2017
WINTER - SPRING
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller. This classic challenged me, and I'm not yet sure if I enjoyed it.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when the stakes are high (several authors). Chosen by my career book club, this was a good springboard for conversations with a slacker colleague or the boss when you find out you make 20% less than everyone else.
Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson. Most public defenders probably read this in 2014, when it topped the New York Times' bestseller list. This is one of four books that my mom picked out for me for Christmas, and it was perfect. It tells the story of a young black lawyer who creates the Equal Justice Institute in Montgomery, AL to aid death row prisoners and juveniles sentenced to life without parole. Some happy reprieves, some horrific situations he wasn't able to change, but it moves quickly and covers thirty years of EJI's work. Highly recommended!
The Eternal Wonder - Pearl S. Buck. A great book right until the ending.
Little Great Things - Jodi Picoult. This topped a number of year-end lists and legal thriller lists. I didn't particularly like it or believe it. I found it unrealistic the whole way through. Despite the author's afterword detailing her extensive research into former-nazis, I doubted her ability to portray white supremacists and people of color.
Over Christmas, I went through my brother-in-law's library. He has about 3 full bookshelves worth, so there is an excellent variety of books, from history to science fiction, including multiple series.
Marathon training and diet - I borrowed one book from my sister's supply. It's probably 20+ years old, but is a good reminder of some of the things I need to be doing.
The Keep - Jennifer Egan - the only thing I can positively say about this is it was a fairly quick read and had a couple twists and turns. Overall, this book requires you to suspend disbelief again and again - and at the end of the day, isn't that well written. I picked it up because of the sticker that Egan had previously won the National Book Award - and I wish I had skipped it.
Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - Michael Chabon - a winner! I picked up this book based on the 2001 Pulitzer Prize sticker on the cover, and it didn't disappoint. I loved this immersive dive into 1940's NYC as two Jewish cartoonists find their way. The most I've enjoyed a book in a long time.
North Wind in My Spokes - a LFL pickup about competitive road biking in Europe. Acceptable writing, but not worth passing on to others.
The Blue Sweater - Jacqueline Novogratz. A LFL book about a woman who moved to Rwanda and used her banking experience to help microfinance women-led institutions. It covers some before and after the civil war, and includes the incredible fact that her favorite blue sweater, donated as a child, ended up being worn by child in Rwanda, complete with her initials on the tag. I passed it on to my mentee, a GW sophomore who had done Women's Leadership Program and was interested in International Development.
Vince Flynn - I had enough self-control to put back the other Vince Flynn book, considering I hated the first one. There are so many good books out there, I shouldn't waste my time on junk. It's hard to put back a book I intended to read, so I'm giving myself credit for deciding NOT to read this book.
SUMMER
May - July got swallowed in bar prep was preparing to take the South Carolina bar exam.
FALL
Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood. I wanted to enjoy the original as a refresher before watching the miniseries on Hulu. I picked up the paperback copy still stashed at my mom's house, read for freshman year summer reading first by my cousin, then my sister, and two years later, by me. It's still as good as I remember. The book leaves a lot unanswered, so I'm eager to see how the series fills in the storyline.
WINTER - SPRING
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller. This classic challenged me, and I'm not yet sure if I enjoyed it.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for talking when the stakes are high (several authors). Chosen by my career book club, this was a good springboard for conversations with a slacker colleague or the boss when you find out you make 20% less than everyone else.
Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson. Most public defenders probably read this in 2014, when it topped the New York Times' bestseller list. This is one of four books that my mom picked out for me for Christmas, and it was perfect. It tells the story of a young black lawyer who creates the Equal Justice Institute in Montgomery, AL to aid death row prisoners and juveniles sentenced to life without parole. Some happy reprieves, some horrific situations he wasn't able to change, but it moves quickly and covers thirty years of EJI's work. Highly recommended!
The Eternal Wonder - Pearl S. Buck. A great book right until the ending.
Little Great Things - Jodi Picoult. This topped a number of year-end lists and legal thriller lists. I didn't particularly like it or believe it. I found it unrealistic the whole way through. Despite the author's afterword detailing her extensive research into former-nazis, I doubted her ability to portray white supremacists and people of color.
Over Christmas, I went through my brother-in-law's library. He has about 3 full bookshelves worth, so there is an excellent variety of books, from history to science fiction, including multiple series.
Marathon training and diet - I borrowed one book from my sister's supply. It's probably 20+ years old, but is a good reminder of some of the things I need to be doing.
The Keep - Jennifer Egan - the only thing I can positively say about this is it was a fairly quick read and had a couple twists and turns. Overall, this book requires you to suspend disbelief again and again - and at the end of the day, isn't that well written. I picked it up because of the sticker that Egan had previously won the National Book Award - and I wish I had skipped it.
Adventures of Kavalier and Clay - Michael Chabon - a winner! I picked up this book based on the 2001 Pulitzer Prize sticker on the cover, and it didn't disappoint. I loved this immersive dive into 1940's NYC as two Jewish cartoonists find their way. The most I've enjoyed a book in a long time.
North Wind in My Spokes - a LFL pickup about competitive road biking in Europe. Acceptable writing, but not worth passing on to others.
The Blue Sweater - Jacqueline Novogratz. A LFL book about a woman who moved to Rwanda and used her banking experience to help microfinance women-led institutions. It covers some before and after the civil war, and includes the incredible fact that her favorite blue sweater, donated as a child, ended up being worn by child in Rwanda, complete with her initials on the tag. I passed it on to my mentee, a GW sophomore who had done Women's Leadership Program and was interested in International Development.
Vince Flynn - I had enough self-control to put back the other Vince Flynn book, considering I hated the first one. There are so many good books out there, I shouldn't waste my time on junk. It's hard to put back a book I intended to read, so I'm giving myself credit for deciding NOT to read this book.
SUMMER
May - July got swallowed in bar prep was preparing to take the South Carolina bar exam.
FALL
Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood. I wanted to enjoy the original as a refresher before watching the miniseries on Hulu. I picked up the paperback copy still stashed at my mom's house, read for freshman year summer reading first by my cousin, then my sister, and two years later, by me. It's still as good as I remember. The book leaves a lot unanswered, so I'm eager to see how the series fills in the storyline.
