"To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company." ~Andre Gide
This year I got to travel alot, and without even leaving my home. I traveled by reading!
I traveled to the Niger Delta where I met Blessing and her family in the book Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson.
I traveled back to 1855 with Louisa in The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Conner McNees.
I played with little Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
I hung out in the palace with Cleopatra, A Life by Stacy Schiff.
I visited the Fire Swamp with Princess Buttercup and Wesley in Princess Bride by William Goldman.
I went back in time to relive Gone with the Wind, this time from Rhett Butlers point of view in the book Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig.
For the past couple of years I have kept track of the books that I've read during the year then done a post about them. In both 2009 and 2010 I read exactly 24 books which meant roughly two books per month and I was going to try to break my record in 2011. Did I? I don't know, let's see. . . I've listed 6 books above so we'll start with number 7.
7. the stuff that never happened by Maddie Dawson
8. Expecting Adam by Martha Beck
9. Lost Edens by Jamie Patterson
In my 2009 and 2010 posts I also wove in some quotes I found interesting and inspiring about books and reading, so in keeping with tradition . . .
"The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade."~ Anthony Trollope
10. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
11. Unsaid by Neil Abramson
12. Working It Out with Abby Rike
"Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed." ~ Anne Rice, The Witching Hour
13. The Unexpected Circumnavigation by Christi Grab
14. The Costume Trunk by Bob Fuller
15. Hungry by Crystal Renn
"Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought" ~ Arthur Helps
16. The Ultimate Reality Show by Clay Jacobsen
17. at the scent of water by Linda Nichols
18. the girl who stopped swimming by Joshilyn Jackson
"He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes." ~ Barrow
19. Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
20. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
21. Angel Harp by Michael Phillips
"You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read." ~ Charlie "Tremendous" Jones
22. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
23. A Painted House by John Grisham
Did I break the 24 book mark?? Get it? Bookmark? hahaha
Well yes...I did! Thanks to my favorite author, Jodi Picoult. I happened to read six of her books in 2011 and I'm starting out 2012 by reading her book Nineteen Minutes.
24. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult
25. Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult
26. my sister's keeper by Jodi Picoult
27. Mercy by Jodi Picoult
28. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
29. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
The only thing that bothers me is ending the year with an odd number, it just makes me feel like my list is not complete! But since we are in January already I don't have any way to squeeze another book in!
So there's my new goal, to read more than 29 books in 2012, we'll see how I do. How about you? How many books have you read? What's your goal for 2012?
"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." ~ Confucius
Well, for sure I'm reaing 6 books in 3 months because I'm taking a college literature class and I just purchased my books yesterday. Then I will be taking an Art class the following semester, son't know if that will includes books to read or just art to discuss, but I will try to squeeze in more books during the year. But 29, my gosh you are a fanatic reader and have no life outside your books. But your imagination surely took you to many places by reading all these books.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your new blog design. Very cute.
ReplyDeleteAngie,
ReplyDeleteI don't have a 4 yr old and a husband to cater to...been there and done that. Wait until you see how hard it is with two kids...lol. Just wait! But someday your kids will be grown and you will have time to do the things you love. I love reading and blogging so I do alot of both.
Oddly enough my reading is all done either in the bathroom...lol, or a 1/2 hour to 1 hour before I go to sleep at night. I'm just a really fast reader.
Good luck on your studies! I know you can do it, even with a baby on the way.
Why does an odd number trouble you? Look at this way, 29 is prime. It is one of the bed rock numbers of base 10 number system. It is like a diamond, hard and steady. 30? Hah hit it with a divisor and it shatters into into pieces on the floor 2, 3 and 5. Or is it the fascination of numbers divisible by 10. If so the 30 would better than 31. Is 29 better than 28?
ReplyDelete29 Books nothing to sneeze at. Liked your quotes.
Sextant - As always, a pleasure to have you visit and comment on my humble blog.
ReplyDeleteI guess if I were a number person as you obviously are, your comment would soothe me. But numbers are not my strength and for a moment, reading your comment, I almost had a brain aneurysm! Well not really, but it did kinda hurt my head a tad.
But I do understand what you mean about it being a prime number and I guess I should get all caught up on the fact that I broke my old record of the past two years and not get hung up on the number 29. *sigh*...I'll try to get past it and carry on.
Thank you for guiding me to the light and taking me through to the other side...I feel much better about it now!
Sextant - Oh...and I forgot, I love these quotes as well, especially the one by Confucius. "No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."
ReplyDeleteHow true!
Oh this is very helpful! I just blogged about how I was looking for a new read!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Keeping Faith and I must say I wasn't impressed. When reading, you cannot seem to find a like-able character so it makes the book difficult to get through. The concept was a clever one, but the ending was very odd and confusing which left me almost irritated that I didn't seem to form a conclusion. It was an okay read, if I had to do it over though, I would have probably picked something else instead.
ReplyDelete