My “12 in ’12″ Reading Challenge
If you stop by this blog often, the fact that I’m a huge bookworm certainly isn’t news. Clearly, I’m passionate about the written word!
But I picked up some bad habits, especially once I was out of school and not accountable to anyone for what I was reading. I’m sorry to say that when I started this blog, my “literary diet” had been mostly YA novels (hello, Hunger Games!) and magazines.
A very embarrassing state of affairs for a self-proclaimed word nerd, let me tell you! So I decided it’s time to get back to the Big Girl Bookshelf. This spring, I set myself the goal of reading 12 books before the end of 2012. Real, grown up books, mind you – nothing I would be embarrassed to be seen with at Starbucks, in other words. No more hiding behind my e-reader!
As of October 15th, 2012, I’m over one third of the way there!
5 / 12 books. 41% done!
Here’s a complete list of what I’ve read so far (the asterisk indicates a title I haven’t reviewed yet here on the blog):
Pride and Prejudice
The Great Gatsby
Headhunters
Death Comes To Pemberly
The Paris Wife*
And here’s what I’m aiming to also have read by December 31st, 2012:
Pingback: Will WordPress Make Me More Word-ly? | words become superfluous
Hi! I recommend “The book thief” by Markus Zusak. It’s one of my favorites.
If you like crime and such, read Jo Nesbo’s books. They’re brilliant!
And if you like fantasy, read “The name of the Wind” by Patrick Rothfuss.
Enjoy!
Hi there! Thanks so much for your suggestions. I do love crime/mystery novels, though I tend to stick to female American and British authors, like Laurie R King and (classic) PD James. I think it’s time for me to branch out! Jo Nesbo is Scandanavian, right?
Yes he is! He’s from Norway actually. And so am I, so maybe that’s why I love his books so well.. You should try his book, “Headhunters”, out. It’s sooo good!
From Norway?! Awesome! Well welcome to my little (online) part of Canada, Alexandria
Headhunters…ok, it’s going on the list. Is it part of a series? Can I jump right in or should I read other titles first?
Thanks
Headhunters is not part of any series, so you can get started reading
Pingback: Amber’s 2012 Reading Challenge: Book #1 | words become superfluous
Pingback: (Not Quite) Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | words become superfluous
Try Les Miserables. Unabridged. It’s worth the effort.
Oooh, ambitious! Maybe I will… I wonder I can finish before the new movie version comes out this Christmas? Thanks so much for stopping by!
The movie versions I’ve seen are all excellent. The old French one from the 30′s, and then Jean Paul Belmondo is great in Claude LeLouche’s version (maybe 15 years ago?). Geoffrey Rush and Liam Nillson did it. Charles Laughton too. It’s just a great story. I guess I’m a little hung up on it. anywaze….
Hey, that’s why stories like that are called the classics, right? You never get tired of them
Pingback: Amber’s 2012 Reading Challenge: Book 3 | words become superfluous
Pingback: Happy Happy Happy… | words become superfluous
Put Eat, Pray, Love in the middle row and we are spot on..I will have to check the top and bottom rows. I loved the Hunger Games, and I hear you on getting back to the BIG GIRL shelf, but it’s always so tempting to reach for the books on the ‘lower shelf’
We can encourage each other; love being included in this virtual book group/room! 
Exactly…and it’s not that I’m against the “lower shelf” altogether…I just don’t want that to be all that I read. I’d like to be prepared with a couple of good titles in case someone I don’t know well asks what I’ve been reading. That actually happened at my last job interview! Luckily I was able to think back a few books to “The Help” otherwise it would have been all chick-lit. We can definitely encourage each other
Hi! Are you into family drama, marriage or any character driven stories? If so I’d recommend you to read Say When by Elizabeth Berg. Another one, for some wonderful inspirations, you might appreciate Life 101 by John Roger and Peter McWilliams. Good luck to you!
Thank you so much for the recommendations Sophia! I love character driven stories. I’m off to google Say When and will likely be adding it to my list
You’re welcome
You might sympathize and defend both main characters like I did. Haha. I hope you can read it and share with me how it went! 
Pingback: Page vs Screen: Who’s the Better Storyteller? | words become superfluous
Pingback: Getting Widget-y With It « words become superfluous
I’m pleased to see that you haven’t completely given up on YA. And if you’re going to read it, then Ender’s Game is about as good as it gets! One comment: it’s hard to read the books on your bookshelf (though it might just be my middle aged eyes…)
It was recommended to me during our “Page vs. Screen” discussion, so I’d like to complete it before the movie version comes out. Plus, you’re right, I will always have a soft spot for YA …
Thanks for the feedback about the reading list! I’ll see if I can tweak the font a bit.
Pingback: I’m Just a Girl with a Blog, But … « words become superfluous
ender’s game! when i was reading that, an attractive young man actually stopped me on the subway and made conversation. of course, i was too busy being completely immersed that i didn’t notice and probably gave off an “annoyed” vibe.
Really?!? *swoon* so I should start that one ASAP, is what you’re saying. Good to know!
andrew got me to read it. there’s a whole series of them. actually, i think it’s a trilogy… but who cares! complete stranger (who was also pretty easy on the eyes) stopped me b/c i was reading it!
oh and the rules of civility, been looking at it when i visit indigo but uncertain if it’s worth buying to read…
I’ve heard great things about that one! I’m going to borrow my mom’s copy, I’m sure she’d lend it to you too, if you’d like!
let me know what you think of it. i am a bit on the fence about it… when i have time, i’m still reading my old list which includes the game of thrones series and this new book: salt.
You have great timing, I’m actually going to be talking about Rules of Civility tomorrow! So you’ll have to come back to find out
Pingback: Page not found « words become superfluous