At some point in 2020, I confronted the fact that I was hoarding books and never starting them. I had a stack of hard copies, a handful of PDFs downloaded on my laptop, and still others living in multiple mobile apps. The procurement of books started to feel like a habit that was spiraling out of control—especially since I wasn't reaping the benefits of actually reading them. So to keep myself accountable, I did kind of the reverse of your ritual: I wrote down all the titles I'd amassed and committed to checking them off. (Coincidentally, 3 Bod Prob was one of them! I really liked it, and would def read the rest of the trilogy someday. Right now I'm working on The Left Hand of Darkness, and digging that too.)
Even though I didn't make as much progress on my list as I'd hoped to before the end of the year, it was a helpful exercise to get me started, and it's still gratifying when I get to cross off another item. Thanks for sharing yours, and for all the good vibes you send out each week.
Stacking up unread books looks great in any setting if you ask me. I love living around a lot of books. It makes me feel something, but I don't know what. Maybe it makes me feel smarter than I am. Who knows! But I totally get the feeling of the book walls caving in. I like your approach.
3 bod problem is really something. I would have to say the first and second books are the bets. Once I got to the third I felt like I was completely untethered and spinning in outerspace - which I guess was the goal. I'll be curious to see what you think.....
Progress is relative! As long as you were checking those puppies off. Thank you for sending back positive vibes., Sometimes it feels like im shouting into that same void J described earlier.
I think one of those two copies of Cathedral may have been gifted to you by me? The reason I suspect that is because I, too, had acquired two copies of the collection over the years. I hate seeing it on your sad, short list of re-reads; however, a lot of RC's shorts are--while not necessarily unmemorable--similar in lots of ways. (Relatedly, I've on two separate occasions bought copies of CC's "Rarities" tape on Discogs. Do you want my spare?)
I fell short of my goal of 30 this year but, if I can end the workday at a reasonable hour this afternoon, by the end of the day I will reach a cool 22. It was a busy year! Westerns were a theme for me in 2020, as was following the trials and travails of Richard Stark's (Donald Westlake's) Parker character in the '60s mobbed-up crime noir series that begins with "The Hunter".
I want to get through at least one of Robert Caro's books/doorstops about LBJ in 2021. Like "The Secret" (not on my 2020 list), I'm just putting that out there into the world!
My dad devoured The Three Body Problem trilogy during quar (albeit, on audiobook while he would go on hikes), and I think it was the first literature I've seen him consume in my lifetime. I loved and was challenged by Book 1, so I need to jump back in soon.
Happy new year to you and yours, Dan! Hope you keep guiding us through the weekend in 2021.
I want to say, maybe. Did you gift me FIRES? Either way, nothing against RC. IN all honesty my sad short list may mean that I love these authors more than any. And yes, I could use another 'Rarities' to add to me CC collection. I may need to buy another house to use as storage for the records and tapes alone.
22 is VERY solid my man. Westerns are something that I have never really tried my hand at in earnest. I was scarred after trying to read 'Blood Meridian' (the only book i've canned halfway though.. ever. I will one day give that another shot. In 2021 I will pick up THE HUNTER for sure.
The Three Body Problem Trilogy is maybe the most out there stuff I have ever gotten through. As you know, I struggle with the SCI FI genre, but i felt compelled to give the 3BP a go since I had heard so many rave reviews. I will say - it only gets darker after Book 1 - but I would say...finish it up!
Peace and love to you, Bill. You are the most frequent and passionate commenter here and I appreciate you!
At some point in 2020, I confronted the fact that I was hoarding books and never starting them. I had a stack of hard copies, a handful of PDFs downloaded on my laptop, and still others living in multiple mobile apps. The procurement of books started to feel like a habit that was spiraling out of control—especially since I wasn't reaping the benefits of actually reading them. So to keep myself accountable, I did kind of the reverse of your ritual: I wrote down all the titles I'd amassed and committed to checking them off. (Coincidentally, 3 Bod Prob was one of them! I really liked it, and would def read the rest of the trilogy someday. Right now I'm working on The Left Hand of Darkness, and digging that too.)
Even though I didn't make as much progress on my list as I'd hoped to before the end of the year, it was a helpful exercise to get me started, and it's still gratifying when I get to cross off another item. Thanks for sharing yours, and for all the good vibes you send out each week.
Stacking up unread books looks great in any setting if you ask me. I love living around a lot of books. It makes me feel something, but I don't know what. Maybe it makes me feel smarter than I am. Who knows! But I totally get the feeling of the book walls caving in. I like your approach.
3 bod problem is really something. I would have to say the first and second books are the bets. Once I got to the third I felt like I was completely untethered and spinning in outerspace - which I guess was the goal. I'll be curious to see what you think.....
Progress is relative! As long as you were checking those puppies off. Thank you for sending back positive vibes., Sometimes it feels like im shouting into that same void J described earlier.
Peace and love!
I think one of those two copies of Cathedral may have been gifted to you by me? The reason I suspect that is because I, too, had acquired two copies of the collection over the years. I hate seeing it on your sad, short list of re-reads; however, a lot of RC's shorts are--while not necessarily unmemorable--similar in lots of ways. (Relatedly, I've on two separate occasions bought copies of CC's "Rarities" tape on Discogs. Do you want my spare?)
I fell short of my goal of 30 this year but, if I can end the workday at a reasonable hour this afternoon, by the end of the day I will reach a cool 22. It was a busy year! Westerns were a theme for me in 2020, as was following the trials and travails of Richard Stark's (Donald Westlake's) Parker character in the '60s mobbed-up crime noir series that begins with "The Hunter".
I want to get through at least one of Robert Caro's books/doorstops about LBJ in 2021. Like "The Secret" (not on my 2020 list), I'm just putting that out there into the world!
My dad devoured The Three Body Problem trilogy during quar (albeit, on audiobook while he would go on hikes), and I think it was the first literature I've seen him consume in my lifetime. I loved and was challenged by Book 1, so I need to jump back in soon.
Happy new year to you and yours, Dan! Hope you keep guiding us through the weekend in 2021.
I want to say, maybe. Did you gift me FIRES? Either way, nothing against RC. IN all honesty my sad short list may mean that I love these authors more than any. And yes, I could use another 'Rarities' to add to me CC collection. I may need to buy another house to use as storage for the records and tapes alone.
22 is VERY solid my man. Westerns are something that I have never really tried my hand at in earnest. I was scarred after trying to read 'Blood Meridian' (the only book i've canned halfway though.. ever. I will one day give that another shot. In 2021 I will pick up THE HUNTER for sure.
The Three Body Problem Trilogy is maybe the most out there stuff I have ever gotten through. As you know, I struggle with the SCI FI genre, but i felt compelled to give the 3BP a go since I had heard so many rave reviews. I will say - it only gets darker after Book 1 - but I would say...finish it up!
Peace and love to you, Bill. You are the most frequent and passionate commenter here and I appreciate you!