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Terri's 2015 Reading Challenge
Goal #1:
For 2015 I plan to read 25 nonfiction books.
1. The Empathy Exams: Essays--Leslie Jamison--01/03/15
2. Unhinged: A Memoir of Enduring, Surviving, and Overcoming Family Mental Illness--Anna Berry--01/15
3. How to Read a Novelist--John Freeman--02/03/15
4. Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite--Suki Kim--02/09/15
5. Haruki Murakami's The Wind-up Bird Chronicle: A Reader's Guide--Matthew Strecher--02/14/15
6. Underground--Haruki Murakami--02/23/15
7. The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami--Matthew Strecher--03/15
8. Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light--David Downie--04/15
9. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania--Erik Larson--04/15
10. What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir--Abigail Thomas--04/15
11. Quiet Strength: Embracing, Empowering and Honoring Yourself as an Introvert--Aletheia Luna--04/15
12. Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words--Jay Rubin--04/15
13. Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now--Ayaan Hirsi Ali--05/15
14. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End--Atul Gawande--06/15
15. In Defense of a Liberal Education--Fareed Zakaria--06/15
16. So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures--Maureen Corrigan--06/15
17. Make Peace before the Sun Goes Down: The Long Encounter of Thomas Merton and His Abbot, James Fox--Roger Lipsey--07/15
18. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration--Isabel Wilkerson--08/15
19. Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Stop Pain, and Reverse the Path to Diabetes--Richard Jacoby--08/15
20. Thomas Merton in Search of His Soul: A Jungian Perspective--Robert G. Waldron--08/15
21. The Man Who Wasn't There: Investigations into the Strange New Science of the Self--Anil Ananthaswamy--09/15
22. Storytelling Apes: Primatology Narratives Past and Future--Mary Sanders Pollock--09/15
23. A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety--Jimmy Carter--10/15
24. Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation--Lynne Truss--11/15
25. Humans of New York: Stories--Brandon Stanton--11/15
26. V is for Vegetables: Inspired Recipes & Techniques for Home Cooks - from Artichokes to Zucchini--Michael Anthony--12/15
Completed this goal successfully, 12/15.
For 2015 I plan to read 25 nonfiction books.
1. The Empathy Exams: Essays--Leslie Jamison--01/03/15
2. Unhinged: A Memoir of Enduring, Surviving, and Overcoming Family Mental Illness--Anna Berry--01/15
3. How to Read a Novelist--John Freeman--02/03/15
4. Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite--Suki Kim--02/09/15
5. Haruki Murakami's The Wind-up Bird Chronicle: A Reader's Guide--Matthew Strecher--02/14/15
6. Underground--Haruki Murakami--02/23/15
7. The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami--Matthew Strecher--03/15
8. Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light--David Downie--04/15
9. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania--Erik Larson--04/15
10. What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir--Abigail Thomas--04/15
11. Quiet Strength: Embracing, Empowering and Honoring Yourself as an Introvert--Aletheia Luna--04/15
12. Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words--Jay Rubin--04/15
13. Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now--Ayaan Hirsi Ali--05/15
14. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End--Atul Gawande--06/15
15. In Defense of a Liberal Education--Fareed Zakaria--06/15
16. So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures--Maureen Corrigan--06/15
17. Make Peace before the Sun Goes Down: The Long Encounter of Thomas Merton and His Abbot, James Fox--Roger Lipsey--07/15
18. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration--Isabel Wilkerson--08/15
19. Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Stop Pain, and Reverse the Path to Diabetes--Richard Jacoby--08/15
20. Thomas Merton in Search of His Soul: A Jungian Perspective--Robert G. Waldron--08/15
21. The Man Who Wasn't There: Investigations into the Strange New Science of the Self--Anil Ananthaswamy--09/15
22. Storytelling Apes: Primatology Narratives Past and Future--Mary Sanders Pollock--09/15
23. A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety--Jimmy Carter--10/15
24. Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation--Lynne Truss--11/15
25. Humans of New York: Stories--Brandon Stanton--11/15
26. V is for Vegetables: Inspired Recipes & Techniques for Home Cooks - from Artichokes to Zucchini--Michael Anthony--12/15
Completed this goal successfully, 12/15.
