Annabella’s Annual Book List
Welcome to my Annual Book List!
Thank you for reading my annual book list. Since 1996 I have kept a list of books I have read. For those of you new to the list, I used to give books two grades, one for how much I liked the book and another for how could I thought it was in a more objective way. Now I grade based solely on my own level of like. I don’t include books I’ve read for work or travel guides or picture books I’ve read to the children in my life (like the bedtime stories I read to my husband) or coffee table books (of which I have many that I like to flip through while sitting on my patio on a nice day).
My original inspiration for the list was a list kept by a man who is my age who started on online list back in 1995. He wisely has kept a list (initially started by his mother) ever since he/we started reading in the early 1970s. We had a lot of overlap in our formative reading years (heavily favoring the Peanuts books) but have much less in common nowadays. I have included as many old lists as I still had access to electronically.
Book list 2016-2017
Brooklyn, Colm Toibin, B+
Maybe it’s my inability to read aloud in my head in an Irish accent that makes the book less enjoyable than the movie, but as a child and in-law of immigrants I do really love this tale of assimilation and of making home where your heart is.
Vanishing Streets: Journey into London, J.M. Tyree, C
A “travelogue” of London framed in the context of cinema, which I found did nothing to enlighten me either about London or about cinema. Disappointing.
The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain, Bill Bryson, A-
Bryson brings his usual wit and observations to this trip around the UK. It’s voluminous, so I only read the chapters about the locations that interest me most. Having just joined the Royal Oak Society (the American branch of The National Trust) I did find comedy in his kvetching about his National Trust experiences.
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant, Roz Chast, A+
A bittersweet graphic novel showing the aging and decline of the Chast parents, as well as their earlier eccentricities. We had seen an exhibit of Chast’s New Yorker cartoon art at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge in 2015 that included proofs from this book.
The Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case, Mark Weitz, A
An well-researched look at L.A. legal and race relations history, and the case on which the play and movie “Zoot Suit” were based. I read this book for my class, and it was fun to show my students a map of L.A. and the places where these events took place and to share what is happening in those places now.
The Sweet Hereafter, Russell Banks, A
Also read for my class, and it was interesting to see weather or not my students thought the ambulance-chasing attorney was a hero or a villain. A good tale of what happens when tragedy comes to small town.
Book list 2013
No real favorite book this year, but I really enjoyed the books related to Ireland, where we took our annual Thanksgiving trip.
She’s Not There: A Life in 2 Genders
Jennifer Finney Boylan, A-
Colby College professor is a transsexual. For those of you who know how much time I once spent up in Waterville, Maine, you can guess my delight at shocking this horrible, hick town.
Driving with Dead People
Monica Holloway
Sadly I left this in the seat pocket when I changed planes, so I never finished it, which is just as well since it’s not nearly as interesting as the title might suggest.
Bossypants
Tina Fey, C
Disappointing and just not that funny.
Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules
David Sedaris (editor), C-
Boring collection of short stories edited by the usually funny Sedaris.
Assisted Loving
Bob Morris, A-
Widowed father and his dorky son tackle the world of personals dating, each with varying degrees of success and laughs.
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell, B+
Not my favorite Gladwell book but still filled with many a-ha observations.
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey
Countess of Carnarvon
Equally interesting for fans of the show, anyone with an interest in Egyptology, and those who are generally interested in history of the English aristocracy.
Penguin Lives: Jane Austen
Carol Shields, B+
A quick biography of Austen by Shields (whose “Stone Diaries” was a personal favorite back in the 90s).
Stuff
Frost & Steketee, A-
An analysis of compulsive hoarders, this was of particular interest to me since I was a control subject for Professor Gail Steketee’s research office at Boston University a few years ago.
Round Ireland with a Fridge
Tony Hawkes, A
What’s not interesting about the adventures of a guy hitchhiking around Ireland with a refrigerator? Before you think he’s carrying an American-style French door model, it’s just a little Euro fridge (like the little beer fridges kids rent for their college dorms). The Irish are the perfect subjects for this experiment.
Not Taco Bell Material
Adam Carolla, B+
Carolla fails to get hired at Taco Bell, and this spurns him on to greater things. Funny.
Bibliotheraphy
Nancy Peske, B-
An easy-to-read-and-flip-through book about books.
Slightly Chipped
Lawrence & Nancy Gladstone, B+
Antiquarian collectors and their search for beloved books in New England is a fun read for fellow book lovers. I would love to read a follow-up magazine article by these two about how the further proliferation of Internet sales has impacted their hobby.
Breaking the Spell
Daniel Dennett, B
He does go on into too much detail much of the time, but this book finally helped me understand the concept of “meme” (a term coined by Dennett), and for that I am grateful.
Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever
Jeff Kinney
I will admit that I enjoy these books.
A Jane Austen Education
William Deresiewicz, B
How the works of Jane Austen has influenced the author’s life, particularly his love life. This was a fun read for me as someone married to a straight man who has reluctantly grown somewhat fond of Austen.
Wimpy Kid: Third Wheel
Jeff Kinney
Still funny.
Monster of Florence
Doug Preston, B
I mistakenly thought this book was about the men who saved Florence’s art treasures during WWII, but it was actually about a serial killer in the 80s and 90s. Still a good read.
Bright Lights, Big Ass
Jen Lancaster, A-
How she makes me laugh.
Maus I & II
Art Spiegelman
It is fascinating how the power of graphic images (cartoons) can capture the reader of this Holocaust story. I don’t know why I didn’t read these earlier.
Home from the Vinyl Café
Stuart McLean, A-
A rare fiction read from me, but I very much enjoyed these intertwined tales of quirky people.
Death Comes to Pemberly
PD James, C+
Two fiction reads in a row! This update of “Pride & Prejudice” was well-reviewed and loved by others, but for me it just went on a bit and failed to captivate me. I’d say after reading about 1/3 of it I skipped the middle and went to the last 1/3 and never felt like I’d missed anything.
