My joy of reading was once lost but has been found.  I can’t believe how blind I was to awesome books but now I see.

My goal for 2011 was to read 12 books but I’d done that by the end of February so I upped it to 52 books…an average of one a week.  With a combination of listening to books on CD while traveling and well, reading, it’s not going to be a problem at all.

Instead of wandering the shelves aimlessly I created a list…what can I say I love lists.  More importantly this was an A-Z list of books to read over the course of the next year or two.  I’ve been ticking them off and adding a few in between.  I love lists and I love challenges so this was a perfect combination.

As the year is almost three quarters finished (dang that was hard to type…2011 is close to over) I thought I’d give a run down of my books.  In list form no less.  Here’s my books in threes.

Top 3 A-Z

One Day

Before you head to the theaters to see the movie – it’s out now – read the book.  So amazing to see the story unfold of two people told on the same day over 20 years.  The plot could have been lost in a gimmick but the lives of Emma and Dex are told so well through each day.  I couldn’t put the book down and actually read while my Nook was charging.  I want to see the movie and hope they don’t ruin it…books are always better.

Await Your Reply

Three stories that somehow are linked but I was constantly guessing…and guessing WRONG!  By the end I hand an idea of how they played into each other but was still amazed at the storytelling.  The plot built on itself bit by bit and I was always listening for more clues.  I read this on CD and would throw in extra errands in one day to hear more.

Gods in Alabama

I was hooked from the opening line, “There are gods in Alabama…” I never saw the ending coming…and those are the best books.  I gladly missed sleep to finish in one night as I turned page after page.  Looking for a book to read as you finish out the summer and start the fall, read this.  It’s not a chick book…it’s a story you’ll be wrapped into and recommend to others as you keep thinking about it yourself.

The not so top 3

Dubliners

I love James Joyce…I really do, but I could not get into this book.  Really a collection of short stories and if I were in a better mood or mind space I might have enjoyed it…but I didn’t.  I barely finished it; it was a struggle.

Buffalo Soldier

I love books and movies set in areas I’ve lived or visited to help picture the scenes more fully; and I’ve been a big Bohjalian fan since reading Secrets of Eden recommended by Jenna. Yet the book felt formulaic.  Good story, beautiful scene but nothing new. I might be past my Bohjalian phase.  Good book but not for me.

Fortune’s Rocks

This book was recommended by another blogger.  My trouble is Shreve sets multiple books in the same town at different time periods.  Having read several others, I was confused when this was.  The characters caused such pain to others I couldn’t root for them and did not enjoy the story.

Best 3 not on the list

Hunger Games Trilogy

Technically this is three books but one story.  I should have listened when everyone told me to read it…for the last year.  So noted.  I’m ecstatic all three books were available; I breezed through them in a week.  If I’d had to wait like the Divergent trilogy I would have died.  Although Mocking-jay was the weakest of the three.

Hyper-chondriac

My quest for health, patience and peace made this book hilarious.  I’ve never gone as far as Brendan Frazer but each step cracked me up with new tails of trying to reach calm and failing miserably.  It really made me think how many things can calm us down or stress us out.  And I laughed out loud reading this which is totally relaxing…unless in public.

I Know This Much Is True

This was the longest book on CD to date and I couldn’t stop.  The story wrapped me up and I continued to listen long after I thought I would give up.  I don’t like crude and foul language but the story was compelling, hitting close to home as my family deals with mental illness and loss.  Wally Lamb created twists and turns into the plot I continued to digest days after I completed the book.

Up Next

The Book Thief

My friend wrote about this on her book blog [no longer exists] and it intrigued me.  I filed it away in my “to read when I have time” shelf.  Wandering the teen section of the library last week I spotted and snagged it.  I hope no one thieves this book from me.

*All book covers are from Good Reads.*

What is your current favorite book?