Tag: Ann Patchett

Favorites of 2024: A Year in Books

2024 was chaotic, marked by a major home renovation that dominated the year. The first half was spent packing, and the second half saw demolition and construction—with rooms missing drywall, outlets, plumbing, and even floors. Amid the physical disorder, books became my refuge.

When the noise was too much, I put on my headphones and escaped into another world through audiobooks. At night, my Kindle offered a quieter way to unwind. I made it a goal to read at least one chapter before bed—sometimes two or three if the book was particularly gripping. Books not only filled my time but also provided stability and solace in a year of unpredictability.

Contemporary Fiction

Winner: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I loved this book! The story is whimsical yet heartfelt, with unforgettable characters and poignant themes of connection and healing.

My Review of Remarkably Bright Creatures

Runner-Up: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Another great story. A deeply emotional exploration of family dynamics and resilience, with beautifully drawn characters.

My Review of Hello Beautiful and Blog Discussion

Multigenerational Family

Winner: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

I love a good multigenerational story and this one did not disappoint! It’s a sweeping, heartfelt narrative that explored love, loss, and family through generations.

My Review of The Covenant of Water

Runner-Up: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant

I had this one on my TBR list for too long! Thankfully the library book club pushed it up on my reading list. It’s a beautifully told story of a woman’s life, highlighting themes of resilience and self-discovery.

My Review of The Boston Girl

Grief and Reflection

The past few years have been marked by significant losses, and the stages of grief seemed to run into one another. I found it helpful to read or listen to how others have dealt with their own grief.

Although the stories I encountered were unique to each author, there was something universal in them—a shared understanding of loss and resilience that felt deeply comforting and affirming. These experiences profoundly influenced my reading choices.

Winner: Here After by Amy Lin

So good, I hope more people read this one. It’s a poignant and thought-provoking story that beautifully explores grief, love, and the life after losing a loved one.

My Review of Here After

Runner-Up: Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

I loved this one too. Kaib’s unique structure and emotional storytelling, offered a touching tribute to her grandmother and family bonds.

My Review of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me

Memoir

Memoirs became a significant part of my reading this year, thanks to the Minot-Sleeper Library’s Nonfiction book club. Their selections introduced me to incredible stories, some with a local connection, that I might not have discovered otherwise.

Winner: KooKooLand by Gloria Norris

This was a surprise – a pleasnat one at that! I had no idea what to expect from this book and found it to be a gritty and deeply moving account of family struggles, resilience, and survival.

My Review of KooKooLand  and Blog Discussion

Runner-Up: A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout

Another book that the library’s book club introduced me to was this gem. It’s a harrowing and inspiring memoir of resilience, survival, and the power of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.

My Review of A House in the Sky

Nonfiction

Nonfiction became a rich and rewarding category for me this year, largely influenced by the Minot-Sleeper Library’s Nonfiction Book Club. Their selections introduced me to compelling narratives that balanced education with engaging storytelling.

Winner: The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg

Another book which took me completely by surprise. This was a powerful exploration of gender and cultural identity in Afghanistan, I had not ever expected to read about. But very glad I did!

My Review of The Underground Girls of Kabul

Runner-Up: The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

McCullough is a master at preseneting history in such an interesting and riveting manner. I found this book to be a vivid historical detail, so masterfully narrative that it brought this tragedy to life.

My Review of The Johnstown Flood and Blog Discussion

Historical Fiction

Winner: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

This was a riveting blend of history and human drama, inspired by the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a Soviet sniper during World War II. Quinn’s vivid prose, meticulous research, and emotional depth brought both the brutality of war and the resilience of its protagonist to life.

My Review of The Diamond Eye

Runner-Up: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Patchett is a favorite of mine and I’m reading my way through all her book. This story is a beautifully written exploration of human connection during an extraordinary terrifying situation. Patchett’s immersive storytelling and complex, relatable characters made this a deeply emotional and unforgettable read.

My Review of Bel Canto

True Crime

True crime is a relatively new genre I have been exploring more and more as I’ve found it fascinating. Again, the Minot-Sleeper Library’s Nonfiction Book Club was a great source for me this year, introducing me to compelling narratives that blended history, mystery, and human psychology.

Winner: Cold Water Crossing by David Faxon

Wow! This is a gripping and atmospheric exploration of a historical true crime that keeps you on edge.

My Review of Cold Water Crossing and Blog Discussion

Runner-Up: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

I find people to be so intersting at times. This book is a fascinating and intricate look into the world of art theft, blending true crime with cultural intrigue.

My review of The Art Thief

Mystery and Thrillers

Mysteries have always resonated with me, offering a perfect blend of intellectual engagement and entertainment. This year’s standout selections captured the layered storytelling and intriguing characters that make the genre so enjoyable.

Winner: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I love a well-crafted mystery. Horowitz has cleverly layered storytelling with a mystery within a mystery, offering a fresh and engaging take on the genre.

My Review of Magpie Murders

Runner-Up: The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

When I was young I loved the thrill of a roller coaster. Now I love getting that thrill from a good thriller. This story is a gripping and atmospheric thriller with surprising twists and compelling characters. Buckle up!

