Lisa Ann's Reading Goals for 2016: Midyear and Beyond

2016 Books I Own Reading Successes*:

1. The Fifth Gospel: 3 stars (Read in Jan; Noting that I read 61 pages out of 431 during Dec 2015)

2. Tears of the Giraffe: 4 stars (Read in Jan)

3. The Song of the Lark: 2 stars (Read in Jan/DNF)

4. Ready Player One: 4 stars (Read in Feb)

5. Rebecca: 4 stars (Read in Feb)

6. The Last Runaway: 4 stars (Read in Feb)

7. Morality for Beautiful Girls: 3 stars (Read in March)

8. Out of Africa: 2 stars (Read in May)

9. Me Before You: 4 stars (Read in June)

10. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion: 2 stars (Read in June)

11. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: 4 stars (Read in June)

12. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics: 5 stars (Read in July)

13. A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains: 4 stars (Read in August)

Okay, there is more since August but I lost track somewhere along the way......

* All books listed were owned prior to January 1, 2016.

Reserved

Reserved

2016 Wrap Up:

Hi Lisa. Nice to see you here, already kicking off your own thread. It's actually the first time I've what you have read in a list. Kind of cool to see it that way. Welcome to LT and CR.

Thanks, Daniel. This is still a work in progress. The first post is books I have read this year, that I owned prior to 2016. Otherwise, I haven't decided yet if I am going to backtrack and list all of my books read prior to July. Thinking I might just start with August and continue on through December for my LT lists but I will see how it goes. Mainly trying to avoid feeling overwhelmed for now. :)

I know that feeling. It's a good idea to start from here, a fresh start of sorts.

Welcome, Lisa! I've read a few of the books you listed recently - Rebecca is a favorite as is Willa Cather, though I haven't read Song of the Lark yet. Looks like it didn't work very well for you? I also recently finished The Boys in the Boat which I LOVED! And I read Out of Africa this year which I couldn't get into - it wasn't personal enough for me (meaning I felt the author keeping me at arms length) and some of the views of Africans seemed so stereotypical.

Anyway, glad to have you around!

Thanks for the words of welcome, Jennifer. I am glad to be here.

I very much agree that Out of Africa had many stereotypical views in it. That was a very unappealing part of the book. In retrospect, it really seemed less like a cohesive story and more like very lengthy private diary entries.

The Song of the Lark has been my least favorite Cather book read to date. Somehow I didn't like or feel any personal connection to the characters. I do recall reading My Antonia many years ago and liking it. I do plan to read it again at some point, especially since I don't recall much about the story.

The Boys in the Boat rocked!! My absolutely hands down favorite book read so far this year.

Books To Read During August:

Lily and the Octopus

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

LaRose

A God in Ruins

Ok, I'm curious about the Potter. I haven't actually figured out who wrote it.

Actually, I am not certain who really wrote it either, Daniel. At this point the book is in transit from Amazon and so far I have avoided much of the publicity hype or (early) reader's comments. For now I'd rather go into it with an open mind, versus knowing a whole lot of background info.

The whole "author" controversy was one of things I am aware of, but it seems Rowling would have a hands-on approach when any of her creations or characters are involved.

Lily and the Octopus
Read 08/02/16
3 Stars

The story opens with Ted discovering his beloved dachshund has an abnormal growth, which is referred to as an "octopus" for much of the book. I liked the beginning chapters and thought the "conversations" between Lily and Ted were cute.

Midway through I found myself not liking the story as much for these reasons:

-Even at the beginning of the book, there were hints about Ted's rather self-absorbed personality.
In everyone’s shock, they forget to ask about Lily. I just sip my champagne and roll with it as best I can. But inside I’m wondering why on the day of my sister’s union more people aren’t thinking about me.

Okay, Ted. Gee, it is your sister's wedding day, and during the calls to surprised family members who weren't privy to the elopement, you are wondering why you aren't the center of attention instead. Wow!

