Pajiba

Do Penthouse Forum compilations count?

Cool idea. I just might jump in.

I'm so excited to see what you think of all the books on your list Brian, I'm going to exploit it as a list of what to read in the future. I'm currently reading Watchmen and salivating over the awesome.

Nerd alert: I have a book journal. I write down every book I read in a year and what I thought. The cover is embossed with a Dickens quote. Feel free to throw garbage at me.

HAHAHAHA, you guys are crazy! There aren't even a hundred books around! HAHAHAHA, when will you poop, find time for self-love, or get drunk? HAHAHAHA, I'm only laughing because I NEVER LEARNED TO READ!

Actually, I've got an anti-suggestion. Don't read Danielewski's House of Leaves - it's a novel concept, and the type treatment throughout is well thought-out, but it's a goddamed chore to read. I felt as though I shoulda received a friggin' sack of dough upon completion.

Don't read Danielewski's House of Leaves

Skitt, I borrowed that from the library, took it home, opened it, got a migraine, gave up, and probably threw on my 30 Rock dvds.

I have a book journal. I write down every book I read in a year and what I thought. The cover is embossed with a Dickens quote. Feel free to throw garbage at me.

Garbage? No. My lips? Very possibly. Reading books and then having opinions about them is hot.

But then again, I could have just rhymed myself into a tizzy over Michael C. Hall. At this point, you could tell me that you stab yourself in the solar plexis with a fork every time you underwater basket weave, and I'd be drooling.

Motherfucker stole my picture!

Can't make your link work - possibly because I'm dysfunctional? Several Pajiba links have mysteriously gone haywire for me which makes me think a) I'm not nerdliciously cool enough for this site or b) the Pajiba Overlords are arbitrary and cruel. Only 100 books? In a whole year? Pfffft... oh wait... you're not counting Dr. Seuss and re-reads of Arthur Ransome are you. Damn.

Oh, I could so win this. I spend every week commuting by air to meet with clients, each flight either originating or terminating in O'Hare. That means DELAYS whatever the weather, which means I go through about five books a week. I was at a hundred by the end of March due to the weather earlier this year.

If you think House of Leaves was bad, crack open 'Only Revolutions' next time you're in the bookstore.

I freaking loved that book (enough that I just tried to figure out how to html code for blue - no luck). After I read it, I couldn't sleep, and I wasn't even sure what the hell I was afraid of.

What's up with the sudden House of Leaves renaissance? And by renaissance I mean hate-aissance. I read that book several years ago, and thought it was pretty damned engrossing (if you're willing to puzzle out some of the footnotes) and an overall effective mindfuck that'll stick with you for... well, I still think about it from time to time.

I was kind of excited when I saw Only Revolutions on book stands, opened it, tried to read the first page, and promptly set it back down, never to go back.

goodreads.com

My admittedly pedestrian literary tastes

But I'm easy.

Hee-J_Capri, nothing like geeking out over books to instigate some lovin :)

And DAMN Paddy...I've only read about 40 books this year so far, that is an impressive number.

Macafee, I'm definitely going to try HoL again some day...I'm thinking it's more of a winter book, I was distracted by the sunshine and couldn't put the time into such an experimental novel.

Two books per week. Real books. Every week. For a whole year. Even if you're the freakin' reincarnation of Evelyn Wood you're looking at a minimum of 8-10 hours per week; for a reader like me it would me more on the order of 20-30 hours (I'm a contemplative reader, so suck it).

And then you're gonna write about each one?

I'm reminded of those ultramarathoners -- you know, the ones who think 26.2 miles is for wimps so they chug along for 50 or 100 miles, maybe throwing in a mountain along the way or running at night just to break up the monotony.

'Tis a noble endeavor, Prisco 'n Pink.

Ooh! Maryscott, here's mine: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/606839

That sounds like a great idea. I'm interested in which books you choose and what you think of them. I read all the time. (Seriously, my housework skills suffer due to my reading habit.)I will take a paperback to work to read at lunch, and then resent it if I have someone eating with me because I can't get to the book or newspaper. I think a book journal is a fine idea. I wish I had thought of it. OK, now I'm off to the office supply store to get a proper journal in which to record my reading.

I kind of have an anti-suggestion, too: The Book of Renfield: A Gospel of Dracula. I enjoyed the hell out of that book (caveat: actually read Dracula first), but like Stoker's novel, it wasn't a fast read.

