1sallylou61
This year I'm lowering my number of ROOTs to be read. I will count as ROOTs any book I owned on December 31, 2023, plus "assigned" books such as those for book clubs (and LT ER if I read any of those).
1. Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury by Drew Gilpin Faust -- Colonnades Wednesday Book Club -- finished reading Jan. 12th.
2. The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th by Denver Riggleman (with Hunter Walker) -- bought in Jan. 2023 -- finished reading Jan. 27th.
3. The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields -- Colonnades Monday book club (Feb.) -- finished reading Feb. 4th.
4. Horse by Geraldine Brooks --anniversary gift in 2023 and Northside Library book club 2024 -- finished (re)reading Feb. 10
5. Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis -- Colonnades Wednesday Book Group -- finished reading Feb. 26th.
6. Little House in the Ozarks by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Stephen W. Hines -- had before joined LT in Nov. 2007 -- finished reading Mar. 4th.
7. Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland for Northside Library book club -- free from library -- finished reading Mar. 18th
8. Plain: a Memoir of Mennonite Girlhood by Mary Alice Hostetter. -- bought last year after hearing author speak --
finished rereading Apr. 6th.
9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee -- reread of a favorite book, read for an OLLI class -- finished reading Apr. 9th.
10. Kindred - Octavia Butler -- Northside Library Book Group -- finished reading Apr. 17th -- 2 stars
1. Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury by Drew Gilpin Faust -- Colonnades Wednesday Book Club -- finished reading Jan. 12th.
2. The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th by Denver Riggleman (with Hunter Walker) -- bought in Jan. 2023 -- finished reading Jan. 27th.
3. The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields -- Colonnades Monday book club (Feb.) -- finished reading Feb. 4th.
4. Horse by Geraldine Brooks --anniversary gift in 2023 and Northside Library book club 2024 -- finished (re)reading Feb. 10
5. Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis -- Colonnades Wednesday Book Group -- finished reading Feb. 26th.
6. Little House in the Ozarks by Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Stephen W. Hines -- had before joined LT in Nov. 2007 -- finished reading Mar. 4th.
7. Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland for Northside Library book club -- free from library -- finished reading Mar. 18th
8. Plain: a Memoir of Mennonite Girlhood by Mary Alice Hostetter. -- bought last year after hearing author speak --
finished rereading Apr. 6th.
9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee -- reread of a favorite book, read for an OLLI class -- finished reading Apr. 9th.
10. Kindred - Octavia Butler -- Northside Library Book Group -- finished reading Apr. 17th -- 2 stars
4rabbitprincess
Welcome back! Good idea to include assigned books in the total. Have a great year!
7MissWatson
Happy ROOTing and reading!
9sallylou61
First ROOT in January out of goal of 24: Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury by Drew Gilpin Faust.
This book is much more substantial than it sounds because of Drew's activism. Although she was raised in rural Virginia, she was sent out of state to school. She was continually looking for her place in life. As a teenager she became involved in the civil rights struggle, the protests against the Vietnam War, and life at Bryn Maur (over such things as whether students had to wear skirts!). Ms. Faust wrote this autobiography over half a century after these events occurred.
This book is much more substantial than it sounds because of Drew's activism. Although she was raised in rural Virginia, she was sent out of state to school. She was continually looking for her place in life. As a teenager she became involved in the civil rights struggle, the protests against the Vietnam War, and life at Bryn Maur (over such things as whether students had to wear skirts!). Ms. Faust wrote this autobiography over half a century after these events occurred.
10sallylou61
2nd ROOT in January out of goal of 24: The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th by Denver Riggleman.
This is an early book published re Jan. 6th. Mr. Riggleman worked for Jan. 6th Committee, but was not a committee member. He was investing what happened prior to the beginning of the Committee. Mr. Riggleman's book covers a lot about the mechanics of examining the breach. It names names but not those who had not testified before the Committee. I did not find this book as interesting as Liz Cheney's account in Oath and Honor which I read earlier this month (not a ROOT).
This is an early book published re Jan. 6th. Mr. Riggleman worked for Jan. 6th Committee, but was not a committee member. He was investing what happened prior to the beginning of the Committee. Mr. Riggleman's book covers a lot about the mechanics of examining the breach. It names names but not those who had not testified before the Committee. I did not find this book as interesting as Liz Cheney's account in Oath and Honor which I read earlier this month (not a ROOT).
11connie53
So, I found your thread, Allison. I hope it's on top now.
And I hope you are feeling better and it's not a severe heart problem.
And I hope you are feeling better and it's not a severe heart problem.
