the treasures. It also has made the short list of bookstores that we both wish to revisit when we’re in town.

Want to learn more? Visit The Bookery online!

Book Lovers Day

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Of all the made up holidays, National Book Lovers Day is my very favorite. Sadly, I almost missed it this year. It was yesterday but I didn’t find out till the day was nearly over.

If you are a reader, odds are good that you read for a variety of reasons. It could be for the escapism that comes from getting lost in a story. It could be for learning and enrichment or for the pure joy that comes with a truly great book. 

There are as many types of readers as there are people in this world too. Some read multiple books of varying genres all at one time. Others read from a narrow catalog of one specific genre. Some prefer extremely long books. Others do audiobooks rather than traditional ones. 

Personally, I read just one book at a time. I read fiction and non-fiction in various genres and covering an array of topics. I prefer books of average length and have little patience for those that are long for the sake of being long. 

I once was an avid library supporter but found that purchasing the books I wanted to read was preferable to visiting my local library. Not to mention, it gives me an opportunity to support authors and that’s important to me. 

I did celebrate National Book Lovers Day – mainly because I live as though every day is best used to celebrate books. I read some from Patrick Dewitt’s The Librarianist and researched a bookstore I want to visit on our next foray into Dayton. I also took a few minutes to consider books I want to read this fall including a couple of Alice Hoffman novels and one about winter in the forest that I’m holding onto until January. Not to mention, I got to hear my fella talk about a biography of Leonardo Davinci that he is reading!

There are so many incredible books out there, most of which I will never have time to read. My To Be Read pile is growing seemingly by the minute and there are books I would like to revisit soon including some classics like Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird which I revisit every few years and George Orwell’s 1984 which I haven’t read in ages.

Whether you’re a bookworm or a book dragon, I hope you remember that every day is Book Lovers Day and that there’s always room for one more book. Also remember that it isn’t hoarding if it’s books and that there are worse addictions!

If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.

Ronald Dahl

The Women

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Fiction writer Kristen Hannah has somehow transitioned into the writer that everyone either loves or loves to hate. Her name frequently gets bandied about in social media book groups and I’m always shocked at how combative her haters are and how overzealous her supporters can be. 

Personally, I like her more recent works but that’s not a hill I’ll die on. Meanwhile, I despise Stephen King but would never dream of going to a discussion about how great he is to rain on someone’s parade. 

That’s probably bordering on unAmerican these days but, there, I said it. Discouraging others from embracing what they like isn’t my thing. I clearly don’t know how the internet works. 

This has been on my mind since I finished reading Hannah’s new historic fiction book The Women earlier this month.

It’s about a young nurse who enlists in the Army to serve in Vietnam. She serves two tours before coming home a changed person with PTSD. I won’t tell you much because I don’t want to spoil the story for you but I will tell you some things that are general facts about Vietnam.

Her time in country was brutal. The hours and the devastation of endless waves of soldiers and civilians ripped limb from limb are described in this book. The horrifying and utter loss of it all was experienced by soldiers and the doctors, nurses and camp support staff there to help them. 

Then, these veterans returned home to an ungrateful nation that was fighting its own war in the media and in protests across the country. They were spat upon, called unspeakable names and denied basic services. The federal government didn’t even consider these women nurses who served bravely in dangerous conditions to be veterans. 

Yet, we don’t talk about these things enough or very well. We have generations of people living in this country today who know none of this and I have witnessed plenty of them lately showing their ignorance in online conversations about this book. 

They don’t believe a combat nurse would be relegated to changing bedpans and taking temperatures in hospitals back home. They don’t know that women of that era couldn’t get a bank loan without a signature from her husband or dad. They don’t understand any of it or how our activities at the ballot box today can either advance women’s rights or turn back the clock decades at a time. 

They don’t understand how those women were treated or how they suffered because their own government didn’t recognize their service.

I was in a Barnes and Noble recently and found just three books about Vietnam on the shelves. There was another one about President Johnson’s mucking up of the war but it really was about the man and his strategies rather than the people fighting under his leadership. Three books. 

