According to my Kindle app, I've read 15 books in 2020 (goal was 10)
I've read for at least one day in a week for 55 weeks in a row. Daily streak record was 105 days. Currently have read for 30 days in a row.
Madame Fourcade's Secret War - Lynne Olson
Non-fiction
Well to do French woman leading a resistance group against the Nazis in WW2. Enjoyed the book, the resistance took incredible risks to fight for freedom. Always like reading about France as I would like to visit there again someday.
The Second Sleep - Robert Harris
Fiction
Recommended by library friend.A medieval priest goes to a small church to officiate at the church's priest's funeral. But the church priest has some interesting objects in his study.
So You've Been Publicly Shamed - Jon Ronson
Non-fiction
A series of stories about people who have been publicly shamed for things they have said or tweeted. Do they deserve the shaming, having the lives wrecked? What does it say about people engaging in the shaming? I previously enjoyed the author's stories on This American Life podcast.
Exahalation: Stories - Ted Chiang
Fiction
Science fiction short stories. Don't remember much about the stories. What does that say about the book and/or about me?
Breakfast of Champions - Kurt Vonnegut
Fiction
I read most of Vonnegut's books when I was a teenager. This was my favorite book of his. Felt like re-reading it to see if my opinion has changed. It was still funny. Dark humor as you would expect from Vonnegut. Are we all just preprogrammed robots going through life?
Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K. Jerome
Fiction
Published in 1889. Found it on a classic books list. About three men going on a boating trip down the Thames. Still quite funny over a century later.
Outlander - Diane Gabaldon
Fiction
WW2 recently ended. Recently married woman accidentally goes through a time portal to 18th century Scotland. Interesting, exciting story. Meets some Scottish warrior, falls in love. Lots of action, with interspersed sex episodes. But I wasn't interested enough in the characters to continue reading the series (I think she's written 8 of 10 planned books). Also haven't watched the TV series.
Munich - Robert Harris
Fiction
Historical fiction. British spy supports his German friend who is plotting to assassinate Hitler. Set during the Munich conference where British PM Chamberlin met Hitler and Mussolini. "Peace in Our Times". Was it appeasement? Exciting story, lots of interesting historical details. Wish I read the book before visiting Munich so that I could have visited some of the locations described in the book.
Bad Monkey - Carl Hiaasen
Fiction
Comedic mystery thriller. I've read a number of this author's books. The books are always set in the Miami Florida area. Easy fun reading.
Hidden Valley Road - Robert Kolker
Non-fiction
A large Colorado family of 12 children, where the father and six of the children develop schizophrenia. Interesting story of the struggles the family goes through. Reflections of nature vs nurture. Traditional psychological treatments. Along with telling the family story, tells the story of the search for a biological cause(s) of schizophrenia (a number of family members participated in the studies). Meaty book, lots to chew on (think about).
The Overstory - Richard Powers
Fiction
Recommended by a hiking group friend. First half of the book describes a number of people and how a tree (or trees) were a significant factor in their lives. Then in the second half of the book, these people (who didn't know each other previously) randomly come together in protests over logging of ancient forests. Different book than I usually read, quite literary. Enjoyed it.
The Body - Bill Bryson
Non-fiction
I've read a number of Bryson's books. Probably one of my most read authors. Describes the various systems of the human body. Lots of interesting facts. Want to go through my notes/highlights of the book again.
Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Fiction
Police mystery. First novel of Patterson's series about police/psychologist Alex Cross. Interesting story, the violence was a bit too graphically described for my liking in parts, seemed excessive. Didn't enjoy it enough to continue reading the many other Alex Cross novels.
Dirt - Bill Buford
Non-fiction
Journalist/amateur cook takes his family to Lyon, France to learn about and be a French cook. Interesting to learn about what it's like in a French restaurant kitchen. The trials of living in a foreign country with a family that includes two school age children. Describes Lyon locations where we've visited, including a restaurant where we ate (we weren't impressed). History of local chefs and cuisine.
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Eric Idle
Non-fiction
Memoirs by Eric Idle, Monty Python member. First part of the book was interesting about his life growing up, meeting the other Python members. Later in the book, many anecdotes about his meeting of famous people, more than I found interesting.
