Books Read in 2011

"To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company." ~Andre Gide

This year I got to travel alot, and without even leaving my home. I traveled by reading!

I traveled to the Niger Delta where I met Blessing and her family in the book Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson.

I traveled back to 1855 with Louisa in The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Conner McNees.

I played with little Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I hung out in the palace with Cleopatra, A Life by Stacy Schiff.

I visited the Fire Swamp with Princess Buttercup and Wesley in Princess Bride by William Goldman.

I went back in time to relive Gone with the Wind, this time from Rhett Butlers point of view in the book Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig.

For the past couple of years I have kept track of the books that I've read during the year then done a post about them. In both 2009 and 2010 I read exactly 24 books which meant roughly two books per month and I was going to try to break my record in 2011. Did I? I don't know, let's see. . . I've listed 6 books above so we'll start with number 7.

7. the stuff that never happened by Maddie Dawson
8. Expecting Adam by Martha Beck
9. Lost Edens by Jamie Patterson

In my 2009 and 2010 posts I also wove in some quotes I found interesting and inspiring about books and reading, so in keeping with tradition . . .

"The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade."~ Anthony Trollope

10. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
11. Unsaid by Neil Abramson
12. Working It Out with Abby Rike

"Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a dangerous enemy indeed." ~ Anne Rice, The Witching Hour

13. The Unexpected Circumnavigation by Christi Grab
14. The Costume Trunk by Bob Fuller
15. Hungry by Crystal Renn

"Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought" ~ Arthur Helps

16. The Ultimate Reality Show by Clay Jacobsen
17. at the scent of water by Linda Nichols
18. the girl who stopped swimming by Joshilyn Jackson

"He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes."  ~ Barrow

19. Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner
20. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
21. Angel Harp by Michael Phillips

"You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read."  ~  Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

22. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
23. A Painted House by John Grisham

Did I break the 24 book mark?? Get it? Bookmark? hahaha

Well yes...I did! Thanks to my favorite author, Jodi Picoult. I happened to read six of her books in 2011 and I'm starting out 2012 by reading her book Nineteen Minutes.

24. Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult
25. Vanishing Act by Jodi Picoult
26. my sister's keeper by Jodi Picoult
27. Mercy by Jodi Picoult
28. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
29. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

The only thing that bothers me is ending the year with an odd number, it just makes me feel like my list is not complete! But since we are in January already I don't have any way to squeeze another book in!

So there's my new goal, to read more than 29 books in 2012, we'll see how I do. How about you? How many books have you read? What's your goal for 2012?

"No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance."  ~ Confucius