2017 in Books
The year that started it all!
In 2016, I set a goal to read 100 books. I have no clue if I reached that goal because I didn’t keep a list of the books I read. In 2017, I started keeping an annual reading list, accompanied by short reviews, on my website. Thankfully, I’ve kept up that habit—and I have read more than 100 books each year.
I’m adding this to my website in 2024, so I’ve lightly edited some of my commentary from 2017. It’s interesting to see how my opinions on specific books and authors have changed.
She Reads Truth by Amanda Bible Williams and Rachael Myers
She Reads Truth is more commonly known as the name of an app/website that encourages and enables women to be in the word of God. The co-founders recently wrote this shared memoir. I really enjoyed this book– it was a mixture of personal narrative and devotions, with lots of Scripture included.
finished January 3, 2017
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Political and historical books have always been a favorite of mine and are even more so recently, and this book combined that with my one true love, fiction. The main character in the book, Patsy Jefferson, uses all of her strength and intelligence all of her life in order to help her father, Thomas Jefferson. Though I have to admit I was rather biased against the Jefferson family (thank you, Hamilton: An American Musical), by the end of the book, I truly loved Patsy.
finished January 4, 2017
Killing Reagan by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
I had already read a few of O’Reilly’s killing books, and I have to admit I was wary of this one because of its title… because Reagan wasn’t killed by anyone, despite one man’s best efforts. However, this book was just as dramatic as O’Reilly’s others, and I learned a lot about the Reagans and even American history in general.
finished January 7, 2017
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
I’ve read many of Mitch Albom’s books– he’s had careers in both sports journalism and creative writing, which until a few months ago was my dream. I picked this book up the other day, and I absolutely loved it. Every music lover should definitely read it. It reminds me of The Book Thief, because just as Death narrates that novel, Music narrates this one.
finished January 9, 2017
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
This book wasn’t quite what I expected: it was less narrative and more technical/historical. But it was still an amazing story, and I’m still looking forward to seeing the movie. The women in the book are absolutely amazing and inspirational.
finished January 25, 2017
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
I read this back in high school and had to read it again for my Banned Books literature class. I thought it would be less sad this time. It wasn’t.
finished February 14, 2017
All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
This book is by the two Washington Post reporters who investigated Watergate. This was an absolutely fascinating story about the power and importance of the press. I definitely recommend this book!
finished February 17, 2017
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
I’ve always wanted to read Carrie Fisher’s books, but especially since she passed away back in December, and Stephen got me this book for Valentine’s Day. I read it in less than a day because it was an easy and wonderful read. She was an incredible writer, and I want to read her other books. I wish she could write more.
finished February 18, 2017
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
I somewhat randomly picked up this book at Target because I had a gift card from Christmas, and now I can’t wait to read this author’s other books. This book was so creative and imaginative and happy and sad and tragic– it is a modern-day fairytale. And the main character Elsa really, really loves Harry Potter.
finished March 5, 2017
Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Halfway through this book, I wasn’t loving it. But by the end, this was a wonderful book with many lessons about love– both between God and His people and between husband and wife. I also loved that Elliot quotes many of her journals from when she was a young girl. I look forward to doing that someday.
finished March 7, 2017
The Thread That Runs So True by Jesse Stuart
I’ve had a copy of this book for years and years, and I just realized this week that it’s by a Kentucky author– and is about Kentucky. This book had so many things I love: Kentucky (obviously), a love for education, a hunger for literature, poetry, history, effecting change through a newspaper, etc. Now I understand why this is a Kentucky classic.
finished March 10, 2017
Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
I always enjoy the Killing ____ books, and this one was really interesting because it wasn’t just about one person, but about the defeat of Japan in World War II. I’ve always loved World War II books, and this one was great because I’ve always known more about the war efforts against Germany than against Japan.
finished March 15, 2017
The Liars’ Club by Mary Karr
Mary Karr visited UK’s campus back in the fall, and I went and listened to her speak. Recently, I’ve become more interested in reading memoirs (and maybe writing one someday). So I read this book, and while it was very sad, it was well-written.
