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2011 in Books
Dec. 31st, 2011 07:02 amThis year I set a goal of reading 40 books. I hit that goal mid-October and then just... stopped. Part of that was because life suddenly went WHAM. Part of that was also because I stopped riding the bus. And part of that was because I'd hit my goal and reading simply wasn't a top three priority anymore.
So this year, I'm setting my sight on 50. And not just sheer numbers, but actually taking time every day to read for ten to fifteen minutes, at least. Reading is so very important to me and reading as much as I have has really helped me be aware of the market, of authors, and of awesome books. I wish I read faster, but I also like to just settle in and enjoy a good book. Which means maybe it's time for me to be more picky about books that just don't catch my attention. As much as I hate not finishing something I've started, a number of the ones I read this year just weren't worth my time.
So back to the books of 2011. I left off at Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by Jemisin, whose next two books in that trilogy are on my to-read list for 2012. Then I read a few books I might not have otherwise read which had been nominated for the Hugo Awards. Then some writing books. Then everything ever by Seanan McGuire. I'm still reeling from Hold Me Closer, Necromancer which I just finished and was awesome and hit all my happy spots when it comes to things, but I don't think it was my absolute favorite of the year. I'm pretty sure that distinction is held by Embassytown by China Mieville, which was both gorgeous and haunting and smart. And linguistic-tastic. That means I would recommend Embassytown to almost anyone, but Necromancer was more of a personal sweet spot. Mmm. Delicious evil.
Now on to those books. You know the drill from July - short blurbs and shorter thoughts.
( Books! )
So this year, I'm setting my sight on 50. And not just sheer numbers, but actually taking time every day to read for ten to fifteen minutes, at least. Reading is so very important to me and reading as much as I have has really helped me be aware of the market, of authors, and of awesome books. I wish I read faster, but I also like to just settle in and enjoy a good book. Which means maybe it's time for me to be more picky about books that just don't catch my attention. As much as I hate not finishing something I've started, a number of the ones I read this year just weren't worth my time.
So back to the books of 2011. I left off at Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by Jemisin, whose next two books in that trilogy are on my to-read list for 2012. Then I read a few books I might not have otherwise read which had been nominated for the Hugo Awards. Then some writing books. Then everything ever by Seanan McGuire. I'm still reeling from Hold Me Closer, Necromancer which I just finished and was awesome and hit all my happy spots when it comes to things, but I don't think it was my absolute favorite of the year. I'm pretty sure that distinction is held by Embassytown by China Mieville, which was both gorgeous and haunting and smart. And linguistic-tastic. That means I would recommend Embassytown to almost anyone, but Necromancer was more of a personal sweet spot. Mmm. Delicious evil.
Now on to those books. You know the drill from July - short blurbs and shorter thoughts.
( Books! )