Goal #2:
For 2015 I plan to continue my exploration of contemporary Asian fiction by reading 10 titles in this genre.
1. Narcopolis--Jeet Thayil--01/09/15--India
2. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World--Haruki Murakami--01/18/15--Japan
3. Please Look After Mom--Kyung-sook Shin--03/31/15--South Korea
4. The Three-Body Problem--Liu Cixin--04/15--China
5. The Last Empress--Anchee Min--04/15--China
6. The Shadow of the Crescent Moon: A Novel--Fatima Bhutto--05/15--Pakistan
Goal Revised 08/15
For the remainder of 2015, I will read 5 collections of the Best American Short Stories for years that have some importance to me.
1. The Best American Short Stories 2014--07/15
2. The Best American Short Stories 1953--08/15
3. The Best American Short Stories 1977--09/15
4. The Best American Short Stories 2003--10/15
I came up one book short for this challenge.
1. Narcopolis--Jeet Thayil--01/09/15--India
2. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World--Haruki Murakami--01/18/15--Japan
3. Please Look After Mom--Kyung-sook Shin--03/31/15--South Korea
4. The Three-Body Problem--Liu Cixin--04/15--China
5. The Last Empress--Anchee Min--04/15--China
6. The Shadow of the Crescent Moon: A Novel--Fatima Bhutto--05/15--Pakistan
Goal Revised 08/15
For the remainder of 2015, I will read 5 collections of the Best American Short Stories for years that have some importance to me.
1. The Best American Short Stories 2014--07/15
2. The Best American Short Stories 1953--08/15
3. The Best American Short Stories 1977--09/15
4. The Best American Short Stories 2003--10/15
I came up one book short for this challenge.
Goal #3:
For 2015 I will read all the books that are longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
07/29/2015--Longlist announced
A Brief History of Seven Killings--abandoned 08/15--unreadable to me
Did You Ever Have A Family
09/15
Sleeping on Jupiter
The Green Road
09/15
The Year of the Runaways
A Little Life
03/15
Lila
10/14
The Chimes
The Illuminations
08/15
A Spool of Blue Thread
02/15
Satin Island
08/15
The Fishermen
08/15
The Moor's Account
12/14
09/15/15--Shortlist announced
10/13/15--Winner announced
I came up 3 books short on this goal; these are the books not found in my library, and I was not willing to purchase them.
For 2015 I will read all the books that are longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
07/29/2015--Longlist announced
A Brief History of Seven Killings--abandoned 08/15--unreadable to me
Sleeping on Jupiter
The Year of the Runaways
The Chimes
09/15/15--Shortlist announced
10/13/15--Winner announced
I came up 3 books short on this goal; these are the books not found in my library, and I was not willing to purchase them.
Goal #4:
For 2015 I will explore one author by reading 10 books by or about this author. This will be separate from my Asian fiction goal.
Author: Haruki Murakami
1. The Elephant Vanishes--Haruki Murakami--02/03/15
2. After Dark--Haruki Murakami--02/07/15
3. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle--Haruki Murakami--02/15/15
4. Underground--Haruki Murakami--02/23/15
5. Norwegian Wood--Haruki Murakami--03/03/15
6. after the quake: Stories--Haruki Murakami--03/24/15
7. The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami--Matthew Strecher--03/31/15
8. Sputnik Sweetheart--Haruki Murakami--04/15
9. Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words--Jay Rubin--04/15
10. Kafka on the Shore--Haruki Murakami--reread W/AAB 06/15
11. Hear the Wind Sing--Haruki Murakami--08/15
12. Pinball, 1973--Haruki Murakami--08/15
13. A Wild Sheep Chase--Haruki Murakami--08/15
14. Dance Dance Dance--Haruki Murakami--09/15
I exceeded this goal, and it was a total delight! I love Murakami!
For 2015 I will explore one author by reading 10 books by or about this author. This will be separate from my Asian fiction goal.