My Review of The Stillwater Girls and Blog Discussion

Fantasy

Winner: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

What a wonderful escape this book was! It has epic world-building, strong female characters, and a refreshing tone of hope. Everything an escapist would want in a story!

My Review of The Priory of the Orange Tree

Runner-Up: A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

I adore the world-building of P. Djèlí Clark. His ability to create an inventive setting, cultural richness, and a perfect blend of magic and mystery knows no bounds.

My Review of The Master of Djinn and Blog Discussion

Science Fiction

Science fiction has always been a big love of mine, offering a unique blend of imagination and reflection on the future. With advancements in AI and robotics becoming both exciting and terrifying, these stories allow me to explore the possibilities and consequences of technology in ways that feel both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Winner: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Bradbury is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have been reading my way through the entire Ray Bradbury library. The Martian Chronicles is a timeless exploration of humanity through the lens of interplanetary colonization, blending science fiction with lyrical prose.

My Review of The Martian Chronicles

Runner-Up: AnnieBot by Sierra Greer

Why it stood out: A creative and engaging exploration of artificial intelligence and humanity, offering a fresh perspective on technology’s potential and ethical dilemmas.

My Review of AnnieBot

Classics 

I love revisiting the classics, reading some of the authors who were first introduced to me in school. Some of these works I’m encountering for the first time, while others I’m returning to—though I’ll admit, I didn’t always finish all my assignments back then! It’s fascinating to read them now and see which ones still hold up after all this time. These are the books that have truly earned their status as classics, resonating across generations with themes and prose that remain relevant and impactful.

Winner: A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

I didn’t read much Hemingway in school, maybe a short story or two, but never his novels. A Moveable Feast feels different from traditional fiction—more like an autobiography that offers a deeply personal and evocative glimpse into his life in 1920s Paris. Its nostalgic reflections on art, relationships, and the literary world make it an insightful and enriching read.

My Review of A Moveable Feast

Particularly Good on Audio

Sorry for Your Loss by Michael Cruz Kayne

I started the second day of the new year reflecting the first anniversary of my father’s death by listening to this amazing audiobook, which turned out to be a deeply moving and humorous exploration of grief, blending personal anecdotes with larger reflections on loss and resilience. Its excellent narration made it an unforgettable listening experience.

My Review of Sorry For Your Loss

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

This epic of a story was certainly enhanced by the narration by the author, it added an authentic and intimate layer to a sweeping and heartfelt narrative.

My Review of The Covenant of Water

The Miranda Obsession by Jen Silverman

I ended my year with this unique and captivating listening experience that brought the mysterious and poignant story to life. When I worked at two radio stations in my twenties, my Program Director described radio as the ultimate “theater of the mind.” Visuals can distract, but when you get someone to listen, their imagination creates something far more powerful. This audiobook captures that essence beautifully, making it an unforgettable experience.

My Review of The Miranda Obsession

Overall Favorite of the Year

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

This novel is a poignant and beautifully written story with unforgettable characters. The kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished, leaving you missing the characters as if they were old friends.

My Review of Remarkably Bright Creatures

Closing The Chapter on 2024

As I reflect on my 2024 reading journey, I’m reminded of how books have the power to provide refuge, inspiration, and insight during life’s most chaotic and transformative moments. From deeply moving tales of resilience and connection to immersive explorations of history, science fiction, and human creativity, this year’s reads have been nothing short of transformative.

If you’re a fellow book lover, I hope my favorites spark your curiosity and encourage you to explore new stories that resonate with you. And if you’ve read any of these titles—or have recommendations for me—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s celebrate the joy of reading together and look forward to another year of incredible stories in 2025!

My Year of Books 2024

All the artwork by Xine Segalas

My Audiobook Club- Sept/Oct

October was a month filled with all sorts of wonderful listens for me. I spent a time listening to my audiobooks while working on my drawings and photographs. Other times I am literally on the floor filing. Many times I have put my headphones on and gone outside to weed or stack wood while listening to my audiobooks. I have enjoyed listening to so many books this year – here are some of the audiobooks I listened to in October and the very beginning of November.

I started the month off with A Book by Desi Arnaz. I really enjoyed listening to this memoir. One of my older brothers, Harry had mentioned he was reading it during a family zoom call and recommended it. We used to watch I Love Lucy together as kids and Lucy and Ricky Riccardo were like old friends.

Before listening to this book, I knew very little about Desi Arnaz. He led an amazing life from his early days in Cuba to his success in the United States. I found this was a fun book to listen to, I enjoyed hearing his stories very much. It was fun and interesting to learn some of the behind the scenes details. I highly recommend this reading or listening to this book!

Recently, I started to follow the Instagram page Bitesbythepage – “Sharing delicious recipes inspired by our favorite books each week’. A few weeks ago they posted an interview with the author, Deborah Goodrich Royce about her book Finding Mrs. Ford. I really enjoyed this book, sucked in by the vividly described setting of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, which immediately placed me in the world Mrs. Ford lived. The story grabbed me immediately and took me places I’ve lived or visited from NYC to Rhode Island and Warren, Michigan. The characters are believable and multi-dimensional. I highly recommend this book. I listened to the audiobook , narrated by Saska Maarleveld and it ran 9 hours and 35 minutes. 4 Stars!

