At long last, I’m finally getting to my “Reading Catholic”-favorite books of 2014, and my bookish resolutions post for 2015. I found it a helpful exercise last year, and the year before that, so here goes again..
“Short but sweet” and “finished is better than perfect,” is my mantra for this. Thus, no images of books, but the links will take you to more detailed information about each book.
Best book I reviewed in 2014:
Gay and Catholic:
In my review, I called Eve Tushnet’s spiritual memoir a “must-read,” and several months later, I believe that even more. Well worth reading and pondering.
It seems like every year, the best or most important book absolutely jumps out at me (like Sherry Weddell’s Forming Intentional Disciples in 2013,). I wonder if that will be true every year.
Other extra-worthwhile books of 2014:
The three memoirs I reviewed in June 2014: Catholic by Choice by Richard Cole, Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther, and Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler.
I also thoroughly enjoyed The American Catholic Almanac by Emily Stimpson, because I love history, and I love Emily Stimpson, a veteran author with local roots. Did you know she has a new food blog called The Catholic Table? It’s lovely, just like her.
Now for some reading resolutions:
1. continue to “get more opinions”
I hope to continue the {Lent Book Series} (check out here to see last year’s great writing and book ideas).
I’d also love to see other times of having guest posts by author and especially local readers/writers.
2. better organize Reading Catholic reviews.
adding this on from last year’s resolutions since this didn’t happen very often.
3. write monthly posts on the “backlist”
ditto #2 here.
I’m going to stick with those three this year, and work at progress in all three areas.
I have enjoyed reading others’ posts on favorite books of 2014, and reading/writing goals for 2015. (Here is just one, from a local Catholic). Many of these were motivating to me in getting this done.
Finally, let me just share some random thoughts since it’s been so long since I’ve posted here. I have noticed this up on various places and devices:
Ayn Rand Reviews Children’s Movies, The New Yorker. Please be sure you’re not drinking or eating anything while you read this. I don’t subscribe to The New Yorker, even though I grew up in a house that did, because I just have too much to read, but it’s convenient to have a sister who does, and who will share good articles.
The Real Roots of Mid-Life Crisis, The Atlantic Monthly. I do subscribe to The Atlantic Monthly in print, but I’m usually way behind on this, thus, sharing this months later. According to this article (and many others on similar research), I should be in my unhappiest decade. I wouldn’t agree with that–for instance, wild horses couldn’t drag me back to my teens or 20s–but I agree 50s are “not my favorite,” and let’s leave it at that.
My take-away from this article? If I can just hang on to my 60s, things will get better, and continue to get better. So that’s good.
How Many Times a Day Do You Check Your Phone? Perpetual Adoration blog. Harry Williams is a local Catholic, and several times in the last few months I’ve found an article of his that is a must-share. I can’t recall if I ever shared this one on Father John Hardon called “Writing and the Spiritual Life,” . If you’ve not seen this one, please, take a minute to read and/or bookmark this one, too.
Did you do a best of 2014 post? Do you have reading or writing resolutions for 2015?