Monday, January 19, 2015

Books of 2014

In keeping with tradition, here are my 17-word review for 2014's books. See my previous posts here: 2012 and 2013.

Not a great year for reading. I blame that on having a TV for the first time in three years. Here's to 2015 being a bit more philosophical and bit less philistine.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Challenging plot; confusing timeline; Sliding Doors-esque, I think; something about Hitler; January was a long time ago. (Liked it, maybe)


Dr. Dutch Misanthrope vacations with beautiful family, yearns to commit infidelity; terrible things happen. Explicit. Medical. Descriptions. (Liked it, but had to skip some of aforementioned)



The Expats by Chris Pavone
More infidelity, this time in Luxembourg, former spy targets husband as criminal, something about killing someone important. (Liked it, maybe; again, January was a long time ago.)

A Miracle of Catfish by Larry Brown
Memorable characters live in small town Mississippi (?), eat hotdogs for every meal, discover life's tragedies and miracles (LOVED it; note: book is unfinished, as the author died whilst writing.)



American Childhood by Annie Dillard
Vignette-ish description of comfortable childhood and its typical adventures; lots of philosophical musings, little plot; no thanks. (Didn't like it.)

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Here we are again, Rex keeps getting crazier, Rosemary, delusional-er, Jeannette and the kids, tougher; movie, please! (LOVE it. Seriously, JLaw, get on that movie.)

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Another fav, Dickens was a genius, current favorite character: Pumblechook and the advent of the adjective Pumblechookian (LOVE it. And, yes, it will be on 2015's list as well.)


The Informationalist by Taylor Stevens
Lisbeth Salander 2.0 is hired to travel to Africa and find a missing girl; plot twists ensue. (Liked it, but c'mon Taylor, you're no Stieg.)


Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Who knew Lloyd Wright was such an a**hole? Historical fiction about his mistress. READ UNTIL THE END. (Liked the book, hated the characters)

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Mystery in Arkansas about a teenager's search for his brother and a town's search for a bird. (Liked it, YA, FYI)

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Eye-opening account of POW's experiences in WWII, prison camps worse than stranded at sea; thank you veterans. (Liked it.)

Looking for Alaska by John Green
Teenybopper drama at boarding school. Melancholy and saccharine, but Green always gets a pass, Paper Towns next. (Liked it, for what it was, a tear-soaked John Green hook dangling in front of teenagers everywhere.)  

Tres Años! Drei Jahre! Trois Années!

Happy Three Year (+three weeks) Blogiversary to me! Yes, I have been quite remiss in the past months on the blogging wagon. I know. "My" internet has been unreliable, but I'm here today. So, hi! For those still with me, thanks for reading! You're the real MVP of this blog.

I thought I'd hit some odds and ends around here today. Check back for my annual book post soon. And you know there are sourdough and oatmeal posts lurking around here somewhere, because roots (as in, those are mine). 


Bulletin Boarding
You knew a new post wouldn't be without a new bulletin board. Frozen's popularity isn't just reserved for 2nd graders. The kids and teachers loved this geometry puzzle.


Ceramics
The ceramics teacher at Lewisburg very kindly offered a lesson to teachers last semester. Based on the work he displays, he is a phenomenal teacher. We teachers all made mugs, and I'm so pleased with mine. It brought me back to Mrs. Doolen's ceramics class at Harrison High School, where I created a multitude of misshapen vases, which now decorate the homes of my family members. (They must love me.) Sorry, but this mug's for me.



 


 


Sewing
I sewed like crazy the week before Christmas, making a few gifts. Casserole carriers for my mom and sister and a fuzzy poncho for Michael and Corrie's baby. (Look at all those blogs. Bloggers = cool people)