Monthly Archives: December 2016

Book Log #53 – To Kill A Mockingbird (re-read)

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To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee [Had in our library]

It was inevitable at some point that this would be on the bedtime reading list of my daughter, who goes by the nickname Scout. I had thought that she would read it on her own at a somewhat older age, but when she gets an objective into her head, she doesn’t often let go.

And so we embarked upon this well told, but at times uncomfortable, story. There were many, many times when she stopped the book and demanded clarification, far more than any other book we’ve read… why would someone act like that? That’s really how people lived? How could those people make that decision? What’s a chiffarobe? The world of Maycomb County is very foreign to a 10 year old girl in 2016, though she did find the connection through her counterpart the main character.

I don’t know if she was really ready, but I know she can always pick up the book again and revisit it.

I know I do, from time to time, and it’s always a new thing.

Books Read: 53
Week Number: 52

Book Log #52 – Myth

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Myth by Roan Lucas [$0.00, written in Word]

It is a somewhat perfect confluence of events that I can complete my 52 books in 52 weeks on December 31, 2016 by reading my son’s first book.

He wrote it for the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November. Clocking in at 50,140 words according to the official NaNoWriMo counter, Roan wrote consistently every day, determined to make his goal, often skipping out on fun events or other distractions, and all the time keeping up with rehearsals and a heavy homework workload. I couldn’t be prouder.

But what of the book itself?

I have had the arrogance in the past to think of myself as an above average writer. But I’ve been humbled by this work, which leaves my comparable work of the 8th grade time frame in the dust. And quite frankly, I’m not sure I could do better in my current 39th grade status. I certainly haven’t tried, which is more than half the battle.

The story is a whimsical fantasy of witches, angels, demons and, occasionally, squirrels. While there are still the rough edges of a new writer, there is considerable accomplishment in the sense of story structure, character development, and, my favorite, humor. The story flows nicely, and the the characters motivations all line up nicely without feeling like plot machinations. All in all, a strong first draft.

I’ll look forward to book 2.

Books Read: 52
Week Number: 52
Achievement Unlocked.

Book Log #51 – The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

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The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer

I’ve read several autobiographies by comedians in the last few years– Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Faith Salie… hmmm, I felt like this list would be longer.

All of them have been funny, all have been interesting, all are good reads I would recommend… by Amy Schumer’s is the first one that also made me somewhat terrified for my daughter.

Ms. Schumer tells stories of her encounters with abusive or unstable boyfriends, and I’d love to say my daughter is too self-possessed, too smart, too self-respectful to fall for the crap a wrong person brings. But the fact is… so was Amy Schumer.

I’d like to think that we’re raising our daughter in a better environment, and maybe that will help, but you just never know.

Probably the best thing I can do is just let her read Amy’s book. When she’s much, much older, because this sucker is pretty raunchy and definitely R-rated, like most things Amy does.

Regardless, this was an excellent, funny, often poignant, sometimes cringe-worthy book. Definitely recommend.

Books Read: 51
Week Number: 52

This is it, folks. I need to knock one more out in three days. And I think I know just the book.

Book Log #49 – A Sneaky Little Snoop Like Me

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A Sneaky Little Snoop Like Me by Anna Mildred Dunkle Meadows, Edited by Ryan J. Lucas

My grandmother wrote down some stories of her early life before she died, and those pages have been floating amongst family members for years now. I finally took the plunge and wrote them up and made them into a book, along with a batch of research on ancestry.com. As of this writing, 3 copies are being made and sent to my parents’ home in time for Xmas gifting.

So, I have to set the publish date for December 25, 2016. Many will cry out until then, “Why did you skip #49!??” but I can give them no answer… And after then, “Why is #49 out of order!? WHY?” And hopefully, this will explain.

Books Read: 49
Week Number: 49

Book Log #50: Sword Song: The Battle for London (Saxon Tales Book 4)

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Sword Song: The Battle for London (Saxon Tales Book 4) by Bernard Cornwell

Another Saxon Tales book! This one like the others! Intrigue! Action! Barbarians! Norsemen! Etc!

I enjoy reading them, but… unlike A Song of Fire and Ice, I am not compelled to read the next one. I expect I’ll lay off these for a while, and return when the book well runs dry.

But I understand NPR recommended an unprecedented 300 books this year. I should check some of them out.

Note: Astute readers will note that no #49 has been listed. Not that I think my target person follows this blog, but it involves an Xmas present, and I don’t want to give anything away. So, #49 will be revealed at 1am, December 25. I’m sure you’ll all stay up to see.

Books Read: 50
Week Number: 49