New Years Resolutions Resolved

I have always made huge New Year's Resolution Lists. I write almost the same things every year since I never truly accomplish any of them (exercise daily, Read the whole Bible, etc.) and frankly some of them are often ridiculous (become a compost master.... yes, that's a real job and it's awesome!). But last year I was feeling like I was in the middle of several crazy changes and didn't want to add any more challenge to my life.

I set one resolution... Read 24 books over the course of the year. And now I am convinced that 1 resolution a year is the way to go. I feel so accomplished have read 26 books in 2009! (little victories is what my life has come to... ;) )

Here's some of the highlights:

We picked up this little gem in Valencia, Spain because we were desperate for reading options (other than the Spanish History books we had brought along... who'da thought that would ever get boring....) after 3 weeks in the country and there were few options in the "English Fiction" section of the bookstore. I am so glad we did!! We read each of his short stories aloud every where we went. I knew Roald Dahl was dark and twisty but I never realized the extent. These stories are sick! But so wonderful! I highly recommend "The tattoo artist" or the story about a wife who murders her husband and cooks him for dinner to hide the evidence.




The History of Love

Unbelievably cute and touching. I cried on the subway. Always the mark of a moving book when I am willing to cry in front of total strangers on the 2 train at 7am. (it helps that none of them are awake to see...) I wasn't super impressed by the writing itself but it was pretty great.
Amazing writing!! I was so bored with the beginning. It was slow and all she seemed to write about was the flat farmland of middle America. But then suddenly, out of nowhere it seemed, people's lives were falling apart! It was the manifestation of my worst nightmares - seemingly meaningless choices followed by passive inaction leading to disaster! It was amazingly written and had me hooked until the very end.


I've always wanted to read this book since seeing a review in Seventeen magazine when I was 13. I'm sad I didn't read it at 13 because I would have loved it more - but all the same it was pretty great. Also brought me to tears on the subway. And also spoke to my juvenile, angsty, introverted soul.


I realized at our book club that this one isn't for everyone but I loved it. I have never read a book that so thoroughly let me experience life in someone elses shoes. I could simultaneously hate the characters for their selfish actions while totally understanding and defending their motives. I've been looking for a book just as intense and captivating ever since.