My Reading Life: Books of 2017
2017 was not a stellar reading year in several ways but it was not terribly disappointing either. For one, I was disappointed that I did not read any more print books than I did. But the up-side is, if I read less, it is because I am working more. My days have been Full - every day that it is not raining. And we have had little rain this year. I've held the paintbrush, the sander, the chainsaw, the rake, the shovel, the loppers, and the mower for many more hours than I've held a book this year. So lots has gotten done and less has gotten read. Much of the working hours were accompanied by an audiobook, and many of these were such disappointments that they were abandoned.
What I did surprisingly find was an interest in stories of real people doing real things:
Capital Gaines A Year In the Maine WoodsGaining Ground Grandma Gatewood's WalkThe Curve of Time Arctic HomesteadThe Final Frontiersman Braving ItThe Last American Man The Stillmeadow Road
I devoted 2017 to read more about Alaska, another new fascination. If I let myself, I would binge-read all-things Alaska. But I'm like a book-hoarder, afraid of running out, so I spread those out. I plan to continue my Alaska-fest throughout 2018 also. Below are 2017 Alaska-related books.
The capstone book of this Alaskan fascination was James Michener's Alaska. After reading Michener's memoir The World is My Home, I didn't trust that I would be able to deal with his Alaska. The memoir was --to me-- just so egotistical. But there is a reason Michener's historical fictions have always been bestsellers - he can write a great story of epic proportions. I've even added some more of his books to my to-read list.
Travels in Alaska Arctic HomesteadRoad Song AlaskaLooking for Alaska The Final FrontiersmanBraving It The Snow ChildWinter Garden
A new favorite series I've found (and have rationed these too) is Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Doctor series. The reading is easy and delightful, reminiscent of James Herriot's All Creatures books.
An Irish Country DoctorAn Irish Country VillageAn Irish Country ChristmasAn Irish Country GirlAn Irish Country Courtship
Fannie Flagg has accompanied me through many outdoor tasks and delighted me on audio, especially when she narrates. I've several more for 2018.
A Redbird ChristmasThe Whole Town's TalkingI Still Dream about You
Overall print favorites for 2017:
AlaskaA Year in the Maine WoodsIrish Country Doctor series
and audio favorites:
The mixed print and audio 2017 list:The Marsh King's DaughterBefore We Were Yours
Into the WildCapital GainesA Redbird ChristmasA Year In the Maine WoodsIn the Sanctuary of OutcastsThe BirdwatcherRoots and SkyAnswering the CallThe Reading PromiseA Piece of the WorldThe Whole Town's TalkingGaining GroundThe Shell SeekersGrandma Gatewood's WalkThe Curve of TimeWhen Breath Becomes AirThe Marsh King's DaughterTravels in AlaskaI Still Dream about YouArctic HomesteadRoad SongAn Irish Country CourtshipAn Irish Country GirlJourney: A NovelAnd Then I Found YouBefore We Were YoursAn Irish Country ChristmasHillbilly ElegyThe MoneychangersIf I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?The American SpiritThe Underground RailroadTo the Bright Edge of the WorldThe Bookshop on the CornerIf You Lived Here, I'd Know Your NameLooking for AlaskaThe Rest of GodThe Final FrontiersmanOn Folly BeachBraving ItA World LostAn Irish Country VillageThe Snow ChildAn Irish Country DoctorPlowing in HopeThe Last American ManThe Road
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