The section on feminism and women’s issues was pretty scrawny too. 

It was downright sad. 

Kristen Hannah has written some good books and some not-so-good books throughout her career. In this book, I found a couple of mistakes that should be attributed to her editors. The book stretches on a little too long. It’s like she got stuck in a loop and got herself lost on the way to the end. The main character isn’t the most likable. 

But I’m happy to recommend this book and am glad that it exists. After all, with her enormous bestselling reputation, she has a platform to reach a breathtaking amount of people. 

This story needs told and it needs heard. We still have plenty of Vietnam veterans living in this country today who deserve our sincere thanks and apologies and who might find some small comfort in knowing that history will judge them differently than their peers did. 

When you read this book, check out the list of recommended reading in the back. Not a fan of fiction writing? Ken Burns did a fantastic documentary about Vietnam you might want to check out. 

Yes, there are more and probably better ways to learn about Vietnam. This is one avenue and a darn good one if you want to learn the human side of war. The Women is available for purchase in hardback and audiobook right now. Your local library probably has a copy too. Give it a chance!

A Year In Review: Books Of Note

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Last year was not a banner year for reading as my commitment ebbed and flowed rather unpredictably. Sometimes I read voraciously, carrying a book everywhere and sneaking in a few pages whenever possible. Other times anything more insightful than a Little Golden Book seemed like too much effort. 

I started and tossed aside more books in 2023 than ever before and my final tally was just 54 books – well short of my annual goal of 100. Luckily, there were a few that rose to the top. 

Here are my top five fiction from 2023:

Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Have One by Raphaelle Giordano – I won’t lie. I bought this book because I liked the cover and the title was intriguing. Imagine my surprise when this #1 French bestseller from 2018 grabbed me by the hand and wouldn’t let go. It’s a novel that doubles as a sort of self help book that’s Inspiring and fun to read. It tells the story of a woman who has a seemingly wonderful life but who still isn’t happy. She meets a routinologist who offers to help her find her joy and so begins a journey that we all should be fortunate to take. 

The Secret Book Of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry – This was a Book of the Month pick that also drew me in quickly and held my attention. It’s about two girls who evacuate their war torn home in 1939 London and find themselves in the English countryside. The older sister distracts the younger one by making up games and stories about a magical land called Whisperwood. All was well until one day the younger sister disappeared. Years later, a book surfaces that tells the story of Whisperwood, a story that only those two girls knew. A quest follows as the mystery unfolds. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – This is one of the single best pieces of contemporary fiction I have read in some time. Using multiple viewpoints, the author weaves together a mystery involving some unlikely characters including Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in an aquarium. The story is terrific with outstanding characters but I was particularly fond of Marcellus who is witty, smart and charming. 

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger – I have written about this author before including the day I acted like a giddy school girl when I met him at the West Virginia Book Festival. This book is rare because I literally did not want to put it down but I badly wanted to hit the brakes and savor every word. Beginning with a small town Memorial Day parade in 1958, this book enlists a believable cast of characters to tell the story of a series of crimes. It’s set in Black Earth County, Minnesota where the scenery and the atmosphere of the time and place become almost like another character. Lovely, lovely, lovely storytelling. This is a must read. And while you’re at it, pick up This Tender Land, another book of his which is one of my all time favorites. 

Wayward by Emilia Hart – I found this wonderful book because of the Book of the Month Club. It tells the story of three generations of women – one in 2019 who is fleeing an abuser, another in 1942 who wishes for the same rights and luxuries as her brother, and the third is an accused witch in 1619. The thread that holds them together is Weyward Cottage where they all live. This is a story of resilience and hope. It’s well told and creative. I hadn’t read anything quite like it and found myself awake well into the night more than once because I couldn’t sleep without reading “just one more chapter.” 