finished March 19, 2017
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
When I was on the speech team sophomore year of high school, I listened to a prose performance of an excerpt from this book, and it was literally haunting. During my junior year, I read Reading Lolita in Tehran, which is a memoir about a group of women who read this book among others. So when this was assigned in my English 230 class (which is all about Banned Books), I knew enough about the book to be both excited and a little scared to read it. Overall, it is a “classic,” but it’s tough to get through sometimes.
finished March 20, 2017
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I don’t know how many times I’ve read this, but reading it again for my English 230 class just made me realize all over again how much I love it. It definitely is one of my favorite books, and I know the world would be a better place if everyone read it at least once a year.
finished March 29, 2017
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
After reading one of Backman’s books, I definitely wanted to read more. I absolutely adored this book. It’s about a man named Ove who only loved numbers and building things. Then he met his future wife, who loved reading. Backman’s writing style is so skilled and so pleasant to read.
finished March 30, 2017
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
I read this book right after it was controversially published a couple of years ago, but at that time, I hadn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird in a while, so I always said I wanted to reread them both back to back. So when I had to read To Kill a Mockingbird for class, I decided to reread this, too. While Harper Lee’s first published novel was obviously better, this book didn’t ruin Maycomb for me like it did for a lot of people.
finished March 31, 2017
Wildly into the Dark by Tyler Knott Gregson
Tyler Knott is the typewriter poet who inspired me to ask for my first typewriter. Since I became a fan of his poetry, he has gone from a poet with a significant Instagram following to a poet with a bestselling volume of poetry plus two more. This was his third, and the title + cover art was my favorite so far. His poetry never disappoints, and for the first time, he included short prose stories as well. Plus, he’s also a photographer, and he includes many of his gorgeous photographs.
finished April 2, 2017
Radical by David Platt
On the inside front cover of this book, I once wrote my name, and I’ve since written the year of every time I’ve read it. 2017 was the fourth year. This book is always convicting and always a good read. And it made me miss Secret Church nights with the youth group.
finished April 4, 2017
Lion by Saroo Brierley
This was a wonderful true story that has recently been turned into a movie that I haven’t seen yet. While Saroo’s story of being separated from his family and lost in India is heartbreaking, his life with his adoptive family in Australia and his eventual reunion with his biological family is so hopeful.
finished April 8, 2017
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
I read this book over the weekend after hearing about the new Netflix show all week. I really liked the book, and the idea behind it is really cool. I thought it was interesting that the author got the idea while listening to an audio recording on a self-guided museum tour. However, after reading the book, I have no desire to watch the show.
finished April 16, 2017
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
This was the last book I read for my English 230 class. It was quite sad but so well written. I’m glad I’ve read one of Morrison’s books because I have a class next semester that focuses exclusively on her.
finished April 16, 2017
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
I really enjoyed this book, which is the inspiration for a movie that’s out or about to come out. It’s about (you guessed it) a zookeeper’s wife in Warsaw, Poland, during World War II. The couple hid Jews in their zoo throughout the war, saving hundreds of lives. I enjoyed reading about World War II from the Polish perspective because I never have before.
finished April 21, 2017
March by Geraldine Brooks
This was the last book I read in my English 251: American Literature class. It was written in 2006 but is a sort of sequel to Little Women, which I read for the first time in 1st grade and have always loved. The main character of this novel is Mr. March, who is away as a chaplain in the Union Army for most of Little Women. It changed my views of the original novel, and I don’t know how I feel about that, but overall it’s a really great book.
finished April 26, 2017
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
This is sort of but not exactly a sequel to My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. His writing style is so wonderful. A Man Called Ove is still my favorite of his, though.
finished May 4, 2017
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
This is the first book in “The Trials of Apollo” series by Rick Riordan, and the second book came out this week. I bought the second book then realized that I remembered very little of the first, so I quickly reread it.
finished May 5, 2017
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan
I liked this book a lot. Second books often end up being my least favorite of series, but I thought this one was good. I will always be a nerd for Greek mythology.
