Adam's 2009 Reading Goal

[Adam]

I've been thinking about this for a bit, trying to decide if 1) I even want to make a goal, and 2) what would that goal be. I lost January and February trying to wade through George RR Martin, so I'm behind a bit, but I think I can hit 65 books.

Here's where I stand:

1. A Game of Thrones/A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (1009 pages)
2. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (1216 pages)
3. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin (1060 pages)
4. The Appeal by John Grisham (368 pages)
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (335 pages)
6. Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip (291 pages)
7. The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan (296 pages)
8. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (368 pages)
9. Fablehaven Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull (456 pages)
10. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (216 pages)

[Megan]

How did you like the Martin books? I picked up the first one at a secondhand shop about a month ago, but haven't started it yet.

[Adam]

Megan, I really enjoyed the GRRM books. I must admit that the fourth book was a disappointment for me. I'm not sure if I was just burned out from reading them straight through, or the fact that it now seems to take him about a decade to get a book out now and my expectations are too high.

But definitely, give the first book a read and see if it's your thing.

[Adam]

11. Neverwhere A Novel by Neil Gaiman (370 pages)

[Adam]

12. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (287 pages)

[Adam]

13. Fablehaven Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull (487 pages)

[Catamorandi]

I am curious to know how you felt about The Road.

[Adam]

I really liked The Road. It was kind of like one of those carnival rides you take because you want to try everything. When you get off, you're totally dizzy and sick to your stomach and probably would never ride it again, but your glad you did it none the less.

Same thing with The Road. I loved the McCarthy's writing style and really enjoyed the journey, but I'm not sure I'd every want to read it again. In my review I likened it to Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, which for me had a similar outcome.

[Adam]

14. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (377 pages)
15. Fablehaven Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull (535 pages)

[Adam]

16. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (487 pages)

I really enjoyed this one. It was definitely a more difficult read than the other books I've read in the past few months. Great pick NBBC!

[Adam]

17. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (518 pages)

Wasn't the worst book ever, but certainly wasn't my thing.

[Adam]

18. The Giver by Lois Lowry (208 pages)

It was a great book and an easy read, which is always a bonus!

[Adam]

So, at the beginning of April, my total books read for the year stood at a measly 8 novels. This month I pushed a bit harder and was able to knock out 10 books. at total of 3941 pages. I'm definitely back on pace for my goal.

For May, I'm planning on reading eight more. I now think 65 will be pretty easy and 75 may be in reach.

Blah, blah, blah :)

[Adam]

19. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (432 pages)

[Adam]

20. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (400 pages)

[Adam]

21. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (493 pages)

I loved this book! Best book I've read all year.

[El]

Adam wrote: "21. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (493 pages)

I loved this book! Best book I've read all year."

I tried reading this not too long ago but couldn't get into it. Maybe I should try it again.

[Adam]

22. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (226 pages)

[Carol]

That´s a weird title lol

[Adam]

23. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (288 pages)
24. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay (688 pages)
25. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (279 pages)

[Adam]

26. Watchmen by Alan Moore (408 pages)
27. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (722 pages)
28. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (278 pages)

Three different genres, three different writing styles, yet I loved them all!

[Sharon]

Adam, I am very impressed with your reading stamina! Congratultions! - Happy Summer Reading!
Sharon

[Adam]

Haven't had much stamina lately :) My wife usually goes to be around 10:00 and I try to sneak in a couple hours of reading. But usually my eyes are sore and my brain is mush by then.