Mary C. M. Phillips

I had no intention of blogging today, but with the weather being downright oppressive, I thought it best to stay indoors. Hence…this post.

Following are the books I’ve read for 2026 (the official halfway mark for the year). I will not be offering any in-depth reviews below, just my personal take on these classic books.

Here goes nothin’:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I was a bit tentative at first, believing that Tolstoy would be difficult to read, but much to my surprise, his writing is not only sublime, but a breeze. I’m adding Konstantin Dmitrich Levin to my favorite character list (not that I have an actual list). He is pure-hearted, a lover of nature, and from what I’ve read holds similar characteristics to Tolstoy himself. Thank you to my son, James, for this fabulous book.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

Having such a good time with Tolstoy, I quickly followed with this short novel (novellette?). Ivan injures himself quite accidentally – early in the story – in a way I can imagine myself doing. He is a bit of a ladder climber (no pun intended) in society and feels bitter about his loss of standing after his injury. The book exposes two things: firstly, the mistake individuals can make in depending on shallow people and secondly, the mistake of investing one’s faith in materialism and status. Live authentically! I highly recommend.

The Stranger by Albert Camus

I listened to the audiobook while riding Amtrak from Pennsylvania to New York. It’s short and…disturbing. The downright detachment that one human being can feel (not feel) towards another will make you grimace as you read. The idea of hurting someone – and not feeling remorse. Ugh. But, a quick read.

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Having read and adored Hardy’s Tess of D’Urbersville, I decided to read more of his books. Happily I received the Penguin Classic set for Christmas from my husband (thank you, Mark). The story follows the lives of shepherd Gabriel Oak (add him to my phantom list of favorite characters) and the independent Bathsheba Everdene. There are love triangles, marriages, deaths. Some lovely passages, but this was not as compelling as Tess. Just my humble opinion.

Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

Amazing. Simply and brutally amazing. Hard to put down; tragically sad. I would NOT recommend reading this book if you are depressed. Really. One event in the book, no spoilers, will make you gasp and cry. But, incredible book. A close second to Tess.

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

I decided to read this in order to finish the entire set that I had been gifted. Not expecting anything, no hype, knowing nothing about the story, I jumped in and loved it. Complicated characters, good people doing bad things and leaving the reader to acquiesce to the inevitable ending. A story of redemption.

Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Thank you John Tamburello for the Henry James books! I finally got around to the second one. This story is probably considered “gothic” in terms of genre. It reminded me a bit of Ann Radcliffe’s Mysteries of Udolpho (one of favorite books, if you can imagine that) in that the reader is unsure as to whether the hauntings are actual paranormal activity or whether there’s just some serious mental illness going on in the main character. A good book to read around Halloween (in addition to Edith Wharton’s Ghost Stories).

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

A very quick read. Well worth it. The story follows our heroine, Alexandra; much like Everdene in Far From the Madding Crowd, she is strong-willed, smart, and independent. Her choices and good decisions steer the family – and the community – from desolation to prosperity, when most everyone (other than her friend and eventual husband) doubt her. Thank you Mark Jr. for the Cather set.

Boy, you all must be thinking, “This woman receives a lot of books as gifts!” Well…I do. And I’m very grateful.

My Other Attempts

I read Part One and Part Two of The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky then placed it back on the shelf. It was difficult for me to keep up with the names. I’ll return to it at some point, but am not forcing it. I also read about 50 pages of Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It’s very long, a whale of a book, literally. I just did NOT connect to it as a reader…so I gave up. I like what I like. Just being real.

I have a copy of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, but it’s also very long. A commitment. I accepted a new writing gig (not set-in-stone, so no details) which is taking up some time, so I may start W&P in the winter. No promises.

Hope you’re all enjoying the summer and keeping cool!

Stay hydrated…and happy reading, Mary xo