My son had asked me to read the book, Dune before the new movie comes out. I’ve always loved science fiction/fantasy and over the years when he was a child read to him many books like the entire series of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings series. So when he asked me to read Dune, I was open to the idea but decided to listen to the audiobook. At 21 hours and 2 minutes, the book was narrated by Scott, Brick, Orlagh Cassidy, Euan Morton, Simon Vance and Ilyana Kadushin.

The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.

Frank Herbert

Dune is a complex book with multiple themes including water, religion, politics and racism. Listening to the book and recognizing these themes, I was struck by the fact that the book was originally published in June 1965 and I was 7 months old. I have read a lot of books at this stage of my life that are part of a big series. I had the feeling throughout the whole book that this was just the beginning of something meatier that we would read a few books in. There are 6 books in the original Dune series that Frank Herbert wrote between the years 1965 to 1985, and there are a few other books that he co-authored after that with Kevin J. Anderson.

My biggest criticism of the book would be that I didn’t feel very attached to the characters and the book as a whole was okay. 3 Stars.

I dove back into memoirs and biographies with Face It, Debbie Harry’s memoir. The audiobook was narrated by Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Clem Burke, Alannah Currie and Gary Valentine. I love listening to memoirs that are narrated by the author. Listening to Debbie tell the stories and tales of her rise to fame was like sitting down with an old friend and hearing their stories.

I was a huge Blondie fan growing up in New York City in the 1980s. I saw Blondie at multiple venues during my teenage years, so listening to her tell her stories about the band was fun. Debbie narrates most of the audiobook which comes with a PDF file so you can see the fan artwork she includes in the book. Debbie kept thousands of drawings that were mailed to her throughout the years and seeing that she kept it was pretty incredible.

If you enjoyed Blondie’s music, I think you will enjoy this book or audiobook which runs 8 hours and 57 minutes. 3-1/2 stars

Next I switched up to a Cold War spy thriller by John Le Carré. Call For The Dead introduces us to one of Le Carré’s favorite protagonist, George Smiley. I like to read books in order so I decided to read this book first which is also John Le Carré’s first published book. The audiobook was a quick listen at 4 hour and 44 minutes and is narrated by Michael Jayston. I don’t read or listen to a lot of spy thrillers but I enjoyed this one. George Smiley is a likeable character that you come to have interest in and care about. I look forward to listening to more of Le Carré’s books especially the George Smiley series.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett was the next book I listened to and I absolutely loved this book! It’s s story about a family and a house and Patchett makes you really involved and interested in the characters. Her vivid descriptions of the Dutch House place you right there. Tom Hanks narrates the novel which is 9 hours and 53 minutes, the story is well paced. I highly recommend this book or audiobook – I looked Tom Hanks as the narrator and thought he was perfect! 5 Stars.

You need to serve those who need to be served, not just the ones who make you feel good about yourself.

Ann Patchett – The Dutch House

Since it was October , I thought it only fitting to listen to a classic Agatha Christie Who-Dun-It and listened to Hallowe’en Party narrated by Hugh Fraser at 6 hours, 27 minutes. This was a fun book to listen to and Agatha Christie is the master of mystery. Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve the mystery revolving around a Halloween Party. Christie’s characters are charming and this story is engaging. Hugh Fraser is a wonderful narrator and adds to the experience. I highly recommend, particularly a good one for a cozy night by the fire in October. 4 Stars

I dove into this Stephen King book called Different Seasons. This is actually a compilation of four gripping novellas. The first one “Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption” was made into the well known movie, Shawshank Redemption which I never watched. The second story is called the “Apt Pupil’ and this turned out to be one of my favorites of all four stories. The third one is “The Body” which was made into the movie, Stand By Me – another great story. The last story was my least favorite, titled “The Breathing Method”. Frank Muller is the narrator and he is an excellent narrator, adding much to the experience. 4 stars.

It always comes down to two choices. Get busy living or get busy dying.

Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption- Stephen King

You can see something for the first time, and right away you know you have found your great interest. It’s like turning a key in a lock. Or falling in love for the first time.

Apt Pupil – Stephen King

The important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you are ashamed of, because words make them smaller. When they were in your head, they were limitless, but when they come out, they seem no bigger than normal things.’

The Body – Stephen King

Homesickness is a real sickness – the ache of the uprooted plant.

The Breathing Method – Stephen King

I was still in the mood for mystery and continued by jumping back to a classic Agatha Christie mystery with And Then There Were None. This is one of my all time favorites – a masterpiece in suspense! The audiobook is 6 hours 2 minutes and narrated by Dan Stevens. I ghly recommend this book! 5 Stars.

I ended the month out with another recommendation by one of my favorite instagrammers Bites By The Page and listened to The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, narrated by Jack Hawkins and Louise Breasley at 8 hours, 43 minutes. I loved this book! There were so many twists and turns and the story is so interesting. The narration was quite good and added to the experience. 5 stars.

Sometimes it takes courage, you know, and a long time, to be honest.

The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides