Thanks for your recap of your December reads. It has given me some clues to where to go next. I have read all of Kevin Barry's books which are magical.
My favorite read of December was In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. I have never binge read a memoir before but I couldn’t put this one down 5⭐️
My favorite book of 2024................. Lonesome Dove.................. I UGLY cried on several occasions, loved and laughed with the characters, didn't want it to end. My least fav Everyone in my family has killed someone. I would have thrown the book had it not been digital lol . Overall a super year of reading. Hope you have a great reading year in25 !
I appreciate your thoughts one the “top ten” question. And while I don’t think it’s helpful if it’s in terms of pressure to make the best content, I do think it’s a good question to ask yourself when picking books. Not that every book has to be that, but just as one of several questions to be mindful of. To know why you’re reading a book. Might be for fun, for content, for fomo, or for a genuine interest and top ten hopeful. I find myself wanting to focus more on that sometimes, because so many books I feel like I “should” read, but other premises might intrigue me more and those are the books I really want to read more of. Following my own curiosity more.
What a month!! In December I read: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri Tooth and Claw by Craig Johnson Lazarus Man by Richard Price Ensayos Bonsai by Fabián Casas I really liked them all. Steve never fails.
I just finished my third Sy Montgomery book in less than a week, last night I finished The Soul of an Octopus and I loved it. Her other two books I read were also fabulous
I only started reading in November this year and so far the best books i read were Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi and The last thing to burn by Will dean. The biggest flop was Never Lie by Freida McFadden
The Cross (Bk 3 of Kristin Lavransdatter) was my favorite for December. I think the ending of the yearling is the death of childhood. The year has completely changed Jodi. And,so, along with Flag, childhood is only a memory.
I read "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" this past summer. For such a long book I barely remember it, so I reread my review on Goodreads and I gave it 3 stars. I stated that it needed major editing, the middle especially the parts where she was awake during the crew's cryosleep were a slog, and I loathed the names of the aliens, Jellies and Nightmares, did a five year old help write the book? I did like the ship mind. Sign me up for a snarky AI character every time.
As a massive Hitchcock fan, I knew that title immediately, but I've never read the book and it's definitely not his best movie. Shadow of a Doubt was a much better movie with Joseph Cotton from 1943 (some train action in that film too), so check that out if you've never seen it. The last book I finished in December 2024 was surprisingly enjoyable. It was the The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. I enjoyed the mystery of a lost Bronte manuscript tied into a Dublin lost Bookshop and the historic author and book references made it super fun! The most disappointing read was The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry and the first I've read from that author. I'll give her another shot but this was too disjointed, and characters' actions didn't seem consistent. I'm searching for my next read now, so I enjoyed your review! I recently bought a copy of The Yearling and I live just south of The Yearling Restaurant that we've never been to, so I'm planning to read and go to the restaurant this year!
Thanks for your recap of your December reads. It has given me some clues to where to go next. I have read all of Kevin Barry's books which are magical.
I really loved The Heart in Winter and I'd love to check out more of Kevin Barry. :)
My favorite read of December was In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. I have never binge read a memoir before but I couldn’t put this one down 5⭐️
A memoir I’ve been meaning to read for ages.
My favorite book of 2024................. Lonesome Dove.................. I UGLY cried on several occasions, loved and laughed with the characters, didn't want it to end. My least fav Everyone in my family has killed someone. I would have thrown the book had it not been digital lol . Overall a super year of reading. Hope you have a great reading year in25 !
I have Lonesome Dove on my TBR, and I can’t wait to read it. I suggested it for book club but they balked at the page count
I cried at Lonesome Dove as well.
Agree on “Everyone Has Killed…”. It was definitely one of the worst books of 2024 for me!
I appreciate your thoughts one the “top ten” question. And while I don’t think it’s helpful if it’s in terms of pressure to make the best content, I do think it’s a good question to ask yourself when picking books. Not that every book has to be that, but just as one of several questions to be mindful of. To know why you’re reading a book. Might be for fun, for content, for fomo, or for a genuine interest and top ten hopeful. I find myself wanting to focus more on that sometimes, because so many books I feel like I “should” read, but other premises might intrigue me more and those are the books I really want to read more of. Following my own curiosity more.
Is there any update on One Piece? Its been a while since your last video.
I was just making a plan to bring OP back! Thanks for asking.
What a month!! In December I read:
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Tooth and Claw by Craig Johnson
Lazarus Man by Richard Price
Ensayos Bonsai by Fabián Casas
I really liked them all. Steve never fails.
Sending you all the best vibes from one Steve D fan to another.
Two favorites of the month were audios- Night and Becoming Madam Secretary.
Wonderful!
I just finished my third Sy Montgomery book in less than a week, last night I finished The Soul of an Octopus and I loved it. Her other two books I read were also fabulous
She is a phenomenal writer, for sure.
Ooooh! For December, best book was The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir. Least favorite was The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
Oh! Thank you! 😌 Staying away from Henry James.
I only started reading in November this year and so far the best books i read were Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi and The last thing to burn by Will dean. The biggest flop was Never Lie by Freida McFadden
The Cross (Bk 3 of Kristin Lavransdatter) was my favorite for December.
I think the ending of the yearling is the death of childhood. The year has completely changed Jodi. And,so, along with Flag, childhood is only a memory.
That’s a good point, Deea!
Just finished We Solve Murders - loved it. Next up either The Heart in Winter or Death on the Nile 😂
Wonderful!
I thought the movie was well done, but watching it once was enough. I thought the Robert Walker character was done so chillingly well.
Thank you! That’s good to know!!
I read "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" this past summer. For such a long book I barely remember it, so I reread my review on Goodreads and I gave it 3 stars. I stated that it needed major editing, the middle especially the parts where she was awake during the crew's cryosleep were a slog, and I loathed the names of the aliens, Jellies and Nightmares, did a five year old help write the book? I did like the ship mind. Sign me up for a snarky AI character every time.
Yes!! The read has zero stickiness. Quite forgettable.
As a massive Hitchcock fan, I knew that title immediately, but I've never read the book and it's definitely not his best movie. Shadow of a Doubt was a much better movie with Joseph Cotton from 1943 (some train action in that film too), so check that out if you've never seen it.
The last book I finished in December 2024 was surprisingly enjoyable. It was the The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. I enjoyed the mystery of a lost Bronte manuscript tied into a Dublin lost Bookshop and the historic author and book references made it super fun! The most disappointing read was The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry and the first I've read from that author. I'll give her another shot but this was too disjointed, and characters' actions didn't seem consistent.
I'm searching for my next read now, so I enjoyed your review! I recently bought a copy of The Yearling and I live just south of The Yearling Restaurant that we've never been to, so I'm planning to read and go to the restaurant this year!
The Yearling is a beautiful book! Enjoy! Thanks for the bits on Hitchcock.