Author: Haruki Murakami
1. The Elephant Vanishes--Haruki Murakami--02/03/15
2. After Dark--Haruki Murakami--02/07/15
3. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle--Haruki Murakami--02/15/15
4. Underground--Haruki Murakami--02/23/15
5. Norwegian Wood--Haruki Murakami--03/03/15
6. after the quake: Stories--Haruki Murakami--03/24/15
7. The Forbidden Worlds of Haruki Murakami--Matthew Strecher--03/31/15
8. Sputnik Sweetheart--Haruki Murakami--04/15
9. Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words--Jay Rubin--04/15
10. Kafka on the Shore--Haruki Murakami--reread W/AAB 06/15
11. Hear the Wind Sing--Haruki Murakami--08/15
12. Pinball, 1973--Haruki Murakami--08/15
13. A Wild Sheep Chase--Haruki Murakami--08/15
14. Dance Dance Dance--Haruki Murakami--09/15
I exceeded this goal, and it was a total delight! I love Murakami!
Goal #5:
For 2015 I will continue my exploration of short stories by reading 25 collections.
1. Girl Trouble: Stories--Holly Goddard Jones--01/09/15
2. Honeydew: Stories--Edith Pearlman--01/18/15
3. American Innovations: Stories--Rivka Galchen--01/21/15
4. Hall of Small Mammals: Stories--Thomas Pierce--01/15
5. Memory Wall--Anthony Doerr--01/15
6. This Is Not Your City--Caitlin Horrocks--01/15
7. The Elephant Vanishes--Haruki Murakami--02/03/15
8. Bobcat and Other Stories--Rebecca Lee--02/15
9. Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing: Stories--Lydia Peelle--02/18/15
10. The Dog of the Marriage: Stories--Amy Hempel--02/23/15
11. I Knew You'd Be Lovely--Alethea Black--02/28/15
12. The Isle of Youth: Stories--Laura van den Berg--03/15
13. After The Quake--Haruki Murakami--03/24/15
14. Crow Fair: Stories--Thomas McGuane--03/15
15. St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves--Karen Russell--04/15
16. Bad Haircut: Stories of the Seventies--Tom Perrotta--04/15
17. 999: Twenty-nine Original Tales of Horror and Suspense--Al Sarrantonio--05/15
18. Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories--Raymond Carver--05/15
19. The Wonder Garden--Lauren Acampora--05/15
20. The Complete Stories of Truman Capote--05/15
21. Eleven Kinds of Loneliness--Richard Yates--06/15
22. In the Country: Stories--Mia Alvar--07/15
23. Music for Wartime: Stories--Rebecca Makkai--07/15
24. Family Dancing--David Leavitt--07/15
25. The Best American Short Stories 2014--Martha Foley--07/15
26. Redeployment--Phil Klay--07/15
27. The Best American Short Stories 1953--Martha Foley--08/15
28. Love and Other Wounds: Stories--Jordan Harper--08/15
29. Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories--China Miéville--08/15
30. Barbara the Slut and Other People--Lauren Holmes--08/15
31. The State We're In: Maine Stories--Ann Beattie--08/15
32. I Was a Revolutionary--Andrew Malan Milward--09/15
33. The Best American Short Stories 1977--Martha Foley--09/15
34. Refund: Stories--Karen E. Bender--10/15
35. The Bigness of the World--Lori Ostlund--10/15
36. I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down: Collected Stories--William Gay--10/15
37. The Tsar of Love and Techno--Anthony Marra--10/15
38. Fortune Smiles--Adam Johnson--11/15
39. My Life as a Mermaid, and Other Stories--Jen Grow--11/15
40. This Angel on My Chest--Leslie Pietrzyk--11/15
41. The Whole Story and Other Stories--Ali Smith--12/15
42. Bream Gives Me Hiccups--Jesse Eisenberg
I outdid myself on this one, greatly exceeded my goal. My short story reading this year was a voyage of continuous discovery. So rewarding!
For 2015 I will continue my exploration of short stories by reading 25 collections.
