Have just spotted as I add another couple of books to my list for this year that I have now read 200 books as of today. I was astounded when I saw this as I have not done this for a couple of years, I usually average around 140-160 so how come I am ahead of the game this year, I thought. I also know that there are dozens of others I have not listed, light romances, thrillers etc that I have not bothered to review or list, simply because some were so slight and as these sort of books only take me about an hour to read, I did not bother so I would think the total is probably nearer 250 at the moment.
At the start of each year I love looking round the other blogs and read other reading plans, patterns of books to be researched and read that year and I am always filled with zeal to join a Travel Writing Challenge, or a Book that is over 500 pages long Challenge, or Read a book you thought you would never ever read etc etc, you get the drift. I used to sign up for all of these and then come to a grinding halt, start feeling pangs of guilt as I was not keeping up, and then a total failure when I don't even start. This happened this year with Russian Reading Challenge. Out I rushed, copies of Eugene Onegin, Brothers Karamazov etc were bought and put on my Russian Shelf and there they have stayed and I have avoided eye contact with them ever since.
My other Reading Plan in 2008 was just to pick up and read whatever took my fancy, no pattern to it at all, and see what turned up. And this is what I have done and it has worked well. I wouldn't say for a moment that I have made any earth shattering literary discoveries, I have not written tomes of learned analysis of great books, but all I have read I have loved and thoroughly enjoyed. I try very hard not to write about books I have really disliked as the fact that it is not for me, does not mean that somebody else will not love it. I cannot go any further here of course, without mentioning the Booker list which I have a crack at it each year, only a couple I know my limitations, and really try to see if I can find one I love and can rave about. Sadly, it still has to happen and a little voice in my ear is telling me that as I am not in tune with modern writing, why do I keep banging my head against a brick wall? Probably, becasue I am sheer bloody minded and I don't like to be beat. So bring on the 2009 long list folks, that is one Challenge I will continue to attempt.
Toward the end of the year, most bloggers write about their Books of the Year and choose their one Book of the Year and mine is already chosen, unless something pretty darn amazing turns up in the meantime.
So what of 2009? I think I will continue in the same haphazard way, grabbing what takes my fancy and reading those that are sent to me about which I know nil, sometimes it stays that way and then sometimes one will come out and bite my bum and I love it and would not have even given it a second glance otherwise. And this is why reading is such an exciting thing to do. The joy of discovery is always there and while you are out on the 'dig' who knows what wonderful artifact you will uncover?
Back to the sofa now on this dark, cold afternoon with a Miss Silver detective story, one of those I discovered this year and am thoroughoy enjoying. I understand she has written 37 and a friend of mine has the lot and has loaned me the first ten. Come January I am pretty certain I am going to need the other 27....