finished May 6, 2017
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Oh. My. Goodness. This is a fantastic book. I did not go to sleep until I had finished this book. Her writing style is so unique and creative. Read this book right now. I’m so excited to see the movie.
finished May 6, 2017
Personal History by Katharine Graham
This is absolutely my new favorite biography and on a list of my favorite books in general. I first started hearing about Katharine Graham in journalism classes this year, and she is so amazing. She led The Washington Post for many years that included incredible success, including the coverage of Watergate. The biography is 625 pages, so it’s a commitment to read, but it’s worth it. I am not at all exaggerating when I say that I now want to name one of my future children after her.
finished May 13, 2017
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
After finishing a 600+ page biography, I wanted to reread something that’s just pure fun to read, so I chose the Shatter Me series, which has become one of my very favorites. It’s a trilogy plus two accompanying novellas, but the best part is that Tahereh Mafi just announced she’s adding another trilogy to the series! I’m so excited, and I absolutely encourage reading these books and learning more about Tahereh and her perfect relationship with her husband Ransom Riggs, who is another of my favorite authors.
finished May 14, 2017
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
finished May 15, 2017
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
finished May 15, 2017
Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
finished May 14, 2017
Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi
finished May 15, 2017
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
I reread this book because the second book in the series comes out on Tuesday. I will never understand people who look down on young adult fiction– it’s so fun to read, and the plot lines of this series (and Clare’s other series) are so intricate.
finished May 21, 2017
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
This was the second book in the Dark Artifices series, and I really enjoyed it. Well, I really enjoyed it while also having my heart ripped out by it. I bought the book after work around 8 and did not go to sleep until I finished the 700-page book… which was around 4:30 a.m.
finished May 23, 2017
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Dark Artifices series takes place within the same world as two other series by Cassandra Clare, which are already all released. I decided to reread those other series because the subtle references among all three series are really fun to discover.
finished May 26, 2017
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
finished May 27, 2017
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
finished May 28, 2017
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
finished May 29, 2017
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
finished May 30, 2017
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
finished May 31, 2017
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
finished June 1, 2017
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
finished June 2, 2017
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
finished June 5, 2017
Reunion by Hannah Pittard
I got this book a few weeks ago because the author is a UK professor. I read a chapter while sitting in the bookstore and really liked it. It’s a strange storyline, but it’s good.
finished June 6, 2017
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I keep telling myself to quit rereading books and read something new this summer, but there was a Hunger Games movie marathon on yesterday, and I couldn’t resist picking it up to read again.
finished June 12, 2017
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
finished June 12, 2017
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I’ve heard so many people so they didn’t like this book, and I will never understand that. I think it’s both a great book and a wonderful ending to the series.
finished June 13, 2017
A History of Kentucky by Thomas D. Clark
Yes, for Christmas I asked for a book about the history of Kentucky. I finally got around to reading it, and I learned a lot about the state I love so much! There’s still a lot that I’d like to know, so I guess I’ll have to find some more histories. Here’s my favorite line from the book: “To a native son there is no more musical name in the English language than Kentucky.”
finished June 19, 2017
Miracles by CS Lewis
“Each miracle writes for us in small letters something that God had already written, or will write, in letters almost too large to be noticed, across the whole canvas of Nature.” I don’t think I’ll ever be smart enough to fully understand everything CS Lewis wrote, but that’s not going to stop me because I love him. I wonder if he’ll give me his autograph once I get to heaven.
finished June 24, 2017
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Princess Bride has been my favorite movie for about ten years, so I can’t believe I didn’t read the book until now. I loved it. There are more details, and the framework of the novel is unique and interesting, and yet it still leaves me wanting so much more of the story. I’m so glad I finally read this book.
finished June 25, 2017
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
I came across this book in Target the other day and geeked out– it’s a modern-day Sherlock Holmes mystery. I read it on the beach today and loved it.
