Reading report 2011
This year, I have been mostly:
* Being very antisocial, especially on LJ;
* Working;
* Falling asleep after working;
* Trying to write, and
* Reading 138 books (11 down on last year, despite all the antisocial stuff. Maybe the sleeping is to blame.)
I read a lot of children's and YA novels this year, partly because I've been trying to write one, partly because I've become interested in catching up with the children's classics I missed when I was actually a child. Most of the authors I've newly discovered this year have written juvenile literature: Tove Jansson (of the Moomins), Cynthia Harnett (vintage children's historical novelist), Mary Hooper (contemporary YA historical novelist), and Tamora Pierce (contemporary YA fantasy writer). (I've been trying to read more women writers particularly, and, when I've found one I like, to read at least a decent-sized chunk of their works.)
Trying to read more in favourite authors, I made some inroads into the back catalogues of Georgette Heyer, Rosemary Sutcliff and Diana Wynne Jones, but I think I need some more favourite authors whose catalogues are less vast. So far I'm up to 31 Heyers, but there are at least 20 more to go.
I also read a fair bit of history, which was meant to focus on the 18th century but seemed to go farther into the past as the year went on. I might have logged enough history books now to actually have some cred as an ex-history student. Two years ago I had about three.
My pile of books to read still has over 100 volumes. So that's 2012 sorted.
Raciest title: The Virgin and the Nightingale, medieval Latin poems translated by Fleur Adcock, which indicates just how racy my library is.
Most Obvious Appearance by Satan: Zofloya, or The Moor, by Charlotte Dacre. This takes over from last year's winner, the adventures of innocent Sir Percival in The Quest for the Holy Grail.
Weirdest Scene Involving Lions and Spousal Abuse: The Poem of the Cid, translated by Rita Hamilton.
Most Interesting Story About Textiles: The Wool-pack, by Cynthia Harnett.
Most Unpronounceable Names: Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Stories, translated by Herman Palsson.
Sweetest Legacy: Earwig and the Witch, by Diana Wynne Jones.
Most books by one author: Georgette Heyer (20).
* Being very antisocial, especially on LJ;
* Working;
* Falling asleep after working;
* Trying to write, and
* Reading 138 books (11 down on last year, despite all the antisocial stuff. Maybe the sleeping is to blame.)
I read a lot of children's and YA novels this year, partly because I've been trying to write one, partly because I've become interested in catching up with the children's classics I missed when I was actually a child. Most of the authors I've newly discovered this year have written juvenile literature: Tove Jansson (of the Moomins), Cynthia Harnett (vintage children's historical novelist), Mary Hooper (contemporary YA historical novelist), and Tamora Pierce (contemporary YA fantasy writer). (I've been trying to read more women writers particularly, and, when I've found one I like, to read at least a decent-sized chunk of their works.)
Trying to read more in favourite authors, I made some inroads into the back catalogues of Georgette Heyer, Rosemary Sutcliff and Diana Wynne Jones, but I think I need some more favourite authors whose catalogues are less vast. So far I'm up to 31 Heyers, but there are at least 20 more to go.
I also read a fair bit of history, which was meant to focus on the 18th century but seemed to go farther into the past as the year went on. I might have logged enough history books now to actually have some cred as an ex-history student. Two years ago I had about three.
My pile of books to read still has over 100 volumes. So that's 2012 sorted.
Raciest title: The Virgin and the Nightingale, medieval Latin poems translated by Fleur Adcock, which indicates just how racy my library is.
Most Obvious Appearance by Satan: Zofloya, or The Moor, by Charlotte Dacre. This takes over from last year's winner, the adventures of innocent Sir Percival in The Quest for the Holy Grail.
Weirdest Scene Involving Lions and Spousal Abuse: The Poem of the Cid, translated by Rita Hamilton.
Most Interesting Story About Textiles: The Wool-pack, by Cynthia Harnett.
Most Unpronounceable Names: Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Stories, translated by Herman Palsson.
Sweetest Legacy: Earwig and the Witch, by Diana Wynne Jones.
Most books by one author: Georgette Heyer (20).