Book Lists

For the past two years, I have been keeping a list of all the books that I read. At first it was just to keep an organized record of what books I read and when I read them. I also wanted to see how much I read in the space of a year. Already for 2012 I am ahead of last year.

In 2011, I read approximately 21 books which averages out to a book every 2 1/2 weeks. Not so impressive. So far this year, I am at 25 books or a book every 2 weeks. Slightly better but I am hoping to get in at least 10 more books before the year's end. I would attempt to go to 50, which would average a book a week but right now I don't think that is possible considering my schedule. When I first started this, I didn't have a specific goal in mind and setting one now seems unfair. However, seeing the numbers it seems...disappointing.

So for 2013 I think I will have a target goal of 100 books for the year which averages a book every 3 1/2 days. That seem like a goal that can be accomplished. Three days gives me some wiggle room to get the book done even when I am busy. Also, most books I can read in a day. Then that leaves more wiggle room for the books that are more difficult and take more time to read or it allows me to read even more books which allows me to go beyond my target goal.

As school officials like to say, "I want to set a goal that is not too low but also not impossible."


Looking back at my lists, its pretty interesting to see how diverse my reading habits are, for the list goes in the same order that I read the book.  There may be books by the same author so you can probably guess who is my favorite author(s) but for the most part, the books are either what was recommended by a friend or just books that I happened to pick up while browsing the shelves at the bookstore. I wrote in the book as I finished them.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the list from 2011:

1. A Walk to Remember- Nicholas Sparks
2. The Notebook- Nicholas Sparks
3. The Wedding-Nicholas Sparks
4. True Believer- Nicholas Sparks
5. At First Sight- Nicholas Sparks
6. Nights of Rodanthe- Nicholas Sparks
7. The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott- Louisa May Alcott
8. The Poisonwood Bible- Barbara Kingsolver
9. The Bean Trees- Barbara Kingsolver
10. A long Way Gone- Ishmael Beah
11. Merle's Door- Ted Kerasote
12. The Bell Jar- Sylvia Plath
13. Heaven is for Real- Todd Burpo
14. The Pillars of the Earth- Ken Follet
15. The Counte of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas
16. Corelli's Mandolin- Louis De Bernieres
17. The Best of Me- Nicholas Sparks
18. The Thorn Birds- Colleen McCullough
19. World Without End- Ken Follett
20. Animal Dreams- Barbara Kingsolver
21. The Help-Kathryn Stockett

How many have you read?

The list from 2012 will appear in a post at year's end.