2013 Books in Review #1: "Yellow Birds"

Less than a week into 2013 and I am done my first book! Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers was the first book in the Literature and War 2013 read along and I picked it up yesterday from the library and couldn't put it down. If I hadn't had to sleep and work I would have been done it in one sitting I am sure. My review can be found below.

Kevin Powers served in Iraq with the US army in 2004 and 2005. The book is written from the point of view of Private Bartle who is serving in Iraq during the same time period as Powers actually served. It weaves between time periods, jumping back and forth between Iraq and then the US after Bartle returns from the war. Every chapter jumps to a different period of time and while this could easily be disjointing, Power has woven a story that flows easily.

I don't normally read books about war, and this was stretching me outside of my normal box. The details are disturbing, and because they are written by someone who has seen first hand the realities of this war, they are graphic at times. I found myself drawn into the story, feeling more than just my own emotions, but also those of the characters.

The connection between Bartle and Murph is complex, and touching. While I knew early on that Murph had died, I didn't see the ending coming until it did, and it added a whole new layer for me to the story and the character. In reading about the thought process in deciding what to do with Murph's body I saw parallels to other decisions where we might guess what might be best for another. Sometimes we are wrong, but the thought process and emotions going into the decision are important and fascinating.

All in all Yellow Birds drew me in far more than I thought it would. I love books where I can identify with the characters. In this book I was in a unique position as I have no personal experience going to war or actively sending a loved one off to war, and yet I felt that Powers made the characters relatable to me even still. It is not surprising to me that he is a poet. His way with words was outstanding.

As far as my 2013 challenges go, this will be book #1 read, #1 for my library challenge, my first letter in my A-Z challenge, and book #1 in the Literature and War challenge.

2013 Women Authors Challenge

Goal: To read more books by women authors (link to challenge)

Levels:

• Baby Girl (1-5 books)
• Girl Power (6-10 books)
• Super Girl (11-15 books)
• Wonder Woman (16+)

Progress (as of September 8th): 16 books read - CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

Books

1. Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Review Here)
2. Freakling by Lana Krumwiede (Review Here)
3. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (Review Here)
4. The Other Life by Ellen Meister (Review Here)
5. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
6. Times Two by Kristen Henderson and Sarah Ellis
7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
8. Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein (Review Here)
9. Save Me by Lisa Scottoline (Review Here)
10. The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelscheider
11. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
12. You Are What You Wear by Jennifer Baumgartner
13. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
14. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
15. Flowers of War by Geling Yan
16. The Time in Between by Maria Duenas

2013 Classics Catch-Up Challenge

Goal: To read more classic books in 2013 (link to challenge)

Levels:

• Freshman (4 books) - reached in September 2013
• Sophomore (8 books) - reached in September 2013
• Junior (11 books) - reached in October 2013
• Senior (13 books)

Progress (as of October 13th): 12 books read (1 to go to next level)

Books

1. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
3. My Antonia by Willa Cather
4. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
6. Animal Farm by George Orwell
7. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
8. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
9. Othello by William Shakespeare
10. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
11. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
12. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

2013 A-Z Reading Challenge

Goal: To read a book starting with every letter of the alphabet in 2013 (link to challenge)

Progress (as of October 13th): 26 letters read (DONE!)

Books

A: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
B: The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
C: Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein (Review Here)
D. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
E: The Everything Car Care Book by Mike Florence and Robert Blumer (Review Here)
F: Freakling by Lana Krumwiede (Review Here)
G: The Go Getter by Peter B. Kyne
H: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
I: The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Robert M. Moldwin
J: Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet
K: KnitLit by Linda Roghaar
L: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
M: The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Review Here)
N. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
O: The Other Life by Ellen Meister (Review Here)
P: The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Q: Quiet by Susan Cain
R: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
S: Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Review here)
T: Times Two by Kristen Henderson and Sarah Ellis
U. Unstrange Minds by Roy Richard Grinker
V. The Vinyl Cafe Notebooks by Stuart McLean
W: The Whole Brained Child by Daniel J. Seigel
X: The X in Sex by David Bainbridge
Y: The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers (Review here)
Z: Zenzele: A Letter for my Daughter by J. Nozipo Mairare

Library Books Reading Challenge 2013

Goal: To read library books I'm going to take each level as it comes (link to challenge)

Levels:

• Board Book (3 books) - reached in January
• Picture Book  (6 books) - reached in January
• Early Reader  (9 books) - reached in February
• Chapter Book (12 books) - reached in August
• Middle Grades (18 books) - reached in August
• Young Adult (24 books) - reached in August
• Adult (36 books) - reached in September
• Just Insert IV (50 books) - reached in September

