December in Review

December was a glorious month!  A lot of time spent with the family as work really slows down during this time.  We took a family vacation to Chicago, where we enjoyed Christmas markets, amazing food, art, culture, museums, and met some wonderful people. We hosted Christmas at our house again this year, a smaller gathering as my family was out of town visiting their other grandchildren in Dallas.  This is by far my favorite time of year!

I went out with a bang with regards to reading: a total of 9 books this month, selections from Marra, Canin, Vuong, Heyse, Updike, and Porter. 

Before we get to the books, here is our lovely Christmas card we sent out this year...

Now on to the books...

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A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
Signed First Printing
****

This was certainly not what I expected. Truth be told, I was not aware it is basically historical fiction (albeit not-too-far-in-the-distant-past).  I can't recall reading much about the Chechnya turmoil and the devastation it caused thousands upon thousands.  A father is ripped from his daughter, napped by Russian soldiers.  A neighbor decides to make it his mission to protect this young girl. We meet a talented female doctor. There is espionage, spies, war, grief, sadness, and a taste of humor. Loads of memorable characters. Marra is a gifted young writer, cannot wait to read more from him! 

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Emperor of The Air by Ethan Canin
Signed First Printing
***

On a whim I began collecting all of Canin's work. Though I have read much about him from his critics and elsewhere, this is the first book of his I read...and it is his very first book. A collection of short stories. Very Americana for the most part. A little bit of Rick Moody and a smidgen of Denis Johnson. This collection didn't blow me away, but I did enjoy most of the stories.
My favorites:  "Emperor of The Air", "The Year of Getting To Know Us", and "Star Food".

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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Signed First Printing
***

I am a harsh critic when it comes to books that are given a lot of praise right out of the gate and ones that are long-listed or short-listed for literary prizes. Therefore I am giving this poetic novel a 3 instead of a 4. 
Ocean Vuong can absolutely write. After publishing several poems, this is his first novel. So of course, it is very poetic throughout and he somewhat plays with literary form and measures and techniques.  As the flap states, this is a letter to his mother, one in which she will never be able to read. It is about life and love...but really at the heart of it it is a romance. Good at times, but never great in my opinion.

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Nobel Prize for Literature - 1910
Mary of Magdala by Paul Heyse
First English Edition
****

This is a beautiful 5 act play which takes place in and around Jerusalem during Jesus' final days. We never hear from or necessarily see Jesus, as the main characters are the minor players within his day...Mary of Magdala, Rachel, and of course Judas.  Gloriously poetic and an easy smooth read. We get a real sense of Mary of Magdala's dilemmas, her loves and griefs.  Judas' wrenching decision and what his desires entailed.  I loved this one, and what a perfect time of year to read this too.

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Facing Nature by John Updike
First Printing
***


I have been methodically working my way through Updike's poetic works. Facing Nature is his 5th collection of poetry.  Not my favorite but enjoyable nonetheless.

My favorites:  "Spanish Sonnets", "An Oddly Lovely Day Alone", and "Light-Headed in Sweden".

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A Christmas Story by Katherine Anne Porter
Signed First Printing
****

Every Christmastime I read a book with the theme of Christmas, and this year was no exception. This is a simple tale of an aunt taking her niece shopping yet it has a nice moral; reminding us of what the true meaning of Christmas entails. Beautifully written and the epilogue nearly had me in tears. 

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Americana by John Updike
First Printing
***


This particular collection steers away from the light verse which put Updike on the poetry map (and what I like best of his) and instead focuses on nature and life.

My favorites:  "Americana", "Shinto", and "Song of Myself".

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Not Cancelled Yet by John Updike
First Printing
****


This is a limited release, a rare collection of his poetry. These poems can  be found in various magazines, and most (published posthumously) are in Endpoint, his last collection of poetry.  I am not sure how these were chosen, collected, and comprised, but I am glad they were...a very delightful assembly of poems.

My favorites:  "Levels of Air", "To a Well-Connected Mouse", and "Stolen".

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Endpoint by John Updike
First Printing
****


Ah, Updike's last collection of poems.  I really miss his wit, his sense of nature and man, and of course his unique style.  I thoroughly enjoyed Endpoint, as it was a great way to wrap up his career in poems. An assortment of light verse, sonnets, nature and personal poems.

My favorites: The poems that comprise the first section entitiled "Endpoint" and "Outliving One's Father".

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What did you read in December?
What are you currently reading?
Anything you recommend?

Thank you and don't forget to check out my Goodreads Page!​