2007 in books, part I

As always, my goal was 365 books. The final tally is 228. So obviously nowhere near. However, this was a great year in terms of finding books that I’d never read that I liked! I’d been in a bit of a rut for awhile, reading all the same books over and over again, so I’m really glad that I have a few more to add to my list of re-reads.

The Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery: I had read this once years ago and then discovered that my father didn’t really want me reading it at the time. Decided to pick it up again and enjoyed it even though it’s remarkably different from the “normal” Montgomery. Recommended to slightly more mature readers.

Death in a White Tie and other Ngaio Marsh mysteries: Ngaio Marsh is one of my new favorite mystery writers, up there with Dorothy Sayers and Josephine Tey. Her Inspector Alleyn reminds me more of Lord Peter Wimsey than any other character, but he’s not simply a caricature or copy of Lord Peter. Highly recommended to more mature readers.

Way of a Pilgrim: This anonymous Russian book is probably one of the best-known Orthodox texts out there. I found it beneficial, but would probably take the Art of Prayer over it. Recommended to anyone interested in Orthodoxy or prayer.

The Orthodox Church by Timothy (Bishop Kallistos) Ware: Really wonderful explication of the Orthodox Church, simply enough that someone just beginning to look at it wouldn’t be lost but complexly enough that someone already part of the Church won’t be bored. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Orthodoxy.

Constance by Patricia Clapp: The fictional diary of a colonial girl. I remember being slightly shocked by one passage when I read it long ago. Then I lost my copy and forgot about it for years. Tried it again and enjoyed it. I didn’t find the passage as shocking anymore. Recommended for slightly more mature readers.

A History of England by Jane Austen: Hilarious mock-history of England done by Austen in her younger days. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of England or Jane Austen.

The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Vol. I: I really only liked Volume I. Montgomery in her adult years is either annoying or painful to read but Vol. I was quite charming. Recommended for anyone with an interest in L.M. Montgomery.

Theatre Shoes and Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield: Re-reads and wonderful as always. Simple stories which are sweet without being overly sentimental. Highly recommended for all ages.

Troubling a Star by Madeline L’Engle: This was perhaps the only one of L’Engle’s books I hadn’t read fairly recently. My grandmother had given me a copy of it years ago and I hated it. Considering that I was really too young and hadn’t read any of the other books in the series and therefore had no idea who Victoria Austin was, it’s not terribly surprising. I enjoyed it much more this time around. A worthy part of the Austin series.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: One of a few newer books I picked up this year having heard it recommended by several people. I didn’t regret it. Marvelous, atmospheric story telling and engaging characters. Highly recommended for mature readers (definitely violence and some sexual content, though not explicit.)

The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde: Another one of the newer books I picked up. Engaging series which blatantly panders to bookworms. The first and fourth books are, in my opinion, the best but all four are delightful. Highly recommended for more mature readers.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: Wonderful book on writing. Highly recommended to anyone interested in writing. Some language.