As usual, one of my goals for 2019 was to read 24 books. I would be lying if I said I came anywhere close to that goal. Some years, you just have to face the facts and admit defeat. (2020 will totally be my year, right?) Below is a little review of the books I did read over the course of 2019.
1 and 2
The Day is Ready for You, Alison Malee
Crown Anthology, Various poets Â
Iâm combining the first two books since theyâre almost the same book. The first two books of the year that I read were Alison Maleeâs poetry compilation âThe Day Is Ready for Youâ and a poetry collection called âCrown Anthology,â which is a collaboration of many different poets. As some of you might know, Iâm a huge poetry fan, but I would compare some of the newest poetry out there to sugary snacks – cheap, easy to digest, but lacking in any substance or value. These books were no exception.
3
All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque
I read this classic novel with a high school student Iâm tutoring. I couldnât put it down. It was horrifying and disturbing, but also raw and real. I would never choose to read a war novel, but this one impressed me. I highly recommend this WWI novel, written by a WWI soldier himself.
4
The Inescapable Love of God, Thomas Talbott
I read this non-fiction book along with a friend of mine for a book discussion. If you like to explore and dissect Christian philosophies, this is the book for you. It reads like a textbook, complete with footnotes that occasionally take up more space than the main text. That being said, I would completely recommend this book to anyone NOT looking for a light read.
5
Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer
I also read this book in order to help a student. This book is journalist Krakauerâs story about Christopher McCandless, a young man whose love of adventure ultimately leads him to his death in the middle of Alaska. The story tries to piece together McCandless personality and motivations through his encounters and correspondences. While the topic should have been interesting, I found the book a bit dry.
6
God is Young, Pope Francis
This book is a collection of interviews with Pope Francis. Very easy to read and insightful. Excelleny for anyone who wants to know more about the current popeâs outlook on life and faith.
7
The Handmaidâs Tale, Margaret Atwood
This is probably the best book I read all year. This is a dystopian novel asks all sorts of questions about society, government, religion, and feminism. Atwoodâs writing is gripping and poetic. And no, I havenât seen the TV show. I donât even want to see it. I donât think anything could be better than the novel itself.
8
Make Your Bed, Admiral William H. McRaven
This short book gives some life lessons that Admiral McRaven learned as a Navy Seal. I couldnât agree more with his chapter on making your bed. He suggests that it is key to a productive day. I am completely on board with this. Anyone else with me?
9
The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare
Iâm a huge Shakespeare fan, so I naturally enjoyed reading this. Not my favorite of The Bardâs plays, but fun to read nonetheless. Itâs also fun to read opposing analyses of the script: was it a sexist reflection of the times or a secretly feminist storyline?