I typically try to out-do myself every year with how many books I read. 2012 claimed 72 books, so I knew it would be difficult to beat. However, I did not think I would fall so utterly flat. Right now I'm sitting at 33 and 3/4.
For part of 2012, I was still in school full-time finishing up my Bachelor's degree. I was also working part-time. My quick reading pace from 2012 built up some momentum and carried me up until March. Then no progress for six months. I know what was going on for me during that time, but it's no excuse. There shouldn't be that large of a gap. And now that I've been unemployed for almost three months, I should have made it up much faster than I have. I will do better next year. Enough hemming and hawing though; I need to post my list.
The ones with asterisks are recommended. Anything in parentheses are requirements for reading or general commentary.)
If you have any questions about these books, please comment or shoot me a Facebook message or text.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Douglas Adams* (Yes, it's by the Hitchhiker's Guide guy)
Nerd Do Well - Simon Pegg* (Must be die-hard Simon Pegg fan)
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk - David Sedaris
Storm of Swords - George R.R. Martin*
A Feast for Crows - George R.R. Martin*
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl*
I Am America and So Can You - Stephen Colbert* (Must love America and satire)
Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection - Don Roff (There's some amazing watercolor in this one)
Gossamer - Lois Lowry*
American Psycho - Brett Easton Ellis* (Prepare for the violence; no matter what you do, you won't be prepared)
Breakfast at Tiffany's Truman Capote*
Valis - Philip K. Dick* (Only if you're going to read the whole trilogy, and please do)
The Divine Invasion - Philip K. Dick (See above)
The Transmigration of Timothy Archer - Philip K. Dick (Ditto)
A Dance with Dragons - George R.R. Martin*
A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula Le Guin*
Motherless Brooklyn - Jonathan Lethem*
Cosmos - Carl Sagan* (If you love the beauty of space and won't get too bogged down by the lingo)
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls - David Sedaris*
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman* (I'm surprised this one hasn't received more praise)
i, Robot - Isaac Asimov*
Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden*
Onepiece volume 1 - Eiichiro Oda
Onepiece volume 2 - Eiichiro Oda
Onepiece volume 3 - Eiichiro Oda
Sacre Bleu - Christopher Moore*
Blackbird House - Alice Hoffman
'Tis - Frank McCourt* (If you've read Angela's Ashes)
The Sandman Vol 1 Ch 1 - Neil Gaiman* (Read all of The Sandman. All of it!)
Popgun War: Gift - Farel Dalrymple*
Coyote Blue - Christopher Moore*
I Am Pusheen - Claire Belton* (Everyone can use more adorable in their lives)
Some Assembly Required - Anne Lamott* (Should read Operating Instructions first; don't be like me)