American Bloomsbury
Susan Cheever, A-/C-
Since I live in this area and have visited the Concord, Mass. homes of Alcott, Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, etc., I really enjoyed this book. Then I read many scathing reviews of historical inaccuracies throughout.
Don’t Tell the Grown-Ups
Alison Lurie, B-
Mostly boring book about the adult elements of children’s books, which should have been riveting but instead was hard to get through.
Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Steig Larson, C
I guess this is why I stay away from fiction. It’s a good story, but so heavy (literally – I read it in hardcover) and so laden with detail that it was hard to sift through all of that to get to the point.
Stuff White People Like
Christian Lander, A-
It really should be “Stuff Urban, Overeducated White People Like,” but it is hilarious and self-deprecating. I had a used gift copy that one friend had annotated for another, so I took my own pen in hand and annotated and gifted it back to my [white, urban, overeducated] friend Mark for his 50th birthday.
McCarthy’s Bar
Pete McCarthy, A
Good fun as McCarthy travels around Ireland imbibing at his namesake bars. Read in anticipation of our vacation in Ireland, I liked these anecdotes about the Irish and pub life.
A Pint of Plain
Bill Barich, A
More of a historical look at the Irish pub, but also full of personal experiences and wit. A great read for visitors who enjoy a pint.
Wild Skies & Celtic Paths
Tom Davies, B+
A short book about pilgrimages to Celtic spiritual sites. Both this book and “McCarthy’ Bar” described the pilgrimage to the island of Lough Derg, known as St. Patrick’s Purgatory and described by both authors as pretty much hell on earth. These chapters alone made both books worth reading.
Tell Me Why: The Beatles
Tim Riley, B
Warning: this book is only for real Beatles fans with a solid knowledge of their music, otherwise this will be meaningless.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened
Jenny Lawson, B+
I suppose I could also eke a book out of it if my father was a taxidermist.
2012 Book List
No single book really stands out as a favorite for 2012. I probably enjoyed “Travels with My Donkey” the most since I read it shortly after visiting Santiago de Compostela. “Devil in White City” was probably the “best” book I read, and certainly one of the most thought-provoking.
Death Be Not Proud
John Gunther, A
A classic I’d never read before. Poignant for anyone who has lost a loved one or come close. The fact that his son knew he would die made it all the more bittersweet.
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
Rhoda Janzen, B+
An entertaining read for anyone whose family is odd (I know everyone’s family is odd, but “different” in an outward way)
Travels with My Donkey
Tim Moore, A
A hysterical pilgrimage on the road to Santiago de Compostela with a man and his donkey. I thought I’d hate the donkey parts, but they were just too funny.
The World Without Us
Alan Weisman, B+
What would happen to Earth if humans ceased existence? Scientific concepts I’d never before would have pondered.
The Devil in White City
Erik Larson, A
Larson does a masterful job of interweaving the history of the Chicago World’s Fair with a contemporary serial killer.
The Great War & Modern Memory
Paul Fussell, A
I read this just a few months before the author passed away. A thorough history of WWI, though not in the same vein as his amusing “Bad- Or the Dumbing of America” or “Class.”
My Twice-Lived Life
Donald M. Murray, ?
Sadly I don’t remember this book very well except that he did have quite a full life.
Cod
Mark Kurlansky, A
An author who specializes in single word titles (Salt, Meat). Despite living in cod country, I had no idea of the rich history of this local fish. It even has recipes.
Here’s the Story
Maureen McCormick, C-
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia. How you disappoint.
Middle School, Worst Years of My Life
James Patterson, C-
Yes, they were of mine, too, but this didn’t work for me.
50 Shades of Grey Trilogy
E.L. James, D
Yes, I wasted 5 hours of my life. Yes, I kept reading all 3 of them, continually hoping to get turned on or to understand WTF (what the fuss). Yes, eventually I had to “Forever” the book (ALG’s Urban Dictionary: to flip through a book looking for the naughty bits). Someone, explain it to me, please! Erotica has been around for centuries. BDSM erotica has been around for centuries. Ladies, please! Try Anais Nin’s “Delta of Venus” or any of the many Victorian era “Anonymous” books published by the likes of Carroll & Graf or Blue Moon Books. Save yourselves from insipid, non-erotica!
The Burn Journals
Brent Runyon, B
Ouch. Touching and sad tale of self-imolation.
Paris in Mind
Jennifer Lee, ed, C-
I don’t seem to have good luck with anthologies about beloved cities. Boring.
Snobbery, The American Version
Joseph Epstein, B+
A good companion to the aforementioned Paul Fussell’s “Class.”
Stories I Tell My Friends
Rob Lowe, C
Interesting how he hardly mentions Melissa Gilbert yet her memoir talked about him quite a bit. Lots of production details about his movies, far too little personal details.
The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water
Charles Fishman, A
Though there are some glimmers of hope, you should be very, very afraid of the future availability of water on this planet.
You’re a Horrible Person
The Believer Book of Advice, ?
How could I completely forget a book of essays by the likes of Judd Apatow and Amy Sedaris? Did I lose this book somewhere? I don’t remember one bit of it.
God, No
Penn Jillette, A
Just the chapter on his trip to the bathhouses of San Francisco alone is worth getting this book for. Glad I was not reading it on public transportation. Chortle.
Pretty in Plaid
Jen Lancaster, B+
Not her funniest, but still good.
Wild
Cheryl Strayed, B-
I might have liked it better without the comparisons to the dreadful Eat,Pray,Love, but since I would never in a zillion years hike the Pacific Coast Trail I found this hard to read.
The Science of Fear, B
What we’re afraid of and why. The best part is just the list of things we’re afraid of.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Amy Chua, B
All children of immigrants will glean some insight from this book. Chua is probably really mad right now that I gave her a B (a/k/a an Asian “F”).
Mental
Eddie Sarfaty, B+
Talk of pets usually turns me off, but his cat situation is just too funny.
Angels & Ages
Adam Gopnik, A
Did you know that Lincoln and Darwin were born on the same day? And that’s just how this starts. Great.