- I really had little interest in the dating references.

- Ted's scenes with his therapist goes from mildly amusing, to just plain annoying. If you don't think your therapist is smart enough and you (the patient) are going to answer the therapist's questions in a sarcastic, snarky way -- Hey, find a new therapist!!

- The inclusion of a really weird scene near the end of the book ruined the story for me. Was it supposed to be based in reality? Was Ted dreaming the whole thing or did he have one too many alcoholic drinks plus valium combos?

-Finally, according to the search function on my Kindle, the word "octopus" is used 396 times. For a sense of perspective, the entire book is only 320 pages long.

So, I really did love parts of the story, especially that whole pet and dog owner connection. Also, I realize this book is just as much about Ted's psychological journey, as it is about Lily's serious health issues. Unfortunately, there were too many times that Ted came across as unlikeable and immature. That somehow managed to overshadow the aspects of the story I did like and feel emotionally connected to.

Four stars for the Lily's story and two stars for Ted's: 3 stars overall.

I read a review somewhere here recently and...I think it was more positive (I can't quite remember). Bummer it didn't work out for you. It's far off my reading road, but I'm still curious.

And, yeah, try another therapist (but, you know, his next could end up just as bad, if he lives in the real world)

Daniel- As more individuals read this, it seems the reviews are becoming more diverse. Most people will relate to the pet related themes, however I suspect some readers are more tolerant of aspects of the story that bothered me. It is still a relatively new book, so I there will probably be a much wider spectrum of opinions on this book by the end of the year.

I try not to read newly published "it" books very often, as I cannot rely on the average rating. Plus, they usually have a long library waitlist, not to mention the cost of a new hardbound edition. Of course, I am currently reading the latest Harry Potter book, so here I go again. (Open mouth, Insert Foot.....)

Btw, I get what you are saying about finding a decent therapist in the real world. In the story world, this character was a really sarcastic jerk during sessions. Why even bother to go then? Move on or save your money. :)

Finally completed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and I am not sure what to say about it. It seems I cannot discern if my feelings about the story are being unfairly influenced by the play format. For now, I am just going to give it three stars and will think on a review (or not).

>15 This-n-That: i wasn't aware Lily and the Octopus was a major release.

>16 This-n-That:. Huh. That's clearly not a wow. I requested it through my library, I'm about 350 million n the waiting list. Think I can wait.

Daniel- You might like the HP book. It is certainly worth reading. Even though I knew the format of the new book was different from the onset, I know it still impacted my overall reading experience.

Sorry about the long library wait but I am not surprised. It will be a personal feat to avoid major spoilers in the meantime. In that respect, I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it sooner rather than later. I handed the book off to my husband. It will be interesting to see if he likes it, assuming he finds the time to read it. :)

Concerning Lily and the Octopus, it seems to be highly promoted on Amazon. I ended up paying $1.99 during a kindle daily deal. My library actually now has it in e-book format and there is a waitlist as well, although not nearly as long as for the HP book.

I completed A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains which I own and is a public domain book. One more book to check off my tbr list. :)

The chapters are actually long, highly detailed letters chronicling Isabella Bird's journey from San Francisco to Colorado during the 1870's. The detailed descriptions of all things botanical are one of the highlights and most pleasureable aspects of the book. Isabella certainly lived a colorful life and had some wild experiences during her travels. Much of her travels were on horseback during inclement weather. I haven't decided if she was brave or just naive and lucky to have survived some of the situations she found herself in; maybe a combination of both? It seems individuals were much heartier back then and the types of letters written to chronicle such events could probably be considered a lost art form now.

Four stars and highly recommended for those who enjoy reading about by-gone eras in the US and books in letter or diary format.

For more information about the author's journey please refer to: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=45.828799%2C2.8125&spn=137.084784%2C...

I found this interactive map very helpful, as it allowed me to envision and better understand the author's travel routes.