finished June 26, 2017
The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro
When I finished the first book, I realized that the second book in what will be a trilogy had already been released, so I made another Target run. I think the first book was much better, but it definitely sets up an interesting final book for the trilogy, which I’m assuming will come out next year. (Yes, after I got the book from Target, I started immediately, and now I’m going to bed after finishing it. It’s 2:14am.)
finished June 26, 2017
The Summer before the War by Helen Simonson
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up at Target recently because the cover is really pretty and it caught my eye. It’s set in England in (you guessed it) the summer before World War I. I liked reading about WWI because WWII normally gets more attention. About 300 pages in, I thought, “Not much has really happened,” but it was actually a great book about how everyday life was disrupted by the war. And it has a lovely little love story and an intelligent, independent female protagonist.
finished June 29, 2017
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
This is a very introspective book, both for the narrator and for the reader. There were times when I disliked it, times when I thought it was bizarre, and times when I thought I had never read anything wiser. Those last parts were mostly about literature and how important it is. Overall, I think that the parts I disliked now will be parts that I understand better when I’m closer to fifty, like the narrator.
finished July 3, 2017
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter
I decided to reread this yesterday and it wasn’t until I quit reading and went to bed early this morning that I realized it was the perfect time to reread it, Independence Day. The commentary to the lyrics and the details about the making of the show, plus the beautiful photographs, make this book so delightful for any Hamilton fan.
finished July 4, 2016
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
When we were in Savannah last week, we heard every tour guide mention this book multiple times, so we got a copy. It’s a (slightly sensationalized) nonfiction book about the city of Savannah, and specifically a very publicized murder and the four trials of the man accused of it. It was really interesting. I wish someone would write this sort of look into every city.
finished July 6, 2017
The Final Days by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
This is the second book the two journalists wrote about Richard Nixon– the first was more focused on their own investigative journaling of Watergate. This was a very interesting read because my history classes never really make it to Nixon, or really even past World War II. It’s incredibly well-researched and well-written.
finished July 12, 2017
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This book is CRAZY. It’s so mysterious and suspenseful and absolutely surprising all the way through. I kept hearing how good the movie was, but you know me, I had to read the book first. I like the writing style and the structure of the book. And the content will just blow your mind.
finished July 15, 2017
The Preacher and the Printer by Randy Petersen
This is a historical account of the friendship between Benjamin Franklin (the printer) and George Whitefield (the pastor). I liked that this book wasn’t overly pedantic as some biographies/historical books tend to be. It’s also written by a Christian author, which is just barely evident throughout, in the way he writes about Whitefield’s faith.
finished July 16, 2017
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
It had been way too long since I’d reread the series (well over a year, which is unusually long for me). And you know what JK says– Hogwarts will always be there to welcome me home.
finished July 16, 2017
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
If I were forced to choose my least favorite Harry Potter book, I’d most likely say this one. But rereading it this time (for the 20-somethingth time) made me appreciate it more than I ever have. A lot of background information and foundation is laid for things that come up later.
finished July 17, 2017
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
If I had to choose a favorite Harry Potter book, this would be it.
finished July 18, 2017
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
I cry like a baby at the end. Every time.
finished July 20, 2017
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
More crying, naturally.
finished July 25, 2017
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
Aaaand I cried more.
finished July 26, 2017
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
All was well.
finished July 28, 2017
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
This is the “eighth story” of Harry Potter, the published script of a play currently showing in London. I have very mixed feelings about this. I like it well enough, but it’s also unquestionably different from the original series. I’ll never turn down reading a Harry Potter book, though.
finished July 29, 2017
A Journal for Jordan by Dana Canedy
Dana Canedy is the New York Times journalist turned Pulitzer Prize administrator I interviewed for the Kernel last week. I loved interviewing and writing about her, so I ordered her memoir, a letter to her son about his deceased father, a soldier who fought and died in Iraq. It was, of course, well written and well researched. It was a beautiful book.
finished July 30, 2017
The Question of Canon by Michael J. Kruger
In one of my classes this spring, we watched a video about the canonization of Scripture, and I wanted to know more. This book was interesting and very informative, though I still have some more questions. I suggest this book to anyone who studies Scipture.
