Roni 'ncats is back for 2010

I didn't keep up my thread too well at the end of the year, but read 114 books. I'll try to do better this year. You can always find my complete listing on the 75 Book Challenge group.







Books read in 2010 (touchstones will be in the messages containing the reviews, * signifies a re-read):

January
1. The Riddle-Master of Hed* by Patricia A. McKillip (222 pp.)
2. Heir of Sea and Fire* by Patricia A. McKillip (207 pp.)
3. Harpist in the Wind* by Patricia A. McKillip (257 pp.)
4. Triplanetary* by E. E. "Doc" Smith (240 pp.)
5. The Book of Three* by Lloyd Alexander (129 pp.)
6. Iorich by Steven Brust (319 pp.)
7. The Phantom Lover by Elizabeth Mansfield (250 pp.)
8. The Book of Dragons by Edith Nesbit (153 pp.)
9. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (331 pp.)

Books entering my house (adopted):
1/5/2010
1. Iorich by Steven Brust (Borders, 33% off coupon)
2. Powers by Ursula LeGuin (Borders, $3.99/hardback)
3. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (Amazon)
4. The Sorceress of Karres by Eric Flint and Dave Greer (Amazon)
5. The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia (Amazon)
6. The Phantom Lover by Elizabeth Mansfield (BookMooch)

Time to consider my new thread and my resolutions for this year's reading.

First of all, like so many, I resolve to make a dent in my TBR pile.
1. The first step, and part one of the resolution, is to go ahead and input them into my LT catalog. I have always waited until I read a book to put it in, but now with our categories, there is no need to wait.
2. I will aim to make every 5th book at least one that I already own, unread--making 20% of my reading from my TBR pile.

3. I resolve to track pages read as well as books this year.

4. I also resolve to track and record books acquired during the year, another thing I have never done.

I didn't come close to my 150 goal last year, after making it the year before. I may well come closer next year but, hey, no pressure. I'll set 100 as a very reasonable goal for me. This means I will expect to read 20 books from my TBR pile.

5. Finally, I resolve to thoroughly enjoy my reading this year, as well as my interaction with my wonderful LT family here on our thread.

Welcome back! Good luck with denting your TBR pile, that's always an (unspoken) resolution with me.

Grief! I've neglected this thread, haven't I? Let's catch up.

January (continued)
7. The Phantom Lover by Elizabeth Mansfield (250 pp.)
8. The Book of Dragons# by Edith Nesbit (153 pp.)
9. Three Cups of Tea# by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
10. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (388 pp.)
11. The Sorceress of Karres by Eric Flint and Dave Greer (307 pp.)

February
12. My Father's Dragon# by Ruth Stiles Gannett (87 pp.)
13. Elmer and the Dragon# by Ruth Stiles Gannett (87 pp.)
14. The Dragons of Blueland# by Ruth Stiles Gannett (88 pp.)
15. Precious Dragon# by Liz Williams (351 pp.)
16. First Lensman* by E. E. "Doc" Smith (252 pp.)
17. The Black Cauldron*# by Lloyd Alexander (127 pp.)
18. HaveMercy# by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett (431 pp.)
19. The Anubis Gates* by Tim Powers (pp.387)
20. The Phantom Tollbooth* by Norton Juster (pp. 256)
21. Soulless by Gail Carriger (357 pp.)
22. The Lost Fleet: Dauntless# by Jack Campbell (293 pp.)

March
23. Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford (299 pp.)
24. Galactic Patrol* by E. E. (Doc) Smith (237 pp.)
25. The Castle of Llyr* by Lloyd Alexander (111 pp.)
26. Cold Comfort Farm# by Stella Gibbons (233 pp.)
27. The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills (535 pp.)
28. Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (253 pp.)

