Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A Challenge

After the ridiculous season finale of Lost the other night, it's made me realize how much I really hate television and how little it adds to my life. Therefore I am taking yet another step closer to my new books. I'm sure you guys are getting sick of looking at pictures of my new books, but bear with me....

On the weekend my friend IG came into town to visit. I was talking with her and Brad about how I would ever choose the first book to read from my pile. How the hell do I choose?! They finally got tired of hearing me complain about it and told me to go pick out my Top 5, and they would choose a book for me from the shortlist. Okay!!

My shortlist:

1. Possession - A.S. Byatt

The first sentence has intrigued me beyond reason:
The book was thick and black and covered with dust. I don't even have a clue what this book is about - there is no description on the back. I'm going solely on the first sentence.

2. People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks

Tracing the history of an old book by items that are caught up in the binding?! I. AM. SO. THERE.


3. Elizabeth and After - Matt Cohen

"Two love stories, one past, one present, mirror each other in this highly acclaimed story..." Plus, the author was Canadian.


4. Blackwater - Kersten Ekman

This looks like an interesting mystery/thriller which I'm due for.


5. The Soloist - Steve Lopez

I don't even know what's pulling me to this book. A woman I was standing next to in the book sale said it was really good, so I thought I would expand my reading horizons. (Remember two dollars a book.)

They chose Blackwater. It's easier having had them choose, otherwise I would probably be reading 5 books at once which is mental.


I'm also issuing a challenge to myself:
There are 27 books in that pile. I'm going to read 23* of them by May 26, 2011. What do you think?


*I realize that a mere 23 books might seem like nothing to some people (ahem, Claire!) but I've chosen this number based on solid scientific research. I kept a list of books that I read in 2009 (nerd) and it was 18 so this is a legitimate challenge for me.

6 comments:

Nomadic Chick said...

Reading this still makes me think Blackwater is the way to go. I believe you can accomplish the read-off goal. But think about it, total cut down on TV viewing? After the Lost fiasco, maybe you need a cool-off from that damn liar of a box. Weird to see me referred to as IG. She's SO long gone... It's NC all the way now! :)

Dana said...

I love that you kept a list of the books you read in 2009! I AM NOT ALONE IN MY GEEKINESS!

Have you seen The Soloist as a movie yet? I think it would probably be better as a book, because Jamie Foxx isn't my favourite actor in the world.

rawbean said...

Before I read their choice I was all over Blackwater as well - you can't go wrong with a mystery/thriller. So I totally agree with the pros!

I am going to try and read more too!! Let's keep track of what we read this year (oh wait we already talked about that....haha...awh)

Jabba said...

I was thinking of doing a little book review every couple of weeks or so, cause you know....you guys can't get enough of these books either.

(I met another guy yesterday who has already read 35 books this year. Twenty three is sounding more and more lame but I'm sticking to it.)

galapogos said...

ummmm, 23 eh? That number sounds a bit familiar to me. ;)

even pretty girls need to read said...

1. Congrats on making a goal. I love goals.

2. I have a book addiction. What can I do?

3. I have been meaning and meaning and meaning to read Possession. Perhaps we should read it at the same time? I would read it slowly as I think it is a book to savor. Let me know!