finished July 31, 2017
The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
This is Ashtyn’s favorite book– she loves it so much that she wants to name one of her future children Piper, after the main character. I really enjoyed it. Stephenie Meyer is quoted on the cover saying the book is like a mix between Little House on the Prairie and X-Men, which is really quite accurate.
finished August 1, 2017
Camino Island by John Grisham
Both of my parents (especially my mom) love John Grisham’s books, so it’s surprising that I waited this long to start reading his books. This was a mystery that centered around literature and rare books, so I definitely loved the premise. Now I can move on to the 30 other Grisham books on my mom’s bookshelf.
finished August 3, 2017
Legend by Marie Lu
I read this series many years ago, and a few days ago I was at work with quite a bit of free time on my hands. So I opened my Nook app and rediscovered this trilogy. It’s very Hunger Gamesesque, and it’s very good.
finished August 4, 2017
Prodigy by Marie Lu
finished August 4, 2017
Champion by Marie Lu
Why do I love sad books so much?
finished August 6, 2017
My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt, edited by David Emblidge
This is a collection of Eleanor Roosevelt’s newspaper columns that she wrote nearly every day for more than 20 years. I really enjoyed reading this, though it did take a while to get through because it’s not really a narrative. My favorite Eleanor Roosevelt story is that while she was First Lady, she held female-only press conferences to ensure newspapers kept women on their staff.
finished August 8, 2017
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
This book was excellent! Thanks to my friend Joe Anthony for recommending it and letting me borrow it. It’s basically post-apocalyptic, but it’s so unique and interesting and has a beautiful theme.
finished August 10, 2017
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
This was just the cutest book. My grandma got it for Ashtyn, but I stole it for the weekend. I had time to kill tonight so I read it in one setting. It was a fun, cheesy, delightful love story, the kind of book you just have to read every once in a while.
finished August 11, 2017
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay
I didn’t love this book. The story was really cute, but the writing style wasn’t my favorite and, particularly, the dialogue wasn’t very well written. But she’s a published author and I’m not, so what do I know?
finished August 14, 2017
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
I read the first book in this series last summer and didn’t even realize there were sequels until I saw this sitting on Ashtyn’s bookshelf. I read it in one evening, so obviously it was interesting and captivating. My only (half-joking) complaint is that every single one of the several first-person narrators throughout the book said the phrase “the infinite sea” at least once. Like, I get it, it’s the title. Other than that, great book.
finished August 14, 2017
Black Coffee By Agatha Christie
This is the first Agatha Christie novel I’ve read, and it’s actually an adaptation of a play she wrote. This isn’t my favorite style of mystery, but I did like it. I’ve been interested in her ever since I watched the Doctor Who episode about her.
finished August 16, 2017
Go Tell It on the Mountain by She/He Reads Truth
I debated whether to count this as a book, but it’s a fairly lengthy Bible study, so I think it counts. Plus I definitely want to recommend this and any study that She Reads Truth does (as well as He Reads Truth for the dudes). Not only was the content interesting and inspirational, but the design was beautiful.
finished August 16, 2017
11/22/1963 by Stephen King
Breaking news: Stephen King is very good. This is the first fiction work of his I’ve read, though his memoir slash writing handbook is one of my favorites. This book was thriller + sci-fi + romance + historical fiction, and I loved it so much.
finished August 19, 2017
On Writing by Stephen King
After reading my first Stephen King novel, I wanted to reread his book about writing that I love so much. If I’m being honest, I can’t think of a lot of people who probably look at this list who would enjoy this book.
finished August 25, 2017
Sula by Toni Morrison
This is the first book of the school year that I’ve read for a class. Actually, my entire English 330 class is centered around this novel; every other novel we read is somehow related and adds context to this one. This is definitely a frustrating book; I’m not sure I liked it all that much, but I do like discussing it in class.
finished August 31, 2017
Kinfolks: The Wilgus Stories by Gurney Norman
My other class this fall is English 359: Kentucky Literature. I am so, so excited for this class and the books we will read. This was the first, a collection of short stories about a boy who grows up in Eastern Kentucky then attends UK. I loved it. Gurney Norman is actually a professor at UK now. I hope to take one of his classes.
