14. Until the Streetlights Come On ***** The philosophy of spending more of your life outside...living a more REAL life has been life changing for me. The author encourages people to spend 1000 hours outside every year. I tried it and got to 900. Research and just plain common sense tells you that spending more time outside is good for you in every way possible. I couldn't agree more. Not the most impressive writing but the concept and information was fantastic. 5 stars
15. The house of Eve** I didn't connect with the characters and thought the story was the same as about 3 or 4 other books I'd read before. 2 stars
16. Dog Songs**** a poetry book about dogs? Yes Please. 4 stars
17. Mrs. Pigglewiggle's Farm**** I love everything about the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. The twins and I listened to this one as we drove to and from piano lessons. I wish I wish there was a real Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and that it wouldn't be considered terrible parenting to send your kids to stay with her for a few days to help them overcome a bad habit or trait. 4 stars
18. The Outsiders*** my 3 oldest kids have all had to read it for school so after Lucy read it I finally read it myself. It was fine...sad and heavy for middle school kids but I get why it makes for a good middle school english class read. 3 stars
19.Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone***** I will never NOT love the Harry Potter Books. They are one of my top go toes for when I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious. The stories are exciting and the characters feel like old friends to me. 5 stars
20. How to Keep House While Drowning*** While I did glean some really helpful tips...dishwasher is full of clean dishes but there's room for a few more?...Just add dirty ones and run it again. Genius. Embarrassing that I think so, but still genius. Other than that...it was just fine. 3 stars
21. The Ride of Her Life*** The story of the woman riding her horse across America in the 1950's was interesting...but even more interesting was the cultural history that was woven into the telling of the story. Dragged on a but but still engaging. 3 stars
22.The Outlaw Noble Salt**** I LOVED the idea of Butch Cassidy living a secretly good life. Such a fun idea and well written and told. 4 stars
23. The Penderwicks**** another go to read or listen for me when I'm stressed or anxious. It's like a modern day Little Women....so much so that I'm amazed it isn't plagiarism. That said, I LOVE the characters and story...almost as much as Grace does. She listens to the Penderwick books every single night as she falls asleep. 4 stars
24. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette (not pictured)*** listened to this for the 3rd? 4th time? with Grant and Grace as we drove to and from piano and trumpet lessons. I don't like it as much as the other Penderwick books but still a good read or listen.
Best books of this bunch are "Until the streetlights come on" because it is so impactful and "The Outlaw Noble Salt" because it was such a fun romantic historical fiction novel.
2024 books part 1 is HERE
