reading progress
It’s true, when one spends less time in front of social media and uses that time instead for reading and writing, progress happens. I read 18 books in January. That’s not a record but it’s better than last year. What did I read?
I wrote about some of these titles already, two cookbooks to beat the January cooking blues and 3 book reviews: practical letters, bath knits, and online presence.
I found these five additional titles noteworthy.
The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars
by Dava Sobel
This is an interesting history of the women of the Harvard Observatory who worked hard to overcome the period expectations of their gender and intellect. It’s fascinating to read with Hidden Figures for the vast differences.. and similarities. My complaint is the adherence to referring to the women primarily as “Miss (name)”. While that was the convention, it muddied the text.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
by J.D. Vance
This title made the media rounds a few months ago and was recommended to me. It is an interesting look at the challenges of Appalachian families. It’s a good book and one I recommend for everyone to read, but could have been much more.
Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History
by Sam Maggs, Sophia Foster-Dimino (Illustrator)
This is the sort of book I wish existed when I was a child. I am happy that I knew of many of the women discussed in the book. It’s written in a style both humorous and succinct and I think would appeal to the target age group. It was nice to learn about other women, including one who has influenced the name of my next crochet design.
The Reader (Sea of Ink and Gold #1)
by Traci Chee
I’m honestly not sure what caused me to request this book from my library, but a book about readers and reading? It’s a fascinating debut novel and I look forward to watching Chee evolve as a writer and what happens next for Sefia and Archer.
Her Smoke Rose Up Forever
by James Tiptree Jr.
I’m trying to read more widely and I also want to catch up on some classics so I understand the current environment. I’ve read several of Tiptree’s stories before but it was nice to read through this collection.
What are you reading?