12sallylou61
First book in February and third overall (out of 24): The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
I read this for a book club at my retirement community. Unfortunately, I was in the hospital when the club met to discuss it. This is the story of a fictional woman, Daisy, from her birth to her death. Although it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1995, I found it very unmemorable. The story is set primarily in Canada (Manitoba) and the United States (Indiana) although Daisy's father-in-law goes back to the Orkney Islands from which he came to Canada as a young man. I was amazed at how decrepit Ms. Shields portrayed Daisy in her 80s.
I read this for a book club at my retirement community. Unfortunately, I was in the hospital when the club met to discuss it. This is the story of a fictional woman, Daisy, from her birth to her death. Although it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1995, I found it very unmemorable. The story is set primarily in Canada (Manitoba) and the United States (Indiana) although Daisy's father-in-law goes back to the Orkney Islands from which he came to Canada as a young man. I was amazed at how decrepit Ms. Shields portrayed Daisy in her 80s.
13sallylou61
2nd ROOT in February and fourth out of 24: Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
This is a skillfully written historical fiction book about Lexington (formerly Darley) a famous 19th century racehorse who had a relatively brief career racing before he became blind, and then became a breeder of many horses, including many racehorses. The story describes life, particularly in the pre-Civil War South, in which Negroes (the term at that time) could not own horses or be jockeys in races but were depended upon to take care of the horses. It describes the bond between Jarret, the horse's enslaved groom and the horse; Jarret was the person Lexington trusted. Both Jarret and Lexington are sold from the farm where they lived to another slaveowner who took them to another trainer who treated Jarret particularly cruelly and would not let him take care of. the horse. This was before the owner brought both Jarret and Lexington from Kentucky to Louisiana to run on a racetrack he owned. Jarret also helped Thomas J. Scott, a painter, by preparing his palette, holding the horse still, etc.
The story of the living horse is interspersed with the 20th/21st story of discovering the history of the horse. Its skeleton was given to the Smithsonian as well as two of Scott's paintings (one of which became missing). Researchers including skeleton specialists and an art history doctoral student are trying to find out how the skeleton should be pieced together, why the horse became blind, etc. through the use of pictures. Theo, the doctoral student, wants to write his dissertation on Scott's paintings.
Throughout the book, racial relations play an important part. In addition to Jarret's relation with the horse, a young white girl/woman from his first plantation tries to have unapproved relations with him. Theo, the 21st century graduate student is black and works with/has relations with a white professional at the Smithsonian.
This is a skillfully written historical fiction book about Lexington (formerly Darley) a famous 19th century racehorse who had a relatively brief career racing before he became blind, and then became a breeder of many horses, including many racehorses. The story describes life, particularly in the pre-Civil War South, in which Negroes (the term at that time) could not own horses or be jockeys in races but were depended upon to take care of the horses. It describes the bond between Jarret, the horse's enslaved groom and the horse; Jarret was the person Lexington trusted. Both Jarret and Lexington are sold from the farm where they lived to another slaveowner who took them to another trainer who treated Jarret particularly cruelly and would not let him take care of. the horse. This was before the owner brought both Jarret and Lexington from Kentucky to Louisiana to run on a racetrack he owned. Jarret also helped Thomas J. Scott, a painter, by preparing his palette, holding the horse still, etc.
The story of the living horse is interspersed with the 20th/21st story of discovering the history of the horse. Its skeleton was given to the Smithsonian as well as two of Scott's paintings (one of which became missing). Researchers including skeleton specialists and an art history doctoral student are trying to find out how the skeleton should be pieced together, why the horse became blind, etc. through the use of pictures. Theo, the doctoral student, wants to write his dissertation on Scott's paintings.
Throughout the book, racial relations play an important part. In addition to Jarret's relation with the horse, a young white girl/woman from his first plantation tries to have unapproved relations with him. Theo, the 21st century graduate student is black and works with/has relations with a white professional at the Smithsonian.
14sallylou61
>11 connie53:. Thanks, Connie. I'm out of the hospital, and feeling much better. I had a heart catheterization on Monday (yesterday -- seems much longer ago than that), which fortunately went very well. I really appreciate how you make it a point to look at and comment on people's threads. Best wishes as you deal with your unfortunate marital situation. Glad you have your children and grandchildren so near.
15connie53
>14 sallylou61:, Thanks, Allison. I just enjoy my daily route along all threads with new entries.
16Cecilturtle
>12 sallylou61: I remember it as a quiet novel which honoured a quiet life. It probably stuck in my mind because parts of it are in Ottawa, my hometown, and I could picture exactly what kind of neighbourhood and house she lived in.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
17sallylou61
3rd ROOT for February and 5th out of 24: Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis (with Michaed D'Orso.