Betrayal
Boston Globe Staff, A
A summary of the Boston Archdiocese abuse scandal from the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters. The copies of the primary documents were a fascinating and depressing read.
World According to Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson, A-
Although he (sometimes deservedly) takes the piss out of Americans, he takes the piss out of everyone else, too. Americans like hotel rooms that are either hot enough to boil a fox or cold enough to freeze hydrogen. Guilty.
Fortune Cookie Diaries
Jennifer Lee, A
An education and entertaining trip through the history of Chinese food in America, and particularly the fortune cookie, in the USA. Recommended for anyone interested in food or immigrant history.
2011 Book List
The Thing about Life is that One Day You’ll be Dead
David Shields, B
An interesting read for anyone who is curious about human biology and/or who has relatives (like I do) who live to be insanely old.
Predator
Patricia Cornwell
All the Scarpetta books are blurring in my brain.
The Dog Who Ate the Truffle
Suzanne Carreiro, B
A good read for people who have been or are going to Umbria or who are fond of Umbrian cooking.
A truffle specialty shop in Gubbio, Umbria.
Last of the Irish Males
Joseph O’Connor, B+
Funny and applicable also to non-Irish males.
The Desert Pilgrim
Mary Swander, C+
Unfortunately since the locations visited didn’t interest me, I was not engaged.
Lady in the Palazzo
Marlena de Blasi, C+
Too many shades of Under the Tuscan Sun (pun sort of intended), but some enjoyable food bits.
Rimini’s Malatesta Temple.
The Road to San Giovanni
Italo Calvino, B+
This was 1st time I read Calvino in English. I was particularly keen on the Fellini essay since we were on our way to visit the director’s home town of Rimini.
Daughter of Heaven (A Memoir with Earthly Recipes)
Leslie Li, A-
You don’t have to be Chinese to appreciate this book (being the child of any immigrant is enough).
The Westing Game
Ellen Raskin, B+
Read this in my quest to catch up on Newberry winners that I’ve never read. I don’t think there are many good mysteries for kids, and I like this one.
Bringing Home the Birkin
Michael Torello, A-
Must admit to being a bit jealous of this man’s Ebay success, and he made me laugh.
The Sound of Laughter
Peter Kay, A
Kay’s memories of his Cowardly Lion performance in a grammar school play had me in stitches (and people staring at me on the bus).
James Joyce (Penguin Lives)
Edna O’Brien
Wow. I don’t remember a darned thing.
Knowing Jesse
Marianne Leone Cooper
The author (best known of wife of Academy Award winner Chris Cooper) grew up in the house next door to mine. The book is a touching tribute to her late son, but my favorite parts were hilarious recollections of her mother (who I had the pleasure to know).
The Nasty Bits
Anthony Bourdain, A-
He is at his best when writing about his passions, and ripping Woody Harrelson to shreds.
Unbroken
Laura Hillenbrand, A-
Spoiler Alert: I was reading this on the T, and someone asked me about it. The woman across from us asked me not to spoil it since she had it on reserve at the library. Perhaps I was a bit thrown off by the fact that people on the MBTA were talking to each other, but I couldn’t help but saying, “Well, he lives. Otherwise there wouldn’t be a book.”
God is Not Great
Christopher Hitchens, A
As I write this the author has just passed away a few weeks ago. Whatever religion you are or aren’t, it’s hard to argue with a lot of this. Critical thinking and fearlessness at expressing contrarian opinions like this will be missed.
Playing for Pizza
John Grisham, B+
A departure from his thriller books, this is about an American football player in Italy.
What the Dog Saw
Malcolm Gladwell, B+
The chapter on the Catholic Massachusetts doctor who invented the pill is terrific.
Do You Believe?
Antonio Monda, A-
Cultural Catholics, like me, might find themselves drawn to Martin Scorsese’s views on his faith.
Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters
Ben Winters
It’s hard to grade this because, on the one hand, it is so true to the style of Austen yet at the same time is so ridiculous.
Stumbling on Happiness
Daniel Gilbert, A-
When I travel, I find happiness in things that might bore me in daily life. This book gets at why that might be true.
They Call Me Naughty Lola
David Rose, Ed.
Collection of funny and witty personal ads from the London Review of Books.
Killing Yourself to Live
Chuck Klosterman, B
Like the author’s other books, your enjoyment of this depends on how big a music fan you are.
Stick Figure
Lori Gottlieb, C
Like an anorexic’s meal, this was lacking nutrients.
Question of God: Lewis & Freud
Armand Nicholi
Left no impression.
About This Life
Barry Lopez, C-
This won a National Book Award?
Four Seasons in Rome
Anthony Doerr, C-
I don’t care about Doerr’s stupid kids. Only the description of snow on the Pantheon was a saving grace.
The American Way of Death Revisited
Jessica Mitford, A-
Riveting expose of the funeral industry (a follow-up to the excellent original book).
How Mumbo Jumbo Conquered the World
Francis Wheen, C
Overly long and dull.
Half Broke Horses
Jeannette Walls, B+
Actually liked this better than Glass Castle. Further tales of dysfunction.
Year of Magical Thinking
Joan Didion, B+
Heartbreaking and warm. This is a good companion read to the Rob Sheffield book read later this year.
Brunelleschi’s Dome
Ross King, A-
If you love Florence or architecture, then read this.
Dead Guy Interviews
Michael Stusser, C
Great concept, execution lacking.
The Things that Matter (What Seven Classic Novels ..Say..about Life)
Edward Mendelson, B-
The essay on Frankenstein (one of my favorites) was really stretch, but the Jane Eyre one was good and would make for a great classroom discussion.
Miss American Pie (…Growing Up in the 70s)
Margaret Sartor, C+
Some entertaining bits, but this had a lot of missed potential.
Double Duce
Aaron Cometbus
Really weird book about Berkeley life. Can’t grade it.
A Room with a View
E.M. Forester, A
Amazingly, I’d never read this before and was amazed how true the movie was to this classic novel.
Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhymes
Chris Roberts, B+
The story behind nursery rhymes.
Literally the Best Language Book Ever
Paul Yeager, D
Literally the most annoying language book ever.