I'm brimming with other suggestions, though, if you're into fantasy and like supporting small presses/new/little known authors who deserve a little attention.

Just took a look at Only Revolutions - no friggin' thanks. I like a book to be a book. When someone tries to make it something else, they can go suck an egg.

FYI - I've been reading the same OChoose Your Own Adventure book since 1986! It's always different, every time! I don't know how they do it, man. I really don't. It's like "You know what? I am gonna go down to the basement to look for the bejeweled skull!", but then you're all "Man, I shoulda went up to the attic to check out that creaking sound!". But honestly guys? Regardless what happens, the reader wins every time. I LOVE THOSE BOOKS!

Word of warning: It's not a good idea to get blind-drunk and go on an "adventure". More often than not, I end up having to read with one eye shut, I usually lose my page or choose too quickly, and I spiral into a shambling, drunken rage, punching holes in the wall and throwing my turtle at things before half-attempting to pleasure myself before blacking out. The next day is an exercise in not throwing up as I frantically search for Captain Speedy before he dries up and dies...

You know what? I think it's time I went on another "adventure"! And you all should, too!

Also, I totally might have to jump in on this, but with NaNoWriMo coming up, I might lose an entire month of reading time while writing.

And there's no getting out of the noveling this year, since I'm in charge of rounding up the writers in my area.

My personal best was over 60,000 words in just under 14 days, though. So that would only put me about 4 books behind...hmm...

Recommendation to either or both of you: If you haven't read any Terry Pratchett, pick one up. If you are a beginner, I recommend Small Gods, Lords and Ladies, The Truth or Maskerade (in order of awesomeness). But really, they're all good.

I have a book journal. I write down every book I read in a year and what I thought. The cover is embossed with a Dickens quote.

Hahahahahaha wotta fag!

...Actually, I wish like hell I'd thought of doing that, starting about thirty-five years ago.

Jerce, I always like to recommend Thief of Time, if only because it's Miss Susan at her most awesome. Or Hogfather. But Small Gods and Lords and Ladies both kick ass.

If you haven't gotten enough of Election Madness 2008, check out the autobiographies of two American greats: Tip O'Neil and Barry Goldwater (separate books, 'natch). They both gossip about their contemporaries. It's like reading wonkette, but more literary.

I also just finished reading American Psycho, which caused me to pluck my eyebrows into perfect little 80's curves, so you're warned.

mmmm...books.

(ps - Hi, Julie!)

Hee Jerce! And hey, I've never read any Terry Pratchett and have always wondered where to begin, so that's excellent-I'll add those to my ever fucking expanding "books to read" list.

I'm going to exploit it as a list of what to read in the future. I'm currently reading Watchmen and salivating over the awesome.

Exactly what I thought, Julie, on both counts. Watchmen was a couldn't-put-it-down-er for me. I was very very tired at work for a few days there. (Now I'm on Fables, which somebody here suggested to me, and is super fun.) Plus, I just picked up Slaughterhouse 5 due to that commentary here. But once I'm done with those, I'm gonna need more, since I took a break from school this semester, and this is the perfect way to find some good stuff.

Julie -- added you as a "friend" (I hate that shit, man -- can't we come up with a new internets word that doesn't diminish the actual concept of friendship? I mean, no offense, but when I call someone a "friend," I want it to mean something. Like, they know where I fucking live and can spot me in a room full of people).

Anyway...

Also, since I've always wanted to be like Jay (a librarian type person), I'm interning (SWPL) at the American Philosophical Society (yay! Philly is historic and shit) accenssioning 1st Edition Darwin books. Which leads me to my next recommendation, Origin of the Species or The Decent of Man, for no other reason than the pretty pictures.

Tyburn, Hogfather is one of my favorite books of all time. But I was trying to recommend titles for folks who are not familiar with the setting of the novels.

As I said, they're all wonderful...the very earliest books perhaps a bit less so.

Considering that this is Pajiba, another good Pratchett recommendation is Moving Pictures.

Lullabies for Little Criminals - Heather O'Neill.

Just got a recommendation from a VERY TRUSTED source:

The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant.

On my must read list, by virtue of topic and recommender.

I only recommend Thief of Time because it's how I got started...and a few too many of the Pratchett fans I know got started out on it or Hogfather. They both seem to work pretty well as gateway drugs.

