After reading a blog-friend's post about all the amazing books she read in a year, I thought I'd show off all the drivel that I've been reading! Well, there are a few good titles here...
nonfiction
Gang Leader for a Day - Sudhir Venkatesh - A sociologist's experience basically living with a Chicago street gang over the course of a few years. His story is also in Freakonomics.Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer - I previously wrote about this one.
Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer - Almost finished... it's very intriguing, and making me feel not so bad about driving around in 8" snow.
The Gift of Therapy - Irvin Yalom
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail - John Gottman
Family Therapy: History, Theory & Practice - Sam Gladding
fiction
Mary Mary - James Patterson
Along Came a Spider - James Patterson
Judge & Jury - James Patterson
Four Blind Mice - James Patterson
The Brethren - John Grisham
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
Y: The Last Man, Volume 1 - Bryan K. Vaughan
The Sandman 1: Preludes & Nocturnes - Neil Gaimen
What stood out to me when making this list is that I have probably read parts of 20 or 30 more books (nonfiction of course, although I did stop from boredom halfway through Eclipse). Most of the fiction listed above was to keep me awake while driving, something that Patterson is generally pretty good at, although Krakauer has taken over as my driving stimulant of choice.
What has been your favorite book this year?
Hey, how is Y: Last Man? I've had it on my Amazon wish list for a couple years now. Maybe I finally get it this year!?! haha.
ReplyDeleteIt was decent, considering I knew nothing about it. I generally like any protagonist who makes wisecracks in the face of impending doom, which it is full of. I think there is a movie in the works as well.
ReplyDeleteYou read while you drive? That doesn't sound terribly safe. Especially in 8" of snow.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Well, when you're in a blizzard it doesn't really matter which way you're going right?
ReplyDeleteforget books. i just had to see edward cullen in lifesize at the movie theater!!! okay, totally kidding. seriously, i need to devote a blog to the annoyingness that is the twilight phenomenon....oh wait, i already did that, sort of. anyway, i did start to read some jane austen, but wasn't successful. i did read a few fluffly novels though and that was fun. have fun in utah!! merry christmas buddy
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fiction book was The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It is about vampires, but not the "Twilight" kind. It's actually good. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs far as nonfiction: the book you recommended, 'Rough Stone Rolling.' It wins by default, though, since that's the only nonfiction book I read this year. :)
I'm reading New Moon, I need to connect with my daughters, they want to talk about it freely around me so they want me to hurry up.
ReplyDeleteI read the first Harry Potter a few years back, could barely get through it, it just didn't hold my interest. I've watched the movies but they don't do much for me. I'll still go and be mildly entertained, but I really don't get the hype.
I guess I'm just old. Or maybe no imagination, or rather just too much reality.
I might try Patterson if you really like it (recommend it).
Nibley, Volume 17 of the collected works. Best book I have read in several years.
ReplyDeleteI am taking an elitist position with regard to the Stephanie Meyer books. I think they could be the vampire crowd's equivalent of the 'Work and the Glory' series. I won't touch them.
Robert Crais is as good as James Patterson too. His Elvis Cole, private eye series is fine fine. Stephen Hunter's series of detective/action series of Bobby Lee Swagger is the best fiction I have read of late. Your Uncle Bruce confirms this.
So much to read and so little time. My 1 Enoch has arrived. Since I don't read Hebrew, Ethiopic or Aramaic I have Matthew Black's English translation. Remember Mahijah, the non-biblical character mentioned by Joseph in Moses 6:40? Astonishing!
You will be happy to know your 'Joseph Smith Papers' has tripled in value and is selling on ebay for between $130-200.00.
Happy, I wouldn't recommend Patterson. They are like the '24' of fiction--a lot of sensationalism, predictable plot twists, etc. They did keep me awake though...
ReplyDeleteWP, you shouldn't shame Twilight like that, comparing it to Work & the Glory.
ReplyDeleteHappy, I could recommend some books but since you don't like the Boss I will restrain myself. Man, and you did not like JK Rowling....
ReplyDelete