Every January I blog about the books I have read the previous year. I am not a speedy reader. I savor and enjoy the books I read … which ends up being only two or so a month. I read for pleasure but I also notice how the writer constructs the plot and puts the words together.
My goals for 2013 were to read four classics and six “new” writers. I reached both of those goals. The four classics I read were Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne and Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Though I have seen several film versions of Pride and Prejudice, some more than once, I had never read it. I re-read The Velveteen Rabbit and Gifts from the Sea. I had read them both many years ago, but found new truths in each of them. The Boy in Striped Pyjamas (which I reviewed onApril 14) may not be considered a classic yet, but if not it should be and will be one day, I predict.
I read five life stories: The Sacred Acre by Mark Tabb, the bio of a high school football coach murdered in a school shooting; A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard, the young woman who was kidnapped and held captive for more than 18 years; Home by Julie Andrews, the story of her younger years; Self Portrait by Gene Tierney, who suffered from undiagnosed bi-polar disorder; and This Time Together by Carol Burnett (reviewed on August 12).
The three young adult novels I read this year are: P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin, Heart of a Shepherd by Roseanne Parry, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. As I have said before, for a quick read and a clean, strong story you can usually find a YA novel that you’ll like.
I love reading poetry, usually during my morning quiet time. This year I spent some pleasant moments with a flea market treasure A Book of Living Poems compiled by William R. Bowlin, copyright 1934. During this time I also read three devotional or inspirational books: The Book Lover’s Devotional, an anthology of devotional thoughts using lessons learned from various novels; The Jane Austen Devotional by Thomas Nelson; and Some Folks Feel the Rain Others Just Get Wet by James W. Moore.
Two writers’ books on my reading list are A Broom of One’s Own by Nancy Peacock and Wretched Writing by Ross Petras and Katherine Petras.
To finish off this list of 23 books I read in 2013 are 5 novels: TheFriday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs; The Homecoming by Dan Walsh; Angel Song by Sheila Walsh and Katherine Cushman;The Summons by John Grisham (reviewed June 30); An Israeli Love Story by Zola Levitt.
I read several new-to-me writers but the most excellent were (of course) Jane Austen, John Boyne, Jeff Kinney, and Nancy Peacock.
I have not set any particular reading goals for 2014, just a plan to continue to lose myself for a while each day in one of the many books still resting on my shelves.
I like to read classics and new books too. Gifts from the Sea is one of my favorite. I hope my book is on your list next year:))
Seems you did an impressive amount of reading last year for a working woman. I’ve read some you listed, but there were several I’ll look forward to reading this year. I always like to have a book going. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! That’s a good list of books. It’s also inspiring. Thanks for sharing.