A Memoir of John Lewis's activism from a very young age through his first year in Congress (very briefly). He continued being active in the civil rights movement in spite of being beaten and being put in jail.
A Memoir of John Lewis's activism from a very young age through his first year in Congress (very briefly). He continued being active in the civil rights movement in spite of being beaten and being put in jail.
18sallylou61
1st ROOT in March and 6th out of 24: Little House in the Ozarks: A Laura Ingalls Wilder Sampler: The Rediscovered Writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Stephen W. Hines.
Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote numerous articles for farm journals, giving advice to farm women, before writing the Little House books for children. This collection of articles, many of which were written around the time of WW1, gives a good picture of Laura as an adult; she placed great value on being a partner with her husband, participating in running the farm well, and the value of being honest and kind to people.
Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote numerous articles for farm journals, giving advice to farm women, before writing the Little House books for children. This collection of articles, many of which were written around the time of WW1, gives a good picture of Laura as an adult; she placed great value on being a partner with her husband, participating in running the farm well, and the value of being honest and kind to people.
19sallylou61
2nd ROOT in March and 7th out of 24: Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland,
This is a novel based on a story of the author's ancestors. Florence Adler, a 19-year-old girl who is training to swim the English Channel, drowns in the Atlantic Ocean in the first chapter of the book. This event is treated as a family secret, keeping the news away from Florence's older sister, Fanny, who is confined in a hospital while waiting the birth of a child. Fanny's infant son had died a year earlier. Anna, an Italian young woman who is the daughter of Mr. Adler's former fiancee, is living with the family. The story, which ends after Fanny's daughter is born, shows how keeping the secret impacts the family and some close friends, including Florence's swimming coach.
This is a novel based on a story of the author's ancestors. Florence Adler, a 19-year-old girl who is training to swim the English Channel, drowns in the Atlantic Ocean in the first chapter of the book. This event is treated as a family secret, keeping the news away from Florence's older sister, Fanny, who is confined in a hospital while waiting the birth of a child. Fanny's infant son had died a year earlier. Anna, an Italian young woman who is the daughter of Mr. Adler's former fiancee, is living with the family. The story, which ends after Fanny's daughter is born, shows how keeping the secret impacts the family and some close friends, including Florence's swimming coach.
20rocketjk
>19 sallylou61: I have this book on my relatively short TBR list. I've been looking forward to it.
21sallylou61
1st ROOT for April and 8th out of 24: Plain: a Memoir of Mennonite Girlhood by Mary Alice Hostetter.
I reread this book for our Charlottesville Friends Meeting Big Read, to be discussed tomorrow, April 7th. I first read it last year after Mary Alice gave a reading from it at a local bookstore.
Mary Alice grew up in a large Mennonite family (the tenth of twelve children) on a farm at the edge of Lancaster County. Mary Alice's parents were strict; she was not allowed to dance or go to the movies, and the family did not have television. The whole family worked on the farm. Mary Alice was exposed to a much larger environment when she left for college, and especially when she accepted her first teaching position in the Greater Philadelphia area. She constantly tried new things.
The final section of the book pertains to her finding her sexual identity (as a lesbian) in her 50s. A particularly moving experience occurs when one of her brothers tells to their father that he gay, and Mary Alice's admitting to their father that she is also when their father wonders about her. By then their mother has died.
In practically the whole book Mary Alice is searching for who she is and what she should make of her life. She constantly comes through as a very intelligent person.
(I am calling the author by her first name, following the custom of Friends {Quakers}. This is a show of friendliness, equality and respect.)
I reread this book for our Charlottesville Friends Meeting Big Read, to be discussed tomorrow, April 7th. I first read it last year after Mary Alice gave a reading from it at a local bookstore.
Mary Alice grew up in a large Mennonite family (the tenth of twelve children) on a farm at the edge of Lancaster County. Mary Alice's parents were strict; she was not allowed to dance or go to the movies, and the family did not have television. The whole family worked on the farm. Mary Alice was exposed to a much larger environment when she left for college, and especially when she accepted her first teaching position in the Greater Philadelphia area. She constantly tried new things.
The final section of the book pertains to her finding her sexual identity (as a lesbian) in her 50s. A particularly moving experience occurs when one of her brothers tells to their father that he gay, and Mary Alice's admitting to their father that she is also when their father wonders about her. By then their mother has died.
In practically the whole book Mary Alice is searching for who she is and what she should make of her life. She constantly comes through as a very intelligent person.
(I am calling the author by her first name, following the custom of Friends {Quakers}. This is a show of friendliness, equality and respect.)
