enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Library

Alright…last time I shared I was reading Pilgrims, short stories by Elizabeth Gilbert. I got about halfway through and stopped. Short stories are not my favorite, apparently. And I tried The Woman in White and couldn't get into it. I'll try again in another life season for sure.

Here are some of the more notable books that I did get through in the past few months…

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. I found this to be such a smart and funny memoir. Yep, I laughed out loud. Yep, I read parts out loud to Paul. But deeper than that, I loved how often Mindy mentioned her parents. It was clear that their relationships were special and influenced her greatly. This was notable to me because I, too, consider my parents my best friends and I hope to cultivate the same feelings of mutual respect with Ellerie. I also thought her section about marriage and how married people need to stop complaining that "marriage is work" was profound. There is no doubt that my marriage is something I "work on" but I choose to do it daily and I absolutely don't want to complain about that.

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer. this book was recommended to Paul by one of his co-workers. Paul is currently a radiology resident and his goal for the next four years is to get really good and really familiar with what "normal" looks like in the human body and then be able to spot accurately and quickly when something is slightly amiss. Basically, it's intense memorization. This book was about building and training our memories and the crazy capacity the human brain has for storing images. I found most of it totally facisnating (and a few bits boring – I skimmed some longer of the historical parts). Overall, worth the read for sure and I picked up some memory training party tricks. (Don't you totally want to be at a party where people bust out memory tricks? No? Just me then?)

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. I picked this up at the library because it was by the same author as my beloved The Time Traveler's Wife. When I got home I looked it up on amazon and saw the reviews were not great. (I shouldn't have done that.) It was …interesting. But not in that magic way where you're totally into it and can't get enough of it. I was mildly intrigued, if that makes any sense. I had to know what happened, but was at the end more let down than anything else. It was haunting and depressing but also well-written. I don't know. I guess I'm torn. Bottom line is that I loved The Time Traveler's Wife and I didn't love this.

Currently on my nightstand is The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver and I'm 692nd in line for one of the 77 copies of The Goldfinch in the San Diego public library system.

What are you reading?

For past book reports from me check here, here, here, and here.

Other posts you might enjoy: 

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80 responses to “winter book report.”

  1. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife Avatar

    Really trying to get back into reading this year – currently reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. On my nightstand l’ve got the first book in the Guardians of Ga’hoole series to read. Thanks to you and all your readers for the inspiration and book suggestions, let’s hope l can make headway into some more reading by your next report. 🙂

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  2. Cynthia H Avatar

    So love that picture of you in the library with Ellerie in the ergo. I so recognize myself in that picture as I loved to wander the aisles of the library while I tried to bounce her to sleep. The only bad part for me was that I couldn’t stop to pick up a book because then she’d wake up.
    Just finished The Movement of Stars (fiction based on the real life story of Maria Mitchell, an early female astronomer who lived on Nantucket). Right now I’m reading Empty Mansions (non-fiction about a great heiress who inherited all these mansions and never lived in them but kept them perfectly maintained. So wildly fascinating to me.) I also have started but haven’t finished Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher (non-fiction about a photographer that took portraits of Native Americans during the westward expansion of the US). Empty Mansions is inspiring me to finish it though because of the time period and aspects of the West Coast present in both books.

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  3. Welcome Home Taylor Avatar

    That Mindy Kaling book sounds great! I can’t wait to read that one. Right now, I’m about to start “The Fault in Our Stars” for the ABM book club. I can’t wait to get into it! One of my favorite recent books was “The Kite Runner”. And oldie, but a goodie.
    xoxo
    Taylor
    http://www.welcomehometaylor.com

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  4. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    The Lacuna is FABULOUS, slow to start but then its totally worth it, i promise! I recently read (devoured) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain which i loved and am now reading everything else about Paris in the 20’s. For something different try Country Driving by Peter Hessler. Its about his travels through China and is both extremely interesting and hilarious.

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  5. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I loved the Lacuna. I found it slow to start but after it got going I couldn’t put it down. Recenly I read (devoured) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and loved it and am now interested in reading everything about Paris in the 20’s. For something a little different try Country Driving by Peter Hessler. It’s about his travels through China, and it is so interesting and hilarious.

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  6. Kim G Avatar

    I loved Moonwalking With Einstein and have used several of the memory tricks to help my freshman son study for biology, english, and geography tests. Loved the concept of the memory palace. Very interesting read. I am currently reading The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. I recently finished The Light Between Oceans and even though it took a few chapters to get into, I ended up loving it.

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  7. Laura Avatar

    I never really thought about how often Mindy Kaling mentioned her parents in her book, but you’re totally right! Really enjoyed that book, but I think that little detail makes it even better.

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  8. Laura Avatar

    I never really thought about how often Mindy Kaling mentioned her parents in her book, but you’re totally right! Really enjoyed that book, but I think that little detail makes it even better.

    Like

  9. Jessi Avatar
    Jessi

    Thanks for the book recommendations! If you liked Mindy’s book, have you read Bossypants by Tina Fey? Her tribute to girl power throughout is well put. I absolutely loved Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. Looking forward to what you think.

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  10. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    I just finished Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible and loved it, so The Lacuna is on my list now too! I’m now reading The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers. Happy reading!

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  11. Crystal Avatar
    Crystal

    Hi Betsy! It is fun to know someone out there is reading the same thing. I think Elin is a little under-rated because I love her books. I found a couple more of hers at the used book store. They are great to read anytime of year.

