Happy New Year everyone! I’m back from the blog break and wish I could tell you that I read so many books while I was on break but alas I didn’t read as much as I hoped. I did visit bookstores quite a bit so you’ll be hearing about my book purchases soon.
But first let’s talk about the year in review:
* Total books read in 2007: 91 (same as last year – weird)
* Books by women: 67
* Books by men: 24
* Fiction: 38
* Mystery: 32
* Classics: 1
* Non-fiction & memoirs: 8
* Young Adult: 8
* Sci-Fi: 4
* Books in translation: 5
* Books borrowed from library: 14
The biggest surprise for me was reading a few YA novels and actually seeing the Sci-Fi genre make my list. I owe the Sci-Fi books to the Once Upon a Time Challenge. Other things that I thought were odd were the few books in translation I read. Half of the books I read aren’t by American authors but I guess they are mainly coming from British authors.
My reading goals last year were quite simple – read more non-fiction, read five classics and make a dent in the reading stacks. Well, the TBR stacks are still out of control despite reading more from my stacks and sadly I only read one classic, but I did manage to read a few more non-fiction books than what I typically read so a good effort.
What do I want for this year, aside from a lot of good books? Well, I liked reading a wider variety of genres and I’d like to continue with this trend. Actually, I just found out about Kate’s Short Story Challenge and am probably going to join in as I always complain about not reading short stories and how I’d like to change that.
I hope there will be more classics and more poetry on my list and I plan to continue working away at my reading stacks. Most of all I want to enjoy the reading challenges (whether I finish them or not) and continue to participate in my book groups.
Here’s hoping everyone has a great reading year ahead!
You read quite a bit this year! And last year. 🙂 I am right there with you on your last comment. 🙂 Have a wonderful New Year.
That’s funny that it’s the same number…maybe 91 is lucky for you! I read a ton of British authors as well, and a lot of the international books I read come from former British colonies, so they tend to be in English. Oh well.
You’ve got quite a few challenges hanging out in that side bar of yours! Looks like you’ll have a fun year. 🙂
Here’s to a new year filled with more books and time to read each and every one.
I did pathetically bad this year. So I’m determined to read more and buy less, or at least till my TBR pile has halved. Or buy only if I go to 5 yoga classes. Or let 3 weeks go by before stepping into a bookshop again. (Notice how painful [ly easy] I’m making this for myself…haha!)
Cheers!
It’s interesting going round people’s reviews of the year how many people have commented on the low number of books in translation that they’ve read and I’m the same. So one of my resolutions this year is to read more by non-English writers. Any suggestions?
Welcome back! Looks like you had a great year. I hope 2008 is just as good.
We share some of the same goals for the new year: More non-fiction, more classics, buying less new books and reading the ones I already own. The Short Story challenge is a good one, isn’t it? I think I’ll probably end up joining as well.
Happy New Year! I like expanding the range of what I read too — cool that you found new genres to enjoy!
How interesting about your total books read – 91. I also seem to hover right around the same number these past few years and hope to eventually bump up a bit. It’s sort of your ‘book reading per year setpoint’ kind of like they say everyone has a body weight setpoint! =-)
Literary Feline – Thanks and I do hope you’ll get to read a lot of great new books this year!
Anon – Maybe I should use 91 for a lottery number 🙂
Kisane – Actually, I really like that. I should do something like that otherwise my unread stacks will never get any smaller!
Ann – I know I’ve noticed that too. Have you ever checked out the Words Without Borders web site? It’s an online zine for international books. I obviously need to read it more often to get more suggestions!
aka Nik – How has your holiday been? Are you back in Italy now? Hope your year is fantastic!
Nymeth – Ooh yes, sign up for the short story challenge too! I’m thinking about the short stories I want to read but I think I’m going to leave that a bit open and just jot them down as I read along.
Dorothy W. – I’m pretty excited about the new genres too! And, I just read the first book for the graphic novel challenge and it was fabulous so I think I’ve found another genre 🙂
Tara – Ah, that’s what it is – the setpoint! 🙂 Ok, now I’m more concerned about my weight set point than my reading one! ha,ha…
I understand what you mean about not reading as much as you thought you would over the holidays. I had big reading plans, but only read a couple books. I didn’t meet my reading goals for the year either but read some really great books. I always enjoy the classics but was surprised that I hadn’t read more of them in 2007. I may sign up for the short story challenge as a way to branch out in 2008. Happy New Year!!
I read more YA fiction last year than I normally do as well (actually normally I read none except perhaps a Harry Potter). I’d like to read some science fiction this year, but I’m really not sure where to start,though I am sure if I ask I will get lots of good recommendations. Good luck on your reading plans for 2008!
Happy New Year and welcome back! You have read lots last year, and let us all look forward to another year of great reading in 2008! 🙂
Ooooh, that is weird that you read the exact same amount. My numbers are way down from previous years. Guess I can blame work and all the blogs I read. :0 I’m hoping to get my Best of 2007 posted later this weekend.
Happy New Year!
91 books is great! I like that you keep track of which books are library books – maybe I should do the same for my own stats.
Ted (bookeywookey) reads a lot of poetry. I don’t know if you read him or not, but if you go check him out, you’ll get lots of ideas for poetry.
I have no real goals for the year other than trying to finish all my challenges, since I failed two this year. Good luck with your goals!
Lisa – I keep thinking it will be a time to slow down and all but it just never happens. As much as I’m prepared for the holidays, I still run around like mad and then I don’t have enough book time. Sigh. Glad to hear you are joining the short story challenge!
Danielle – That’s the same for me too regarding YA novels. I have been so impressed with the ones I’ve read that I can see myself reading more in this genre too. Good luck with your reading plans as well!
Melody – Thank you. Indeed, let’s hope there are only good books waiting for us 🙂
Les in NE – I know, strange isn’t it. I can’t wait to read your best of list!
Dark Orpheus – This is the first time I’m keeping track of library books. I figure it will help me feel better about working away at my stacks! I do get a lot of books out of the library but most of them go back unread.
dew – I do read his blog and I totally missed out on doing his poetry challenge. Hopefully he’ll host another one this year! I’m pretty flexible with my goals as I just want to enjoy reading. Good luck to you too!
Good job, Iliana! And I’m going to consider “read more short stories” as a goal, too, since I read only one collection of ss’s last year and I’ve signed up for Kate’s challenge, that should be achievable.
I like the way you broke things down into genres – seeing which genres get the most attention is interesting.
Not a bad year at all. May 2008 be just as good or better!
What a wonderful look back over your year — you did a lot of reading! I am a big fan of short stories and I just came across an interesting collection the other day — will have to get the name for you.
Here is to another year of reading and getting lost in books and challenges!
It sounds like a great reading year. Here’s wishing you the best with your goals in 2008!
Anon – Oh good you are signing up for Kate’s challenge. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I do read a short story here or there but never take note of those so this time it will be good to see how many I will actually readin a year.
Stefanie – Thank you! I hope so too 🙂
Christine – I know, funny though I sort of thought I would do more being that I’ve been a woman of leisure lately but I guess it’s just that my other hobbies compete with the reading too 🙂 Yes, you must let me know about the book and hey I think this would be a perfect challenge for you Chica. I know you enjoy short stories!
Andi – thank you girl – same to you!
What a great reading year! 91 books! I’m impressed! Hope 2008 is as good!
Sounds like you had a pretty good year. Looking at my stats I also thought that I would like to be reading more books in translation and more classics. Something to work on. Hope you have another great reading year in 2008!