>19 This-n-That: i had never heard of Bird and your review sent me on a Wikipedia run. She sounds like quite a character.

Yes, I think she was quite an ambitious and independent woman, Daniel. She also met some wild characters during her travels, including Rocky Mountain Jim (who is mentioned in the Wikipedia article). She actually writes quite a bit about him. Talk about having two opposing personalities in one person; ill tempered desperado and poetry reciting ladies man! Yikes!

Isabella Bird Bishop just popped in my current book, Nothing to Envy. She was in Korea in 1897, describing small town costume.

Wow, what a coincidence, huh? She sure made her way around the globe, especially for that time period.

Well, I finished LaRose and for full disclosure I probably wouldn't have chosen this book to read on my own. This was chosen by a local bookclub. It is still a relatively recently published book and I prefer to wait to read new-ish books until all the initial publication hoopla has passed and there are plenty of reader's reviews contributing to the average rating.

Although I didn't feel inclined to write a formal in-depth review, I finally settled on 2 stars. It was difficult to connect with most of the characters, especially since the book began with a devastating event that set the tone for the remainder of the story. Also, the ending was a complete disappointment. It was so different in tone and contrasted so drastically with the previous chapter(s), that it seemed the ending was written for a different novel or genre.

Only two stars. Bummer. I'll be sure this isn't my first Erdrich (although, as it's later in a series, I probably wouldn't have started with it anyway)

That seems like a wise plan, Daniel, although some readers gave LaRose five stars. One never knows. :) It was suggested to read The Round House, should I ever try another Erdrich by book. Supposedly that story doesn't have the same issues that I found to be unappealing within LaRose.

Interesting. I always wanted to read Four Souls, but no longer remember why. No clue what it's about.

I completed A God in Ruins and have mixed feelings about the narrative. The writing was well done and I liked the detailed charaterizations, especially for Teddy. However, the aspect of the writing that served as a distraction was the wandering narrative. The chronology would change sometimes, seemingly without rhyme or reason. I don't expect a story to be linear, however I don't care for it to be presented in a haphazard either.

In this instance, I listened to approximately fifty percent of the story using an Audible version but read most of the latter half of the book. Between the two, I found the Audible version to be preferable, even though I can read much faster than listen.

Based on how much I liked the beginning chapters, I thought this was going to be a four or five star read. Four stars for the eloquent writing and detailed characterization, minus one star for the ultra jumpy sequencing of the narrative, equals three stars.

I like it more than you did, Lisa. I also had some mixed feelings, but got very attached to in the end. Oddly, for me, it was the beginning that I liked the least. I listened to all of it.

Daniel- I enjoyed the end as well, especially the unexpected twist but could have done without some of the chapters leading up to that point. :)

Someone commented that Life After Life and A God in Ruins has a different narrators for the audio version, which she found to be jarring. Totally understandable. I didn't read/listen to Life After Life first, so wasn't aware of that.

Actually, I had forgotten about that. I liked the Life After Life narrator. And I had trouble with the narrator switching from a woman in LAL to a man in AGiR. Maybe that's part of the reason I had trouble with the beginning of AGiR. ??

Reading Plans:

• Candy Corn Murder
  
• The Birth House
  
• My Cousin Rachel
  
• The Wright Brothers
  
• Barkskins
  
• I Capture the Castle
  
• Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ
  

This is the third time I have tried to post and update, one time accidentally closing the active tab and the next time having my kindle randomly restart mid-sentence. Quickly stating, I completed The Birth House and gave it four stars. Although not all readers may be drawn to this type of historical fiction, I enjoyed the unique plot and detailed characterization.

http://www.librarything.com/work/677593/reviews/132554423

Another book to cross off my tbr list, as I have finally read My Cousin Rachel. Although I didn't like the story quite as much as Rebecca, it was still a very worthwhile read. After enjoying two books by Daphne de Maurier, I can safely profess to be a fan of her writing.