Tyburn, where are you organizing the writers? Which city, state? Because I did it last year, and I finished right at the wire, and I think I'm going to finish the second half of my novel for this year. And then, to take a page from Chez, I'm probably going to self-publish as an online downloadable.

I forget where I left off with the Terry Prachett. I think I'm three books deep. I'm trying to do them in order. I'm all OCD like that.

Esteeeeelllle! Hey missy! We must hang out again :)

Thanks Maryscott! And I've heard that The Red Tent is a great book, my book club (sigh...I KNOW) read it before I joined and have been raving about it since.

insertclevernamehere, I'm a third year ML for Oklahoma City, OK. 'Round about the NaNo boards, I'm Kamikaze Cricket.

Last year was my hardest year by far, when I started and dumped two different novels (first was boring, tried to write the second in thieves' cant and learned I shouldn't try to write 50,000 words in 30 days in a language I don't actually speak), and squeaked in at 11:58 on the 30th with 50,020 words. But I'm back for another year.

I think what you guys are doing is great. I used to be one of those "I don't read" people (horrible I know) until I worked at a book store. I now read about a book a month. I can't believe how much time I wasted not reading.

I have a few suggestions.

Kissing in Manhattan by Dave Schickler (no it is not chick lit)

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin (There are 4 books right now. They are hella long but awesome)

A Dirty Job, You Suck and Lamb by Christopher Moore

That's it for now.

Kissing in Manhattan by Dave Schickler

I really enjoyed that novel (I'm a big fan of intertwining stories), I've been meaning to read some of his other stuff.

And Chris Moore is one of my favorite writers of all time, I've read every book of his. I've said it here many many times, but The Gospel According to Biff is my go-to "in a bad mood and need something funny and comforting" book.

I just finished Me and My 13 Circle Jerk Jarhead Friends by Prioleau Alexander. A little pedestrian and smug, as well as borderline illiterate, but I enjoyed the part where they all learn the origin of the word "drill sergeant."

Monsieur Prisco, if you are brave enough to cram Infinite Jest into this competition, you should stipulate that it count as 3 books. In length and density, it certainly reads as such.

Anything by Christopher Moore....

nothing with bodice-ripping on the cover....

nothing that says, "based on the hit film....."

anything that says, "explicit language or sexual content....."

I been trying to write the date in the front cover of the book when I buy it and when I've read it. (Pencil... don't hyperventilate, archivists.) I've only managed for the last decade or so, though, so the records are incomplete.

I also keep a list of all of my books as a note in my iPod in case I can't remember if I've bought it or not (I spend a lot of time in used bookstores.) That really helps if you collect multiple editions of the same book.

Oh, Jesus. Now they're all gonna come piss in our sandbox again, Boozehound, cuz you KNOW that jackhole Googles himself. If I start getting phone calls again, I'm giving them your number.

Allow me to suggest a few novels that you'll easily blast through.

Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett (Easily the funniest book I ever read. Easily the funniest book about the Apocalypse ever written. I wish I owned a dog like that.)

Reaper Man - Terry Pratchett (A Discword novel that one can read without having ever read a Discworld novel. My favorite of the series.)

Hit Man - Lawrence Block (See also Hit List and Hit Parade. Each novel is essentially smaller vignettes that make up a cohesive whole. Easy reading and thoroughly enjoyable.)

Rendezvous In Black - Cornell Woolrich (Incredibly tense. Dark as hell. Great novel.)

Out - Natsuo Kirino (Another dark tense novel that's well worth your time. Terrific pacing and characters.)

Hell House - Richard Matheson (Most people cite I Am Legend or The Incredible Shrinking Man as Matheson's masterpiece. I suspect they haven't read Hell House. It's the first novel in a long time that actually had me creeped out.)

The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks (Fucked. Up.)

I also recommend Isaac Adamson's Billy Chaka series (starting with Tokyo Suckerpunch...engaging and weird), F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack novels (starting with The Tomb), and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee novels (starting with The Deep Blue Goodbye). Each of these books were either read while on a flight, road trip, or jury duty, and all made the time fly by. They are all on my "un-put-down-able novels" list.

I also agree with anyone who mentioned Christopher Moore. My favorites are Bloodsucking Fiends, Practical Demonkeeping, and Coyote Blues.