1. Girl Trouble: Stories--Holly Goddard Jones--01/09/15
2. Honeydew: Stories--Edith Pearlman--01/18/15
3. American Innovations: Stories--Rivka Galchen--01/21/15
4. Hall of Small Mammals: Stories--Thomas Pierce--01/15
5. Memory Wall--Anthony Doerr--01/15
6. This Is Not Your City--Caitlin Horrocks--01/15
7. The Elephant Vanishes--Haruki Murakami--02/03/15
8. Bobcat and Other Stories--Rebecca Lee--02/15
9. Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing: Stories--Lydia Peelle--02/18/15
10. The Dog of the Marriage: Stories--Amy Hempel--02/23/15
11. I Knew You'd Be Lovely--Alethea Black--02/28/15
12. The Isle of Youth: Stories--Laura van den Berg--03/15
13. After The Quake--Haruki Murakami--03/24/15
14. Crow Fair: Stories--Thomas McGuane--03/15
15. St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves--Karen Russell--04/15
16. Bad Haircut: Stories of the Seventies--Tom Perrotta--04/15
17. 999: Twenty-nine Original Tales of Horror and Suspense--Al Sarrantonio--05/15
18. Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories--Raymond Carver--05/15
19. The Wonder Garden--Lauren Acampora--05/15
20. The Complete Stories of Truman Capote--05/15
21. Eleven Kinds of Loneliness--Richard Yates--06/15
22. In the Country: Stories--Mia Alvar--07/15
23. Music for Wartime: Stories--Rebecca Makkai--07/15
24. Family Dancing--David Leavitt--07/15
25. The Best American Short Stories 2014--Martha Foley--07/15
26. Redeployment--Phil Klay--07/15
27. The Best American Short Stories 1953--Martha Foley--08/15
28. Love and Other Wounds: Stories--Jordan Harper--08/15
29. Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories--China Miéville--08/15
30. Barbara the Slut and Other People--Lauren Holmes--08/15
31. The State We're In: Maine Stories--Ann Beattie--08/15
32. I Was a Revolutionary--Andrew Malan Milward--09/15
33. The Best American Short Stories 1977--Martha Foley--09/15
34. Refund: Stories--Karen E. Bender--10/15
35. The Bigness of the World--Lori Ostlund--10/15
36. I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down: Collected Stories--William Gay--10/15
37. The Tsar of Love and Techno--Anthony Marra--10/15
38. Fortune Smiles--Adam Johnson--11/15
39. My Life as a Mermaid, and Other Stories--Jen Grow--11/15
40. This Angel on My Chest--Leslie Pietrzyk--11/15
41. The Whole Story and Other Stories--Ali Smith--12/15
42. Bream Gives Me Hiccups--Jesse Eisenberg
I outdid myself on this one, greatly exceeded my goal. My short story reading this year was a voyage of continuous discovery. So rewarding!
Like your goals Terri. Best of luck.
I like the format of your challenge Terri; I may borrow it for 2016..
Thanks Diane and Julia. This is the first time I've done this, so I'm kind of feeling my way.
I like the idea of slowing things down (esp. with regard to group reads!). I am slowly getting comfortable with the idea I don't have to read the BoTM for every group I belong to every month!
Mod
I plan to do a progress update monthly.
January Progress Report
I only did 1 group read in Jan. so that worked out well. I'm making the most progress on reading short stories. (I've read some outstanding stories this month.) Some of my other goals I haven't touched. I tried reading Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough, but I didn't finish it because it only covered Roosevelt's life when he was young, it didn't address his life as a public figure.
I've decided to choose my favorite book for each month. (Thank you Angela for this idea.)
January Book of the Month:
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World--Haruki Murakami
January Progress Report
I only did 1 group read in Jan. so that worked out well. I'm making the most progress on reading short stories. (I've read some outstanding stories this month.) Some of my other goals I haven't touched. I tried reading Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough, but I didn't finish it because it only covered Roosevelt's life when he was young, it didn't address his life as a public figure.
I've decided to choose my favorite book for each month. (Thank you Angela for this idea.)
January Book of the Month:
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World--Haruki Murakami
I'm always impressed by the meaty reads you tackle, Terri. It sounds a great idea to pace them a little differently. Good luck! I hope you find you can enjoy and savour them even more this way. It's worked for me :)
Thanks, Jean. I actually patterned my reading and challenges from some of yours. You're such an inspiration to me!