My Review:

My Cousin Rachel is the perfect type of gothic story to whisk the reader away as autumn approaches. As would be expected there is a large estate involved, money, mystery, deceit and romance.

The majority of the story revolves around three characters: Ambrose, Philip Ashley and Rachel (as in "My Cousin"). Although I don't want to give away too many details, there were times I wanted to thump Philip Ashley on the head for being such a naive idiot and other times I despised his egotism. Is Rachel a basically decent person who is dependent on men for a source of income or is she an evil temptress? I have my thoughts on the subject but will keep them to myself. As for Ambrose, we readers aren't given as many details about his personal history. In some ways that makes sense, in that his character was integral to act as the catalyst which allowed other events to take place.

It is difficult to read this novel, without making some comparisons to Rebecca. They are both very good mystery stories in their own right, however I found My Cousin Rachel to be a bit more predictable. Overall, it was an intriguing, well written mystery and worthy of a four star rating.

Favorite quotes:

“The point is, life has to be endured, and lived. But how to live it is the problem.”

“...If we killed women for their tongues all men would be murderers.”

“He was like someone sleeping who woke suddenly and found the world...all the beauty of it, and the sadness too. The hunger and the thirst. Everything he had never thought about or known was there before him, and magnified into one person who by chance, or fate--call it what you will--happened to be me.”

You're doing well in September. I've been curious about Rebecca, since it's gets such positive reviews. Interesting about My Cousin Rachel.

Thanks, Daniel! I guess I have been in the reading mood. :) Although I wouldn't call myself a huge gothic fiction fan, there is something about du Maurier's stories that draws me in. Even if some of the characters are unlikable, there are usually others to balance it out. Really good suspenseful mystery and romance writing, that whisked me off to Cornwall.

So, in my wordy way, I am saying I hope you get an opportunity to read either book sometime. All other things being equal, I am wondering if du Maurier's stories are as appealing to a male audience, especially since the narrative (in My Cousin Rachel) is told from a male character's pov. If I am recalling correctly, Rebecca is told from a female character's pov though.

I recently completed I Capture the Castle and Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ. Very different types of books and topics but both four star reads for me.

Although I Capture the Castle did have some flaws and I didn't particularly care for some events that happened toward the end of the book, I can very much understand why it is considered to be a "classic". Told from the perspective of a seventeen year old character who grew up within a unconventional family, for the most part it makes for a wonderful story. The gothic vibe and the English castle in disrepair, is actually another character as it often takes on a life of its own. After having this book on my mental reading list for years, I am glad to have finally read it.

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ was both extremely interesting and sometimes disconcerting as well. Although I already was aware of some of the information presented such as the importance of pre and probiotics for a healthy intestinal flora, other facts presented were new to me. The writing style of Giulia Enders and the fun illustrations, made for an entertaining but very informative read. Yes, parts of it are a little gross, but hey, it is an important part of everyone's daily bodily functions. I do plan to take some notes on specific sections before returning the library book. Within the next ten to twenty years, researchers likely will have found even more ways that our digestive tracts influence other systems and chemical interactions in our bodies.

>37 This-n-That: I don't know why, but I have such a soft spot for I Capture the Castle. Up there with the likes of Little Women in my affections.

>38 AlisonY: I think I understand where you are coming from. Cassandra is such a likeable and honest character, that one cannot help but feel a sense of fondness for the story. Jo (in Little Women) has a different personality but is also a highly likeable character. There are other really good qualities to each story, as well.

Thanks for checking in and commenting. :)

>37 This-n-That: I read I Capture the Castle a couple of years ago for the first time and I really wished I had read it first as a teenager. I think it would have been an all-time favorite. Reading it for the first time in my mid-30s, I found it just a tad juvenile, though I still did enjoy it.

>40 japaul22: Good point! Now that I think about it, I read Little Women when I was much younger and that is one of my all time favorite books. Perhaps I Capture the Castle would also be a favorite, had I read it as a teenager. Although I still enjoyed the story from an adult perspective, I didn't consider it to be exactly on par with Little Women. Age and personal experience definitely influences how much we like a book and our interpretation of a story.