Breakfast of Champions
Kurt Vonnegut, B+
Moments of brilliance.
The Auschwitz Report
Primo Levi, A-
Fascinating eyewitness account.
The Egypt Game
Zilpha Keatley Snyder, A
How fun to reread this as an adult, after having lived in Berkeley and traveled to Egypt!
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Joan Didion
Read this on a trip to the Bay Area, and it was written the year I was born. I really wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t. I tried.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Gennifer Choldenko, B+
A much more amusing Bay Area book — a fictionalized account about civilian life on Alcatraz.
Wishin’ and Hopin’
Wally Lamb, A
Wally managed to keep his page count to a manageable level and made me laugh in the process. The whole book is worth reading just to see where he takes a joke told early on in the book.
The 100 Mile Diet
Alisa Smith, B
This crazy quest to eat locally did get a bit old, but as someone who loves a farmer’s market, I enjoyed the effort.
Witches of Worm
Zilpha Keatley Snyder, B
This is a good read of you’re interested in the Salem Witch Trials or similar.
Bitter is the New Black
Jennifer Lancaster, A-
If you read nothing else, read the “Jen Commandments” list.
The Devil’s Cup
Steward Lee Allen, B-
Not at all what I expected in a book about coffee. I don’t even like coffee. Why did I bother?
Love is a Mix Tape
Rob Sheffield, A+
This moved me to tears. As someone who is desperately in love and fears loss more than anything, I was grief-stricken. Rob’s exchange with another young widower is classic. And an Andy Gibb reference didn’t hurt this book’s chance to be labeled my favorite book of the year.
My Life in France
Julia Child, A
Food and France – what’s not to like. Julia lived to 91, so bring on the butter!
Driving Over Lemons
Chris Stewart, C
British guy buys a money pit in Spain. Boring.
Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction
Sue Townsend, C+
A favorite book series has become too ridiculous.
In Defense of Food
Michael Pollan
Really makes you think about food, but I’m glad he still acknowledges that humans are the top of the food chain and can eat meat – just not too much.
Alfred Hitchcock: The Dark Side of Genius
Donald Spoto
Probably far more detail than anyone needs about Hitchcock’s movies, but still a fun read.
2010 Book List
Walking the Bible
Bruce Feiler, B-
Read on my flight to the Holy Land (but forgot on the plane when I connected in London and thus didn’t read the last few chapters). Great concept, but boring.
Desire of the Everlasting Hills
Thomas Cahill, C
I usually like Cahill, but I forgot I even read this until writing up the list.
Six Legged Sex: The Erotic Life of Bugs
James Wangberg, B
Did the author’s name inspire him to write this? Rather interesting.
The Rock
Kanan Makiya, B
Multicultural novel set in Jerusalem and full of useful informational facts.
Manhattan When I was Young
Mary Cantwell, B+
Much of this is set in the Village, where I was staying with friends the weekend I read it.
Swimming in a Sea of Death
David Reiff, B
After my father’s triumph over cancer, this tale of Susan Sontag and her son was really engaging. Alas, the outcome was not as good as mine.
Testimony
Anita Shreve, B-
Hadn’t read Shreve in years, and this didn’t really work for me. Didn’t care for the subject matter either. Reminded me of the play “Doubt,” which put me to sleep.
Lost in Place
Mark Salzman, A
I’d read this before, but this found new light for us during our trip to China. Laugh out loud funny in quite a few parts, and touching, too.
Flyboys
James Bradley, A
If you enjoyed the HBO series “The Pacific,” then you’ll find this fascinating. A dark side of history I’d never known about before. And for friends who know about my fascination with cannibalism, you should know this book came with a surprise bit on that topic.
Lost in Translation
Nicole Mones, B
Good read despite the improbably premise of an American woman with an fixation for Asian guys.
Sex, Drugs, Cocoa Puffs
Chuck Klosterman, A-
He’s a riot.
Wishful Drinking
Carrie Fisher, B-
If you read “Postcards from the Edge” you’ve already gotten the drift. Some entertaining bits.
Breakfast with Tiffany
Edwin John Wintle, C-
How many pages can you read about a cool, gay uncle and his annoying teenaged niece? You’d think a lot, but really not that many.
My BookyWook
Russell Brand, A-
He is so OTT (over the top)! The funniest bits in the book were the footnotes for the American readers – I feel sorry for readers of the original British version who missed these.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen, B
Sorry, Jane. You just weren’t up to snuff just yet with this little novella.
Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
Bill Bryson, A
A great read for fans of Bryson or for anyone who yearns for happier times for the U.S. There were times I wanted to weep for the self-destruction of our great country. Bryson was growing up around the time my parents immigrated here, when things were booming and hopeful. Heavy, heavy sighs.
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch
Alison Arngrim, B+
Read my autographed copy on the bus home from seeing her performance in NYC. Didn’t put it down. Nellie, the girl you love to hate.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Rodrick rules
Jeff Kinney, A
Can’t get enough of this, I’m embarrassed to admit.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Dog Days
Jeff Kinney, A-
This guy really makes me laugh.
Bollywood book
?, B+
Completely forgot the title. The cover was yellow. The author went on the road with a Bollywood crew. I really enjoyed learning more about the Indian cinema scene.
Adventures on the High Teas
Stuart Macomie, B+
Entertaining essays about middle England.
Open
Andre Agassi, B
I adore Agassi. People adored this book, some even saying it deserves a Pulitzer. I just didn’t adore the book myself. I really wanted to, and I think he gave some good talk show interviews when this came out. There just wasn’t enough on the really interesting stuff and too much about things that bored me.
Guinea Pig Diaries
AJ Jacobs, A
If anyone knows AJ, I’d really like to meet him. He is very entertaining. I mean, he outsourced a personal assistant to India (and read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, but that’s another book).
3 Men in a Float: Across England at 15 mph
Dan Kieran & Ian Vince, B+
Excellent 1 pound purchase at a London thrift shop. 3 kooky British guys traveling in southern England in a rickety milk float. I love a good travel essay.