Here are my top five nonfiction from 2023:

Winter’s Song: A Hymn To The North by TD Mischke – This book will be part of my winter repertoire for years to come. In fact, I expect to reread it as soon as the snow flies. The author somehow managed to encapsulate all the reasons why winter is an amazing season. Winter’s charm comes in the darkest, coldest, snowiest days when staying home and being cozy is the very best use of life. “I’ve come to view the darkness as a real gift because of the way it presents me with an opportunity for contemplation. It’s as though winter is giving me this chance to just be, rather than do,” is a passage from my favorite chapter in this book of many great thoughts. If you enjoy winter, this book is for you. If you hate winter, this book makes a case for the reasons why others enjoy it and maybe you should give it a chance too. 

Travels With Charley In Search Of America by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck first published this book in 1961. It’s a collection of essays about his road trip across the country with his dog Charley. He special ordered a three quarter ton pick up truck capable of going anywhere. He had it fitted with a custom camper top with a double bed, chemical toilet, fridge, butane heat and storage space galore. He named it Rocinante after Don Quixote’s horse. His objective was to be incognito as he explored America and got to know the nation again. He met some characters along the way, experienced a crisis or two and learned a lot. It sounds like an epic road trip and tagging along was a lot of fun. 

Democracy Awakening: Notes On The State Of America by Heather Cox Richardson –  This author is a history professor at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history. In 2019, she began writing a newsletter called Letters From An American where she writes about the news of the day, connecting the past with the present and exploring the consequences of our events and actions today. She explores how today’s political crisis began in the 1930s and then traces the roots of those events to a century before that. This is a fascinating read but one that was hard to stomach. Did you know that in 1939, the Nazi party had gained such footing in America they had a rally in Madison Square Garden? It was to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and attracted about 20,000 people for a “true Americanism” event. Oh, the things we don’t teach in history class in the name of making our country sound better than it is. 

A Fever In The Heartland by Timothy Egan –  Along the same lines, Egan tells the riveting story of the Ku Klux Klan’s plot to take over America. For all you Hoosiers out there, you may be disappointed to know that the core of these events took place in Indiana. That’s right. The Klan had a major foothold in small towns across the north and midwest and Indiana was the model for how to build membership. All but two of Inciana’s 92 counties had a chapter. Women had a kind of auxiliary organization and children had their own as well. They were bigger than the Freemasons and the Elks. They owned cops, judges, ministers, mayors and even the governor. Their recruiting techniques read like a modern political playbook for how to divide and conquer and cultivate an environment of intolerance and hate. Another hard read but worth the effort. Just buckle up because it’s a bumpy ride. 

One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty –  This memoir was a literal breath of fresh air after reading the last two. Her story is rooted in simpler times but is somehow timeless as well. She relates lessons learned through her parents and interactions in the small world of a child. The language is simple but rich and the stories are short but meaningful. It’s a small book that packs a wallop if you’re an aspiring writer or simply a curious person. 

Are you a reader? I suspect you are if you’re still reading this. What books can you recommend? The shelves of books waiting for me to read them are nearing an out of control status but I’m convinced there’s always room for one more!

Some Goals Are Meant To Be Forgotten

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A few years ago, the Goodreads app suggested setting a reading goal for the year. I had no idea how many books I could reasonably read in twelve months but set the goal high at 100.

That happened to be 2020 when there was plenty of time to settle in with one good book after another for months at a time. I met and exceeded that goal and was quite proud.

I have left this goal the same ever since, getting close but falling short every year. This year, though, that goal is going down in a blaze of glory. With some focus, 55 books will be the final tally.

And you know something? I’m ok with that.

I have read some great books and some mediocre ones since January. I have started and tossed aside some that simply weren’t for me. There were weeks when I barely touched a book because that degree of focus simply wasn’t possible while other times found me awake late at night and tearing through an enthralling tale.

This year found me on my usual adventures and on the hiking trail a lot more than normal, making it hard to sit and read. In other words, life got in the way, taking me to rewarding places where I didn’t even know I wanted to be.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from the stories I have told on this blog over the years, it should be this: the best stuff in life is about the journey, not the destination.

Read the books you enjoy. Pass on the ones you don’t like. Take the trip, hike the hike, care for yourself and spend time with those who prove themselves your people.

If all that interferes with an arbitrary goal then so be it. Maybe I’ll do better in 2024