"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers." ~ Charles W. Eliot
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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!" ~ Julia Child
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"She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain." ~ Louisa May Alcott

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Looking out into the coming winter and looking forward to a start of a new year of books and good food. This is a window in a museum that I went to last year with a friend. We do not have this perfect winter scene this year so far here in Holland but winter is still here and I am hoping for a little snow before the season is over. What is better than curling up with a good book and a warm quilt while smelling a hot soup or stew on the stove top? Pure bliss!

My reading goals went well this year. I read more books than I ordered this year which really made me happy. I love to stitch, quilt and crochet which cuts into my reading time but I cannot complain this year. Well, except that I did not meet a couple of my handwork goals instead...grins. Here is my list of books read in 2011...

The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas by Darryl Nyznyk
I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge
The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier
Bess's Log Cabin Quilt by D. Anne Love /reread
Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy
Daily Life in a Victorian House by Laura Wilson
Summer of Roses by Luanne Rice
Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett
The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher
Linnets and Valerians by Elizabeth Goudge
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Summer Season by Julia Williams
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
A Common Life by Jan Karon
Beach Roses by Jean Stone
The Other Side of the Dale by Gervase Phinn
The Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (audiobook)
The Frozen Lake by Elizabeth Edmondson
The Christmas Mouse by Miss Read (audiobook)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
A Moment of Silence or The Observations of Miss Dido Kent by Miss Anna Dean
The Doll's House by Rumer Godden
The Blue Door by Ann Rinaldi
No Holly for Miss Quinn by Miss Read (audiobook)
Broken Days by Ann Rinaldi
A Stitch in Time by Ann Rinaldi
Birch Hollow Schoolmarm by Carrie Bender
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Apricots at Midnight by Adele Geras
Wedding Ring by Emilie Richards
A Basket of Flowers by Christoph Von Schmid
Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

My favorite read of this year was The Frozen Lake by Elizabeth Edmondson. I would highly recommend this one if you are looking for good titles to read in 2012.

Happy New Year to you all!

Happy reading!
Heidi

5 comments:

Nancy said...

Just think, now you have the Kindle, and all of the Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove series on your shelves waiting to be read. They are so good.
I got five free nook books today and just finished one of them. I have that nook in my hand too often, I am not getting my knitting projects done at all.
Happy reading anyway.
Love you, Mom

Ginny said...

You certainly enjoy a wide variety of genres, but I think mysteries top the list, if I'm guessing correctly by just reading titles. I wish I had read half as many books as you in 2011! I am trying to read more, but it's always late at night, and I tend to fall asleep after reading just a few pages. I keep downloading free books for my Kindle, so it's not as if I have nothing to choose from! Happy reading!!

DonnaTN said...

Somehow I missed this on of your blogs, but I found it the other day. I immediately added it to my goggle reader. I am so impressed with your list and grateful for the recommendations.

Nan said...

I much love the Simonson, Geras, Smith, and Karon books. I would like to try the Phinn and Asher. You've had a lovely reading year, Heidi.

Joyce in KS said...

Just ordered The Frozen Lake from Amazon since our library doesn't have it. I enjoy reading your blog.