Words for the New Year 2019

Beginning in 2013, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve been choosing words for the New Year. The words themselves are always written in good faith, and though often remembered, reflected upon even, do not seem to have any power in and of themselves. Sort of like resolutions:)

I still love the thought of it, so this, my seventh year, I will continue the tradition. As I did last year, I will see them as intentions; Wishes thrown out into the Universe instead of Words to live by.

My Words for 2018 were Write and Health. As in do and take care of. I’m going to keep those as my words for 2019. I hope for inspiration and time.

Write

Health

May you take the time to find your Word/Wishes and have a splendid New Year.

PACHINKO- JANUARY 2019 BOOK SELECTION

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee was named one of the top ten books of the year by the New York Times as well as being a finalist for the National Book Award, among many other awards. When I chose this as an Audible selection I didn’t know any of this.

My first impression was that it was a gentle book, engaging and an easy listen. If it is possible to inject culture and way of life into writing, Min Jin Lee does so. It was like listening to a watercolor.  

Pachinko is the story of a Korean family that immigrates to Japan at the turn of the twentieth century prior to the World Wars. The story follows four generations of that family; first the women of the family, and then the men as they struggle to incorporate into the Japanese culture. In an unassuming and subtle way we are introduced to the racism and intense difficulties this family and the Korean people in general suffered and no doubt still suffer. All because they were born in Korea and not Japan. The similarities to racism in America are startling, surprising and eye-opening.

Pachinko is the name of a game which becomes the livelihood of the family. In spite of this somewhat shady profession, the members of the family are honest, hard-working, resilient and strong. Fascinating and illuminating.

Recommend.

FAVORITE BOOK OF 2018

I made my first choice for favorite Book of the Year in August three years ago. So for consistency, my year ran from August to July. This has been a bit problematical so I’m going to finish out this year through December. The only problem will be what to choose!!!

August 2017:  Commonwealth- Ann Patchett

September 2017:  June Bug Versus Hurricane- Erin Chandler

October 2017:  Anne of Green Gables- Lucy Maud Montgomery

November 2017:  Still Life- Louise Penny and Magpie Murders-Anthony Horowitz

December 2017: The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the   

                          Queen- Laurie R. King

January 2018:  My Antonia- Willa Cather

February 2018:  The Forgetting Time- Sharon Guskin

March 2018:  The Member of the Wedding- Carson McCullers

April 2018: Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore: A Novel- Matthew Sullivan

May 2018: The Cukoo’s Calling- Robert Galbraith

June 2018:  The Good House- Ann Leary

July 2018: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine- Gail Honeyman

August 2018:  A Gentleman in Moscow- Amor Towles

September 2018:  His Dark Materials- Phillip Pullman

October 2018:  News of the World- Paulette Jiles

November 2018:  Something in the Water- Catherine Steadman

December 2018: Educated: A Memoir- Tara Westover

This has been another good year for reading. As usual, more books were read or listened to on tape than I reviewed, but the ones above made the cut. I decided a while ago that I was not going to disparage another author’s work. If I don’t like it, I won’t review it. How to choose? I really enjoyed everything on the list. I have to pick two. I loved them for completely different reasons.

First is The Cukoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith, aka J. K. Rowling. I listened to this on Audible. I loved it because I love a well-told mystery and the writing was splendid. Second is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. This book was a total surprise and took a while to get into, but was well-worth it. Unique and transporting with brilliant writing.