Well after beginning The Wright Brothers in April on CD, I finally completed the book! Whew!

My quick review:

This subject matter is one of great importance, especially for those of us who learned about the amazing achievements of Orville and Wilbur Wright during elementary school. This book goes into much more depth than the most of us probably ever knew (or maybe even cared to know) about the early history of aeronautics.

In this instance, I listened to part of this book on CD and also read parts of the second half of the story. I liked the aspects of the story that focused on how the Wright brothers initially became interested in the concept of flying. It was also interesting how the support of their family (especially Katharine) and a few close friends allowed them to flourish and successfully achieve so many goals. This recurring theme, reaffirmed my belief that being successful in an endeavor often requires more than interest, skills, hard work or even luck. From the book: “Wilbur would remark that if he were to give a young man advice on how to get ahead in life, he would say, “Pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio.”

It seems the research for this book was meticulous but sometimes the writing was a bit bland. The first half of the book was more interesting to me than the second half which focused in great detail on the brothers accomplishments. Overall, I am glad to have read this biography though and would recommend it to others. Three stars.

October Reading Plans:

• Barkskins (Continued from September)
  
• Dracula
  
• Paths to Happiness
  
• The Snow Child
  
• Breakfast at Tiffany's
  
• Sprig Muslin
  
• Pioneer Girl
  
• The Thanksgiving Visitor
  

Hi. Glad you finished The Wright Brothers and that you'll never have to read it again. (Well, unless, of course m you want to.). I think McCullough had done better elsewhere.

>44 dchaikin: Thanks. :) Have you read any other books by McCullough or any you would recommend?

Only on audio. 1776 was good. And I eventually fell in love with The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris. But note that I didn't like TGJ at first and that it's really long. But I sense that all his works are generally very good. He just got a little carried away with the Wright Brothers, post-fame.

Ohh I saw him on Daily Show about the Wright Bros book, he seemed like such a nice old man, and like he was so incredibly invested in & excited about what he was writing. I could see him possibly getting a bit carried away in the material, lol.

I love McCullough's John Adams biography. It's a time commitment, but really excellent.

>46 dchaikin: >47 .Monkey.: >48 japaul22: Thanks for your recommendations and comments. I probably will be up for another McCullough book next year, as I plan to try and incorporate more non-fiction into my reading plans. (Try being the operative word in that sentence.) It would be nice to read another book by the same author, just out of curiosity, if nothing else.

For all intensive purposes I have completed Barkskins. I had to rush through parts of it in order to return the copy to a friend, so I am going to hold off on rating/reviewing it until I am able to get a copy through the library. If I were to rate it now, it would probably be 2.5 stars. A well researched story but too long and overly detailed. I didn't feel compelled to pick up the book and read everyday and had to force myself through extended sections.

My thoughts about Dracula by Bram Stoker:

So, this is one of those times I am not quite sure how to rate a book. Did I enjoy the story? Yes, aspects of it. Did I feel a connection to the characters? Hmmm ..... not so much. Do I understand why this is a classic? Probably, since the eventual popularity of the story paved the way for a whole subgenre dedicated to vampiric characters (vampire literature). However, after doing some research, it seems vampire literature didn't orginate with Bram Stoker. The Vampyre; A Tale by John William Polidori and Varney the Vampire by James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest preceeded the publication of Dracula by 50+ years.

I knew very little about the story before beginning, as I have not viewed movie versions and didn't even read the book synopsis. My decision to read it was more based on curiosity as to why this particular vampire story is a classic. Well, and it seemed that everyone else has read it at some point. :) Also, for full disclosure, I am not a huge horror fiction fan and often only read one or two books in the genre each year.

