The Bells Of Nagasaki by Takashi Nagai My rating: 5 of 5 stars After reading A Song For Nagasaki about Takashi Nagai, I thought it would be good to at least try Nagai’s first and most famous book. It begins on the morning that the bomb is dropped on Nagasaki. I was interested to see it told not only from his point of view but also from that of various other people in the countryside and from different vantage points... Read more

The Time of the Dark by Barbara Hambly My rating: 5 of 5 stars I saw this trilogy has been bundled for the Kindle and realized just how many years it had been since I’d read this book, which I used to reread all the time. It begins with a wonderful premise. What if you’ve been having a series of recurring dreams, set in a strange world, where you’re in the middle of a panicking crowd all running from an... Read more

I Don’t Want to be a Hoo-er: Essays on Faith, Family and Foolishness by Elizabeth Scalia I enjoyed this little book and read it in one evening. It is a collection of Elizabeth Scalia’s favorite blog posts and columns from over the years. As such, it is a good representation of her writing, including some of my favorite pieces including the one written shortly before her brother died. I appreciated the brief introduction that Scalia gives for each piece which... Read more

A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai: Scientist, Convert, and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb by Paul Glynn My rating: 5 of 5 stars In 1928 young Takashi Nagai was a medical student at the top of his class. An atheist, he passionately believed that science held the key to the future of the human race. He loved his country and believed the “spirit of Japan” would improve his nation’s future. Then came a telegram that sent him... Read more

My 2013 book challenge was really rewarding, making me pick up books I would just keep skipping over in favor of lighter reading. I’m doing it again for the third year in a row. Some books are carried over from last year and some I dropped because … well, I’m not married to these lists. If am inspired at all to reach higher than before, that’s good enough for me. As before, I may not get through all of them... Read more

My favorite audiobooks from 2013 with descriptions in 10 words or less. In the approximate order in which I heard them. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Classic mystery with unexpectedly hilarious characters. Read by B.J. Harrison at The Classic Tales Podcast, my review here. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Listening to this much-beloved book gave it new depth (Read by Rob Inglis) The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien I’ve never enjoyed the last book of the trilogy … until now. (Read... Read more

Top print books I read in 2013 with descriptions in 10 words or less. In the order I encountered them throughout the year. (Audio books will have a separate post.) Take Five with Pope Benedict by Mike Aquilina and Kris Stubna Wonderful daily resource that refocused me on what really matters. (My review here.) Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko Only Russian novels I’ve ever enjoyed. (Good Story podcast discussion. My reviews here: Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch, Last Watch)... Read more

The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle My rating: 5 of 5 stars Strangely enough, I wound up listening to this apocalyptic book while wrapping gifts. Talk about making me grateful for Christmas with my family! This review is from SFFaudio whence came the review book. Needless to say (I hope), this is my uninfluenced opinion.  What would you do if you had discovered that the planet was about to be engulfed in a belt of poisonous “ether” from outer space? Professor Challenger... Read more

I wrote this little review a while back but since I’m rereading it and just recommended it to someone, I thought I’d better share again. It is also unexpectedly funny. I laugh out loud and read bits of it to my husband. Come, Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie Mallowan My rating: 5 of 5 stars This engaging memoir covers Agatha Christie’s time on archaeological digs with her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan. Having just read They Came to... Read more