finished September 1, 2017
The Long-Legged House by Wendell Berry
I read most of this book in my Kentucky literature class, and I finished it so I could include it on my list. It is a collection of essays; I liked some more than others.
finished September 17, 2017
Come and Go, Molly Snow by Mary Ann Taylor-Hall
I love, love, loved this book. It’s another one by a Kentucky author, and it was the first work of fiction we’ve read in this class. It’s so well written. The author is coming to my class next week, which is super exciting.
finished September 21, 2017
Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally
I’ve always heard how great this movie is, and I didn’t know until recently that it was a book first. It took me forever to read it because I’ve been so busy, but today I decided I was going to finish it, and I read like 200+ pages. It was really good. I’ve always loved reading Holocaust/World War II books, which sounds weird, but if anyone deserves to have their stories told, it’s those victims. Now I need to see the movie.
finished September 24, 2017
Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
This book was absolutely incredible. First of all, the authors are a married couple who won the Pulitzer prize together. GOALS. In this book, they tell the stories of oppressed women around the world, and it is absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating to hear how women are treated. This is such an inspiring book, and despite all of the sad stories, it’s ultimately an uplifting argument for how valuable and amazing women are.
finished September 28, 2017
The Affrilachian Sonnets by Frank X Walker
This is a wonderful book of poetry. I got a beautiful copy of it from a small publisher/printer near Frankfort. I read it for my Kentucky literature class, and the poet himself is visiting class this week!
finished October 2, 2017
The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
This is the third book in his Norse mythology series. This is for sure a middle school level book, but I’ve read everything of his since elementary school. It’s a guilty pleasure, I guess.
finished October 5, 2017
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
I had to read this book for one of my English classes. The dialogue was a bit annoying to me, but the story was really good. I thought I saw the ending coming, and I did a little bit, but there was still a good twist.
finished October 9, 2017
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
As stereotypical and basic as it made me feel, I bought his new book earlier today, on its release date. I was skeptical for the first couple chapters, but by the time I finished it (several hours later), I really liked it.
finished October 10, 2017
The Bible
I almost counted this as 66 books, but that would just be too easy.
finished October 11, 2017
In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason
This is another book for my Kentucky literature class. I really liked it. It’s so fun to read a book that mentions things like Bowling Green and “the Wildcats’ games.”
finished October 12, 2017
Hello Everybody, This is Cawood Ledford by Cawood Ledford and Billy Reed
I loved this book so much. It’s basically the history of Kentucky basketball and football, as told by the Voice of the Wildcats. It’s also funny to read it now, 25 years later, when so much in college basketball has changed, especially with Calipari and Pitino.
finished October 14, 2017
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
This book and I were a match made in heaven. It’s historical fiction, with World Wars I and II, awesome female spies, romance, mystery, time jumps, etc. So good. I definitely want to read this author’s other historical fiction books.
finished October 15, 2017
The 100 by Kass Morgan
I wanted to do something clever for my 100th book of the year, so this is what I came up with. I read this for the first time last year, after I realized the TV show I really liked was based on a trilogy.
finished October 20, 2017
Day 21 by Kass Morgan
finished October 21, 2017
Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson
I read this book in my Kentucky Literature class. I really liked it. The author owns an independent bookstore here in Lexington.
finished October 23, 2017
The Street by Ann Petry
I read this book for one of my English classes. It was pretty good, but depressing. Good plot twist ending!
finished October 24, 2017
Homecoming by Kass Morgan
finished October 25, 2017
Bright Dead Things by Ada Limon
I read this book of poetry for my Kentucky Literature class. As usual for collections of poetry, I really liked some of the poems, and I wasn’t so crazy about others. There were some really beautiful ones.
finished October 27, 2017
Love that Lasts by Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke
This is a great book about godly relationships by a really cool, young couple.
finished November 4, 2017
**I updated this a week or so ago, and it didn’t save for some reason, so now I can’t remember specifically when I read all these books. I can barely remember all the books to list like them like this.**
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
I read this right before seeing the movie. I liked both the book and the movie.