The epistolary format was fine and the different points of views often enhanced the story. Overall, I enjoyed the beginning chapters that focused on Jonathan Harker's visit to Count Dracula's castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Later on, the focus of the story shifted to other characters in England and the narrative, within some of the chapters beyond that point, seemed too melodramatic for my liking.

I should mention that I listened to part of Dracula through an Audible version narrated by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, etc. The narration was excellent and actually made the story more interesting. For readers who primarily listen to books, I would highly recommend this version of Dracula.

Rating: 3.5 stars

(Edited October 12, 2016. Rating updated to reflect 3.5 stars.)

Second completion this week: Paths to Happiness by Edward Hoffman
My first book received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. :)
Rating: Four Stars
My full review:
http://www.librarything.com/work/18161791/reviews/133821607

This was a concise and easy book to read, with a heavy focus on specific suggestions related to Positive Psychology. Although I was already aware of some of the suggestions made in the book such as meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, expressive writing, some ideas were new to me. None of these suggestions will solve any personal problems but I don't think that they are meant to either. Most are activities that individuals can participate in to fully absorb one's attention, reduce stress and maybe feel a sense of connection to something bigger than themselves. (The last sentence is more based more on my thoughts and not necessarily representative of the author's.)

cool that you tried Dracula. Enjoyed reading your thoughts. Not everyone has read it, promise. I haven't. It's not on my short list either...

>52 This-n-That: meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, expressive writing - do you do all these? I always thought I should try meditation, but it's not so easy to make time for that, especially since for me it's an awkward effort.

>53 dchaikin: I do practice yoga on a regular basis and usually incorporate some element of meditation into my session. Often it is in the form of a guided meditation or a body scan. UCLA has some guided meditations that aren't very time consuming. http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 Also, there are some videos at Sonima's website. http://www.sonima.com/meditation/guided-meditations-meditation/

Sometimes I use expressive writing to help get my thoughts together about something that is troubling me but I don't do it on a daily or weekly basis. Mindfulness is often a struggle (although I try) and I have never been able to keep a gratitude journal; it seems too forced.

Although it wasn't specifically mentioned in Paths to Happiness, becoming completely absorbed in a good story could be a fulfilling and joyful experience. :)

I am adding Breakfast at Tiffany's to my completed pile. Although I liked Truman Capote's writing style, I didn't care for the story and didn't have any interest in the outcome (other than what happens to the cat). It isn't a necessity for me to like the characters in order to appreciate the story, but it helps. In this case, I didn't feel much connection to the characters. Holly Golightly is one of those types who seemingly thrives on drama. Capote could have inserted Prince Charming into the story and she would have found a way to mess it up. Too regal and stifling, darling ......

Crossing Sprig Muslin off my to read list:

Another book I am not certain how to rate. In this case, I have no point of reference since this is the only novel I have read by Georgette Heyer. It certainly wouldn't be fair to compare it to a regency era author's books, such as those written by Jane Austen. Just based on overall ratings, this isn't one of Heyer's most popular book and I can now understand why.

My biggest obstacle to enjoying the story, was the consistent focus on an annoying character who should have been secondary to the main characters. Had the author spent more time on what was supposed to be the focus, which was a potential love interest between Sir Ludlow and Lady Hester, perhaps the ending would have had made more sense. Instead readers are left to fill in the blanks as to why they would even have any interest in each other.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book for readers who are eager to try a book by Georgette Heyer. There are other books with much higher ratings such as The Grand Sophy and Frederica. I do plan to read another novel by Heyer before formulating an opinion about her regency inspired romances.

" I do plan to read another novel by Heyer before formulating an opinion about her regency inspired romances. "

So, not all bad then? Always curious about Heyer, although I don't foresee myself reading her. At least it's not in the plans.

Too bad about Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's.

>57 dchaikin: No, Heyer's novel wasn't all bad. I don't read many romance novels but do enjoy a regency period (fluffy) story every now and then. Supposedly Heyer prided herself on meticulous historical research but ironically some of the language used in her novels wasn't true to the time period. There are only so many books by Jane Austen though.