I revised my 4th challenge today. I decided to drop American history and instead focus on reading and analyzing the work of one author.
I revised my 4th challenge today. I decided to drop American history and instead focus on reading and analyzing the work of one author.
Terri wrote: "I plan to do a progress update monthly.January Progress Report
I only did 1 group read in Jan. so that worked out well. I'm making the most progress on reading short stories. (I've read some out..."
Terri, thanks for reminding me to list my favorite of the month in my AAB 2015 reads . I listed it in one of my other groups but forgot to do it here .
Have you read any other Murakami? I haven't tried any of his books yet and never know where to start!
Pink, I've read a fair amount of Murakami. The first thing I read was 1Q84. That's a long one and probably a little tough to start with. I just finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, and I liked that a lot Here's my review if that helps /review/show.... It may tell you whether or not you like his style. Last night I finished The Elephant Vanishes--a book of short stories, but I like some of his other short stories better. (Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman is my favorite as far as short stories). I liked Kafka on the Shore a lot, and that may be a good one to start with. I'm picking upThe Wind-Up Bird Chronicle from the library on Saturday, and I've heard that's good.
Mod
Thanks Terri, I'll check out your review too. I was thinking of starting with Kafka on the Shore, or The Wind up Bird Chronicle, though I know that one or maybe both of these are divergent from his usual style, so maybe not the best reflection of his writing. Perhaps I'll wait for Greg to decide which one to read first and copy him ;)
Sorry to intrude, I enjoyed Norwegian Wood. I don't know how typically Murakami it is but it's not too long and quite interesting
Heather, you're not intruding! There's always room for ideas and discussion.
Greg, I do think Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World would be a good place to start. For me, it reflects his unusual style and a lot of the themes I read him for. You kind of have to be a fan of magic realism to like Murakami.
Mod
Greg, I hope you end up liking him as much as I do.
February Progress Report
I had some health issues in February, and this did affect my reading. I haven't done any group reads yet this year. I will be trying 1 or 2 in March. I seem to do better getting ideas for reading from various groups, but I do better with the reading on my own. I'm not sure why this is.
I continue to make the most progress on my short stories goal. I've been reading some excellent collections--Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing was my favorite, 5 stars all the way. My attention span has been kind of short, and this kind of reading helps me with that. I'm also reading a lot of Haruki Murakami.
February Book of the Month:
A Spool of Blue Thread--Anne Tyler
I had some health issues in February, and this did affect my reading. I haven't done any group reads yet this year. I will be trying 1 or 2 in March. I seem to do better getting ideas for reading from various groups, but I do better with the reading on my own. I'm not sure why this is.
I continue to make the most progress on my short stories goal. I've been reading some excellent collections--Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing was my favorite, 5 stars all the way. My attention span has been kind of short, and this kind of reading helps me with that. I'm also reading a lot of Haruki Murakami.
February Book of the Month:
A Spool of Blue Thread--Anne Tyler
Sorry to hear Feb wasn't a great month for you health wise. I'm glad you're getting on well with short stories and Murakami, I still haven't read anything by him. Sometimes I prefer to get my book ideas here, but read alone too. I think perhaps it takes the pressure off the time schedule and also doesn't distract me with reading others opinions of a book before I've finished, though I often like to discuss books afterwards.
Good luck with your March reading, whether or not you join in with your group reads :)
Thanks, Pink and Laura! I think March will be a better month for me.
I hope so too Terri. Just read what draws you in :)
Thanks, Jean. Good advice. I'm taking things slow this month--we're coming up on the 1st anniversary of my son's death and that's very much on my mind.
Terri wrote: "Thanks, Jean. Good advice. I'm taking things slow this month--we're coming up on the 1st anniversary of my son's death and that's very much on my mind."Words fail me but here are some cyber-hugs {{{{Terri}}}}
Terri wrote: "Thanks, Jean. Good advice. I'm taking things slow this month--we're coming up on the 1st anniversary of my son's death and that's very much on my mind."Virtual hugs also from me. Take things slowly and don't be too demanding with yourself if you are having a hard time.
