First and foremost, I've been reading my Bible. Chris and I are doing a study program this year that takes one through the Bible in 3 years. Yes, that's a long time, but it's an actual study program and not just a reading schedule. Since we've read the Bible cover-to-cover multiple times, we wanted something a little deeper. One thing I love about the program is that you read each chapter in the New Testament 3 times. It's amazing how much I can get out of something, even on the 3rd time through (perhaps I should say especially on the 3rd time through!)
Aside from Bible reading, I've read 7 and 1/2 books from my Top 100 Fiction Novels list. I'm a bit disappointed with that number, but I have a hard time finding time to read. I know that sounds crazy since I'm a stay-at-home Mom, but it is what it is. I'm hoping that next year, since B will be a little older, I will be able to spend a little more time on my hobbies. We'll see.
So, the books I've read this year are:
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce -- This is the prequel to Ulysses, so I wasn't exactly looking forward to it (remember when I read that?). However, I surprised myself by enjoying it (a lot actually). I think that had to do with the fact that I knew a little more what to expect out of James Joyce, and also I was already interested in the main character's story (from Ulysses). It almost made want to read Ulysses again. Almost.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Love this book, of course. I've read it before, but I was excited to read it again. Since I read it the week before Brianna was born, I associate being hugely pregnant and excitedly awaiting her arrival with the book. Happy :-).
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller -- Not my favorite for sure. It took me a long time to make it through the book because it really wasn't that interesting to me. And, it's pretty long.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley -- This was certainly the most thought-provoking book that I read this year. If you want something to make you think, this is your book.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh -- While I enjoyed this book, nothing really stands out about it. It was sad, but I've noticed that to be a trend among most of the books on the list. I'm kind of neutral about this book I guess.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens -- This was my first Dickens, and I LOVED it! Its size was a little intimidating at first, but I was able to read it quickly because I couldn't put it down. It's simple - about the life of David Copperfield from birth to old age - but such a good story. I can't wait to read more Dickens.
The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne -- I read this book once in high school, but got so much more out of it this time through. I'm very glad I decided to go ahead and read it again.Tess of D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy -- I'm in the middle of this one. Have been for a while, actually. I hope to finish it by the end of the year.
Finally, I've been reading tons of children's books this year as well. What can I say? Brianna LOVES books!
Cousin Kay reading to Miss B
What have you been reading?
3 comments:
I read The Scarlet Letter, also and I got so much more out of it this time, too. I loved it!
Also read Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Um, I'll wait until you finish it to tell you what I thought.
All of the Austen books are amazing. Mer. Love her.
What Bible Reading Program are you doing? I'm interested in maybe starting that for next year.
I love that you love to read, too. This year was the first time I've consistently kept up with my Bible reading for the whole year, so that's my big "yea!". And, in June we had a speaker challenge us to read a book a week and I thought there's no way! But, when I realized that I had just read three in the previous three weeks, I thought I'd give it a shot. I ended up reading something like 24 books in the last 28 weeks or so. I slowed down with some of them and some of them were short and didn't take a whole week. I've enjoyed it very much!
Oooh, I tried Catch-22. Blech. I made it through about two pages.
My goal for 2011 is to read one non-fiction per month. That doesn't sound like a lot but it is attainable, and that's what I'm going for. I'm not really a non-fiction fan, but I'm realizing there are a lot of things I don't know much about. Important things. Historical things. So I'm on the hunt for really good non-fiction. Help, anyone?
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