I have not as yet manged to read any of the Christopher Moore books, though I've wanted to read Biff since it came out. My friend read it, and loved it, and then read several more. Also, thanks to those who suggested Pratchett books to start with; I've never known where to begin, and it's quite overwhelming when you're staring at 3 shelves' worth in the bookstore.

I did, however, read The Red Tent. I loved it, as I recall, though it was a while ago (so maybe I just liked it. I'm pretty sure I loved it, though). It's similar in idea to Mists of Avalon, though a different tone, obvy. Incidentally, I did love MoA (though just the first one), so that should give you some idea of my ... ahem, "tastes".

I just got into the Decades project, where you read a book a decade from 8 consecutive decades (and the 2000's doesn't count). I'd try to work it in to this but my dumb ass started with Vanity Fair and as much as I love Miss Becky Sharp, it's goin' slow. I've also just begun blogging it here:

http://dropitlikeatrigclass.blogspot.com/

(among other things).

Kafka on the Shore by Murakami.
The Odyssey by Homer (Fagles translation).
Does poetry count? If yes, Unfortunately, It Was Paradise by the late Mahmud Darwish.

Julie- I miss having a book group. I was in one for a little over ten years (though the last year, it was mostly in name only, since grad school totally messed up my time for non-required reading).

I love the idea of a book journal! Hmm, I'll have to think about that.

I guess my goal of getting back to being and avid reader has been put into perspective. Perhaps if I cut TV viewing out of my life I might get through a book a week, but I can't imagine two. And Paddy, the number of books you read is crazy, but understandable, given your situation.

Your list intrigues me greatly, David, because of the books you've named that I have read. I've loved every one of them.

Off to Amazon, BRB.

P.S. I heartily second Good Omens!

Paddy, I thank the Midway Airport in Chicago for helping me read 3 books while stuck there on a sunshiny day. Weather delay. In Chicago. I had only started one of them on the plane to Midway.

I've already gone through three this past week, not counting plays and poetry collections: lost boy lost girl by Peter Straub, Dark Delicacies 2, and a reread of A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines by Janna Levin. I'll have Dubliners read by the end of the night, then I'll start plowing through Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates and possibly a reread of Battle Royale since blogging makes the heart grow fonder.

Good luck in your cause, and let the games begin.

Recommended reading (based off the first shelf I picked in my room): Complicity with Evil by Adam Lebor, The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall, Dark Water by Koji Sozuki, Rust and Bone by Craig Davidon, Sliver by Ira Levin, and Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies, Vol. 1, solely because I'm published in it.

If it really helps Alabamapink, I'll do it anyway. Just toss another blog on the pile, kiddies. Ain't a challenge for a speed reading windbag like me.

I had to go beg for punny title suggestions for the new blog, but I got it done:

Something Printed This Way Comes (the suggestion was Something Wicked This Way Reads,though casting myself as an evil reader seemed a bit harsh)

By the way, Sliver is only 190pp so it doesn't count.

And my impulsive attitude will surely one day be my downfall. What with me adding three extra rules to make it a bigger challenge for me.

I've spent the last four years keeping track of every book I've read in a series of excel spreadsheets with page counts, publication dates, and everything else. (According to my sister, this qualifies me for OCD.)

Question: Do audio books count? Because audio books are a wonderous thing; I load them onto my ipod for work outs and commutes. When I had a longer commute, I'd finish one in a week and a half.

I already read over 100 books a year, if you count audiobooks. I usually am reading/listening to 4-5 books at a time thus I'm a "book slut". Some of my books might be under 200 pages since I feature heavily with the children's and teen books (though I don't count picture books).

I highly recommend The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Ignore the fact that we keep it in the children's section, it's worth it. It's not a graphic novel per se. However probably half of its 533 pages are drawings (which still leaves over 200 pages of pure text). It is written/drawn by a lover of silent films, and reads much like a silent film. The drawings might resemble a close-up or a slow panaway as you flip through them. Some of them are actual stills from French Silent Films of the 20s. It's a brilliant and beautiful book that was totally robbed when it did not get both the Newbery and Caldecott awards. It ought to be on the must-read for every movie lover out there.

And for giggles? I can not recommend My First Five Husbands and the Ones That Got Away b Rue McClanahan enough. It's gossipy, breezy, and fluffy. She deals with serious things, but does it well without being too name-droppy. It rather makes you want to order a mixed drink and curl up for a good long chat.

You cannot read one hundred books in a year and not read at least one by Timothy Findley! I recommend them all. Get to it, and good luck!

