In 2008, I read 19 books, 12 Fiction and 7 non fiction. In 2009 I resolved to read 24 books, 12 fiction and 12 non-fiction. This was a big challenge for me. When I got laid off, I fell hopelessly behind. Somehow more time = less reading. But I found salvation in my new position and an hour-long commute. Audiobooks to the rescue! I totally made it! (Can you tell that Audible had a classics sale?)
Update: I was inspired to do this the first time by my friend Zandria. Here's her list for 2009.
Going backwards in time, here's what I read in 2009, with links to my review if there is one:
"Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler review
"The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl" by Timothy Egan
"Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries" by Naomi Wolf
"Cosmic Critiques: How and Why Ten Science Fiction Stories Work" by Isaac Asimov & Martin Greenberg
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
"Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your [entertainment] Business" by Thembisa S. Mshaka review
"Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
"Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne
"I Will Teach You To Be Rich" by Ramit Sethi (I highly recommend the audio book, which is read by the author.)
"The Painted Veil" by W. Somerset Maugham
"Oil!" by Upton Sinclair
"Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
"Septimus Heap, Book Four: Queste" by Angie Sage
"Into the Beautiful North: A Novel" by Luis Alberto Urrea review
"The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" by Michael Pollan
"Best Intentions: A Novel" by Emily Listfield review
"Casting Spells" by Barbara Benton
"He's a Stud, She's a Slut, and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know" by Jessica Valenti
"Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need" by Blake Snyder
"The Little Giant of Aberdeen County" by Tiffany Baker review
"Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by Sue Johnson review
"Tulips in the Sand ~ A Riley Matthews Mystery" by Caryn Gottlieb Fitzgerald review
"Chaos: Making a New Science" by James Gleick not a review
"Water for Elephants: A Novel" by Sara Gruen
I only review books I am sent specifically for review, but James Gleick's book on chaos theory inspired a post, so hence: "not a review."
And here's two more books I reviewed, but didn't want to count as having "read" since they're not really meant to be read cover to cover:
"Your Astrology Guide 2010" by Rick Levine and Jeff Jawer review
"Everyday Astrology: How to Make Astrology Work for You" by Gary Goldschneider review
There were definitely times this year I thought I wouldn't reach my goal. Still, I think I will keep the same goal for 2010. I can't resist the symmetry and the challenge of it. With one wrinkle - I am rewarding myself for reaching my goal by tearing through (and thoroughly enjoying!) The Chronicles Of Prydain. Because they are short, and I imagine I will be through them all by the end of January, I intend to count the five books as one for purposes of my annual goal.
But, of course I *could* always count them as the five books that they most certainly are. So we'll just see how that goes.
My wife read the Twilight books. Because she's a dork.
Posted by: Rob | January 12, 2010 at 10:48 AM