Books entering my house (adopted):
January (continued)
7. The Healing Powers of Chocolate by Cal Orey (ER book)
February
8. Blackout by Connie Willis (Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore)
9. Except the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder (Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore)
10. Soulless by Gail Carriger (Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore) READ
11. Lamentation by Ken Scholes (Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore)
12. The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills (Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore) READ
13. The Domino Men by Jonathan Barnes (BookMooch)
14. Murder of a Real Bad Boy by Denise Swanson (PaperBackSwap)
15. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson (PaperBackSwap)
16. Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford (Borders 25% off coupon) READ
March
17. Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (ER) READ
18. Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (Amazon)
19. Superior Saturday by Garth Nix (Amazon)
20. Lord Sunday by Garth Nix (Amazon)
21. Bound in Blood by P. C. Hodgell (Amazon)

# indicates a Book Off the Shelf, from the TBR pile, and so far this year, 9 books of 27 read have been BOTS, ahead of my 20% resolution!

Oh, I am *so* looking forward to Blackout! I'm trying not to buy it until it's closer to the sequel being available, but I'm so horribly tempted each time I go into a bookshop...

do you really have to count it as a reread if you read it 40 years ago or so? I think I will work through the Triplanetary series again.

I always think of those as a "technical" re-read: yes, I've read it before, but I've forgotten it all (usually) so it's all new again. (Usually I remember a snippet or two towards the end...)

Speaking of which, I'm trying to find my old copy of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde which I haven't read since I was a teenager, and which is due for a re-read. (Along with Frankenstein which I discovered on the shelves the other day...)

I'm not going to read Blackout until October when Willis returns to San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy to promote All Clear, but I wanted to buy a signed first edition from her first visit while they were still available.

I count rereads in my book totals, same as initial reads. I did reread The Phantom Tollbooth after discussions here on LT; my only previous read had been for a kiddie lit course in Spring, 1969.

>6 clif_hiker:, we're reading the whole series as a group read over on the 75 Book Challenge group--on Galactic Patrol this month. Come over and join in. If you go to the group page, the threads are in the description there.

#3 What a great list of books! I'll be watching your thread to see what you think of Blackout when you finally read it.

Thanks, Lorie!

Not much reading from tonight through Sunday--reports to write for work and too much March Madness!!!! Go, Jayhawks!!

Here's my recent reading:

33. High Wire (Edgar & Ellen) by Charles Ogden (189 pp.)

And my recent acquisitions:
22. Witches Incorporated by K. E. Mills (Borders 40% coupon)
23. Emissaries from the Dead by Adam-Troy Castro (Mysterious Galaxy)
24. Bitter Angels by C. L. Anderson (Mysterious Galaxy)

April (books read)
34. Emissaries from the Dead by Adam-Troy Castro (387 pp.)
35. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry (168 pp.)
36. Taran Wanderer* by Lloyd Alexander (138 pp.)

And arriving in the mail Friday: (books acquired)
25. Changeless by Gail Carriger (Amazon)
26. A Wizard of Mars by Diane Duane (Amazon)

As always, my discussion of the books may be found at
Roni ncats' Thread 2
and
Roni ncats' Thread 1

37. Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell (278 pp.)
38. The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright (177 pp.)

Arriving at my house:
27. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynn Jones (Amazon)

Gotten behind again! Here's the rest of April's reads.
39. Gray Lensman* by E. E. "Doc" Smith (253 pp.)
40. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones (292 pp.)
41. The Key to Rondo# by Emily Rodda (342 pp.)
42. Bitter Angels by C. L. Anderson (438 pp.)
43. House of Many Ways* by Diana Wynne Jones (404 pp.)
44. Sheepfarmer's Daughter* by Elizabeth Moon (506 pp.)
45. Divided Allegiance* by Elizabeth Moon (522 pp.)
46. Oath of Gold* by Elizabeth Moon (501 pp.)
47. Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (471 pp.)