I am going to try another short story by Capote as well, since I liked his writing style.

November Reading Plans:

• Pride and Prejudice
• Winter Solstice (Setting aside for now. Cannot get into the story.)
  
• The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters (ARC)


• The Other Einstein
• A Christmas Carol

I like your plan. (I'm noticing you cross off your whole October list...)

Thanks, Daniel. I guess I did get through quite a few (planned) books in October. :) I will add a few more for November but haven't decided what yet.

I finally read Pride and Prejudice. 4.5 stars rounded up to five.
An enjoyable read but I got bogged down a few times. Probably due to the fact I am already familiar with the story through tv adaptations and movies.

My Review:
http://www.librarything.com/work/2773690/reviews/132555001

P&P is a nice one to cross of your list, from a true master. Not sure whether you felt you got your full 4.5 stars worth, but I liked your comments, especially this: "Besides tackling social class distinctions, P & P is also a study of human nature, self-deception and self-expression through language?". A combined psychology-in-language study, indeed.

Thanks, Daniel. :) Even though I liked P & P, after reading Lady Susan and Sprig Muslin recently, I need a long break from the regency period now.

On a whim, I bought the kindle version of The Other Einstein on sale a few days ago. It ended up being a four star book for me. Although some aspects of the story were fictionalized, it certainly gave me some further insights into where Einstein (possibly) got some of his theories from. The book is told from the perspective of his first wife but I won't say more, lest I spoil the story.

Lisa - enjoyed your review on the book page. Very interesting.

Thanks, Daniel. Glad you liked it. :-)

So, after procrastinating for quite few days, I finally reviewed The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. This was an Advance Review Edition that I received through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. Another positive psychology type of book, that was difficult for me to flesh out my feelings about and provide a fair rating for. Not sure if I succeeded. 3.5 stars.
http://www.librarything.com/work/18161783/reviews/134225826

So solution is to live happily ever after? Great review, Lisa.

>69 dchaikin: Well, it seems so. ;-) Thanks for the compliment. Some reviews are easier to write than others.

December Reading Plans:

• The Dalai Lama's Cat


• What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear


• Howard's End


• The Machine Stops


• Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel


• The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation

>72 wandering_star: I love that tree! But can also guarantee that as soon as it looked how I wanted it I would be seized with a passion to read one of the books right at the bottom...

>72 wandering_star: Ha!! A likely possibility. :-)

Two Updates:

Earlier in December, I read The Dalai Lama's Cat. It is a nice, short, feel good type of book, although I had a few concerns about the writing style and the way some philosophical elements were presented.

My Review:
Initially this was a humorous and enjoyable fictional story. Basically, a light read incorporating some philosophical and spiritual elements.

I thought I'd be put off by events being told from the cat's perspective, but David Michie actually pulled it off well. That actually made it easier to consider the Buddhist principles incorporated into the story, with an open mind and heart.

Sounds good, huh? Why didn't I give it a higher rating then?

-At a certain point, some of the narrative became repetitive. Yes, we understand that HHC (among her other names) had a penchant for certain types of delicacies.

-Each chapter followed a repetitive formula. It worked okay but eventually became predictable.

-Many chapters mentioned events or meetings including the Dalai Lama and other prestigious or wealthy individual(s). Even HHC often wonders about her pedigree but I won't give that spoiler away. This gave an air of exclusivity or snobbiness to some passages, which took away from the "lesson" the author was trying to get across.

My overall rating is 3.5 stars and I did like the book enough to consider reading The Art of Purring.

http://www.librarything.com/work/13102138/reviews/136547423

~Also~

This afternoon, I finally completed and reviewed, What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear (ARC). A solid four star read for me. Wish some of my personal physicians would read it. Hmmmm ..... maybe a gift idea for next year????