Trampoline by Robert Gipe
I was really annoyed by this book all the way through (I had to read it for my Kentucky literature class) but the last 15 pages made me like it a lot more. And the author, who visited our class, was really, really cool.
The Living is Easy by Dorothy West
I did not like this book because the main character is so dang unlikable.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
I loved this book, as I have loved all of his books. This one is about a very important societal and criminal justice issue.
All the Truth is Out by Matt Bai
Matt Bai spoke at the Kentucky Book Fair two weekends ago, and I went and heard him speak, then he signed his book after I bought it. This was a fascinating book about politics and how journalists cover politicians.
finished November 24, 2017
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
We saw this movie on Friday, and it was wonderful. In a weird twist for me, I actually read the book after seeing the movie first. Both were great, and they were pretty close. The author was a producer on the movie, which was directed by the great author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky.
finished November 25, 2017
Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
This was a wonderful memoir by an inspiring young woman who went to Uganda as a missionary. At the age of 19, she ended up adopting 14 girls. This was an amazing book to read.
finished November 26, 2017
The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker
I read this for my Kentucky literature class, and I only needed to read through page 186 for class today, but I finished it all yesterday because it was so good.
finished November 27, 2017
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
This was my last book for one of my English classes. It definitely wasn’t my favorite of the semester, mostly because of the way it was written. I’m not a big fan of the stylistic choice to not use quotation marks around dialogue.
finished December 4, 2017
Sisters First by Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager
My grandparents got me this memoir by the Bush twins for my birthday, and I really enjoyed reading it. As she wrote on the inside cover, this book relates to my love of reading, journalism, and politics.
finished December 7, 2017
Never Caught by Eric Armstrong Dunbar
I borrowed this book from my friend Connor, who had to read it for his history class. It’s about a slave named Ona Judge who ran away from her owners, George and Martha Washington. I enjoyed it.
finished December 11, 2017
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
This book was strange and, honestly, a little frustrating to read… which I think was part of the point it is trying to make. It reminded me of Slaughterhouse-Five and Animal Farm.
finished December 16, 2017
Word by Word by Kory Stamper
This sentence is going to seem crazy, but here it is: This book, which is about the making of the dictionary, was really interesting and fun to read. One of my friends said this book sounds more boring than reading the actual dictionary.
finished December 18, 2017
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
I’ve had this book on my reading list for ages, and I finally read it in basically one sitting. I was expecting a stuffy classic, but it was a quick, interesting read.
finished December 18, 2017
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
I’ve already read The Princess Diarist, so I got Carrie Fisher’s two other memoirs from the library. I wanted to read more after watching The Last Jedi, in which Leia was amazing.
finished December 20, 2017
Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher
Ditto.
finished December 21, 2017
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
Until a few years ago, I had read every Nicholas Sparks book, but I hadn’t read the last several. In search of some non-political, non-historical, simply fun and easy books to read, I checked a few of his newer novels out of the library last week. I liked this one a lot.
finished December 22, 2017
First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies by Kate Andersen Brower
I really enjoyed this book. I love politics and I love awesome, successful women, so this was so interesting to me. It started with Jackie Kennedy and ended with Michelle Obama (it was published in 2016 so Melania Trump was not yet First Lady).
finished December 24, 2017
Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks
I hated the first 250 pages of this almost-500-page book. It was boring and annoying. By the end, I liked it a lot more, but it was so slow to get to the good stuff.
finished December 25, 2017
Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi
Everything Tahereh Mafi writes is original and enchanting, and this was no exception. It’s simultaneously dark, disturbing, and beautiful. I recommend all of her books. This one is a sort of sequel to Furthermore.
finished December 26, 2017
Jackie as Editor by Greg Lawrence
This book is about Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s career as a book editor, which I had no idea existed until I saw this book at the library. I enjoyed it overall.
finished December 30, 2017