And May's reads to date:48. Surrender None* by Elizabeth Moon (530 pp.)
49. Second Stage Lensmen* by E. E. (Doc) Smith (271 pp.)
50. The High King*# and The Foundling and other Tales of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander (231 pp.)
51. The Healing Powers of Chocolate by Cal Orey (294 pp.)
52. The Empress of Mars by Kage Baker (303 pp.)
53. The Blue Castle* by L. M. Montgomery (218 pp.)
54. Stopping for a Spell by Diana Wynne Jones (132 pp.)

and 11 more books have come into my house--
28. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (PBS) (read library copy last year, got this one to keep)
29. California Home Landscaping by Roger Holmes and Lance Walheim. (Books Are Fun)

May
30. Nine Gates by Jane Lindskold (Borders--33% off coupon)
31. Charlie Bone and the Red Knight by Jenny Nimmo (Borders--33% off coupon)
32. The Empress of Mars by Kage Baker (Amazon) READ
33. Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
34. That Crumpled Paper was Due Last Week by Ana Homayoun
35. Stopping for a Spell by Diana Wynne Jones (PBS) READ
36. Storm From the Shadows by David Weber (Borders--$5 borders cash)
37. The Joy of the Snow by Elizabeth Goudge
38. I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge (these two ordered used from SCOTLAND!)

That makes for a net read of only 16 books---NOOOOOOO!

June was a slow month, with wrapping up the school year and the job.
June books read:
55. Travels with Herodotus+ by Ryszard Kapuscinski (275 pp.)
56. Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy (354 pp.)
57. I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge (75 pp.)
58. Sabriel* by Garth Nix (216 pp.)
59. The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff (473 pp.)
60. Eye of the Crow by Shane Peacock (250 pp.)
61. Children of the Lens* by E. E. "Doc" Smith (254 pp.)

June Books Acquired:
39. The Secret Fiend by Shane Peacock (ER)
40. Still Life by Louise Penny (BookMooch)
41. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel (PBS)
42. Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer (Amazon)
43. Mouse and Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Borders- 33% off coupon)
44. The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff (Borders)
45. Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher (PaperBackSwap)

Seven books read, and seven books acquired, so still a net read of 16 books. At least I didn't lose any ground.

Here's the July summary of books read:
62. Lirael* by Garth Nix (324 pp.) group read
63. Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer (199 pp.)
64. Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (325 pp.)
65. The Lives of Christopher Chant* by Diana Wynne Jones (230 pp.)
66. Charmed Life* by Diana Wynne Jones (222 pp.)
67. The Magicians of Caprona* by Diana Wynne Jones (223 pp.)
68. Witch Week* by Diana Wynne Jones (211 pp.)
69. Death in the Air: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Second Case+ by Shane Peacock (264 pp.)
70. Conrad's Fate* by Diana Wynne Jones (375 pp.)
71. The Pinhoe Egg* by Diana Wynne Jones (515 pp.)
72. Abhorsen* by Garth Nix (234 pp.)
73. The Aeneid by Virgil (translation by Robert Fagles) (425 pp.)
74. Magic Bites# by Ilona Andrews (260 pp.)
75. The Thief# by Megan Whalen Turner (219 pp.)
76. The Queen of Attolia# by Megan Whalen Turner (360 pp.)
77. Mixed Magics by Diana Wynne Jones (138 pp.)

The Abhorsen Trilogy books and The Aeneid were for group reads, the former being a much relished re-read.

Books acquired in July:
46. Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Signed subscription) READ
47. The Shadow Pavilion by Liz Williams (Mysterious Galaxy)
48. The Anvil of the World by Kage Baker (MG)
49. The Gospel of the Knife by Will Shetterly (MG)
50. Black Ships by Jo Graham (PBS)

16 books read versus 5 acquired--it was a good month in that respect!

