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Friday, January 8, 2010

New Book List

Last year I very much enjoyed having a book list to follow. It really kept me on task for the most part. I love the feeling of crossing things off of a list! (HERE is the link to last year's list.)

Below is my reading list for this year. This is just a list I've compiled of books, some old and some new, that I'm hoping to get to in the next 12 months. I'll put a button over in the sidebar if you're a reader too and want to look back at the list for any reason.

I would love to know what you're reading or planning to read, and whether you've read and liked any of the books on this list. Last year I read 25 of the 27 books on my list, so I'm carrying over the 2 that didn't get read. Also, these are in no particular order. I like to choose the next book based on what I feel like reading at the time. I won't be removing any books from the list, but I may add a few if there's time or if something interesting comes up.
Okay, here's the list:

2010 Book List:

1. Her Fearful Symmetry – Audrey Niffenegger (January)
2. Eats, Shoots & Leaves – Lynne Truss
3. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
4. Lord of the Flies – William Golding (April)
5. The Great Gilly Hopkins – Katherine Paterson (August)
6. Sarah’s Key – Tatiana De Rosnay (June)
7. Frenchman’s Creek – Daphne Du Maurier (April)
8. The House at Riverton – Kate Morton (February/March)
9. Frankenstein (Book 3): Dead and Alive – Dean Koontz
10. Breathless – Dean Koontz (January)
11. A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis
12. The Last Battle – C.S. Lewis
13. The White Queen – Philippa Gregory
14. The Constant Princess – Philippa Gregory
15. Watership Down – Richard Adams
16. Dracula – Bram Stoker
17. Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman (July/August)
18. The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman (February)
19. This is Where I Leave You – Jonathan Tropper
20. When You Reach Me – Rebecca Stead
21. The Forgotten Garden – Kate Morton (May/June)
22. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak (September)
23. A Sweet & Bitter Providence - John Piper

From Last Year’s List:

24. The Mill on the Floss – George Eliot
25. The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne

And as a bonus if I have time:

26. The Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan

19 comments:

A said...

I have read House at Riverton! It takes a while to reach the climax, and when I was reading it, I was mildly annoyed about this, but I find myself thinking of scenes from this book way more often than others that I've read! I'd definitely recommend it :)

You are way more organized about your reading...I just end up reading random new fiction that looks interesting... Maybe I'll steal some of your ideas!

Anonymous said...

Good luck getting through watership down-brutal book in both thought and the exercise of reading it. i am a bibliophile and couldnt finish it.

Kathryn said...

I read quite a lot, but i have no organization to it. Reading is an escape & relax for me, & so i go with my fancy at the time.

There are a few books i'd like to read this year, mostly natural health things by Sally Fallon (Nourishing Traditions) & Michael Pollan (numerous).

I've a long list of my favorite books, tho. :)

Kathryn said...

Regarding what the previous Anny. person said: I didn't have a problem with "Watership Down." Rather enjoyed it, although it is a fantasy no doubt.

But the same author wrote other books & i tried "Girl in a Swing" & found it almost unintelligible. Nearly impossible to read & harder to understand.

Stacey said...

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking forward to seeing which of these will become favorites -- and which will not. :)

@Kathryn, I feel the same way about books. They are truly an escape and form of relaxation for me as well. I can see how making a list might not appeal to everyone, but I rather enjoy it! It keeps me motivated to read the books that I'm interested in instead of letting them collect on the nightstand. Sometimes I wind up with tons of books that I want to read, so the organization really helps me move through them.

At any rate, happy reading, everyone!

Idgie said...

Great list! How was Her Fearful Symmetry? I really liked The Time Traveler's Wife, and like her writing style. I'm weird and only purchase paperbacks though, so I'm waiting til it comes out in that format before I get it. I will be checking your progress and waiting for reviews! Enjoy your wordy way through 2010!

Stacey said...

@Idgie, I enjoyed it very much! Like her first book, it is very well-written. If you like books like Rebecca, or The Thirteenth Tale (in other words, a good ghost story), you'll like this book. The setting in London's Highgate cemetery was absolutely perfect. I definitely would recommend the book! Let me know if/when you read it.

gg said...

Well you know me....I'm not much of a reader but thanks to you I just made a list of 12 books that I want to read this year. BTW, Matt will love it when I tell him that "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" is on your list. That's one of his favorite books. Thanks for your reading encouragement. :)

Journeymark Cards & Gifts said...

This is a wonderful mix of books for the year. I love reading, as it takes me away to a different place. I remember enjoying The Scarlet Letter, back in time.

Currently, I am reading The Christmas Hope and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Two completely different books, but am enjoying both.

Good luck to you on your list.

Chuck said...

@GG,

I guess I need to make a list too. It seems like there are certain books and movies that all computer nerds are required to read/watch and I know "The Hitchhiker's Guide" is required reading. :)

prayerfuljourney said...

I love to read myself however I am not a list maker and I read books I find on the shelf at the library and they seem interesting. I'm always asked who my favorite author is..and I can't say I truly have one. I'm more of a fiction romance reader. However a good mystery or thriller is a nice deviation. :)

Andrea said...

Aren't books the best distraction and escape from the many thoughts that consume us? I enjoy reading and have just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain. Great read, as it's narrated by a dog. Also read The Beach House and it was good too :)

I'm looking forward to crossing off many things on my list as well!

Hugs and thanks for the reading list :)

Andrea

just me, dawn said...

Love it! I love to read and have a kindle now, many of my books are about babies and child care/growth etc....but I am a firm believer in reading for pure joy too.
I read Watership Down, long ago and remember loving it. I have a wish list on Amazon for future books but maybe I should start a list....maybe :)

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed that you make up a list. I just read whatever I see that looks interesting. I really enjoy Phillippa Gregory's books.

One that you may want to add if you haven't already read it is: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It's amazing.

~ Katie ~ said...

Sarah's Key, Dracula, and Scarlet Letter or on my book list too!

Teresa & Connie said...

Oooh you should add Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. Sooooo funny! I love your book list. Makes me wanna read which doesn't happen too often :)

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I'm really impressed by this list! I've got a stack of books by my bed that I'm trying to get through, but I think some of them have been there since '08! Ha. I always want to read more than I actually have time for...

Sunny said...

I love to read! I'm curious...what makes you choose the books you choose? There are so many interesting books. I just love the library - even the smell!

Stacey said...

Thanks for all the recommendations and comments! I love talking books!

@Sunny, I make my list based on three basic areas:
books I've always wanted to read and haven't yet,
books I have around the house that I've been meaning to read,
and new books that I've read about or heard about that sound interesting to me.

Ideas for new books come from Amazon reviews, bestseller lists, or word of mouth.

That's basically how my list gets broken down. I love all kinds of books (including children's literature and books for young adults), so there never seems to be a shortage of material to make up a list. It's so much fun to dive in! :)