My review:
Although this review likely won't do Dr. Ofri's book justice, given the state of healthcare in the US, I found this to be a timely and critically important topic. In fact, I am hopeful that doctors find the time to read this, as in some ways this book is just as much directed at medical professionals, as it is patients.

With the various anecdotal stories and references to studies, I am glad Dr. Ofri decided to incorporate a common thread into the book, focusing on one patient's story in relation to interactions with her personal physician. I found myself wanting to continue to read, in hopes more would be revealed about Morgan Amanda's ongoing experiences and diagnoses.

Some ideas presented in the book weren't shocking revelations, such as physicians being impatient, pressed for time, controlling of a conversation and judgemental of a patient with certain health conditions, such as obesity. It was disturbing that learning how to communicate and listen, isn't currently a priority in medical school. We can only hope that insightful books such as those written by Dr. Ofri will create a shift in focus, along with changes in educational curriculums.

http://www.librarything.com/work/18351977/reviews/134738153w

Completed Howards End, which I had hoped would be as enjoyable as A Room With a View. It wasn't though. Many events seemed like convenient plot devices and most of the characters were snobby, spoiled and unlikeable. I didn't even quite understand the romantic relationship that was central to the story. It certainly lacked some of the sweetness, that was apparent in A Room With a View. Maybe the movie version is better but I don't even care to watch it now, knowing the ending. Good Grief! 2 stars.

After my husband brought The Machine Stops to my attention, I gave it a try out of curiousity. 4 stars, which is saying a lot for someone who doesn't usually read sci-fi. Great spontaneous, short read!
http://www.librarything.com/work/896743/reviews/137003452

Edited: Adding that this novella was also written by E.M. Forster.

>75 This-n-That: A Room With a View was my first Forster book and I absolutely loved it. Then I read A Passage to India which I absolutely hated and then Howards End which was only ok. I find that odd because it's strange for me to have such wildly different feelings about novels by the same author!

>77 japaul22: Thanks, I feel the same!! My opinions of all the E.M. Forster books I have read are quite diverse. I should have mentioned in message 76 that The Machine Stops is also written by him! A very diverse author. I haven't read A Passage to India yet, so am going to put that on the backburner for a long while.

I feel a little guilty for having never read Forster. Interesting comments.

End Notes for 2016:

Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel - 4 stars

This book discusses some interesting research projects involving a variety of animals ranging from ants to canines. Each chapter focuses on a specific subject and highlights a researcher, which becomes a bit formulaic as the book progresses. Still, an engaging read that will likely allow readers to consider the ranges and types of animal intelligence in a completely new light. Btw, the chapter focusing on dolphins includes a kinky interspecies story. I wasn't expecting that.

The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation - 4 stars

This wasn't originally written with the intention of being published but instead was an lengthy letter written by Thich Nhat Hanh to another Buddhist monk during 1974. There are some incredibly thoughtful insights concerning the importance of "Mindfulness of Breathing" and specific examples of how to be mindful. Having said that, I don't know if I would recommend this book as a beginner's guide to meditation and mindfulness, as it wasn't specifically written with that purpose in mind. Some of the insights presented in this book were influenced by the war in Vietnam and (in my edition) the discussion of the Buddhist (Yoga) Sutras is largely focused on monks. Not that those topics aren't relevant or important, because they are, but it may not be the best way for a beginner to delve into the subject. Instead, I would recommend reading Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn as it is easy to understand and includes practices that are more easily incorporated into our everyday living.

Mindfulness came up in a news article I read last night...as the fix-all for teacher's stress - which I thought was very patronizing. But, still, it made me curious what it is all about. Perhaps I should peak into Jon Kabat-Zinn. Congrats on a great year, and wishing you a happy new year!

Thanks, Daniel. Happy New Year to you!!

Without having read the article, I agree that sounds patronizing. It seems mindfulness is the new "fix" for everything from chronic health issues to increasing work productivity. Some of it is just due to the usual fad-like nature of things. I do feel mindfulness and meditation practice has its merits though.