Books: 2009 in review

January 18, 2010 | 2009,Books,Stephen King,Stieg Larsson

Here’s what I read in 2009.

• Involuntary Joy: A Story of Unexpected Rebirth by Joy M. Newcom [I applied for a job at the local college. When I saw that the person doing the hiring was a published author, I read her book. This one. I didn’t even get an interview. Too bad. It would have been interesting to talk to her about the book.]
• Duma Key by Stephen King
• In Cod We Trust by Eric Dregni
• Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
• Growing up Country: Memories of an Iowa Farm Girl by Carol Bodensteiner (her blog is Just Walking This Earth
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• Bellbina, Queen of Weed Park by Laura Juszczyk
• A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
• The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power by Jeff Sharlet
• The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
• The Night Listener: A Novel by Armistead Maupin
• Zillah’s Gift by Lois West Duffy
• Lights on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
• She taught me to eat Artichokes by Mary Kay Shanley
• The Memory Box by Mary Kay Shanley
• The First Paper Girl in Red Oak, Iowa by Elizabeth Stuckey-French

I made a list of Iowa books and authors.
I also participated in a SHE WRITES call to action.

Books I haven’t read yet but should.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (recommended by Zilpha Underwood)
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Any other suggestions?

Books: She taught me to eat Artichokes

December 12, 2009 | Books,Iowa

I just finished reading two books by Iowa author Mary Kay Shanley, The Memory Box and She taught me to eat Artichokes. They are both warm, touching and just a little bit sad. But maybe that’s just me.