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Friday, January 4, 2013

{24 Books in a Year}

One of my New Year’s Resolutions, or goals, is to read 24 books in a year…24 real books.  While this may seem easy for some, it will be quite challenging for me.  Holding a fulltime and fairly demanding job, being a good wife and mother, maintaining focus and advancement in my dance, practicing my photography skills, and just living life, adds to the challenge on completing all 24 books.  I am quite optimistic though!  I think I can do it and I think it will force me to slow down a little earlier in the evenings.  Plus, I love to read and think this will be a great jumpstart to getting back into the routine!   

2013 Book List…so far 

{ONE}
Dragon Fly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon
I already read the first book of The Outlander Series, so I am starting with book two of seven. These books were recommended by my co-worker and a few other friends.  

{TWO}
Voyager (Outlander #3) by Diana Gabaldon 

{THREE}
Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4) by Diana Gabaldon 

{FOUR}
The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) by Diana Gabaldon 

{FIVE}
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander #6) by Diana Gabaldon 

{SIX}
Echo in the Bone (Outlander #7) by Diana Gabaldon 

{SEVEN}
Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness by Scott Jurek
Recommended by my father. 

{EIGHT}
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Recommended by Michal, a good college friend. 

{NINE}
The Food -Mood Solution: All-Natural Ways to Banish Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Stress, Overeating, and Alcohol and Drug Problems—And Feel Good Again by Jack Challem
Recommended by my friend, Kelly.  

{TEN}
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Recommended by a co-worker. 

{ELEVEN}
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed 

{TWELVE}
What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by: Carole Radziwill 

{THIRTEEN}
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

{FOURTEEN}
Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne 

{FIFTEEN}
The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obrueht 

{SIXTEEN}
The Help by Kathryn Stockett 

{SEVENTEEN}
The Lotus Eaters: A Novel by Tatjana Soli

{EIGHTEEN}
Generation Kill by Evan Wright 

{NINETEEN}
A Piece of My Heart: The Stories of 26 American Women Who Served in Vietnam by Keith Walker

{TWENTY}
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

{TWENTY ONE}
East of Eden by John Steinbeck

{TWENTY TWO}
1984 by George Orwell 
 
Ok, here’s where I am hoping you can help me…
 
{TWENTY THREE}
Need a suggestion for a Photography book to read.
I want one that focuses on lighting if possible.
I don’t want to have to edit my pictures much,
But I want to have cool lighting effects…Help! 

{TWENTY FOUR}
Need a suggestion for a personal account with a disability.
I’ve read books about Down Syndrome and Aspergers and enjoyed them.
I love to learn the human day to day side of disabilities.
The scientific/technical side is interesting as well,
But I really like to see the person, not the disability.
We are all different and beautiful!  Let’s embrace it!

I’ve already read the Grey series, the Hunger Games series, and the Twilight series.  I am debating about adding the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo series to my list, but I don’t know if I will be able to get through them.  I definitely want to have some backup books in case these aren’t available at the library or heaven forbid I just can’t get into one of the books listed.   Here are some of my backups: The Innocent by David Baldacci and books by Jodi Picoult or Maeve Binchy (Circle of Friends).

If you have any suggestions that fit those last two or any books that you think I should definitely add to my list, PLEASE let me know!!  I love to hear about the books you have been reading and/or plan to read!  I will be sure to post my reviews about each and every book once they are complete.  That will help me stay on track and possibly inspire others to read the books I am reading!

Happy FRIDAY!!

Much love.

9 comments:

  1. For #24, look up Born On A Blue Day by Daniel Tammet. It's fascinating.

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    1. Thank you! I added it to my good reads app so that I will remember it! It sounds exactly like a book I am looking for!

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  2. No, that definitely sounds like a challenge to me! I want to read the one on Steve Jobs. Seems like an interesting guy.

    Anything by Scott Kelby is great. I'm on my 7th book of his. He's funny and straightforward.

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    1. I'll be sure to let you know what I think of the Steve Jobs book! Thank you for the Photography suggestion. I think I've actually read a book by him, but I'm not 100% sure...I know I've seen them before.

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  3. The book A Beautiful Mind is supposed to be great! I loved the movie with Russell Crowe, but never read the book. "John Forbes Nash, Jr., a prodigy and legend by the age of 30. A true drama, A Beautiful Mind is also a fascinating look at the extraordinary and fragile nature of genius"(From the publisher). Impressive goal!! Love you, Mom

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    1. Mom - I am 99% sure that you and dad gave me that DVD. I love the movie, so maybe I'll like the book, but since I know the story already, I have my doubts. I don't like knowing anything about a book before reading it. Love you too! :)

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  4. I also loved Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour and it has a great list of books in the back (all of the books he read while hopping trains and living on the road). The list will really give you incentive to read! Mom

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  5. I'm intrigued by A Piece of My Heart (for obvious reasons). I'll be impressed if I make it through the rest of the Hunger Games series, which means I probably won't get around to reading A Piece of My Heart in 2013 (never say never, though!). Just in case you're looking for a backup book, or something along the same lines, check out Steel My Soldiers' Hearts by Col David Hackworth. I read it before Basic and during OCS (well, kinda; enough to write an essay on it... thank God I'd read it before) and really liked it both times.

    I watched Mystic River (the movie with Kevin Bacon). That one might be a bit sad, but I'm interested in seeing if you like it.

    Good luck with your goal! I know how hard it can be to squeeze in reading time.

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  6. Oh you have them all planned out! Good idea :)

    Funny but I also committed myself to reading 25 (French) books before the end of 2013. I have this thingy on my blog to show the ones I read already. I cheated a bit and started in December...

    Best of luck with your challenge! I heard Diana G.'s books are fantastic.

    Stephanie
    http://sharelovealways.blogspot.ca/

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