I am sorry as well to hear about your health troubles :( And also like the others, I've been meaning to read Murakami for quite a while. I started The Wind Up Bird Chronicle a few years ago in a bookstore but wasn't pulled in enough to buy it that day, but I still want to try something by him. Sounds like Hard Boiled Wonderland is a good start :)
Thanks Dely and Shannon Noel! I'm taking it slowly, a day at at time, sometimes even an hour at a time. (Good decision not to start with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Shannon. I love Murakami and I struggled with it.)
March Progress Report
March was a good reading month for me. I read what will probably be my book-of-the-year, A Little Life. What an incredible reading experience that was! Another noteworthy book this month was Aquarium. I'm also progressing on my Murakami and Asian fiction goals. I didn't do any group reads again, but I'm trying at least one for April (Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light). I need to get more nonfiction in--last year I read 50 books in this category, I don't think I'll make that many this year.
I'm taking it slowly in the month of April. Next Tuesday (the 7th) is the first anniversary of my older son's death, and the emotions are running wild.
March Book of the Month:
A Little Life--Hanya Yanagihara
March was a good reading month for me. I read what will probably be my book-of-the-year, A Little Life. What an incredible reading experience that was! Another noteworthy book this month was Aquarium. I'm also progressing on my Murakami and Asian fiction goals. I didn't do any group reads again, but I'm trying at least one for April (Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light). I need to get more nonfiction in--last year I read 50 books in this category, I don't think I'll make that many this year.
I'm taking it slowly in the month of April. Next Tuesday (the 7th) is the first anniversary of my older son's death, and the emotions are running wild.
March Book of the Month:
A Little Life--Hanya Yanagihara
Terri , that was my favorite f the month as well .
As you said, Angela, we're book sisters!
Glad you had a good reading month in March. Take it easy in April, we are all here for you :)
Thanks, Pink. Your support means a lot to me.
Terri -- my thoughts will be with you and your family during the upcoming week. You, Angela and a person at my rl bookclub all strongly recommended A Little Life -- I am biting the book bullet and adding it to my TBR mountain!
April Progress Report
April was a good reading month. I did 2 group reads, but they both involved books I wasn't crazy about. One was Chinese science fiction (The Three-Body Problem). I've decided that I do better reading on my own and just using ideas about titles to read from the group read threads.
I've been moving slowly on the Asian fiction front. I thought about revising this goal, but then I picked up The Shadow of the Crescent Moon, which takes place in Pakistan, and this will be my 6th book in the category, so a goal of 10 is probably still OK. I've also almost completed my Murakami goal, and this is Asian fiction/analysis as well. This month I read Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words, a literary analysis of Murakami's fiction, and it was excellent. (Here's my review: /review/show....)
Another book I liked a lot this month was The Girl at the Lion d'Or. The writing and the character development were superb.
April Book of the Month:
A History of Loneliness--John Boyne
April was a good reading month. I did 2 group reads, but they both involved books I wasn't crazy about. One was Chinese science fiction (The Three-Body Problem). I've decided that I do better reading on my own and just using ideas about titles to read from the group read threads.
I've been moving slowly on the Asian fiction front. I thought about revising this goal, but then I picked up The Shadow of the Crescent Moon, which takes place in Pakistan, and this will be my 6th book in the category, so a goal of 10 is probably still OK. I've also almost completed my Murakami goal, and this is Asian fiction/analysis as well. This month I read Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words, a literary analysis of Murakami's fiction, and it was excellent. (Here's my review: /review/show....)
Another book I liked a lot this month was The Girl at the Lion d'Or. The writing and the character development were superb.
April Book of the Month:
A History of Loneliness--John Boyne
May Progress Report
May was a fairly good reading month for me. I'm at 77 books read so far, which is about half of my goal of 150 books, so things are going well on that front. No group reads in May, but it looks like I'll have a couple in June. I've been reading some great short stories, and this is the goal I've made the most progress on. Reading all these short stories has been great for me; very rewarding and thought-provoking. The Wonder Garden was my favorite collection in May.
I'm still moving slowly on the Asian fiction front, but I plan to address this in June. (On the other hand, I'm almost done with my Haruki Murakami challenge. I'll definitely read more books for this than the 10 in my original goal.)
