Laurie over at three dog blog started something with the January 23rd post on her family's '07 book reading competition. How interesting. First of all, that there's enough reading interest in one family to even have a competition is unusual. Secondly, to get a chance to see a monthly list of what a non-famous person is reading (I can always look in Oprah to see what Ben Affleck enjoys reading. . .) is very revealing.
What we read says a lot about who we are. If I don't know a person very well, I'll always ask what they're reading. If I haven't seen a friend in awhile, I'd much rather they ask "What are you reading now?" than "What have you been up to?" The first question gets to my soul and opens up a meaningful conversation. The second just passes the time.
So, here's my reading list for 2007. I thought it was longer, but I guess reality TV, magazines, and politics got in the way. What do you think? Would this list make you want to hang out with me?
January
None (what happened?)
February
At 70-Journal of May Sarton by May Sarton
Fireflies in Winter by Jack McCall
March
Dog Years-A Memoir by Mark Doty
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
April
Lying Together-My Russian Affair by Jennifer Beth Cohen
Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy
A School Teacher in Old Alaska by Jane Jacobs
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
May
A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
June
A Mighty Heart by Mariane Pearl
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
July
The Loved Dog by Tamar Gellar
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin
August
Beyond Brokeback-Impact of a Film by Brokeback Forum
September
Dog Days-Dispatches from Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz
Merle's Door-Lessons of a Freethinking Dog by Ted Kerasote
October
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
Be the Pack Leader by Cesar Millan with Melissa Jo Peltier
The Inner Voice-Making of a Singer by Renee Fleming
November
Fire in the Blood by Irene Nemirovsky
Her Way-The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton by Jeff Gerth and Don van Natta
Life's a Campaign by Chris Matthews
December
Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
The Lemon Tree-An Arab, A Jew, and Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan
Well, if I didn't know this person except by this reading list, here's what I might think. One, she's absolutely crazy about dogs and wants to know more and more about human/dog relationships and how to live well with them. Second, she's deeply worried about the Middle East and tries to understand the people living there, their culture and conflicts. Third, she is a wanna be artist, interested in living creatively. Fourth, she respects and admires people who show what they're made of by helping others in times of great national and international conflict such as WW II and its aftermath. Finally, she enjoys getting into a good Irish tale, a bit of murder and mayhem, and presidential politics occasionally.
What does your '07 reading list have to say about you?
7 comments:
I'm not sure if I'm more impressed by what you read or that you are organised enough to keep a list!! I can't remember what I read last month let alone for the whole of the year!
ha! you've been writing them down!
i see we have some cross-over---the maeve binchy, some of the dog books, the kite runner.
an eclectic list! but you would never win my family's competition.
Interesting post!
This and Laurie's have made me start as I mean to go on this year and actually keep a record!
Out of the mass I read last year Thousand Splendid Suns stood out, along with Suite Francaise and a couple of Primo Levis.
I shall be on the look out now for a few from your list (including the dog books:-)
My reading list would say "never enough time, never enough." A quote from your August book which means a lot to me.
Your list also says that you seem to have a plan. My reading is much more random. Still enjoyable though, when I get a round tuit.
aoj--if I told you I just finished reading a book on making lists, would that explain why I know what I read each month? Don't worry, I plan to get help!
laurie--it's always a celebration when Binchy releases a book, but I think I like Rosamund Pilcher better--have you read her books?
So how would I do in the family competition if I could read a book a week? I'm giving up several of my over 20 magazine subscriptions to read more books. Can't give up reality TV though.
lane--agree about 1,000 Splendid Suns. It broke my heart for the lives too many Middle Eastern women have to live. I'll check out Primo Levi--totally new for me. Best dog books--Mark Doty's Dog Years and Ted Kerosote's Merle's Door.
kittyhawk--I just saw a photo of sweet Heath in a cinema magazine in his role in the Bob Dylan film, "I'm Not There". So sad, so young.
I've read a lot of books, but damn, you mean I was supposed to write them down??!! I'm totally impressed!
By the way I tagged you for a meme...
I don't keep track of what I read, although after reading you and laurie I feel like I should. My list wouldn't be anywhere near as good as yours, though.
You're a woman of varied tastes!
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