In Memoriam: 10 Writers Who Died in 2013

Elmore Leonard

Here are 10 authors/writers who made a big difference in the world, who died this past year:

1.  Elmore Leonard
2.  Tom Clancy
3.  Seamus Heaney
4.  Haynes Johnson
5.  Frederik Pohl
6.  Stanley Karnow
7.  Doris Lessing
8.  Chinua Achebe
9.  Abigail Van Buren
10.  Oscar Hijuelos

The Books I Most Enjoyed Reading in 2013

Before I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2001, I was a voracious reader - sometimes reading 200-300 books a year.  But in the past 12 years, it has been much harder to read nearly that much.  It takes a great deal of concentration and energy, both of which I have in short supply.  Nevertheless, reading continues to be my passion.  I'm happy to report that I am able to reading daily, even if it's just for a short time.  But it is progress!

The books that I most enjoyed in 2013 were not all published in 2013.  This list represents the books I finally got around to reading in the last twelve months.  Some were read the old fashioned way, physical books of paper.  Others were read on the Kindle app on my iPad.  Still others were listened to through my Audible app, also on my iPad.  This last category may raise some questions.  Is listening to a book with your ears really the same as reading a book with your eyes?  I would argue that, yes, it is indeed reading.  And depending upon the narrator, it can be an even more enjoyable experience than I would have imagined previously.

I am adding a second book list to the first.  It is a list of 10 books published in 2013 that I would like to read and am planning on reading.  I actually have far more than 10 on my personal list, but 10 will do for this post.

I hope you enjoy both lists.  I would love to hear what you have read this past year and what brought you the most joy.

Steve

The Books I Most Enjoyed Reading in 2013:

1.  Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb
2.  The Life and Times of The Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
3.  A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
4.  In One Person by John Irving
5.  Two Graves by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston
6.  11-22-63 by Stephen King
7.  Under the Dome by Stephen King
8.  On Writing by Stephen King (actually a re-read)
9.  Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe
10. New Collected Poems by Wendell Berry

Books Published in 2013 Which I Plan To Read:

1.  Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin
2.  Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
3.  The History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer
4.  Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff
5.  Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
6.  Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz
7.  The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
8.  NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
9.  Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
10.  Guests on Earth by Lee Smith

My 2013 Year-End Review in Movies

It's that time of the year when lists abound, ranking and rating all manner of things from the past year.  So I thought that I would add my two-cents worth on the subjects of movies released in 2013.  My list(s) include both movies that I have seen as well as those that I missed, but wished I had seen.

You will notice immediately - that at least as far as this past year is concerned - I'm a total fanboy in my movie tastes.  Generally, I'm a much broader person when it comes to movies, but this year I saw far more movies that were comic book-based, sci-fi and generally geeky.  I wholeheartedly acknowledge my nerdiness - in fact, I embrace it.  But please know I am much more than just that in my overall entertainment choices.

So with no further adieu, I give you my 2013 year-end review in movies.

Steve 

My Top Enjoyable Movies of 2013:

1. Iron Man 3
2. Star Trek Into Darkness
3. Elysium
4. Thor: The Dark World
5. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
6. Saving Mr. Banks
7. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Most Disappointing Movie of 2013 (IMHO):

1. The Man of Steel

14 Movies I Wished I Had Seen (And Still Might See):

1. World War Z
2. The Butler
3. Diana
4. Gravity
5. Captain Phillips
6. 12 Years a Slave
7. The Book Thief
8. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
9. Inside Llewyn Davis
10. American Hustle
11. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
12. Her
13. The Invisible Woman
14. The Wolf of Wall Street

Which movies would be on your list for this past year? Which ones did you enjoy the most? Which ones did you wish you had avoided? Please share your opinion!

Welcome to "One Writer's Life"

December 26, 2013

Greetings readers, writers, family and friends!  And welcome to this new blog, "One Writer's Life."

This blog is both about the act of writing and of living one's life in the midst of writing.  I believe that the best writing takes place in the context of community.  By choosing to read this blog, you are a part of this digital community, and by that act will be involved in helping to shape my writing.  So thanks for being a part of this community and your willingness to walk along with me as I make this journey.

Writing has always been a part of my life in some form or fashion.  I "officially" became a published author though in 1998 when my first book was published.  "Where the Nations Meet: The Church in a Multicultural World" was written while I served as a United Methodist pastor to a multicultural congregation in Northern Virginia.  This church, Culmore UMC, had over 32 different nations represented in the congregation and many more ethnicities.  My book was an attempt to address the many practical issues on being the church in a world which is multicultural.  I'm happy to say that my book is still available.  It was just recently released as a Kindle book on Amazon.com.

Currently, I am working on two nonfiction books - both of which are memoirs. The first, "Confessions of a Second Grade Failure," is a coming-of-age memoir. It is set in Kingsport, Tennessee during the period from 1960-1972. It gives insight to life during this turbulent period and of the changes that came to cities throughout the country in an important decade. Both humorous and poignant, it weaves together the life story of one Appalachian child, his hometown and the cultural context of change in the country.

My other writing project is entitled, "The Reluctant Ascetic: A Journey Through the Desert of Chronic Illness." In November 2001, I became suddenly sick with a mysterious illness that continues into the present. I was later diagnosed as having Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. I have attempted to grapple not only with the illness itself, but also to find meaning and hope in the struggle to reclaim health. This memoir speaks to all persons who struggle and live with chronic and often invisible diseases.

I look forward to sharing my writing of these two both with you.  My plan is to post 2-3 times a week to this blog to keep you updated.

Please feel free to contact me directly.  There is an email form on my home page of this blog.  You may also subscribe to my blog through email or RSS.  You may also read my blog posts on my website: www.stephenarhodes.com.  You can also find out more about me there as well.

Cheers,

Stephen A. Rhodes