2011 Reading Wrap-up

In January 2011, I listed my reading goals for the coming months, intentional reading of genres and a few specific subjects.

The fulfillment of those goals looked like this:

1 Russian novel -- 350 pages of The Brother's Karamazov by Fydor Dostoevsky (sadly uncompleted.)

1 science-fiction book -- The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin

1 fantasy book -- One of Our Thursdays is Missing by Jasper Fforde

1 mystery book -- A Stranger in Mayfair by Charles Finch

1 graphic novel -- Persepolis by Marjam Sartrapi
1 volume of poetry -- Delights & Shadows by Ted Kooser
1 book on writing -- On Writing by Stephen King
1 book on marriage -- Becoming Your Spouse's Better Half by Rick Johnson
2 books on Christian spiritual growth -- Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman; The Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

All told, throughout the year I read 102 books. I am amazed!

Some of my particular favorite reads:

Anne of Green Gables series books 1-4 by L.M. Montgomery

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister

A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I'd love to hear what your favorite read was in 2011. I'm always looking for great books to delve into. Happy reading!

(If you want to check out any of my monthly reading posts where I briefly reviewed a favorite read, here are the links: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September/October, November, December.)

December Reading

December certainly lagged behind in my reading. This was partly due to my starting The Brother Karamazov by Dostoevsky in late November. I trudged through 350+ pages before deciding that my mood and mind needed a break. I do plan to pick it back up here and finish it soon, but December just wasn't the time.

I finished six books. The Power of the Praying Wife was a completion of my reading goal for spiritual growth/encouragement books. I also found the book insightful and convicting as I attempt to learn how to pray more specifically and meaningfully for Jeremy.

The Lightning Thief was for work. (In the next month I'll be making my way through the entire Percy Jackson series for a program at work...I've got to get reading!)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever was totally just for laughs, because those books always have something funny to offer.

The Scorpio Races was a suggestion from my friend Becca, and I certainly enjoyed it. It's a YA book. I find it hard to know how to summarize the story, so I'll just let it be.

I read Soulspace because it was about organizing, which I have a particular interest in; sadly the book just didn't cut it for me as it was very woo-woo, without much practicality to it.

And finally, I picked up The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag because 11-year-old Flavia de Luce is the perfect companion for diversion and mystery solving. I'd highly recommend the series!

December Reading
Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
Soulspace by Xorin Balbes
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Power of the Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

Check back soon, as I'll be posting a quick wrap-up on my 2011 reading.