While my partial list of Books Read in 2024 doesn’t hold a candle to blogger LA’s 119 read with 3 almost finished, herein lie selections – in no particular order – from my list of +/- 50 read with notes for casual perusal. I appreciate those who blog about their current reads so am returning the favor with my modest contribution. Perhaps you will find something of interest to read in the coming year…
Fiction
- The Sky Unwashed by Irene Zabytko– fictionalized account of the days during and after the Chornobyl/Chernobyl* melt down, explosion on April 26, 1986. The extra zing to this plotline involves the eventual return ‘home’ by first one old woman, then others following – discovering each other once back in their neighborhoods & their daily survival living. Very creative in that the author took the factual subject & wrote the story – ‘giving voice’ to the event, society and lives touched in the art form she possesses as an author/novelist. Quality writing! *one example of usage of both Ukrainian & Russian transliterations of same word within novel
- Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (trans: Carol & Thomas Christensen) – My Description Blurb: “Mexican Cookbook Soap Opera”. Always wanted to see the movie, but previews emphasized the R rating aspects instead of the totality of the book’s message. I felt like the movie adaptation would take away from the beauty of the read with an accelerated focus on the tawdy/mystical references instead of presenting them in context as part of the whole book itself. Sooooo – when I found a copy of the book on a used book table over the summer for $0.25 cents – I eagerly picked it up and delved into its depths. Yes, it does contain some tawdy/mystical material but weaves it beautifully as part of the very well-written – even literary – story. Insightful culturally on so many levels and had me guessing on ‘who’ would win out in the end (a side thread IMHO). The premise of organizing the novel recounted via recipes is a good one, too.
- The Late Bloomers’ Club by Louise Miller – A comfort-read I needed at the time. Depicting relationships and a world I’d love to live in complete with Bakery/Baked Goods, Walking the Land, Community and even Goats! 😊
- Goldberg Variations, a novel by Susan Isaacs – I didn’t expect to like this but did. Different slant on career woman/Jewish culture/family. Biggest drawback for me were the incorrect ‘facts’ of living in Santa Fe, NM. Some I remember include #1, Saguaro cactus are not native to this desert area!!!; #2, Some Santa Fe architectural elements are grossly incorrect; #3, the Eastern USA view that land is cheap in the West therefore anyone can afford to buy acres and build a huge mansion on it. Ahem: this is Santa Fe, not Las Cruces!!! Regardless, I might try other novels by this author.
- A Painted House by John Grisham – a re-read and still a good read!
- Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – main character a female chemist set within context of scientists of the 1950s-1960s – stereotypes etc. Uses cooking show format as way to ‘give voice’ by showcasing chemistry in cooking and feeding the intellect of her female audience. Great scene of her brewing coffee in beakers on bunson burner in her kitchen resulting in an extraordinary cup of coffee – using freshly ground beans of course! 😊
- The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley – great contemporary novel. Idea of connection with people via strangers writing in left-behind journal is good along with the actual writing style.
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride AND Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie – both excellent and my latest finishes. Culled & copied long passages for reference in own journal. Myriad cultural insights woven into present day. If you’re reading this list – read these!
- Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher – currently re-reading. Reaching for one of her Shell Seekers series books is an ever-present option!
Up next: Non-Fiction
Interesting assortment of books. Thanks for sharing them with us. I remember reading Like Water for Chocolate and adoring it. I saw the movie years ago and don’t remember much about it, the book was better. I’m going to look for the Rosamund Pilcher Shell Seeker series, I’ve heard of it but never read any.
You’re welcome, Ms Bean. The Shell Seeker books are my comfort books. 🙂
You read a lot of books that look interesting to me, too!
Thanks for stopping by and perusing my partial list. It’s fun to find a possible ‘next read’ that way, isn’t it?
I have a good bit of catching up to do with you, Laura. The book I am currently reading is Siddhartha Mukherjee’s “Song of the Cell”, a mixture of memoir and history of Cell Biology.
