A Year in Books

[amysisson]

I read 109 books in 2012, not including picture books. The reading time on the commute has definitely led to an increase, although I find it much harder in the winter months when it's dark both coming and going. The commuter buses (as opposed to city buses) are equipped with reading lights at each seat, but I find it to be an eyestrain.

In any case, here were some highlights:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - YA mainstream
  
  
• The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - fantasy
  
  
• The Fourth Wall by Walter Jon Williams - science fiction
  
  
• The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen - fantasy (slight)
  
  
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline - science fiction
  
  
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - fantasy
  
  
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio - YA mainstream
  
  
• The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - science fiction (post-apoc)
  
  
• Legion by Brandon Sanderson - science fiction
  
  
• Star Wars: Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn - science fiction (included for the sheer fun factor)
  
  
• The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker - science fiction (apoc)
  
  
• Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - mainstream/literary

Of the highlights, 3 were mainstream, 3 were fantasy, and 3 were science fiction. I still have to go back and figure the numbers for all 109 books.

I'm not sure why I like to keep track. Part of it is the feeling of accomplishment I get from knowing how much I've read. Part of it is that I like to look at what kinds of books I've read, to inspire myself to stretch my boundaries a little more. I take reading, as well as supporting the publishing industry, very seriously. I don't buy everything I read, but I patronize my library a lot and I still do buy a lot of print books at various venues. Books just make the world a better place.