Prairie Tale
Melissa Gilbert, B-
So much potential here. Oh, Melissa. TMI. But I took away the knowledge that Bruce Boxleitner slept with Shannon Doherty at the Oakwood Apartments. Now you don’t need to read it yourself because I just revealed the best part.
Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls, B+
Just when I thought I was all done with books about dysfunctional families, this one was pretty good.
The Elements of Murder: A History of Poison
John Emsley, B
Maybe a bit too technical, but learned a lot.
A Little Princess (Penguin Classics)
Frances Hodson Burnett, A-
This annotated edition has all kinds of interesting extras. If you can get past Princeton Professor Knoepflmacher’s pompous prose and forced literary references to Thackeray (which gave me a raging headache in the LAX departures lounge), it is informative and enjoyable
Holidays on Ice
David Sedaris, B
The elf essay is very funny, but the rest of the book is a lot less so.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Stieg Larsson, A-
I didn’t want to like this. I didn’t even want to read it because of the length. Definitely the last 100+ pages could easily have been eliminated (as could one subplot), but from pages 1-500 I was riveted (I read the mass market paperback).
Found
Davy Rothbart, A
Hilarious compilation of actual scraps of paper found all over the place.
In the Merde for Love
Stephen Clarke, B
Another of Clarke’s funny send-ups of the French.
The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch
I can’t grade this. It made me smile, and it made me cry.
2009 BOOK LIST
The Reluctant Tuscan
Phil Doran, B
Not particularly brilliant, but still entertaining and, as far as I’m concerned, superior to Under the Tuscan Sun (which I thought was dumb and overrated)
Il Gigante: Michelangelo, Florence and the David
Anton Gill, B+
You need to have a very keen interest in this topic, but we were traveling in Tuscany at the time seeing all the places and works of art described in this book, so recommended in the right place/time.
Michelangelo’s David: A Search for Identity
Charles Seymour, B-
More focused than the book above (and a fair amount of overlap in info.) but less readable.
The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex
Owen Chase, B+
Fascinating and mercifully short, though you spend the whole book wondering when you’ll get to the part about forced cannibalism.
Dances with Luigi
Paul Paolicelli, B-
Man goes to Italy to find his roots. Like with “Eat, Pray, Love,” I could tell a much more riveting story than this one.
The First Books
M.B. Goffstein, A-
Charmingly illustrated and heartwarming little stories.
Stumbling in Happiness
Daniel Gilbert, B
I think at the time I remember thinking “yup,” but rather forgettable.
A Wedding in December
Anita Shreve, A-
I hadn’t read her in a long time but read this while at the Kripalu Center in the Berkshires and happily rediscovered how much I like her.
The Essential Haiku: Versions of Bashu, Buson and Issa
Robert Hass, ed., A
Really good both in its interpretation and background and also in its translations and selections of the poems. Yes, Hass is from the Hass family of Cal.
Girls in Pants
Ann Basheres , B
Not sure why I keep reading these, but something must compel me.
Charlotte in Paris
Beacon St. Girls series, D+
Having lived on or near Beacon Street for so many years I thought I should read one of these books, so I picked one with the added interest of a trip to Paris. The book is true to its Brookline-ness in its transparent attempt to be politically correct, which naturally grated on my nerves to the point of distraction. However, the D is earned by its embarrassing factual errors (who are the editors over at Aladdin?? Do they really think there is a neighborhood in Paris called “the Marias?” It’s “the Marais.” Ugh.
The Pilgrimage
Paulo Coelho, B
I saw a fascinating show on an airplane a few years ago about Coelho’s experience with this book. I fantasize about one day walking the road to Santiago, but there was something about the fantastical elements of this book that kept me from loving it.
Betsy-Tacy Series (early books)
Maud Hart Lovelace, A
I reread the entire early part of the series in preparation for and en route to this summer’s Betsy-Tacy convention. I first read them in the 4th grade, and it had been too many years since the last time. Great books for upper elementary school girls.
Mankato, Minnesota
The Child That Books Built
Francis Spufford, A-
The author is about my age but British. It was really fun to see what books we had read in common and which books we didn’t have in common, largely due to geography. Her musings about the “Little House” books were my favorite, of course.
Olive’s Ocean
Kevin Henkes, A-
My niece likes to read “sad” books. This qualifies. It was my first chapter book from the popular author, and I look forward to reading more.
Betsy & the Great World
Maud Hart Lovelace, B
At the risk of alienating myself from my Betsy-Tacy friends, this is the only one of the older books in the series that I care for, and not surprisingly since it’s about her trip to Europe.
Lyddie
Katharine Patterson, B
Some of you know that one of my “things” is the history/stories of the mill girls up in Lowell, about one hour from my home. Though I’ve read other books on this topic I preferred, this is a good historical young adult novel.
Blink
Malcolm Gladwell, A
I enjoyed this more than “The Tipping Point” and am looking forward to what Gladwell will come up with next.
Diary of Anne Frank
??
I reread this with my niece this summer (remember, she likes “sad” books). Please don’t crucify me for saying that I no longer love this book the way that I did when I first read it in the 6th grade. I did reread it about 15 years ago when the edition reinstating parts Otto had wanted deleted were restored and still loved it then, but I really had to struggle through it this last time.
So Many Books, So Little Time
Sara Nelson, A
Another book about books, and a very enjoyable one at that. The title speaks volumes.
Ghosts of Vesuvius
Charles Pellegrino, C+
If you’re very interested in geology you might enjoy this more.
Water for Elephants
Sara Gruen, B-
I liked it a lot at first, then didn’t, then liked it again, then didn’t…
On the Road
Jack Keroauc, C
I’m sorry. I wanted to love it, but I just couldn’t focus.
Sleepaway
Eric Simonoff, ed., C+
Essays about camp – some good, some not.
Shelf Discovery
Lizzie Skurnik, ed., A+
Heard Lizzie on NPR one afternoon talking about “Flowers in the Attic.” This book is like making a whole new, book-loving friend, and I’m now about to embark upon reading or re-reading many young adult favorite and classics. Terrific. Diablo Cody wrote a column this year in “Entertainment Weekly” about growing up as a booklover, and I wish I’d saved a copy.