I'm in. I have just started grad school, so my reading time is severely limited, but I love to read. I just finished Snow Falling on Cedars and have just started No Country for Old Men.

I also highly recommend Suite Francaise. It is kinda slow at the outset, but progresses quite nicely.

In this political season, I've read and loved Minority Report by H.L. Mencken, Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson, Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky and Rebellion, Resistance and Death by Albert Camus.

I try reading Team of Rivals but am still intimidated the sheer weight of the book. It's like 3 and a half books.

Anyway, happy hunting.

For all of the folks keeping track of their books, if you haven't heard of it yet, I recommend Librarything.com. A lifetime membership is totally worth it. I've got...maybe half of my books added so far.

Recommendation: American Gods, by Neil Gaimen

what an EXCELLENT idea - here are some of my favorites to line the path of 100 books:
The Voyage of the Narwhal - Andrea Barrett
The Brief & Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao - Junot Diaz--
The River Why - David James Duncan--
any of the Bangkok books - John Burdett and the unforgettable and exquisite- The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell

'Good Omens' by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. One of my favourite books ever. Well worth a read.

Don't forget to read your classics.

And another thing.

NO audio books!

Last novel I read was "Jimi Hendrix Turns 80," by Tim Sandlin. About a hippie rebellion in an assisted-living facility. Sex, drugs and rock n roll. 'Bout 300 pages.

"A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin (There are 4 books right now. They are hella long but awesome)"

Oooh! You beat me to it! Yes, they're long, but worth it. Plus, they're so engrossing you'll have them read in no time (I averaged two days, three if I had to put effort into a relationship). You know HBO bought the rights? My fingers are crossed they'll do it justice.

Anti-requets: Skip out on Rober Jordan's epic. I had to speak ill of the dead, but dude didn't have a clue to handle mult-main character viewpoints and stories like GRRM.

And...uhh.. jesus, it's been so long since I've read anything worthwhile I'll be mining this comments section for new stuff.

Way ahead of you. Have been hitting the "100 books per year" mark for at least five years now. I'm striving for 150 this year. According to my own (terribly geeky) book journal, I'm at 71 as of the end of August, so unless I can somehow cram 80 or so books into the next four months (I just freaked myself out) I'm not going to make it. But I should hit 100 with no problem.

I have three words for you. Lois McMaster Bujold. Made of awesome. Make sure you read the 'Miles' books in the correct order.

How'd I forget about The Raw Shark Texts?!? I finished that book two weeks ago and have been begging my friends to read it! Nice catch, Robert!

May I humbly suggest A Kiss Before Dying, by Ira Levin? The films made from it are forgettable because they cannot duplicate the gut punch hidden within for the reader. It is a book that defies spoiling because the twist within cannot be found by those who skip to the end of the book - the twist means nothing to you unless you actually read from start to finish, and when it unfurls before your eyes...man, I wish I could read it again for the first time!

I read 3 to 4 books a week already. How much is that in a year? I can't add at all.

And if you like A Kiss Before Dying, check out The Boys From Brazil. Another brilliant novel. Hell, pretty much anything by Ira Levin is worth one's time. Except for maybe Son Of Rosemary...

I second sunset&camden's suggestion of Timothy Findley. Start with The Wars. It's only 190 pages, but it's such a great read. Just . . . pretend it's 200? Flip through the dictionary and learn 5 new words to make up the difference.

And if Infinite Jest leaves you hungry for more Wallace, I recommend The Broom of the System.

All of John Connolly's works.

But start with "Every Dead Thing."

Please. Trust me. They're incredible.

T.R. Pearson's wonderfully weird novels "Blue Ridge," "Polar" and "True Cross."

FUCK YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!!!! I'm hijacking a couple threads to post this so that ALL of you get it.
Seriously.
Since I finally just got the time to do so in the past FUCKING week, I decided to start Deadwood. Yeah, wasn't doing it for me. But I trusted you DUMB MOTHERFUCKERS and I tried again. I watched that FUCKING pilot 3 FUCKING times (I may have been drunk and didn't understand a damn thing each time...) ANYWAY.
I just got done episode 4. FUCK ALL OF YOU.
Seriously.
I have never been so pissed at the end of a fucking episode as I am right now. That was so fucking HARD to watch. I literally might cry.
GRRRRRrrrrrRRRrrrr.
I'm never watching this fucking show again.

