I’ve been talking about how it’s a “Middle Season” in life right now. It’s felt like that lot here on the blog and with the podcast and in the novel-writing – I’m just getting stuff done lately, not launching anything, not wrapping anything up – just doing the tasks that keep all the boats floating down the river.
But nowhere is the idea of “Middle Season” more apparent than where Scott and I are in life right now physically. We’re on the cusp of a dozen different decisions that need made, and we can’t make a single one of them right now. We’ve kind of started building a house, but there’s nothing to do at the moment. We applied for the loan, and now it’s a matter of sitting still until the appraisal is in and the banks says “yes” or “no.” We’ve signed bids and contracts and discussed floors and cabinets and now we wait – we can’t purchase or order anything yet. We know we’re moving in two months, but it’s still too far out to pack up anything or change our address or even start cleaning out the cupboards in earnest.
The longer I walk this earth, the more I discover that when life is in a season of upheaval, I read my favorite books over and over again. It’s almost a way to quiet my mind, to slip back into familiarity a few pages at a time. Books like Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and all the Anne of Green Gables novels.
I’ve also noticed that when life is just puttering along and I’m anxious for the next big thing to happen, I read books that change me. Books like Essentialism and Start and Grace for the Good Girl.
But what do you when life is a little of both? It’s a little stagnant, but you know big things are coming any day now?
Well, you read a little of everything.
So, here’s what I’ve been reading in 2016:
JANUARY
Yes Please
If you are a writer, I encourage you to read this one. Amy is a phenomenal storyteller, and sometimes she has a line that just zings the right way. I wrote a full review here.
The Searcher by Simon Toyne
Scott bought this book for me for Christmas at a local bookshop here in town. While mystery is not usually my genre, the book was well done. It is the first in the series, and I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the others or not. There’s too many books I want to read, that reading books that are “OK” is hard for me.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home
I am rarely at a loss when it comes to words about books, but this one defies category. It’s a stunning debut novel, filled with longing and sadness. It’s a story about grief and one girl’s bravery to reach out to overcome it. I wrote a full review here.
Those Were The Days by Jenny Bravo
This short novella is a companion to Bravo’s These Are The Moments that I read last fall. I loved that book, and also enjoyed this take on the original’s heroine, Wendy, told from the perspective of her little sister Claudia.
FEBRUARY
A Million Little Ways 
This is a book I’ve been meaning to read for awhile, but I’m so glad I read it earlier this year as Ashley and I launched the Chasing Creative Podcast. I needed it in 2016. I wrote a full review here.
Euphoria by Lily King
This book. I can emphatically say that I enjoyed the book, but I did not like the ending. No one got a good ending, and I can’t decide how I’m supposed to live with that.
The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey
MARCH
Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maude Montgomery
You’ve probably heard me say that Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite books in the world. In fact, my novel-in-progress draws a lot of influence from this perennial favorite. But what happens to Anne after she decides to teach a year in Avonlea? This dear book shows her growing up just a smidge more than the original, while still keeping the girlish spirit that is just so Anne.
Anne of the Island by Lucy Maude Montgomery
And what does Anne learn at college when she finally get the chance to go? She learns herself, even more than Latin and Greek. This is the book where we see her become a full-grown lady and finally fall in love with Gilbert and start making plans for the future with him in them.
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
I was looking forward to this book so much, and was a good bit disappointed when I finally picked it up. It was good – it was well crafted, well written. But I felt like there wasn’t a whole lot there. The protagonist was extremely passive and hard to relate to. After chatting with a friend from Ireland, the homeland of the main character, the novel made more sense, that the author was writing ironically with the position of women in mind, who didn’t have much say in 1950s Ireland, and even often today. It’s still not a book I’m going to recommend to anyone, but I may watch the movie and see how it shapes up in relation to the book.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
I’m almost halfway through this novel, and it is amazing. It’s a fictionalized memoir from the perspective of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife during their time in Paris. The writing is lovely, and even though you know that their marriage ends even at the beginning of the book, you can’t help but root for Hadley as you read.
ONGOING
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Nearly every guest on the Chasing Creative Podcast has mentioned this book as a creative influence, so I finally bought a copy and have loved reading it so far. I am slowly reading this book, trying to soak up each chapter and even journal a response as questions arise. It’s proving good for me – I already feel like I’ve been overcoming some creative obstacles as I journal my way through them.
So glad you shared this! I just got Euphoria from the library but when I read through the first few pages, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be hooked… but I’ll definitely give it a shot! I’ve also been curious about Brooklyn but nobody’s reviews have been too stellar, so I might just see how the movie is instead. Also, BIG MAGIC. Yes! So glad you’re reading it! :)
Yes – give Euphoria a bit of time. It does hook you, and leaves you thinking about it for awhile!
After reading Brooklyn and having that discussion, my friend mentioned that Toibin’s ‘Nora Webster’ was better – so maybe you and I will have to check that out?
I am savoring Big Magic – trying not to rush through it!
Fun fact: I was reading The Paris Wife when I was first pregnant with Hadley but didn’t know it yet. :)
I love that! Is that where you got the idea to name her Hadley, or did that come before?