Mad Money
Jim Cramer, A
I usually don’t list books like this, but it was such an enjoyable read that I felt compelled to include it on the list.
Back Then
Anne Bernays & Justin Kaplan, B+
I read this while enjoying a picnic lunch in Central Park. Interesting book about the lives and love of this privileged NYC couple.
Letters to a Young Poet
Rainer Maria Rilke, B+
Not sure what to say other than to say I liked this quite a bit.
Truth & Beauty
Ann Patchett, A
About Ann’s friendship with Lucy Grealy. This book will be a lot more meaningful if you have first read “Autobiography of a Face.” This touched me in many ways.
Monster
Walter Dean Myers, C
This book is widely assigned in schools now. Can’t say I liked it.
Choke
Chuck Pahalniuk, B+
Enjoyably twisted.
Bookseller of Kabul
Asne Seierstad , A-
This is one of those subjects that makes me want to cry and scream about how this part of the world hates my part of the world so intensely. Culturally insensitive of me? No, just human (and female). I hate politics, as most of you know, but this is about basic rights.
Living Dead in Dallas
Charlaine Harris, C
The Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) novels are a rare example of when a movie/show is better than the book.
Teacher Man
Frank McCourt, B+
I was very sad that we lost Frank McCourt this year. He was the same age as my father and had so many similar experiences. He’ll be missed.
Scottish travel book
B-
I lost the slip of paper where I wrote down the name and can’t for the life of me remember the book or author names. Entertaining book about traveling the Scottish lowlands (and she described food and books, so that was good).
Sweet Thames
Matthew Kneale, B+
Mystery set among the sewers of London. A good read particularly if you are interested in the history and mechanics of sewer systems.
Ex Libris
Ross King, B+
Mystery set among the old books of London. Much more enjoyable if read while in London since many of the places mentioned still exist centuries later.
Push
Sapphire, B+
I had to put it down several times because it was so damned depressing. I’m glad that I persevered, however. This is NOT a read for everyone, but it had its uplifting moments. The movie will probably make me cry my eyes out.
2008 Book List
Aging with Grace
David Snowden, A
Fascinating Nun study on Alzheimer’s – bottom line: eat
Healthy, don’t smoke, keep your mind active, socialize
Red House
Sarah Messer, B
I read a few books about houses and have confused them now,
but I remember enjoying all of them.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney B+
Quite funny graphic model
Babymouse #1
Jennifer Holm B
Babymouse’s curly “hair” cracks me up.
Miraculous Journey of Edward Tullane
Kate diCamillo B+
I’m such a sucker for books about dolls/toys. This was sweet.
Friday Night Knitting Club
Kate Jacobs, B
Kind of formulaic chic lit stuff, but okay
Dress Your Family in Denim & Corduroy
David Sedaris, B+
LOL
Running with Scissors
Augusten Burroughs, B+
Disturbingly entertaining. Really horrendous movie version.
The Shortest Day
Jane Langton, C
As boring as most of the Revels performances it is about.
Death in Belmont
Sebastian Junger, B+
Should aspiring writers be nervous that their neighbors are serial Killers (remember Ted Bundy/Stranger Next Door?). Belmont
neighbors my town.
Indulgence
Paul Richardson, C-
How can someone write such a dull book about chocolate?
Privilege
Ross Gregory Doutha, B
What does a Harvard education mean?
For Matrimonial Purposes
Kavita Daswani, B+
Amusing look at Indian marriage
Awareness
Father A. DeMello, A-
A truly inspiring spiritual writer.
Soul Survivor
Philip Yancy, B
An uneven but interesting look at spiritual influences.
Jane Austen Book Club
Karen Jay Fowler, D
Just couldn’t care less about anything not about Jane’s books.
Elizabeth
David Starkey, B
A look at the queen’s early life. Quite readable.
An Italian Affair
Laura Fraser, B
Not into the having an affair with married man concept, but a good sense of geography.
Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell, A-
Lots of things to think about. Loved this.
Year in the Merde
Stephen Clarke, A-
Especially amusing if you know the French and the British.
Fargo, Rock City
Chuck Klosterman, B+
Bang your head and enjoy this look back at 80s youth.
Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Dave Eggers, A
I normally stay away from books this long, but the Berkeley references and the mix of humor and reality made it go by quickly.
Twilight
Stephanie Meyer, D
Really? 175 pages and no blood or bites? What kind of vampire book is this? A boring one.
Reefer Madness
Eric Schlosser, B-
The author’s look at fast food was more interesting than his look at sex and drugs.
Enchantments
Linda Ferri, C-
Mercifully short because I really didn’t get the point of this.
I’m Not the New Me
Wendy McClure, B
Check out her website at www.poundy.com
Snake Hips
Anne Thomas Soffee, A-
This book left me with a gigantic, but totally politically incorrect question burning in my brain. If anyone else has read this, perhaps you know what I’m talking about. But much more amusing than I expected.
City of Falling Angels
John Berendt, A-
A look at some famous and infamous personalities of one of my favorite cities in the whole world, Venice.
2007 Book List
This is from the days when I used to give a book two grades, the first meant to be more “objective” and the second based on my personal enjoyment of the book.
Interzone
William S. Burroughs
Don’t remember one single, solitary thing about this book
Dinner for Two
Mike Gayle, A-/A-
I enjoy all of his books very much. A male author of chicklit.
Mozart
Peter Gay, B+/B+
Another bio from the “Penguin Lives” series I’ve enjoyed so much. They did such a great job pairing the authors with the subjects. Read this after watching “Amadeus” on DVD when we accidentally put the second disc in first and then wondered why the movie was so short.
La Bella Figura
Beppe Severgnini, B+/B+
He’s always hilarious and insightful. For anyone who has been to Italy and observed Italian behavior, this is a fun read (he lived in the U.S. for many years, so he has an interesting perspective on his countrymen)
The Haiku Year
various
B and C list famous people write haiku. Some of it very entertaining.
Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody
Will Cuppy
Uneven, but entertaining if you like dark/anecdotal history.
Lucia, Lucia
Andrea Trigiani, B/B-
Totally predictable but nevertheless entertaining.
Food and Loathing
Betsy Lerner, C/C
A food issue centered memoir that left a lot to be desired.
Buddha or Bust
Perry Garfinkel, B/B-
Sort of a male version of Eat Pray Love
The Weight of It
Amy Wilensky, B-/B
Another food related memoir, but with added family dysfunction.
I Love You, Ronnie
Nancy Reagan
Whether you love or hate Ronald Reagan, and whether you love or hate
Nancy, Ronnie loved Nancy. Big time. We should all be so lucky!
TTYL
Lauren Myracle
Kind of like an “I, Trissy” for the Internet generation (if you don’t know “I, Trissy” it was about a girl who gets a typewriter for her birthday, and the book was “typed,” and I loved it, and there was a bad incident regarding allegedly losing a library book that I didn’t actually lose, but it’s a great book anyway)
Mama Makes Up Her Mind
Bailey White, C-/C
Book about the South read while in Kentucky, and lame.
Kentucky horse sanctuary.
Babyji
Abha Dawesar , B-/B
I saw it coming and didn’t find it that shocking, but liked the cultural descriptions.
Shopaholic & Sister
Sophie Kinsella
Really irritating premise, but still entertaining installment.
Monsoon Summer
Mitali Perkins, B+/A-
Author is a Berkeley alum who lives in Newton, Mass. Character goes to India. How could I not like it? Sort of an Indian “Sisterhood of Traveling Pants.”
God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
Just don’t know how to rate this. Confusing at times. Sad. Yet really interesting.
Wisdom of Our Fathers
Tim Russert
I love Tim Russert. This book was touching and sweet.
A River Sutra
Gita Mehta
I read this in India and enjoyed the references to places we’d been and things we’d seen, but otherwise it would have been of no interest (it was on my bookshelf for years).
Freedom
Amit Chaudhuri
Another book that was also only of interest because I read it on the plane coming back from India.
Eat Pray Love
Elizabeth Gilbert
Of course I read it. Now I just need to go to Bali. But I didn’t love it, and I really wanted to. I found it very easy to put down. Maybe I didn’t love it so much because I thought I could write it better, or rather that I think I have more interesting experiences (or the potential to have them if I only had more time).
The Big House
George Howe Colt
If you’ve had any personal connection with old money New England families and their eccentricities and weird relationship with money (as many of you know I have) you’ll find this alternately entertaining as a book about history and place and annoying and disgusting as a commentary on the kind of people who make this region an oftentimes irritating place to live.
For One More Day
Mitch Albom
Cloying like all of Albom’s books, but bittersweet for anyone who has lost a parent or come close to losing one or whose parents are aging. I liked the structure of the book a lot, even if the content left a lot to be desired..
— Thanks to my friend Mandy for providing the list of books I read on my France/Italy trip below, because I lost my list. I stayed with her at her home outside Grenoble and left the books I’d already read with her. She clearly remembered these books better than I did, so I’ll pass her comments along. I do remember that “Violette’s Embrace” had a titillating cover and possibly had some mild erotic element to it, but not enough to make an impression on me.
Daughters of the House… that’s the one where one becomes a nun. seemed a little forced to me.
Violette’s Embrace… someone lives in Paris. I so couldn’t get into this one I started it, stopped it, and left it back on the shelf.
The Titan Committee… mystery set in Venice. I should re-read it now that I’ve been to Venice.
You also left behind The Virgin Blue… about woman who moves to France and decides to look up her family history. Flashes back between present and past willy nilly. More annoying because the woman became fluent in French within a month of moving here. Which is so never going to happen I could barely get past it to read the story.
2006 BOOK LIST
Of Time and Memory
Don Snyder, B+/B+
Unusually sad, true story but fascinating.
Her
Laura Zigman, B-/B-
Entertaining but not as good as her previous books.
The Art of Pilgrimage
Philip Cousineau, B/B
Great concept but then a little disappointing.
A Heart’s Progress
Claudia Bepko , B/B
Author is from Vito’s home town. Interesting, not great.
Soiled Doves
Anne Seagraves, B/B
Prostitution in the Wild West – not as fascinating as this topic ought to be – needed more depth.
Diary of an American Au Pair
Marjorie Ford, B-/B-
Ho hum though entertaining parts.
The Year 1000
Robert Lacey, C/C
Could have been great but was quite boring.
Nothing to Declare
Mary Morris, B/B
Travel books like this always make me a little jealous.
The Boy Next Door
Lloyd & Rees, A-
I love this writing team, even if they are corny.
The Art of Happiness
Dalai Lama, A+
If only I could stick to this. Great ideas and way to live life.
Rescue Me, He’s Wearing a Moose Hat
Sherry Halperin B/C-
I find this dating memoir extremely hard to believe.
Junie B. Jones 1st Grader, Barbara Park C-/D
Had to see what all the fuss is about. Niece loves these books. The stories are fine, but I detest the terrible grammar.
Judy Moody, Megan McDonald
A somewhat better series of books for 2nd-4th graders.
Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah, B-/B-
Author tries to make stepmother seem like the Chinese Mommie Dearest, but it didn’t really move me.
Shutterbabe, Deborah Kogan A-/A-
Insanely jealous of her adventures. Right place/right time.
Wish, Melina Gerosa Bellows
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Mark Haddon, A/A
I couldn’t put this down. Favorite book of the year.
Too Much Tuscan Sun, Dario Castagno, B+/B
Some bits are a little hard to believe, but entertaining, particularly for seasoned travelers weary of Ugly Americans.
Stiff, Mary Roach, B+/B
Human cadavers do indeed have interesting lives. This was quite a relevant read before seeing BodyWorlds exhibit.
Common Nonsense, Andy Rooney, B+/B+
He quoted my old boss and made me laugh.
