Reading addict 2014

I've got a library copy of Gone with the Wind, a quart of milk, and all these cookies. Wow! What an orgy!

-Jacqueline Susann

I set my reading goal at 18 books this year. I set it low on purpose because in my mind rereading old favorites doesn't count in the goal, and it has been too long since I revisited The Belgariad. The problem is that I have so many books in my Goodreads to-read queue, and there are so many that my friends keep recommending, that I feel guilty not getting to all the new (to me) options as quickly as possible. So, I've been plowing through books, especially since I finally finished the fifth book in the Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones series (I am now one of the hoard frustrated that the next one is taking so long -- cliffhanger city). I really wanted this to be the summer I FINALLY read a few of The Wizard of Oz books, but I haven't had a chance. It's been difficult to sort out the priorities outside of library books first and eBooks last (those eBooks are piling up, but reading a screen isn't as fun as reading a book).

So far, I have read 23 books; 10 since the beginning of June. Crazy, right? We have quite a bit of 2014 left! I reset the official goal to 30, but I'm pretty sure I'll exceed that, too, especially if I manage to fit in The Belgariad (which includes 12 books). I'm not complaining -- I love to read more than just about anything. That's the main reason I was an English major in college. There is so much I want to read and not enough time. The photo at the right illustrates my reading list as of three weeks ago. Since then, I have finished Divergent and Stardust, added Insurgent, and have The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on hold waiting for me at the library. I think it's time I stop putting things on hold; they all seem to come available at the same time no matter the estimated wait time! I hope I can finish all that before they're due back :P*

THEN, I will read a couple or more of the Wizard of Oz series, and hopefully then I'll have a month or two for The Belgariad. I am liking this plan. If it takes me through January, so be it.

Of course, rehearsals are disrupting my reading time. I usually like to read before I go to bed, but I've been getting to bed later than I'm used to and I am tired. I'll have to start lugging the physical copies around with me and reading at dinner before I head to rehearsal. Yay! I love this alternative even if some of the books are rather substantial.

Next year, among my other reading goals, I want to actually read all of the Harry Potter novels again. I listen to the audio version almost every year, but it isn't quite the same despite Jim Dale's delightful interpretation. There's something about holding the books in my hands, turning the pages, seeing the fonts, thrilling when each character's name appears in the story for the first time, musing over the illustrations on the chapter pages, and reading passages out loud with my own wacky accents.

And at some point, I also want to reread The Lord of the Rings. I don't remember the last time I did that. Has it been 10 years already?

Meanwhile, please don't be offended if it takes me a while (like, a year) to get to something you recommend and love. It's nothing personal, I just have a lot on my list already. Oh, and I have a life to lead as well. After all, a life lived only for that which I find in books is kind of sad, no matter how enjoyable the books may be ;)

Have you read anything you liked this year? Something new, or something you've read before and had forgotten how wonderful it is?

Happy reading, my friends!

*Since I own them, it's taking me a while to finish The Elements of Style and The Book of Mormon. Actually, I own multiple copies of both 'cause they are definitely worth reading over and over and over. I read in The Book of Mormon every day. Whenever I finish I just start over again. I learn so much each time!