Whatcha Readin'? ESO programs

My 2024 goal was to read 175 books. I was able to squeak out 177, I still can’t believe it! My main problem in December was wanting to pick up and begin a ton of books without finishing any of the ones I started because I am so inspired by the ESO Program through the Woman’s Club that I just learned out and now my TBR list has exploded. The idea behind ESO is to pursue self-improvement through education, specifically through reading and discussion. It’s right up my alley and I can’t believe I never knew about it before.

Despite starting more books than I finished, I was able to finish reading 19 books in December, 12 of which were four stars or better, and all of which had nothing to do with self-improvement; ha! Here they are, in no particular order:

A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman was the Flashlights & Firelights Online Book Club pick for December and everyone agreed it was a bit slow-paced but once we all got past the third chapter everyone loved it. Historical fiction with magical realism, it’s a poetic and beautiful look at grief and regret, and an inspiring testament to love.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is a medium-paced sci-fi/fantasy that’s emotional, hysterically funny, and adventurous. A fascinating blend of The Wizard of Oz and iRobot, it’s a beautiful coming-of-age book that looks at what it is to be human, to grieve, and to become who you are.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a medium-paced fantasy that’s emotional, hopeful, and reflective. Reminiscent of A Christmas Carol, this is a modern book about empathy, and as with all Klune books, I completely fell in love with the characters and their humanity.

Heartstopper #1-5 by Alice Oseman is a young adult graphic novel series that’s fast-paced, lighthearted even whilst dealing with serious issues, and romantic. My favorite thing about this series is how hopeful it is, how inspiring, how full of useful information and real-life situations. Teaching young adults healthy responses to life’s problems *swoon*

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a medium-paced middle-grade fantasy adventure that’s lighthearted and now considered a classic. A look at how the stories we tell ourselves hold us back and how things/people are rarely what/who they seem at first glance.

Max and the Midknights #2-3 by Lincoln Peirce are fast-paced middle-grade graphic novels that are adventurous, funny, and introduce kids to a larger vocabulary without them thinking it’s work. Highly recommend. The Thompson Falls Public Library has this series as Wonderbooks.

Who Was Pablo Picasso by True Kelley is a middle-grade biographical book that looks at the artists’ life through multiple lenses including history, sociology, and politics. I appreciate that they didn’t sugar coat what a player he was and that they put his unbelievable body of work into context.

Currently, I’m in various stages of reading:

-Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields (from EDO reading list!)

-Being Mortal Atul Gawande (from the ESO reading list!)

-House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

-Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver (this is the January book for Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club!)

-Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp

Are you currently a member of any reading groups? The Thompson Falls Public Library and Plains Public Library both have book clubs that welcome new members. In conjunction with TFPL and The Sanders County Ledger, we’ve created the Flashlights & Firelight Online Book Club and we’d love you to join us; email me for the Zoom link! Sara Czerwinski at TFPL introduced me to The Book Girls’ Guide which gives fantastic recommendations, and they have online groups for discussion. There’s also the ESO Program I just learned about through TFWC. If you want to learn more about ESO, shoot me an email and I’ll get you in touch with the program leader for Thompson Falls (and yes, anyone in the county can join the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club and enroll in the ESO Program). As always, I’d love to hear from you about whatcha readin’ and welcome your emails, pictures of your bookshelves, coffee table, bedside stack of reading, etc.

Sunday Dutro is an avid reader and eBook convert living in Thompson Falls with her beautiful family and an enormous “to be read” pile. Reach her at [email protected],