August summary:

78. The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (400 pp.)
79. The Masqueraders* by Georgette Heyer (320 pp.)
80. The Talisman Ring* by Georgette Heyer (234 pp.)
81. Regency Buck* by Georgette Heyer (300 pp.)
82. Thresholds by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (243 pp.)
83. Heavy Words Lightly Thrown+ by Chris Roberts (202 pp.)
84 The Foundling* by Georgette Heyer (316 pp.)
85. The Secret Fiend by Shane Peacock (244 pp.)
86. Emily Dickinson is Dead by+ Jane Langton (245 pp.)
87. A Conspiracy of Kings+ by Megan Whalen Turner (316 pp.)
88. Howards End on the Landing by Susan Hill (236 pp.)
89 Sprig Muslin* by Georgette Heyer (222 pp.)
90. Black Sheep* by Georgette Heyer (232 pp.)
91. The Zen of Fish+ by Trevor Corson (327 pp.)

Books acquired in August:

51. Thresholds by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (Amazon) READ
52. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (Borders 33% off coupon) Replacement copy
53. Alien Earth by Megan Lindholm (BookMooch)

14 books read, 4 of those library books, and only 3 acquired. Another good month.

Oh, those are good stats! Congratulations on reading more than you buy, I wish I could manage that all the time!

And yay! for Abhorsen too. Great books.

I've been tempted by Howards End is on the Landing in the shops - did you enjoy it?

Yes, I did. Here's what I wrote on the 75 book challenge thread:

I've been reading this book, a chapter or two at a time, over the last few weeks. It's been a great summer book, like a collection of small essays, and perfect for reading in the bubble bath during summer vacation days. I appreciated Hill's meandering thoughts, was interested in the wide variety of writers she has met in the course of her work, and enjoyed her thoughts on various books. She seemed to change focus midbook from a year of reading only her own already-owned books to the 40 books she would take with her to a desert island. But that doesn't really matter, as each chapter seemed like a separate essay. I've never read any of her fiction works or even heard of her before, but this was very enjoyable. I will have to check out some of the books she discusses for sure! I wish I had a house like hers, with landings and room for books on them. I don't even have stairs!

My mother has had small (and crammed) bookcases on the landing in her last two houses. I haven't attempted it yet with my own place, although I do have plenty of stairs. It does sound like a great one for browsing.

I've got one of her fiction books on Mt TBR The Various Haunts of Men - assuming that is the same Susan Hill!

No room on my stairs, but when you get to the top, there are three bookshelves (one big, one smallish, one small) that are all (not-so) slowly getting crammed with books. Makes the hallway ever so slightly too narrow (especially when children want piggyback rides to bed, their feet stick out everywhere and occasionally collect a book or two off the shelves).

September summary:

14 books: 1 non-fiction, 1 Regency romance, 1 general fiction, 2 science fiction, 9 fantasy (2 children's, 3 YA, 4 adult).

3 library books, 1 gift, 1 PBS, 7 bought this year and newly read, 1 off-the-shelf, 1 re-read.

7.5 female authors, 5.5 male authors

(* signifies a re-read, # indicates an Off The Shelf book, + is a library book):
Books read:
92. Sylvester: or The Wicked Uncle* by Georgette Heyer (286 pp.)
93. Mouse & Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (354 pp.) (June 2010)
94. Nine Gates by Jane Lindskold (467 pp.) (May 2010)
95. Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui+ by Karen Kingston (166 pp.)
96. Charlie Bone and the Red Knight by Jenny Nimmo (466 pp.) (May 2010
97. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (391 pp.)
98. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (398 pp.)
99. Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos+ by R. L. LaFevers (344 pp.)
100. The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley (253 pp.)
101. D. A. by Connie Willis (76 pp.)
102. Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal (302 pp.)
103. Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco (305 pp.)
104. Saint Vidicon to the Rescue by Christopher Stasheff (308 pp.)
105. I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (347 pp.)

