A Bookish Life In AK

This was my year to read! I read 53 books, a personal best, some were audiobooks, a few were e-books but most were paper books. Here are my 5 favorites from this year. (This post contains affiliate links)

I started off my year in a funk. I was stressing about classes I had signed up to take, the Ladies Prayer meetings at church I agreed to run, my last child graduating High School after a very difficult season, and other issues that were going on. I dropped the classes, made sure I took the appropriate steps for the prayer meetings (that was something that I really felt led to do) and since there was nothing I could really do to help my daughter other than support her, I prayed and was there for her. I then filled my time with my books and writing. I felt total peace about what I was doing and therefore surpassed my reading goal of 25 books, by doubling that.

People have asked me how I read that much while working and all, but it was fairly easy for me. I read on my lunch break, listened to audiobooks at work and in the car, and I read after work and before bed. I would read on the weekends and in all the little bits of time I was waiting-in Dr.’s offices, in line at the grocery store, and I had plenty of time on my cruise and flights to Florida and back. So at any given time I had at least 2 books going. You see, when I read, I can ignore the world apparently. I was that way as a kid and still am. It was my ADHD addiction, I hyper focused on books. I would read anything and everything you put in front of me. Still do to this day.

This year’s reading literally took me all over the place. I read new authors and new genres. I read books that made me uncomfortable, in a good way, and a few that I have meant to read ages ago. I even reread a couple of my old favorites. With that, let’s review my favorites from this year.

Number 5:Counterfeit Faith by Crystal Caudill 

Yes, this is the 3rd in a series but you Crystal did an amazing job introducing the characters so that reading the others, Counterfeit Love and Counterfeit Hope, before hand aren’t needed. Although you will want to. 😉 This book takes place during the late 1800’s and involves Secret Service man, Josiah Isaacs, and matron of a children’s home, Gwendolyn Ellison. Josiah is searching for a counterfeit ring in their city and it leads him to the Final Chance House of Refuge where his nieces and nephew are now under Gwendolyn’s care. When Gwendolyn’s life is in danger, Josiah is there to help out. The two make a great team and work together well to track down the bad guys.I got this book in a contest and it was the first one I read. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters and their relationship and how it developed. The suspense was just the right amount to keep the story moving quickly. If you like Christian Historical Fiction and Mystery, I definitely recommend this book. Link to Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ttOqoO

Number 4: The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik

A young photographer arrives in 1918 San Fransisco. Dorthea Lange moves all the way across the country to further her photography skills. She left home to have more opportunity to own her own studio one day. She meets a Chinese American, Caroline Lee, and introduces her to other artists in the area known as Monkey Block. There Dorthea and Caroline become best friends and help each other through life. Through this area of San Fransisco and her talent, she meets other artists such as Frida Kahlo and D.H. Lawrence. This book had me looking up Lange’s photos and the artwork of the others from that time. It is historical fiction, however it is based on her life and Jasmin Darznik did a beautiful job with Dorthea’s life. Link to Amazon:https://amzn.to/4aG5GrC

Number 3: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Let me start off by saying I love Brandon Sanderson books! He is a tremendous writer. The Way of Kings was so good! The battle scenes were written like you are there. His characters feel like actual people that you feel for, good or bad. This book is written from several perspectives, A King’s uncle, Gavilar, a soldier turned slave, Kaladin, a princess searching for truth, Jasnah, and a princess that is trying to save her family, Shallan. All 4 have a talent that they are learning about, trying to figure out if it is a blessing or a curse. Gavalilar is trying to save the kingdom while he thinks he is going mad. He feels guilt and remorse for not saving his brother the king and vows to protect his nephew who thinks there is an assassin out to kill him. Kaladin nearly gives up on life until he finds a purpose leading his bridge crew, one that is notorious for losing the most men during runs. After he couldn’t protect his brother like he told his parents he would, he nearly gives up on his own life. Jasnah is the king’s sister and is considered a heretic, however she is the most sought after for her ability to “soul cast,” a way of making things into other things. Shallan is trying to save her family from utter ruin and being destroyed. Her father has died and left massive debts that the family can’t pay which leads her to train under Jasnah as wells try to steal from her. This is a complex story but so worth the time it took me to read it, almost 3 months. It is huge at just over 1000 pages. I truly enjoy fantasy books and this was so worth the time it took to read it. I am looking forward to reading the other this year. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/48Cgwgw

Number 2: “The Girls of Atomic City” by Denise Kieran

This book has been on my TBR list for a while now and I finally got a copy of it from The Islander Bookshop here in Kodiak. I have a fondness for WWII history, you add in the science of the Atomic Bomb and what women contributed to the war cause. This book hit all that. Atomic City was built around Oak Ridge, Tennessee from 1943-1945. Clinton Engineering Works, with the help of the government, bought up enough land in the back hills of Tennessee to hide a manufacturing plant and community. They staffed this plant with locals and not-so-local women who needed jobs to support their families or themselves. It was extremely secretive, although they did have their spies. It describes how they plant developed the makings for the Atom Bomb. Interspersed through out the book are letters from the women scientists who had figured out how to split atoms a few years before the men did and still never truly got the credit they deserved. Kiernan interviewed the ladies who worked in the plant and in the community and got fort hand accounts of what the living conditions were like. It was tough, muddy and required a lot of perseverance to live there. Some found love, some found good friends and some found a purpose. Keirnan even put pictures both from the time CEW was running, or at least those that were allowed, and pictures after the plant officially closed. I was really moved by her writing. She took great care in giving her information. Amazon link:https://amzn.to/48Bheud

Number 1: “Soundtrack” by Jon Acuff

It feels so weird saying that a Self-Help book was my favorite book of the year, but it truly was. I started listening to Jon’s podcast, “All It Takes Is A Goal” around this time last year. I joined his goal challenge too. He is funny and encouraging. He also doesn’t sugarcoat things. When someone on the Facebook group recommended this book I found it on the Hoopla App from the library. I think it was a 5 hour listen. This book has changed so much for me. You know that little voice in your head that replays negative thoughts or things that have been said to you? Those are soundtracks. Jon explains that to change those negative or unproductive soundtracks into positive or motivating ones. My biggest one this year, the one that got this blog and a book started, was “This is too hard, I can’t do it” to “Some beats none” and “progress not perfection.” Honestly I have recommended this book and his new book “All It Takes Is A Goal” to pretty much everyone!! If you only read one Self-Help book, read this one! Amazon Linkhttps://amzn.to/48Bheud

Some of my favorite new genres this year were the sweet/closed door rom-coms that I somehow ended up getting involved in ARC’s (advance reader copy). Deb Goodman and Kristine Joy have been my 2 absolute go to’s every time they put out I book I am there for it. I read “The Man In the High Castle” by Philip K. Dick, an sci-fi alternate history to WWII. The TV show followed it kind of, but the book was so much h better. I discovered Jamie Jo Wright and her Christian Thrillers. I met Kimberly Woodhouse and found out that she writers suspense as well as romantic christian historical fiction. You can find all my books here at Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/39489377

My TBR list for 2024 is full of new books, old books, history and science. My goal is to read 55 books next year. and to read more widely than ever before. What have been your favorite books from this year? Drop them in the comments and let me know!

May I challenge you to step out of your reading comfort zone, you might be surprised at what you enjoy. Happy New Year and Blessing and Prayers, Becky, Psalms 16:8-9

I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:
my flesh also shall rest in hope.