I love to read. Of course, you would have no idea of that if you saw how I spend my days. As much as I love to curl up with a good book, I haven’t actually read one in over a year! And the last one I read? Was the entire Twilight Saga, on the internet, while at work. Not exactly the experience I enjoy so much!
I have a Goodreads account, and it’s overflowing with an outstanding number (166) of books on my “to-read” shelf. I get discouraged when I look at it, because I think I’ll never have the time in my life to actually get through all those amazing stories!
I’m changing my ways, starting now. I just found out my public library (which I haven’t actually stepped foot in, in four years!) is hosting an adult summer reading program, called “Water Your Mind”. All I have to do is read 10 books from June through August and I get a free water bottle! Now, I’m actually not all that concerned about the water bottle, but I would like to use this as an opportunity to get back into the habit! I know I’m a month behind already, but if I choose my books wisely, I really think I can make this happen! Plus, I might get a few audio books to listen to on the drive between here and PGH that I make every other weekend. According to the form, those count too!
I drafted the list of books I plan to read and in what order. I specifically chose books under 400 pages, so I have a better chance of actually finishing them all. Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish in the next 2 months!
- The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner – Stephanie Meyer
- Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
- Stay – Allie Larkin
- Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
- Love Walked In – Marisa de los Santos
- Little Bee – Chris Cleav
- Running with Scissors – Augusten Burroughs
- The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd
- Along for the Ride - Sarah Dessen
- Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) – Charlaine Harris
What do you think? Are there any books you’d recommend to replace what I have listed? I’m very open to suggestions! Any that you would absolutely discourage me from reading?
*Also, this list may change in accordance with what is available at my library. I’m trying to stop spending so much money, so if I have to buy it, it’s off the list!
I’ll try to update you weekly on my progress!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel so out of touch with books — I haven’t read a tangible one in a long time, yet I consume thousands of web pages a day.
Further supporting my being out of touch with books is my follow up question: Never heard of these books except for secret life of bees, what genre are they?
It’s sort of a mixture of genres! They all fall somewhere within this spectrum:
young adult, memoir, chick-lit, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy (the vampires haha)
I’ve never really drawn to any specific genre. I like books from just about all of them!
I have read #8 and #10. Both highly recommended. In fact I have read all but the last couple of the Sookie Stackhouse series. The series is a fun read. Not anything to get your head wrapped around. :) I don’t know if you’ve seen the Virtual Bookshelf app for Facebook, but I like to go on there and browse through books some of my friends have read. Then if I have more questions, I ask them. Good luck with your reading, as it is one of my favorite escapes from reality!!!
Thanks Val! I wanted to start reading Sookie while everyone is trying to get me to watch True Blood! I haven’t started the TV shows yet, so I figured I’d try the book! I’ll definitely have to get that virtual bookshelf thing, sounds pretty awesome. Thanks for the tip!
I am SO happy Eat, Pray, Love is on your list. One of my all time favorites! So is Water for Elephants. I’d say add a Jodi Picoult novel to your list — a bit long, but BEYOND worth it.
I would definitely add You Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos, it goes along with Love Walked In, both great reads. Little Bee is a good book, but a bit heavy. Good luck!
Water for Elephants is one of my ALL TIME faves. You’re in for a treat with that one, love muffin!
water for elephants was amazing. seriously one of the best books i’ve read this year if not ever. i also love bright, shiny morning. but the picks you have look pretty great.
So fun! I’m glad that your library has one of these programs too =) I read Water for Elephants and LOVED It. Couldn’t put it down =) Little Bee I enjoyed but it was a little… depress-o, at least for me. The Secrete Life of Bees & Sookie Stackhouse, well I loved both of them. Keep us posted!
Also, how could I have forgotten about Ms. Meyers latest boook!? Eek! I need to get that one pronto!
Newbie here but I love you book list. Water for Elephants is awesome, as are all of the Sookie Stackhouse books. :D I finished Stay in the same day.. seriously, it’s that good. And Eat Pray Love, well, that took me a little longer (Loved some segments, hated others.)
Gotta love summer reading. have fun!