I looked it up and read some of the excerpts. Looks like something I’d like, too. FYI: the part about Hooke’s microscope brought a memory long tucked away. When I was in 4th(?) grade, I received a kit to assemble my own microscope…yes, I was very much into the sciences…it was a working model based upon Hooke’s. The following Christmas I asked for a ‘real’ microscope and got one with a frog to dissect. It took me awhile to dissect the frog, but I loved taking samples of blood, water, etc and making slides to observe under that microscope. No, I don’t believe those gifts were all that expensive, just the times (60s) provided more variety of kid accessible things to explore with.
Thanks for stopping by, Lavinia! That really made my day.
Wow, interesting list! I read A Painted House a long time ago and loved it. Might be time for a reread for me, too. Will check out some of the others. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, too! Rereads are always comfy cozy reads IMHO!
All these books sound so intriguing. I’ll probably come back this post to pick some, as I haven’t read any of them. Thank you for sharing!
I tried to present a cross-section of styles & subjects…enjoy your winter-time reading, Khaya.
<3
Thank you for these reviews! I read Like Water for Chocolate so many years ago and saw the movie. I believe I enjoyed the movie. In this story, is a young woman knitting an incredibly long shawl? I listened to an audio version of A Painted House. I really enjoyed it. I’ve been hearing a bit about Winter Solstice, from other knitters so I guess I better check that one out 🙂 May you have a Happy New Year holiday, Laura.
Happy MMXXV to you, too Marie!
I hope to get to some of your list, as I am intrigued, but after the distraction of holidays, I want to get back to my book in a course I am taking that is a follow-up to “The Ignatian Adventure”, called “Seeing with the Heart.” Both are by Kevin O’Brien, SJ. We have a whole month to ponder a chapter, then meet for discussion online. It makes me accountable to practice Centering Prayer and meditation. Getting together with others to discuss the chapter is a rich experience.
I looked up the book and read the excerpt available on Amazon. It’s on my list! Thanks for the coincidental non-fic book rec! 🙂
Thanks for recommendations. I also read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store this year, and had trouble putting it down. I also recommend it highly.
You’re right, that one was hard to put down, yet I didn’t want to rush through it! Have a great New Year, Laura.
Thanks for these recommendations and reviews, Laura. Well done!
You’re welcome, Jennie. Like I mentioned to Mariss, the notes were taken directly from my journals – no fancy redrafting of them (obviously)!
😀
Fascinating to have a peak into your reading adventures. Compliments on succinct and enticing review writing.
I was a bit surprised to find that we have no books in common.
I’m thrilled to hear my jottings were understandable! They were taken directly from my journal entries – no edits…which is easily seen, I know! 😉
I am doubly impressed. Would never have known that they were unedited
Whoa-I take that as a high compliment coming from you! Thanks.
Hmmm. I haven’t read any of these so it’s good to have some recommendations!
Agreed!
I read Like Water for Chocolate ages ago for a book club. So good. I didn’t see the movie adaptation. The Late Bloomers’ Club by Louise Miller sounds fun!
What a fun way to end the years!
Wishing you joy in 2025, Laura!
Here’s to your favorite baked good washed down with a mugful of hot cocoa – we’re now both honorary members of ‘The Late Bloomers’ Club’ (heehee)
The only one I’ve read is the John Grisham novel. He consistently has been one of my favorite writers over the past couple of decades.
He writes well and peppers his output with a variety of subject matters. Another of his, “The Runaway Jury” was eye opening for me.
I saw the Like Water for Chocolate movie so many years ago and now I am interested in reading the novel after reading your review. The good thing is I forgot what happened in the movie so the plot will be a surprise for me! I found Lessons in Chemistry rather tiresome for some reason though it was a well written book.
I like your attitude towards reading the novel after having seen the Like Water for Chocolate movie so many years ago – let me know what you think!
I’ve not any of those books. I haven’t checked via Goodreads how many I’ve read so far, but I think the number may be down this year.
Spotify has given me an update on what I’ve been listening to. Well – what I’ve been listening to on there.
Technology!
HA! yeah, technology offers up a bleak and narrow view of our lives ‘in review’ via their platform analytics. You might have read one of the non-fics I’ll be posting in the next article – so stay tuned. 😉
I’ll be tuning in!