My favorite book this month was The Children's Crusade. A great reading experience. Here's my review /review/show...
May Book of the Month:
The Children's Crusade--Ann Packer
May was a fairly good reading month for me. I'm at 77 books read so far, which is about half of my goal of 150 books, so things are going well on that front. No group reads in May, but it looks like I'll have a couple in June. I've been reading some great short stories, and this is the goal I've made the most progress on. Reading all these short stories has been great for me; very rewarding and thought-provoking. The Wonder Garden was my favorite collection in May.
I'm still moving slowly on the Asian fiction front, but I plan to address this in June. (On the other hand, I'm almost done with my Haruki Murakami challenge. I'll definitely read more books for this than the 10 in my original goal.)
My favorite book this month was The Children's Crusade. A great reading experience. Here's my review /review/show...
May Book of the Month:
The Children's Crusade--Ann Packer
June Progress Report
June was an excellent reading month for me. I did 3 group reads (Kafka on the Shore, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Agaat),and I found the discussions interesting and provocative. I feel my understanding and enjoyment of the books was enhanced.
I had 5 5-star reads in June:
Little Bastards in Springtime: A Novel
Kafka on the Shore
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End(nonfiction)
Eleven Kinds of Loneliness (short stories)
The Sunken Cathedral: A Novel
I'm happy with the progress on my reading goals. I caught up with some nonfiction this month, but that's an area I need to keep in mind moving forward. Technically I've reached my Murakami goal, but I know I'll read more in this area. Short stories continue to be an area of progress and immense enjoyment. I'm looking forward to July, when the Man Booker Prize nominees will be announced.
Notable Reads
The Sunken Cathedral: A Novel was an excellent and unusual read. Here's my review:
/review/show...
June Book of the Month
Little Bastards in Springtime: A Novel--Katja Rudolph
Here's my review:
/review/show...
June was an excellent reading month for me. I did 3 group reads (Kafka on the Shore, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Agaat),and I found the discussions interesting and provocative. I feel my understanding and enjoyment of the books was enhanced.
I had 5 5-star reads in June:
Little Bastards in Springtime: A Novel
Kafka on the Shore
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End(nonfiction)
Eleven Kinds of Loneliness (short stories)
The Sunken Cathedral: A Novel
I'm happy with the progress on my reading goals. I caught up with some nonfiction this month, but that's an area I need to keep in mind moving forward. Technically I've reached my Murakami goal, but I know I'll read more in this area. Short stories continue to be an area of progress and immense enjoyment. I'm looking forward to July, when the Man Booker Prize nominees will be announced.
Notable Reads
The Sunken Cathedral: A Novel was an excellent and unusual read. Here's my review:
/review/show...
June Book of the Month
Little Bastards in Springtime: A Novel--Katja Rudolph
Here's my review:
/review/show...
The Booker Prize longlist was announced today. I've read 4 out of the 13 books that are listed. I was happy to see that my favorite book, possibly of the last 5 years, was on the list. A Little Life. I'll post the list when I have more time.
Terri wrote: "The Booker Prize longlist was announced today. "I've totally been waiting for this! Thanks!
No problem, Chuck. I had the date written down--it's always a pleasure for me when the announcement comes. The dates for the shortlist and the winner are in my goal #3 (above) for this year.
Man Booker 2015 nominees are posted in goal #3 above.
All About Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Storytelling Apes: Primatology Narratives Past and Future (other topics)We Have Always Lived in the Castle (other topics)
The Tsar of Love and Techno (other topics)
A Little Life (other topics)
Juventud (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Hanya Yanagihara (other topics)Jen Grow (other topics)
Shirley Jackson (other topics)
Lori Ostlund (other topics)
Anthony Marra (other topics)
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1. This year I found myself overwhelmed with group reads (my own fault), so in 2015 I'm limiting myself to no more than 2 group reads a month.
2. In 2014, I read just over 200 books, and that's too many. For 2015 the goal is 150 books. I need the time to slow down and really savor my reading. I hope to do this by making more thoughtful choices of reading material.
This is just a general goal that I'll have to reevaluate periodically to make sure I stay on track. The rest of my challenge follows.