2019 didn’t quite end as I would have liked in regards to completing the reading challenges I had undertaken. I did complete the Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge (see what I read here) as well as the Reading Women Challenge (except for one prompt, a play, which won’t be completed, see what I read here). Sadly, it was my Scandinavian Reading Challenge that lingered unfinished! I bit off too much last year, but I am in the process of completing it now as I also embark on my 2020 reading intentions. (I intend to finish my Scandinavian Reading Challenge this month and look forward to sharing my complete list of Scandinavian reads soon!)
In the meantime, here are my latest reads. What have you been reading lately?
One Day in December by Josie Silver
The main character Laurie experiences love at first sight through the bus window and spends the next year trying to track down the guy only to find him again as the new boyfriend of her best friend. I enjoyed the beginning and loved how it all eventually ended about ten years later, but I felt it was too long and winding in between. Maybe it was because it took me too long to read the book. When I found myself with longer chunks of time to read, I definitely enjoyed it more.
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge 2020—N/A
- Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge—A book recommended by a source you trust
A Modern Family by Helga Flatland
(Translated from the Norwegian by Rosie Hedger)
This was a complex character study of how adult children deal with the late-in-life divorce of their parents. The story begins with the whole family – grandparents, parents, and kids – on a trip from Oslo to Rome to celebrate the grandfather’s 70th birthday. What happens instead on the night of the celebratory dinner is that news of the grandparents’ impending divorce comes out. The three adult siblings – one married with kids, another struggling with fertility issues with her boyfriend, and the third a free-thinker when it comes to love and marriage – struggle very differently in coming to terms with this new reality when they’re back in Oslo. The story alternates between the perspectives of the three siblings with some overlap of events. It’s a deep and thought-provoking look at family relationships, perceived responsibilities, family history, and parenting.
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge 2019—A Scandinavian book recommended or gifted to you
- Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading 2020 Challenge—A book in translation
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
(Audiobook narrated by January LaVoy)
This came highly recommend by a colleague at work and it was on Modern Mrs. Darcy’s list of favorite audiobooks of 2019 as well as her book club pick for February. It didn’t disappoint; it was a wonderful journey. It’s an historical fantasy book combining many interesting elements: a coming-of-age story, a book within a book, adventure, love, and friendship. It’s creatively done and the language is beautiful. It was a nice change of pace from books I generally read.
Reading Challenges:
- Scandinavian Reading Challenge 2020—N/A
- Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge—A debut novel
What have you been reading lately?
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I can’t remember if I mentioned “The Library Book.” (Sorry can’t figure out how to italicize!) Found the first half really interesting however, interest waned as the book went on. Still would recommend it. And, I want to visit the LA Library again! I didn’t know anything about the fire as I was living in Sweden at the time.
Really liked “Pachinko”…again though, it got long towards the end. Not knowing much about Korea/Japan/China during that period, it was interesting.
Am currently reading “The Other Alcott” and am thoroughly enjoying it. I hate to admit I knew nothing about May Alcott! “Little Women” being one of my favorite books which I read over and over (and one of the first books I bought with my allowance) and enjoying “Little Men” I just never heard of Louisa’s sister! Hate putting it down.
Living in Camarillo, I have just started reading “Friends of Fieldworkers.” Inspiring.
The Library Book is waiting on my shelf and I am eager to read it. I loved Pachinko! Thanks for sharing, Lana!