But the truth is that with a goal, we know where we're heading or what we want to attain. So this year, I’ve set myself to read 50 books. If I read more than that, fantastic! If I don’t, I’ve made myself a promise not to beat myself up for it.
Last year, I’ve read 61. Not bad? I think it’s not much compared to my amazing writer friends who really devoured books with an astounding 100! Or more! My friend, Theresa, read an impressive 128! Holy cow! I can’t beat that and I won’t even try. I am happy to say that I’ve read 61 and here’s my awesome list (It's either Goodreads did not count them correctly or I cheated! LOL!)
1. Lost in the Snow by Holly Webb
2. The Girl with Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts
3. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
4. Comfort and Joy by India Knight
5. The Ugly Sister by Jane Fallon
6. Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton
7. Hooked by Les Edgerton
8. When I found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde
9. Don’t Let Me Go by Catherine Ryan Hyde
10. Wannabe a Writer by Jane Wenham-Jones
11. Everything and Nothing by Araminta Hall
12. Write Good or Die by Scott Nicholson
13. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
14. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
15. In the Mirror by Ann Best
16. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony Diterlizzi
17. The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain
18. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
19. Starseeker by Tim Bowler
20. String Bridge by Jessica Bell
21. Sweetie by Kathryn Magendie
22. The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
23. Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings by Helene Boudreau
24. Starring in the Movie of my Life by Laurel Osterkamp
25. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
26. Witch Song by Amber Argyle
27. The Passage by Justin Cronin
28. Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
29. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
30. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
31. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
32. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
33. Before I die by Jenny Downham
34. There are no Words by Mary Calhoun Brown
35. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
36. Grace William Says It Loud by Emma Henderson
37. 100 Stories for Queensland, an Anthology
38. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
39. The Travelers Gift by Andy Andrews
40. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
41. The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little
42. Breakthrough by Stephen Tremp
43. Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain
44. My Bestfriend’s Girl by Dorothy Koomson
45. Ordinary Angels by India Drummond
46. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
47. Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock
48. Radiance by Alyson Noel
49. The Compass by Tammy Kling
50. Ugly by Constance Briscoe
51. Misery by Stephen King
52. Sister by Rosamund Lupton
53. Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
54. Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
55. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
56. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
57. Welcome to my World by Miranda Dickinson
58. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
59. Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson
60. Room by Emma Donoghue
61. Death by a Dark Horse by Susan Schreyer
Do you count the books you read? Do you set a goal as to the nubmer of books to read each year?
How many have you read last year?
Hi Len! I'm new to your blog (came here via the blog critique!).
ReplyDeleteI don't usually count mine although this year, I decided to set myself a reading goal too (goodreads!) and I'm aiming for that number but like you, I'm hoping I'll read more. If not then well, there's the year after that too, right?
I have no idea how many I read last year though, only that I didn't feel I read enough, but, it's definitely a New Year!
Will be perusing the titles you have up there and expanding my TBR list, although you could say that it's big enough as it is...
Good luck on your reading adventure, I hope you have fun!
Impressive list, Len! We read several of the same books, which is nice. I had been surprised when you said you'd read 40 because it seemed like you'd finished so many when we talked over 2011. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! I am so impressed!!! Amazing!! I'm a novice compared to you and Theresa!!
ReplyDeleteI don't really plan my reading! If I like something I read and take my time - I'm a very very very very slow reader!
Good luck with your fab reading goal!! Of course you'll surpass it!!
Take care
x
That is quite an impressive list. I am sure you can do it again. I see that you have To Kill a Mockingbird on last years list. I have it on my list every year. It is one book I love to read over and over.
ReplyDeleteI just sent you an email from sugarlaw67@yahoo.com about your entries in my contest.
Yes, I always write down the books I've read. Last year I hit my goal, this year I'd like to read even more books so I'm aiming at 75. I've only read two this year so I'm running a long way behind so far...eek! I blame the holiday season ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, I am lucky if I read 8 or so books a year! You are amazing.
ReplyDeletewow!!! time is your friend len! :)
ReplyDeleteGo You! Believe it or not, if I read 10 books last year I was doing something. Unfortunately, I cannot read and write books at the same time, so you can see, I was obviously writing. I also usually wait for summer to read. I don't write as much and time is so lazy.
ReplyDeleteI never count mine, so I wouldn't know. Well done on being so organised! One day I hope to have mine on your list, and yours on mine! :) I have read a fair few this year, but not as many as you I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI read 40 last year. I've set myself the same goal this year. Gosh, how the flip did Theresa read 128???? Surely the only way that happened was for her to include short children's books. Right? Right????? I'm right, aren't I? LOLOL
ReplyDeleteI read close to 90 last year - BUT I read SO SO SO many projects from friends.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE goodreads, and totally use them :D
61 is a fantastic effort! I'm not sure how many I read last year, but probably not that many. Maybe 40 or 50. I'm not sure. I'm popping by from Lynda's BBQ :) Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThanks everybody :)
ReplyDelete@Gemma - we all have 24 hours in a day...we can squeeze reading in between all of our daily/evening activities :)
Awesome book count!
ReplyDeleteI read around 25 last year, which was really good for me. My goal is another 25 this year, with an additional 12 in audiobooks. Time is so limited to me lately, so audiobooks are a great way to pick up the slack in my 45 minute each way commute.
@Cheyanne - that's a good idea! Audiobooks! I'm thinking of doing that too. Thanks for dropping by.
ReplyDeleteApologies but I found out that I made a mistake in my counting. There was 1 or 2 that I've read in late-2010 including Misery by Stephen King! I can't count properly!!! Arrrghh!
ReplyDeleteDidn't you just love Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings?
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you over on my blog.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Lynda's blog. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI keep track of the books I read through Goodreads, and I love reading! It's just that I'm writing so much that I hardly have time to read any more.
I read a grand total of (this is really embarrassing) 15 books last year. Yeah. My goal is 45. Good luck with 50!
@Deniz - I enjoyed that book! :)
ReplyDelete@Melissa - That is so kind of you. Thank you for the award :) It's now on my list! Yay!
@Jess - Yes I understand it's difficult to do everything...we only have 24 hours in a day! :)