I’m kind of a slow reader
In 2011, for the first time, I kept a list of everything I read. Since I always have a book on the go, I was pretty confident I’d read at least a book a week, probably more. My grand total, at 42, fell short though – and surprisingly once I started college at the end of September my rate of reading went down. (Or maybe not so surprising, since I was no longer commuting, and had lots of workshop-reading to do.)
It was a good year in books. I read 17 novels, including some brilliant 2011 releases such as City of Bohane, The Tenderloin, The Forgotten Waltz, The Gospel of Anarchy and The Sense of an Ending. Austin Wright’s re-released Tony and Susan, first published in 1993, was another highlight, and not like anything I’d ever read. I also loved last year’s Booker contenders In a Strange Room and Skippy Dies.
I read a mere seven YA titles, including three by the same author – Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls series, the middle of which, Linger, was my favourite. Laura Jane Cassidy’s dark/sparky Angel Kiss was a highlight. I have a tonne of unread YA on my bookshelf, including The Knife of Never Letting Go, Delirium and Divergent. If I have a resolution for 2012, it’s to read more YA.
And more short stories, too. I was obviously in a novelly place in 2011, because I read a dismal total of three short story collections – Ben Greenman’s What He’s Poised to Do, the excellent Faber anthology New Irish Short Stories, and Nuala Ni Chonchuir’s gorgeous, haunting To the World of Men, Welcome, which was re-issued this year.
I read a LOT of plays, mostly for college. Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane was probably my favourite of those, but I also sorta loved Sebastian Barry’s much-maligned Hinterland, AKA the Charlie Haughey play.
I read more current affairs and politics titles than is usual, too – a sign of the times. Pat Leahy’s Showtime and Matt Cooper’s How Ireland Really Went Bust were informative as well as strangely addictive.
Two memoirs – Caitlin Moran’s glorious How to Be A Woman and Joe Brainard’s dinky but perfectly formed I Remember – rounded out my year in books.
In writing terms, it’s been a good year too. In 2012 I’ll finish my creative writing masters and with it, hopefully, a novel. Bring it!
An impressive list. I have never kept one but on reading this, I just might. It’s fun.
And thanks for the shout-out. Blush
Aww, you’re welcome.
Am very excited for Mother America!
Great list – I really liked In a Strange Room – one of my faves from last year. Have just finished The Sense of an Ending and Divergent.
What did you make of them Dave? I’ve heard a lot of people say they were disappointed with The Sense of an Ending, but I really liked it – got totally absorbed in its moodiness.
Do you use goodreads.com for keeping track of what you’ve read? It’s good for recommendations and organizing your reading. Plus, you get nice visuals for genres, publication dates, etc.
Have just signed up! Thanks for the recommendation.