2009 Reading Lists (Oh my!)

Nothing like going into a new year with a heaping pile of books to read. After considering high-school reads I want to revisit, I stumbled upon the 9 Books for 2009 challenge to work through books in your TBR (to be read) stack. Actually, it was very useful to even gather together a comprehensive stack, collecting books from shelves and piles around the house. Here’s what I’ll be ticking off my list in ’09, by category and with notes:

Long: Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon (this is the most recent addition to my TBR pile, and topping 800 pages, it’s longer than most books I read. I was tempted to put Infinite Jest into this slot, but I need to read that one without a challenge hanging over my head)
Free: On the Road, by Jack Kerouac (I got this at a free-book thing when I was in university; I should have read it then)
Dusty: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou (I don’t remember when I picked up this obviously used book, but I’ve had it on my shelf for many years)
Used: The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck (this book came up in our high-school discussion; I read half of it the summer I turned twenty-one. Time to read it all the way through)
Letter: Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury (the “k” for Kim and wicked)
Str (strange genre for me): Knit with Courage, Live with Hope, by Annie Modesitt (I don’t usually read memoirs, but I very much want to read Annie’s. This book seems to be incorrectly attributed on GoodReads, so I linked to the author’s page)
Cover: Gentlemen of the Road, by Michael Chabon (it’s a pretty cover, and I love reading Chabon)
AN (alive or not; award-nominated): Maus I, by Art Spiegelman (I can’t believe I haven’t read this yet)
Distance: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (takes place in Greece, which is around 8,000 km from Vancouver)

While going through books I haven’t read, I discovered I have a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is on my revisit-from-high-school list, so I’ll put that on the pile for 2009, too. The Grapes of Wrath is also on that list, so yay double whammy. Also, there will be the book-club books.

It’s possible I’m being unrealistically ambitious by leaving such little room for impulsive reads. We’ll see.

What’s on your reading list for 2009?

PS Here’s the list of high-school books I want to revisit; I’m not committing to read them in 2009, though at least I’ll start with the two I’ve already mentioned:

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blondechicken

15 years ago

I just got “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” from the library -my first Chabon!
My goal for 2009 is to read 50 books and since I have next week off work, I'm getting an early start on it! My list is mostly business-related (Made to Stick!) and sadly short of fiction, I'm still looking for recommendations. I think I'm adding Outlanders after reading the Twitter gushings!

amanda allen

would my reading be a good reason to start a blog?? i'm not much of a writer and i can not imagine ANYONE would read it

marikka

I am totally going to do the 9 for '09 challenge. Although, I have to finish Revolutionary Road and the Y: The Last Man series first, and then I will likely spend a good week considering the books. I will admit that when I thought about the “Strange” category, I realized that meant non-fiction, and for whatever silly reason, that sent a shiver down my spine. Non-fiction and I clearly have not made up. I'll have to force my sister to choose that one for me, she's the only one I trust not to trick me into a book about food production.

Kim Werker

Author

Reply to marikka

Yes, I knew “strange” would mean non-fiction for me, too. It’s a rare
non-fiction book that sucks me in enough to hold my attention for the full
length of a book. I know Annie’s book is a good choice, for that reason. I
already know I like the main character. My goal with this challenge was not
to set myself up to fail. :)

Amy

I'm reading Outlander right now! It's fun!

I get the feeling we're a little late to the Outlander game, but that it's
suddenly becoming ubiquitous! I can't wait to start it next month.

Stephanie

I'm doing this too — just pulled all the books and started writing it up, but can't be bothered to do all of the links tonight. I'll finish and publish it tomorrow. Thanks for bringing this to my/everyone's attention — I love this kind of project. The last few years I've resolved to read a book a week, which has worked out well, and this will add a little more to that.

Reply to Stephanie

A book a week! I don’t think I could do it. I’m looking forward to
seeing your list.

On 28-Dec-08, at 5:45 PM, “Disqus” <notifications-

Lisa

Just a little note that reminds me… while on a holiday drive my teenage son (2nd year in high school) said they are reading Brave New World. He said he began reading it in class and put it down and felt the book was “evil.” He now said he finding it interesting, and is gaining a new perspective, and is reading it alongside his Wheel Of Time series. I know I read this (Brave New World) when I was in school, but having a hard time remembering, so may have to check it out to see what it is about this book that would make my son say it is evil…

jana

kim, the outlander series is even more addicting that the twilight……….its chock full o' details too, she is super thorough in detailed background and substance. i am going to re-read outlander as well as i have the last book in the series unread, but i want to refresh my memory. ( that last sentence was so bad for grammar eh?)

i know why the caged bird sings was given to me as a pressie at my book clubs xmas exchange so i am eager to read it too.

we read grapes of wrath and animal farm last year, great books imo! handmaids tale is great too. nice list:)

Jack & Jones

nice

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