Toward a New Catholic Church, James Carroll, B/B
I like short books, but I didn’t feel this explored this important topic well.
Was, Geoff Ryman, D/C-
Disturbing look at the Wizard of Oz.
The Young Wan, Brendan O’Carroll, A-/A-
Those Irish know how to make me laugh.
Dreaming, Carolyn See, B-/B-
Cry me a river. Depressing tale of messed-up family.
My Descent into Death, Howard Storm, C/C
Not at all memorable though it was an interesting topic.
Instructions to the Cook, Bernard Glassman
Interesting story, but lacking something.
How to Travel w/ a Salmon, Umberto Eco, D/C
Disappointingly dull and not at all amusing essay collection.
Night Moves, Dan Breithaput, B/C
Fun book about 70s music, but could have been so much more.
Quietly Comes the Buddha, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, C/B
Quick read. Some interesting Christian insights on Buddhism.
Life in One Day, Doris Grumbach, A/A
Memoir with a unique spin. A really fun read for bibliophiles because of her constant reference to the books in her life.
The Google Story, Vise & Malseed, B/B
Thought this would be a snooze, but interesting. Not sure whether to love them or hate them after reading this
The Giggler Treatment, Roddy Doyle, B-/B-
Crude but funny book for kids. Mind the poo.
Lamb, Christopher Moore, B-/B-
Funny ideas, even if sacrilegious, but not sustainable for more than 400 pages. Gets old pretty fast.
2005 BOOK LIST
Nine Parts of Desire
Geraldine Brooks, A/A
About women in the Middle East — glad to live in the U.S.
The Lobster Chronicles
Linda Greenway, B+/B+
As much as I don’t like Maine, pretty interesting memoir
The Midnight Club
James Patterson
69 Things to Do with a Dead Princess
Stewart Home, B-/B-
Weird and dirty
N.P.
Banana Yoshimoto, A/A
Oddly fascinating. Interesting look at Japanese culture.
Chariots of the Gods
Erik Von Daniken
A trip back to the 1970s – I love this kind of stuff!
A Small Place
Jamaica Kincaid, B/B
Interesting since we’d been to Antigua in 2004
Lizard
Banana Yoshimoto
I don’t remember this
Milkrun
Sarah Mlynowski
Boston-based Bridget Jonesish book
4 Blind Mice
James Patterson
Tepper Isn’t Going Out
Calvin Trillin, B/B+
Odd but entertaining
Paragon Walk
Anne Perry
Transit Point Moscow
Gerald Amster
Informative spy memoir
A Death in Devil’s Acre
Anne Perry
Year of Wonders
Geraldine Brooks, A/A
Interesting ideas of what the plague must have done to people
Fast Food Nation
Eric Schlosser, B+/B+
A little too much detail on some topics, but interesting overall
A Man Called Dave
David Pelzer, B+/B
Not as interesting as “It,” but he’s a really amazing guy
The Lexus & the Olive Tree
Thomas Friedman, B-/A-
Too long, but lots of interesting ideas
A Cook’s Tour
Anthony Bourdain, C+/B+
Good reading, but I wasn’t into a lot of the locations
The Chalice & the Blade
Raine Eisler, C+/B
Couldn’t quite get into it
The Knight in Rusty Armor
Robert Fisher, B/B-
Parable that is a bit too obvious, but still inspirational
As the Romans Do
Alan Epstein, B/B
Some funny observations about Italian life
Are We There Yet?
Scott Haas, B/B+
I found the family spoiled and annoying, but still liked their travels
Big Russ & Me
Tim Russert, B/B+
I love Tim, but the story wasn’t that thrilling
Tourist Season
Carl Hiassen
Funny, of course
The Accidental Virgin
Valerie Frankel
Funny
World’s most famous virgin
The Dork of Cork
Chet Raymo, B/B
What’s not interesting about an Irish astronomer dwarf?
Paige by Paige
Paige Davis
This was really lame. No wonder they got rid of her.
In My Brother’s Image
Eugene Pogany, B/B+
Overly long, but inherently interesting family history
Joshua
Joseph Girzone, B-/C
Really simple allegory, but uplifting
Girls’ Poker Night
Jill Davis
Don’t remember this at all
Doll’s House
Rumer Godden
Charming book for girls (or women) who love dolls
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Azar Nafisi, B/B+
I didn’t love this, but you have to admire the author
A Gathering of Days
Joan Blos
Not my favorite historical fiction for girls but still enjoyable
Bachelor Girl
Betsy Israel, C/C+
History of the single girl — yawn!
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Sophie Kinsella
Ruby in the Smoke
Phillip Pullman
Young adult Victorian mystery, but a little boring
The Clothes They Stood Up In
Alan Bennett, B/B
Funny, but could have been better
Unless
Carol Shields, B/B+
I didn’t like the homeless daughter premise, but still good
Bare Necessity
Carole Matthews
LOL
Autograph Man
Zadie Smith
Yawn. Couldn’t get into it
——————–
Book Lists from the olden days
After lending a stack of books in 2012 to a friend (after finding a stack of mysteries double stacked behind other books at my house), I recall my Ann Granger phase (between 1992-1996). I can’t really rate them 20ish years later, but I liked them all.
1. Say it with Poison. 2. A Season for Murder. 3. Cold in the Earth. 4. Murder Among Us. 5. Where Old Bones Lie. 6. A Fine Place for Death. 7. Flowers for his Funeral. 8. Candles for a Corpse. 9. A Word After Dying
At the home of my parents I discovered an early book list written in a little spiral notebook. I’ll guess it is circa 1979. 10 books by Victoria Holt read during a historical fiction phase/craze.
I didn’t rate them all, but here goes: 1. Mistress of Mellyn. 2. Shadows of the Lynx. 3. My Enemy, the Queen (excellent). 4. Lord of the Far Island (exc.). 5. House of 1,000 Lanterns (exc.) 6. Devil on Horseback. 7. Curse of the Kings. 8. Night of the 7th Moon. 9. Bride of Pendorric (fair). 10. Pride of the Peacock.