It could be seen as a sad commentary on my life that my last post on this blog was over a year ago and all about my favorite 2017 books. However, I prefer to frame my dereliction as a testament to how busy I’ve been. I have moved across the country, finished writing one book and started another, traveled a bit, and knit far more than I ever would have predicted when I started on that hobby a year ago.

My reading took me in both familiar and new directions this year. I continue with my lifelon...