How to choose?
Becky asked in a recent comment how I choose the books I’m going to read. Excellent question. Until recently it’s been mainly dependent on mood and impulse, with some research thrown in. I read book blogs and discussion boards and play around on Amazon a lot, and get a lot of suggestions from those, and if something sounds really good then I either buy it right away (I’m trying to do that less) or put it on a list. Then when I’m at the library or bookstore I either pull from my memory as to what’s on those lists and what matches my mood, or I just pick up random books that jump out at me. Don’t ask why I don’t just print out the list and bring it with me, I don’t have a good answer to that.
This year, however, I’ve decided to base my reading goal on books I’ve always intended to read (or reread) or books that I feel like I should read. Some of them have been sitting on my shelves for a long time and need to justify their continual existence there, and others I’ll have to get from the library (and only purchase if they’re amazing).
This is the to read list so far:
Jesus the Christ– James E. Talmadge
Wuthering Heights-Emily Bronte
Watchmen– Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
The Scientist in the Crib:What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind by Gopniff, Meltzoff and Kuhl
The Magic Years:Understanding and Handling the Problems of Early Childhood by Selma Fraiberg
Assassin
Wow, great list…I haven’t heard or read most of those again…
Have you read? A Murder, A Mystery And A Marriage by Mark Twain -I don’t know if you can find this because it is a short story so it might be part of a collection of stories.
Did you finish all of Shannon Hale’s books yet? A new one came out this year River Secrets.
How about A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille
Last night, or the night before, I left you an IM with a book suggestion, did you get it?
As for new suggestions, I think you should read something by Teddy Roosevelt, or Napoleon. And you should definitely read Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara. I think I can loan it to you, if it didn’t get burnt up.
When was the last time, if ever, that you read the Sherlock Holmes books?
Mike, I did get your IM, but the book is like 50 million dollars used on Amazon. Is it out of print? Do you have a copy I can borrow? It looks super cool.
What should I read by Teddy Roosevelt? Killer Angels looks really interesting too- if you still have an unburninated copy I’d love to borrow it.
I should read Sherlock Holmes, the first time I tried I didn’t really like him, but after watching House I think I’m coming around to him.
Becky,
I totally forgot about Shannon Hale, I need to get her other books! I loved Princess Academy so much, are her others as good?
The Thomas Jefferson Education looks really interesting too, I’ll have to get it!