Friday, January 4, 2013

What I read in 2012


I used to be an avid reader; then I had children and then I became a single Mom and then I became a working mother; so, there wasn't much time for reading in my life.  Four years ago when I joined a local book club, I knew I'd have to somehow work reading into my busy schedule; I even warned the other members not to expect much from me and that I was not a quick reader.  

But reading took hold of me again, and it's a necessary part of my busy schedule now-a-days.  I love the escape; I love the knowledge gained; I love the culture and countries I visit.  I love to read!  

Last January, I began to keep track of what I read by simply writing it in the margins of my daily calendar.  I surprised myself!  

Here's what I read in 2012:  I liked most of what I read, but the books that I really, really liked are in color.


  1. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (Milan Kundera)
  2. A Dance with Dragons (George RR Martin)
  3. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
  4. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob deZoet (David Mitchell)
  5. Rockbound (Frank Parker Day)
  6. Delirium (Lauren Oliver)
  7. Before I Go to Sleep (S J Watson)
  8. The Wonder Spot (Melissa Bank)
  9. Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
  10. Grave Secrets (Kathy Reichs)
  11. A Catered Affair (Sue Margolis)
  12. The Birth House (Ami McKay) 
  13. Catching Fire (Book 2 in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins)
  14. Mockingjay (Book 3 in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins) )
  15. What's Invisible (Beth Ryan)
  16. Prodigal Summer (Barbara Kingsolver)
  17. The Cure for Death by Lightening (Gail Andersen-Dargate)
  18. The Virgin Cure (Ami McKay)
  19. Late Nights on Air (Elizabeth Hay)
  20. Her Fearful Symetry (Audrey Niffenegger)
  21. The Handbook for Lightening Survivors (Michele Young-Stone)
  22. Rush Home Road (Lori Lansens)
  23. Death du Jour (Kathy Reichs)
  24. Deja Dead (Kathy Reichs)
  25. Deadly Decisions (Kathy Reichs)
  26. Fatal Voyage  (Kathy Reichs)
  27. Bare Bones  (Kathy Reichs)
  28. Monday Mourning  (Kathy Reichs)
  29. Cross Bones  (Kathy Reichs)
  30. Break no Bones (Kathy Reichs)
  31. Devil Bones (Kathy Reichs)
  32. Spider Bones (Kathy Reichs)
  33. Balzac & the Little Chinese Seamstress (Dai Sijie)
  34. The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern)
  35. Jackdaws (Ken Follett)
  36. Remembering the Bones (Frances Itani)
  37. The Salt Road (Jane Johnson)
  38. Truth & Beauty (Ann Patchett)
  39. Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)
(I think it's pretty evident that I spent my summer away from my book club reading forensic mysteries!)


Do you like to read?
Any recommendations on favorites?




8 comments:

Judy said...

I also began reading when the kids were young...mostly romantic novels...you know the kind...then reading took a back seat for a long time...when I started reading again, I decided to get an ereader because the books began to accumulate (I need to sell some)...anyway...I've been reading alot again and enjoying it...mostly light stuff...I'm going to check into the ones you recommend...Thank you...If you like light reading, try "A Single Thread" by Marie Bostwick; Marsha Clark has a couple good mysteries; Jana DeLeon has a few really cute mysteries placed in Mudbug and the bayou; I recommend the "Gertie Johnson" series by Deb Baker...Enjoy

Sweet Tea said...

I admit that I am green with envy when I read your list. I WANT to be a reader. I once WAS a reader. It seems when I began to blog I lost my passion for reading books. Now I read blogs...Your list was quite impressive!!

Marissa said...

Oh my gosh! I am ashamed to say that I don't read as much as you do! and I am also ashamed to say that I read two books this summer one was a trilogy 50 shades of grey yikes.... and the other just the opposite 33 days to morning glory a Catholic book.. now I know you are thinking.. What is wrong with this girl.. I was really persuaded to read the first really.. and I really didn't like it after all! the second was beautiful! I am now reading "they fired the first shot" It was given to me as a gift.. I love to read real/ or true stories.. This was a great post!

Janet said...

Great list, Sandy - there are some on here I've been meaning to read, so I'm going to bookmark your post so I can come back when I'm hunting for a title or two :)

I love, love, love Kathy Reichs and have read all of her books - do you watch Bones? Funny, even though I know Reichs has had a hand in the TV show, I don't watch it!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I love to read and do read several books a week. None of yours were on my reading list. Thanks for sharing them. I saw a few there that looked like something I'd like to read. Hope your Saturday is a super one!

Bonnie said...

I love to read. I love to talk about books and reading. I agree, life gets busy and it is difficult to find time for the things we truly enjoy. I do not get to read as much as I would like. I gave a friend who loves to read a book for Christmas. His wife said now she was afraid he would never clean out the garage. I told him to work on the garage in the morning and then he could escape into his book. Loved reading your list. Presently, I am reading "Crossing on the Paris" and "House of Mirth". Happy Reading!

Marguerite said...

What a fantastic list. You've got some of my recent favourites on there! (Barbara Kingsolver is so wonderful, I would recommend the Poisonwood Bible if you haven't already) I too love reading but similarly there have been times over the years where I simply didn't have the time. Now it's my treat on cold winter evenings.

The Nag said...

Great list! I've read a lot of them. A long time ago I started a blog to keep track of my reading. I post all sorts of other book related stuff there as well. It helps when I want to refer a friend to a book I've read but can't for the life of me remember its title. Unfortunately I am increasingly distracted by the internet and I find myself reading less in recent years.

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