January books, part deux

Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is the best-known book of the series, following the Ingalls as they build a home in Kansas (three miles into Indian Territory). I loved returning to so many familiar scenes – Laura and Mary finding beads at the Indian camp, Laura helping Pa build doors for the house and barn, Mr. Edwards going all the way to Independence to meet Santa Claus and bring back tin cups and candy and pennies for Laura and Mary. I welled up at that part – and it about broke my heart when they had to leave that cozy little house, with its glass windows and stone chimney and leather latch-string. Some of these sentences have lived in my memory for years – what fun to revisit them again.

Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder
I always found it strange that we leap suddenly from Laura’s life to Almanzo’s and back again – they don’t even meet for another few books. But I always loved Almanzo’s adventures on his father’s farm in New York, from breaking oxen to hauling wood to making ice cream and taffy and eating popcorn around the fire. The best part of this book is the food – nearly every chapter contains mouthwatering descriptions of Mother’s good cooking. And the ending is just perfect.

Promise Me This, Cathy Gohlke
An Irish street orphan meets a kindhearted English gardener, and they sail on the Titanic together – one dies, one lives. A compelling plot, likable characters (with faith as an overt, but not heavy-handed, story element). Also a sweet love story, and wonderful details about the lives of nurses, soldiers and ambulance drivers during World War I. (World War I stories seem to be everywhere right now – and I’m pondering why.) To review for Shelf Awareness.

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate), Amy Thomas
I love chocolate, pastries, New York, travel memoirs and Paris – in the springtime, in the fall, any time. So of course I loved this little bonbon of a travel memoir, written by a fellow chocoholic and Francophile. Thomas moved to Paris for a couple of years and loved it – but she also missed New York, and she writes love letters to both, complete with long lists of patisseries, chocolateries and cafes to try in both cities. Yum. (To review for Shelf Awareness.)

The Comeback Season, Jennifer E. Smith
After reading Smith’s latest, I picked up her debut – and enjoyed the story of Ryan Walsh, struggling to move past her father’s death, navigate high school and cheer (always) for the Chicago Cubs. The writing is thoughtful and honest, and the characters – Ryan, her mom, her new friend Nick – lovingly detailed. There’s great sadness here, but also hope.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain
Utterly and completely fascinating. Cain examines the cultural ideas of introvert and extrovert (as well as great swathes of research) and sounds a clarion call for the strengths of introverts: persistence, focus, depth, sensitivity, compassion. As an introvert, I appreciated this book deeply – it’s thoughtful, well-researched and wonderfully affirming. I’ve always known I was an introvert, but this book has already helped me better understand myself and the other introverts in my life. Highly recommended.

Murder on the Ballarat Train, Kerry Greenwood
Phryne Fisher returns for a third Australian adventure – involving chloroform on a train, two orphan girls, a stray kitten and a very angry medical student. She solves the case and saves the day, of course (and for once I saw the solution coming a mile off). Good fun.

Knit One, Purl a Prayer: A Spirituality of Knitting, Peggy Rosenthal
The author (who blogs at Good Letters) sent me this book to review, and I enjoyed it. A thoughtful, well-written meditation on how knitting can calm, soothe and even help us tap into our spiritual sides. (Rosenthal is a Christian, but the book is peppered with anecdotes from knitters of all spiritual stripes.) Nice, quiet before-bed reading.

(Part 3 to come on Friday – I’ve gone through a lot of books this month!)

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