And I can say 4 episodes in, FUCK the FUCK out of whoever thinks this isn't one of the best shows ever cuz I'm already waaaaay sold.
Okay now I'm gonna stay up all night watching this FUCKING show...with the absence...of...oh hell, I hate you all.

I would recommend Naked by David Sedaris, although you really can't go wrong with any of his books. I really enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. I seem to remember that book being really long, but my local library only had the large print edition, so that may not be accurate. It was excellent, either way. Hotel New Hampshire or The World According to Garp are good reads--both by John Irving. Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, just barely fits your short story collection criteria (212 pages; 9 different stories) and is wonderful.

I would like to kick non-readers in the teeth. That's the kind of non-reader who CAN read but chooses not to, mind you--not children or the illiterate. So I congratulate you both on your challenge and wish you the best of luck! I can't wait to read the reviews!

Some questions:

How does one manage to get in a "I can read 100 books in a year before you can" competition?

Can you read something you read already prior to this year?

Also, do you have to read everything we recommend?

I would've recommended Pratchett and Moore, so instead I'll go with Gore Vidal's Duluth and Vonnegut's Timequake. Also, Gregory Maguire's Wicked really was a cool book. If all of the musical hoopla turns you off, though, his Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister was my second-favorite.

Of course, if you haven't read any of these classics, get thee to a nunnery: Ulysses, Beowolf, Hamlet, The Sound and the Fury, and Twilight.

I actually did gain a deep appreciation for Joyce's Dubliners senior year, but that's because my teacher explained every reference in class. If you know your religious imagery, it could be great.

Oooh, yeah, Sabrina, Wicked was awesome, and I also loved Confessions... skip out on Lost, though. I didn't like that one at all. I picked up Mirror Mirror, but never got to it... damn, I should dig that up, I guess.

Also, Gore Vidal makes me remember Myra Breckinridge, which was some crazy shite. Good stuff.

I wanna play!

A bit of advice? Don't forget that the writers you love best may have biographies.

A. A. Milne's adult stuff is whimsical and entertaining. Roald Dahl's adult stuff is NSFW.

Wow, people don't do this normally? I read at least 2-3 books a week. I read more before I had a kid. And I kept a reading journal for a while, but it was a pain in the ass. I'm looking forward to good book recommendations. I may have to join in. Does non-fiction count?

My best recommendation: www.bookcrossing.com

It's a website where people register books then leave them in public places for others to find them. This is how I started getting rid of the books I didn't love enough to keep forever. I swear, my books mate when I'm not looking because I have hundreds of books all over the house.

The other great thing about Bookcrossing is that most of the people there love to read, so they have tons of recommendations. There are so many random books I never would have heard of without seeing recommendations there. They also have bookrings, which is sort of like a book club. One person picks a book they are willing to part with. Everyone who wants to read the book signs up. The organizer makes a list of all the participants (I reorder the list geographically so that the book travels as quickly as possible), then sends the book to the first person on the list. After the first person finishes, they send it to the next person. You can write book reviews on the site too.

Although I wish I'd started a book journal ages ago, all the books I have registered at Bookcrossing are now my online book journal. I read so many books that sometimes I get a weird feeling of deja vu before I remember DAMN IT, I ALREADY READ THIS BOOK. Having all the books I've read (at least since I joined) in one place has been a huge organizational help for me.

Lastly, I found that just the act of registering my books and writing short reviews really encouraged me to read a lot more. The first year, I read 62 books. The second year, I read 110 books. The year after that, I slacked off and only read 67 books. I only count new books in my annual list, but I do re-read a lot of my favorite books often, so it's really up to each person to decide what counts. For me, non-fiction definitely counts. Keeping all my books listed on the site also made me see a lot of trends in my reading. I go through phases where I read very similar books - sometimes it's biographies, other times it's travel memoirs, etc. and I wouldn't have realized my reading trends otherwise.

Good luck! 100 books in one year is a good goal. My other friend's New Year's resolution was to read 30 books this year. He started a blog about it and hasn't made any new entries since February, so I'm afraid to ask if he just gave up.

Hi, I'm just commenting to say that I am taking the Cannonball challenge for 2009! Three books in and I'm saying, "Grad school schmad school. I can TOTALLY keep up this pace." In the interests of me actually following through on this, here's my blog: http://knowsstrangesongs.blogspot.com/