Welcome to 2009! Although I’m not one for formal New Year’s resolutions, it does feels natural on New Year’s Day to look back over the past year while making plans for the coming year.
Looking back, I can say that joining Jenny on this blog has made 2008 an especially enjoyable reading year. Like Jenny, I’ve found that blogging has helped me to read more thoughtfully, rather than just in order to say I’ve completed the book. The process of writing about what I read has also helped me to understand and remember why I do and don’t like certain books. And reading so many other great blogs has led me to more books and authors I know I’ll enjoy!
I didn’t start keeping close track of every book I read until I joined the blog in July, but my Librarything tags show that I’ve read 88 books this year. That does not include all the library books I checked out in the first half of the year, but there weren’t a lot of those. So what were my favorites? Looking back, I’d say these were my top five reads of the year (in alpha order):
- Blindness by Jose Saramago (dark and harrowing but gripping and ultimately hopeful)
- The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox (one of the best Victorian pastiches I’ve read)
- Of Human Bondage by W Somerset Maughan (a classic that deserves its status)
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan (transformed my eating habits and introduced me to the best steak ever)
- On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan (not without its flaws, but absolutely heartbreaking)
These may not be the best books I read, but they’re the ones that I think will stick with me the longest. My book list shows all the books I read, with a * indicating my favorites.
Looking forward to 2009, I want to continue reading a wide variety of books from different places and times. I have joined several challenges, but I’m not really pressuring myself to finish them if the books that fit them don’t fit my mood. Other than that, I do want to focus on reading the books I already own. I’m not limiting myself to those books. I know myself well enough to know that when I run into the library to select audiobooks to read, I can’t resist picking up something in print as well. I am, however, going to to try to resist the impulse to acquire new (or new to me) books. Finds at the library give me just as much of a thrill as bookstore finds, so that’s what I’m going to be reading. Book purchases and swaps will generally be reserved for books that aren’t available at my library, books for my book club that have a long hold list, and books to complete a series.
Any reading experiences or resolutions you’d like to share?
Happy New Year!
The Meaning of Night was on my “best of” list as well. Have you read the sequel, The Glass of Time?
Happy New year! It seems like lots of people want to read more of their own books–we all must be accumulating faster than we’re reading! I really need to read the Cox and the Saramago…and the Pollan, too!
I found On Chesil Beach heartbreaking as well. In ‘09, I’d like to try another McEwan novel which I hope will make up for the disappointment of Saturday.
I’m hopeless when it comes to completing challenges or restricting my book borrowing and buying. That said, I’m aiming to read more non-fiction and Australian and translated fiction in ‘09.
I’m going to be reading the Michael Cox book soon so I’m thrilled to see it on your ‘best’ list!
meg89: Thanks, and happy new year to you too!
Katherine: Yes, I read and enjoyed The Glass of Time–I’m hoping Cox is able to write a sequel.
Danielle: Happy new year to you too. My acquisition problem is definitely that I acquire faster than I read, especially when I factor in the library books I read.
adevotedreader: For McEwan, I enjoyed Atonement, and others whose taste I trust have recommended Amsterdam, Black Dogs, and Cement Garden. I’ll probably get at least one of those this year from the library.
Tara: I do hope you enjoy the Cox book!