Progress (as of September 30th): 50 books read - CHALLENGE COMPLETE

Books

1. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers (Review here)
2. Freakling by Lana Krumwiede (Review here)
3. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (Review Here)
4. The Other Life by Ellen Meister (Review Here)
5. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
6. One Big Thing by Phil Cooke
7. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
8. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
9. Becoming Sister Wives by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown
10. Times Two by Kristen Henderson and Sarah Ellis
11. Pilgrim's Wilderness by Tom Kizzia
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
13. The Whole Brained Child by Daniel J. Seigel
14. Autism's False Prophets by Paul A. Offit
15. Half a Life by Darrin Strauss
16. Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein (Review Here)
17. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
18. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
19. The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelscheider
20. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Review Here)
21. Be Different by John Elder Robison
22. A Love That Multiplies by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
23. You Are What You Wear by Jennifer Baumgartner
24. The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Robert M. Moldwin
25. We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee
26. Health and Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by David G Wellock
27. Grey Souls by Philippe Claudel
28. Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan
29. Roland Wright, Future Knight by Tony Davis (Review Here)
30. Transition by Chaz Bono (Review Here)
31. A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen
32. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
33. Flowers of War by Geling Yan
34. The Everything Car Care Book by Mike Florence and Robert Blumer (Review Here)
35. 7 Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly
36. Living Well With Endometriosis by Kerry-Ann Morris (Review Here)
37. Maternity Rolls by Heather Kuttai (Review Here)
38. Choice by Karen E. Bender (Review Here)
39. Perfume by Patrick Suskind
40. All That I Am by Margaret Mitchell
41. Gone With the Wind by Anna Funder
42. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
43. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
44. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
45. Quiet by Susan Cain
46. Children of the New World by Assia Djebar
47. Animal Farm by George Orwell
48. KnitLit by Linda Roghaar
49. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
50. Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet

73 Books Challenge 2013

Goal: To read 73 Books in 2013

Progress (as of October 8th): 73 books read (DONE!!!)

Books

1. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers (Review here)
2. Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Review here)
3. Freakling by Lana Krumwiede (Review Here)
4. The Go-Getter by Peter B. Kyne
5. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
6. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (Review Here)
7. The Other Life by Ellen Meister (Review Here)
8. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
9. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
10. One Big Thing by Phil Cooke
11. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
12. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
13. Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon
14. Becoming Sister Wives by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown
15. Times Two by Kristen Henderson and Sarah Ellis
16. Pilgrim's Wilderness by Tom Kizzia
17. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
18. The Whole Brained Child by Daniel J. Seigel
19. Autism's False Prophets by Paul A. Offit
20. Half a Life by Darrin Strauss
21. Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein (Review Here)
22. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
23. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson
24. Save Me by Lisa Scottoline (Review Here)
25. The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelscheider
26. The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Review Here)
27. Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
28. Be Different by John Elder Robison
29. A Love That Multiplies by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
30. You Are What You Wear by Jennifer Baumgartner
31. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
32. A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion by Ron Hansen
33. The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Robert M. Moldwin
34. We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee
35. Health and Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by David G Wellock
36. Grey Souls by Philippe Claudel
37. Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan
38. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
39. Roland Wright, Future Knight by Tony Davis (Review Here)
40. Transition by Chaz Bono (Review Here)
41. A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen
42. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
43. Flowers of War by Geling Yan
44. The Time in Between by Maria Duenas
45. The Everything Car Care Book by Mike Florence and Robert Blumer (Review Here)
46. 7 Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly
47. Living Well With Endometriosis by Kerry-Ann Morris (Review Here)
48. Maternity Rolls by Heather Kuttai (Review Here)
49. Choice by Karen E. Bender (Review Here)
50. My Antonia by Willa Cather
51. There's No Home by Alexander Baron (Review Here)
52. Perfume by Patrick Suskind
53. All That I Am by Margaret Mitchell
54. Gone With the Wind by Anna Funder
55. Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
56. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
57. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
58. Quiet by Susan Cain
59. Children of the New World by Assia Djebar
60. Animal Farm by George Orwell
61. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
62. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
63. KnitLit by Linda Roghaar
64. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
65. Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet
66: Zenzele: A Letter for my Daughter by J. Nozipo Mairare
67. Othello by William Shakespeare
68. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
69. The Vinyl Cafe Notebooks by Stuart McLean
70. The Last Summer of You and Me by Ann Brashares
71. Unstrange Minds by Roy Richard Grinker
72. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
73. Everything Flows by Vasily Grossman

2013 Reading Challenges

Last year I read more than in 2011 but I didn't read as much as I'd like. And I was not nearly as organized about keeping track as I would have liked. This year I have a few goals and I'm going to do a few challenges.

First, my plan is to Read 73 books. That's only 1 every five days. There are a lot of books for me to read in the challenges but many of them overlap too.

6/73 books

We use our library quite a bit for books so it only makes sense for me to join the Library Books Challenge 2013. I'm starting for Level 1 "Board Book" (1-3 books).

2/3 books

Next I'm going to try for the 2013 A-Z Reading Challenge and try and read one book (at least) with a title starting with each level of the alphabet.

3/26 Letters

I'm always wanting to read more classic literature so this year I'm joining the 2013 Classics Catch-Up Challenge. I'm going to aim for the first level of 4 books "Freshman".

0/4 books

As a feminist woman I particularly enjoy books written by women. The 2013 Women Challenge is perfect for this. Aiming low to start with the first level "Baby Girl" (1-5 books by a woman author).

2/5 books

As an incentive to challenge myself outside of the usual categories I read it (which admittedly are fairly varied at this point already) I'm joining the Eclectic Reader Challenge 2013. There are eight categories of books to read.

1/12 books

The last adult reading challenge I've joined is the Literature and War Read Along 2013. 12 books from 12 different countries, written in 8 different languages and covering 6 different wars.

1/12 books

Now for the kids. Two challenges for all of the reading we do with them.

First we are joining the 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Book Challenge. Going to aim to read at least 12 of these.

0/12 books

Also with Tobias blooming into wanting to be read chapter books on a regular basis I'm going to aim to read at least 6 novels with him that he chooses.

0/6 books

Let the reading begin!!!!