Fiction:
Everything Matters, by Ron Currie, Jr….because I promised I would.
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel, by Jeannette Walls…because it is one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of 2009.
A Short History of Women, by Kate Walbert…because I am immensely interested how women navigate the responsibilities they have faced over time.
Chronic City, by Jonathan Lethem…because I love books that are set in New York City.
A Gate at the Stairs, by Lorrie Moore…because adoption is a primary theme and I’m curious.
Diary of a Provincial Lady, by E. M. Delafield…because it is fun to read about a character of whom I am the polar opposite.
The Unit, by Ninni Holmqvist…because the themes of morality appear to loom large.
Mysteries of Pittsburgh: A Novel (P.S.)...because I love his wife's writing, I figured I'd check him out.
The Road, by Cormac McCarthy...because this guy told me to.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz...because it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction a few years ago.
A Happy Marriage: A Novel, by Rafael Yglesias... because I read about this book in July and have not forgotten about it.
Classics:
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy…because I loved Anna and I didn’t read it in High School.
Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert...because it is a short classic and it is on my bookshelf.
The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien...because I should, even though I don't want to.
Non-fiction:
The History of the Medieval World, by Susan Wise Bauer…because she is my hero and I get to read it before it comes out as long as I promise to read it and write the review by February 22nd.
The Good Soldiers, by David Finkel…because I’m worried that my generation simply doesn’t get war.
Columbine, by Dave Cullen…because it was at the library and because I think I should.
Biographies/Memoirs:
Herbert Hoover: The American Presidents Series: The 31st President, 1929-1933, by William E. Leuchtenburg...because he was an engineer.
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls…because my mother told me to.
Ayn Rand and World She Made, by Anne C. Heller…because my husband is still working on Atlas Shrugged.
Flannery: A Life of Flannery O’Connor, by Brad Gooch…because I finally listened to my sister-in-law regarding O’Connor’s writing.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin...because everyone loves it.
On Education:
Lost in the Meritocracy: The Undereducation of an Overachiever, by Walter Kirn…because I want to read some books on education this year.
Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World, by Rafe Esquith...because this guy is inspiring.
On Writing:
Raymond Carver: A Writer’s Life, by Carol Sklenicka…because I want to read about writing this year.
On Religion:
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N. T. Wright...because I hear it is an easy read
Celebration of Discipline, by Richard J. Foster...because I've not read it and I should have a long time ago.
That's it, so far. I'll be adding to this as the year progresses, but these are my must reads for the year. I'd love to see YOUR lists and hear YOUR recommendations for 2010. Happy reading...
Hmmmm. . . Many books that are new to me. Looking forward to your reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been toying with some reading ideas. One is to read more of what my kids are reading, and in that vein the first novel of the new year was "Ender's Game." I knew it had a twist, but it still caught me by surprise. It's been interesting to hear the kids' feedback about it. (It's currently T's favorite book.) I also want to try to read several of the books the kids are reading for school, instead of just assigning them. *blush*
Another project I'd like to undertake is to pick one book I haven't yet read from each of our book cases. As Hubby has them more or less organized, that would provide a wide range of genres along with motivating me to read what we already own instead of drooling at Amazon or the GW bookstore.
But, I also have my own school reading to do. . . and the good books you and other friends recommended from last year. . . Sooo. . . we'll see.
Regardless, this year I REALLY do want to actually write my reviews, whether they are mini reviews or full ones.
I think you should read Columbine, too. haha. (I wrote it.)
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think.
Mr. Cullen,
ReplyDeleteIt is on my nightstand, next up after Everything Matters. It has gotten rave reviews, so congratulations you! I will let you know what I think!
Staci