Books acquired:
54. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Borders 33% off coupon)
55. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Borders sale)
56. The Postman by David Brin (PBS-replacement copy for October read)
57. Blameless by Gail Carriger (B&N gift card)
58. Grand Central Arena by Ryk Spoor (B&N gift card)
59. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (PBS)
60. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (gift)
61-83 Books acquired for free from Glenda (fellow LT and BMer)
Anderson, Poul All One Universe
Bear, Greg Anvil of Stars
Bear, Greg Blood Music
Bear, Greg Eon
Bear, Greg Eternity
Bear, Greg Legacy
Bear, Greg Moving Mars
Bear, Greg The Force of God
Donaldson, Stephen R. A Man Rides Through
Donaldson, Stephen R. The Mirror of Her Dreams
Leiber, Fritz Swords' Masters
Leiber, Fritz The Knight and Knave of Swords
Miller, Walter M. JR. Saint Leibowitz and the Wild Horse Woman
Sheffield, Charles Proteus Manifest
Silverberg, Robert Lord Prestimion
Silverberg, Robert Sorcerers of Majipoor
Silverberg, Robert The Mountains of Majipoor
Simak, Clifford Mastodonia
Simak, Clifford The fellowship of the Talisman
Zelazny, Roger A Night in the Lonesome October
Zelazny, Roger Doorways in the Sand
Zelazny, Roger The Chronicles of Amber Vol I
Zelazny, Roger The Chronicles of Amber Vol II
84. D. A. by Connie Willis (gift from David--tapestry100)
85. Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer (raffle prize from Austenprose)
86. Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester (Borders-33% coupon)

Woah - a nice set of new books - Zelazny, Leiber and Bear are all great!

Here's the October summary, a little late!

Books read (and it was a great reading month!):

106. The Shadow Pavilion by Liz Williams (346 pp.)
107. Surviving the Holocaust: Stan Kijowski's Journey in a Wicked World by Anna M. Mitchell (108 pp.)
108. The Postman* by David Brin (321 pp.)
109. Changeless by Gail Carriger (388 pp.)
110. Charing Cross Road+ by Helene Hanff (97 pp.)
111. Blameless by Gail Carriger (355 pp.)
112. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (370 pp.)
113. The Joy of the Snow by Elizabeth Goudge (268 pp.)
114. Blackout by Connie Willis (491 pp.)
115. Return Engagement* by Glenna Finley (185 pp.)
116. To Catch a Bride* by Glenna Finley (213 pp.)
117. The Puppet Masters* by Robert Heinlein (175 pp.)
118. All Clear by Connie Willis (641 pp.)
119. Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold (339 pp.)
120. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon+ by Grace Lin (278 pp.)
121. Pegasus by Robin McKinley (397 pp.)
122. The Curse of Chalion* by Lois McMaster Bujold (442 pp.)
123. Paladin of Souls* by Lois McMaster Bujold (456 pp.)
124. Bellwether* by Connie Willis (247 pp.)

Books acquired:

87. Surviving the Holocaust: Stan Kijowski's Journey in a Wicked World (gift)
88. The Empress and the Acolyte by Jane Fletcher (PBS)
89. All Clear by Connie Willis (Mysterious Galaxy)
90. Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold (MG)
91. The House on Durrow Street by Galen Beckett (MG)
92. Quatrain by Sharon Shinn (MG)
93. Pegasus by Patricia McKillip (Early Reviewers)

I read the most books this month of any month this year: 19 books, amounting to 6117 pages.

3 biography
2 romance (rereads that resulted in culling all 25 books by this author out of my library)
6 science fiction
8 fantasy

12 were new reads, 7 were re-reads.
Of the rereads, 2 were the romances above, 2 were on Mac's Halloween read list, and 3 were rereads of the authors of the new books I read and went to their book signings this week simply because I was enjoying their voices so much.

17 were my own books, 2 were library books, although I liked Where the Mountain Meets the Moon so much that I went out and bought it today to give to my greatniece for Christmas.

Some great reads this month, with three of my favorite authors coming out with new books. The single story arc contained in Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis is my top rated book(s), with a rating of 5.0. The re-reads of The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls are also 5 ratings. Pegasus may become a 5 but it is only the first half of the story and must wait for the rest of the story to be published to be rated.

Some nice reading, and belated congratulations on reaching that 100 milestone!

Thank you. The sobering reflection is that it looks like I will reach the 100 milestone on books acquired this year as well!