On Being a Better Bookworm
I love to read. Books have been a staple in my life since early childhood.
I also love reading about books. I’m usually familiar with popular and award-winning fiction titles.
The problem is that those two are out of balance. I’m adding to my To Read list at a much faster rate than I’m checking off books. Last year I only read nine books. The year before that was a paltry six. (Not counting some audiobooks I re-listened to.) Embarrassing! I’m desperately hoping I forgot to catalog some reads, but alas I don’t think so.
The internet is a huge reason I’ve been such a horrid reader. There’s lots of good things about it, but it can be such a massive time suck. I’m not really a new year’s resolution kind of person, however — this year I want to make reading a habit in my life and more of a priority.
I’ve rearranged my To Read list and am excited to pick up the books near the top of my list. I haven’t ordered this list completely, but these are the books I’d like to read this year (in addition to our book club picks):
- The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
- In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
- Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
- The Magicians by Lev Grossman
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- Watership Down by Richard Adams
- Blackout by Connie Willis
- Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
- Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart
- The Spirit of Food by various
- Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
If you’re counting, that’s 25 books. Roughly two books a month. And an ambitious step up from my last few years. But I’m excited to read every book on this list, and excited to make reading a habit again. Here goes!
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Ender’s Game and The Magicians are two of my very favorite books — for different reasons. Ender’s Game = fun. The Magicians = ballsy.
I couldn’t finish American Gods, but I am interested to hear what you think of it! I’ve found it’s a love/hate book.
The Help is AWESOME.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Solidly good.
I should read Watership Down…
Jeff loved American Gods, hence the reason it’s on my list. Same with Accidental Tourist. I’ve never read any Gaiman – horrible. The Magicians is on my list because of you.
Oh! That’s not only a good list, but it’s also a good goal! I had a friend who decided 12 this past year since it would mean one a month and she met it. I usually have pretty lofty reading goals — good luck with yours!
PS. Can you delete the comment I just posted? I feel so embarrassed — I was logged into the wrong account (my work account).
No problem! Done.
I’m not a particularly fast reader so I don’t think I could ever reach up near 100 like you, but we all have our different levels. Blackout is on the list because of your strong recommendation!
Well, I absolutely hope you like Blackout. I wish there was more to it, and it’s already ridiculously long! 😀
What a good idea — to read 2 books a month. You are such a good example to the rest of us!
Omnivores Dilemna jumped out from that list. Thought provoking, and frustrating to most people. Most peoples food just comes thru the window to them, and they think little of it. I make my living helping produce that “mountain of corn”, so if things ever should change, I’d be among those affected.