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  12. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    So funny I’ve recently read those three books, too. Although I didn’t finish Walking with Einstein but I enjoyed what I did read of it. I’m a HUGE Time Traveler’s Wife fan so I was also disappointed by Her Fearful Symmetry.
    I’m expecting, so most books on my nightstand are about babies, childbirth and breastfeeding (including one recommended by you, Great With Child!). I don’t have time for normal books right now, but I was in the middle of reading the Book Thief (so, so) and I really want to read Winter’s Tale before I see the movie!

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  13. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    I just finished a book called Fierce Leadership…an interesting read on a philosophy of genuine and effective conversations in mostly business settings. To be honest, I thought this was its precursor, Fierce Conversations (by the same author), which I believe is supposed to be more universally applicable…so I am looking forward to reading that one and hopefully finding more applicable material there.
    Liked reading your comments about “Symmetry”…very similar to my own reaction. Interesting book but not nearly as magical and intriguing. 🙂

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  14. Shauna Avatar
    Shauna

    I’m not a great reader, in the way that I really have to be in the mood to read.
    And when that mood strikes me I will read a book constantly in a few days.
    I know that I have this addictiveness with good books and I have to limit myself other wise my but and I will never get anything done (side note: I think our bubs should totally Skype, we are in Australia and Ellerie is only a week or two older than my J and I think they could be lovely pen pals when they are older).
    I just finished reading The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling, I love how she writes and of course loved Harry Potter and had heard mixed reviews about this book. I had it in the house for a year before I knuckled down to read it this week. The writing was great she really sets the scene. But it was like watching a soap opera. Really not much point.
    I’m about to start the 100 year old hand that climbed out a window and disappeared. It has been around everyone I know and finally it is my turn. Apparently it is brilliantly funny. i can’t wait to start it tonight.

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  15. Tiffany M. Avatar
    Tiffany M.

    I just finished Night Film. I thought it was pretty good, but I expected it to be a bit more of a thriller and it didn’t scare me enough…
    I also recently read The Aviator’s Wife, a historical fiction novel about Charles Lindberg’s wife. I thought it was really good.

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  16. michelle t Avatar
    michelle t

    I’ve had some trouble with my concentration lately so I’ve fallen back to poetry, something I used to enjoy regularly and have found my way back to. Robert Lowell and Robert Frost right now and Anna Morrow Lindbergh later. Enjoyed seeing all the recommendations. Michelle t

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  17. Trina Curran Avatar

    I’m still working on Gone Girl, and I also started When Rabbit Howls for my book club. So. Hard. to read. I had nightmares. Not recommended for the light-hearted.

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  18. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Currently, reading Wool by Hugh Howey. Wasn’t sure about it at first, but am pleasantly surprised. I found myself sitting down to read for fifteen minutes and getting up an hour later because I was so intrigued.

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  19. Jennie Avatar

    I’m 348th in DC! Loving “This is Where I Leave You,” which will soon be a movie with Tina Fey. But loving it with my driest sense of humor by my side. Also savoring “Gift from the Sea” a little bit each night. I bet you’d like it too.

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  20. Mei Avatar

    I also loved The Time Traveler’s Wife and am afraid to read Her Fearful Symmetry (or watch TTTW movie) because of mixed reviews…
    Just last night I wrote about how I haven’t been able to get into any books recently! Thanks for all the great suggestions. And alas, I’m 601 in line for Goldfinch in SD public libraries. I promise to be quick with it! 🙂
    http://meilou.wordpress.com/

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  21. Lisa G. Avatar
    Lisa G.

    Just finished heaven is here. Beautiful love and spirit story.

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  22. cheyenne Avatar

    i loved mindy’s book – laughed out loud on many occasions! i read it during a summer, perfect holiday read. currently i’m reading marquez’s love in the time of cholera, i haven’t read it before but heard such good stories 🙂
    xo, cheyenne

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  23. Caroline R Avatar
    Caroline R

    I read Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford over Christmas vacation. I started to lose interest about a quarter of the way in but since it was a long road trip I stuck it out- and was so glad I did!

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  24. Bookworm Avatar
    Bookworm

    Here’s an interesting read:
    Life on the Refrigerator Door: Notes Between a Mother and Daughter, a novel by Alice Kuipers
    The story is told through a series of notes between mother and daughter that are left on the refrigerator.

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  25. clare Avatar
    clare

    Just started the Goldfinch on a business trip. With 5 hours of plane reading I am quite in to it. It’s fantastic. I was sad when the plane landed.

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  26. Janet Kemper Avatar
    Janet Kemper

    A good one I read recently was:
    The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. I would also recommend The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini if you like Historical Fiction, it was very good.

    Like

  27. So many Paris Avatar

    I really liked The Lacuna, not as much as The Poisonwood Bible, nor Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, but still : I really liked it. I ended up reading a lot about Frida Kahlo after reading it, which was also great.
    In its french edition, The Lacuna is called “Another world” : at first I thought it was a bit “conventional” and somehow empty. But then there is this sentence in the middle of the book about “another world” that is so perfect (and quite unexpected) ! Are you there yet ?

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  28. Nicole Avatar

    I loved The Lacuna! I hope you like it too.
    I just finished Something Missing by Matthew Dicks and it may be on my favorites list for 2014. It’s about a man who steals things from people’s houses that they probably won’t notice, like a roll of toilet paper.

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  29. Henriettae Avatar
    Henriettae

    Yay! Since I’m a radiology resident as well, I’ll definitely be reading the Einstein book!

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  30. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Erica, have you heard of Canada Reads–CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) puts on a literary competition where a list of books is picked and famous Canadians defend their book choices. A very diverse list of books–I have found some interesting books through the list. It may help you with your year of concentration on Canadian literature.
    February by Lisa Moore is very good as is Lullabies for LIttle Criminals by Heather O’Neill. Both are past winners.

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