"Outside a dog a book is man's best friend, inside a dog it is too dark to read!" -Groucho Marx========="The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen========="I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book."-JK Rowling========"I spend a lot of time reading." -Bill Gates=========“Ahhh. Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” -Jacqueline Kelly=========

Monday, May 3, 2021

TTT: My Ten Most Recent Reads


Top Ten Tuesday: My Ten Most Recent Reads

(This list excludes a few poetry books that should be on this list because they are listed here


1. The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Set in Nigeria. The female protagonist has a hard life with many trials and upsets but she triumphs in the end. This is a transcendent book and I highly recommend that you listen to the audio version since it is written in vernacular.

2. I Can't Talk About the Trees Without the Blood by Tiara Clark
A poetry collection which deals with tough topics like racism and sexism. 

3. Saving My Enemy by Bob Welch
The true story of two soldiers, an American GI and a German soldier, who met on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge (WWII) and formed a deep friendship by forgiving each other for their part in the war. This is WWII story the likes of which I've never read before and I was so touched by it. Want to find out more? Please read my review here.

4. The Atlas of Happiness: The Global Secrets of How to Be Happy by Helen Russell
Country by county Helen introduces the reader to words and concepts that people in that region use to find happiness and contentment in their circumstances.
 
5. Violet Bent Backwards in the Grass by Lana Del Ray
The first poetry collection by this singer/songwriter.  

6. Fred Rogers: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Fred Rogers
We all love Mr. Rogers and what he created in his neighborhood. If you read these interviews and conversations, done near the end of his life, you will be reminded why you like him so much. This book was gifted to me by Deb Nance at Readerbuzz. Thank you.

7. Dune by Frank Herbert
Reading this classic Sci-Fi book knocked off my one reading goal of the year---to read Dune. Not a personal favorite but I can certainly see why this book has stood the test of time. I listened to the audiobook which was very well-done.

8. Day is Done: A Nelson Mandela Tribute by Maya Angelou
One hero of mine honoring another hero in this beautiful poem.

9. A Promised Land by Barack Obama
My husband and I started this audiobook back in December and we finally finished it in April. I love Obama and followed his Presidency, so most of the information was not news to me. I just didn't like how long it took for us to finish the book (29+ hours of listening.) 

10. A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green
This is the second book in the Carls series. I loved the first book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, and found a lot to like in this sequel. Another audiobook selection for me.

-Anne

 

 

21 comments:

  1. Sounds like you picked some books that you've really enjoyed!

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  2. I wasn't super crazy about Dune either but I'm glad I've read it. :)

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  3. I had one of those audiobooks this year! I started it last year and only just finished it recently!

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  4. I'm reading A Promised Land very slowly, too. It's good!

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-my-ten-most-recent-reads/

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  5. I got A Promised Land for Christmas but haven't dived into it yet, it's a hefty tome!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/top-ten-tuesday-314/

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  6. I've never been able to finish Dune. I had a similar reaction to it.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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    1. I actually liked the book and though the audiobook was long, it seemed to go very quickly. Watch for my review later today.

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  7. I've heard SUCH good things about THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE! I'm always looking for great books on audio, so thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to see if my library has the audio version.

    Happy TTT!

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    1. I really enjoyed the book and we had a great book club discussion about it, too.

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  8. I liked A Promised Land but felt that it was entirely too long. I love listening to Obama but knew I would lose my mind if I attempted the audiobook; I do find him to be a slow speaker.

    I would like to read Dune before the movie comes out but I'm not super excited about it. I love fantasy but science fiction isn't really my thing. And it's another chunkster, isn't it?

    Your picture of the tulips is beautiful! My husband and I were disappointed that the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival was cancelled last year. Maybe we'll make it back to the area someday.

    Great list!

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    1. Tulips are beautiful one day and gone the next , it seems, especially if the weather turns too hot too soon. My husband took this photo a few years ago when we visited the festival in Mt. Vernon, WA a few years ago. The flowers were lovely but the sky was grey. Hit or miss.

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  9. I'm now on the waiting list for Louding Voice (audio format). I'm delighted that you enjoyed Fred Rogers, but, honestly, who wouldn't?! Everyone loves Mister Rogers.

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    1. Thanks again for the Mr. Rogers book. I am going to review it then pass it on to my daughter who has young children.

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  10. Oh I didn't know the A Promised Land audiobook was 29+ hours! That's definitely long.

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    1. We bumped the listening speed up to 1.1 so it seemed like Obama was speaking at a normal speaking rate. Ha!

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  11. I Can't Talk About the Trees Without the Blood sounds like a really interesting title. I will have to look more into it. Hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

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  12. I tried to read The Girl with the Louding Voice and had a difficult time getting into it. Perhaps this is one that I should do the audio.

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  13. The Mr. Rogers book sounds interesting. This is a great week because I'm getting to see all these different books!

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  14. I'm hoping to read Dune at some point. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/my-ten-most-recent-reads/

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  15. I need to read A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Glad you enjoyed some of your recent reads!! :) Thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland last week.

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I look forward to your comments and interactions! Join in the conversation.