dual personalities

December 30, 2011

Great Reads of 2011

by chuckofish

The two books I raved about all year and wanted to hand out to people like candy were Karl Marlantes’s fabulous

and Hilary Mantel’s

I haven’t read anything better than these two books in ages. Yes, Matterhorn is a war novel and, yes, it’s unpleasant, but why shouldn’t it be? This book goes way beyond the typical war story; it is wonderfully nuanced and manages to give every point of view. As for Wolf Hall, well, my dual personality introduced me to it (for which I am very grateful) so I don’t have to go into great detail about why it’s wonderful. As I blogged earlier, the book made me love Thomas Cromwell!

Honorable mentions go to two re-reads:

A favorite of mine since middle school, T.E. Lawrence’s

and a more recent find that I just keep going back to, Alistair MacLeod’s lyrical and elegaic

What were your favorite books of 2011?

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December 30, 2011

While we’re being grateful….

by chuckofish

As 2011 comes to a close and we consider all the things we are grateful for (including our wonderful siblings), I’d like to put in a word for church. I’ve never been much of a joiner, but over the last year I’ve not only started going to church — the first Presbyterian Church in Canton — but I was moved to become a member. It has made a big difference in my life. Everyone there is so happy and so friendly; Sundays always help me face the week among my judgmental colleagues. Going to church has reminded me of all the things that are important. May you all find such a home!

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