Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Well, I made this thread sometime last year and fell miserably. Thanks to school and all that jazz, I didn't have the motivation to read as much as I wanted to. But now, I feel motivated and I'm ready to take charge. I still have 400+ books on my shelves that need to be thinned out (I want a personal library, but a library of stuff I know I enjoy) and my fiance won't let me buy more (even for a dollar or 50 cents) until I read them, so I'd say it's time to begin.

Currently Reading: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking


1) Viruses, Plagues, and History by Michael B.A. Oldstone
The fiance got on my ass about finishing this up (had it for about 6 months)

2) I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Incredible. I love science fiction. I remember hearing that the movie has very little to do with the book and that would be correct. The book was wonderful. I loved the theory behind the 3 Laws and how the characters had to think deeply of how to solve the issues with said laws

3)A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Brilliant. Stephen Hawking does a wonderful job of making the physics of the universe fascinating. Ah, science. How I love you so.

4)Animal Farm by George Orwell
I didn't enjoy this as much as 1984. It felt rather heavy handed, thought it was fun to think of who each character represented.

5)Disclosure by Michael Crichton
I love Michael Crichton, but this is low on my list of favorite books by him. Compared to his books grounded in science, such as Jurassic Park, Prey, or Next, it just doesn't compare. Plus, it's a little outdated.

6)Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix
This series is incredible. They didn't have Mister Monday at the library, but I've read it before and remembered most of what happened so I started on the second. Garth Nix creates an amazing world.

7)Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix
Yay, another book in the series down! I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Grim Tuesday though. I felt that he could have let us explore the Border Sea more. I can't wait to read the other books in the series! In middle school, I left off half way through Sir Thursday. I remember being excited when Lady Friday came out, but I never kept up with it. Oh well, here I am now.

This book brings me one step closer to finishing two of my goals. The first is to read the entire Keys to the Kingdom series this summer. I just have to get down to the library soon. The other goal is (re)reading all of Garth Nix's work. I've read a lot of it in middle/early high schoolish, but I hear there's another book in the Old Kingdom series coming out in a few years, so I would like to get reacquainted with it. I own Shade's Children, and have read two or three books in The 7th Tower series, so I'm excited to get back into his work.

8)Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
After finishing Drowned Wednesday, , I noticed this on my fiance's shelf. It was a quick read, and better than I thought it wold be. I suppose that it'd be better to have read it as a freshman in high school. I think this would be a much better book for people starting high school to read in order to get some understanding of relationships than a book with a vampire and a girl who have a very creepy relationship.

EDIT: With this update, I have now read more books than all of last year, with the same goal! Hurray! (yes I know young adult books make for quick reading, don't judge me)

Gregg wrote: "8)Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
After finishing Drowned Wednesday, , I noticed this on my fiance's shelf. It was a quick read, and better than I thought it wold be. I suppose that it'd be better t..."

Gregg - some of my favorite books over the last two years have been YA books. You have to throw in those easy reads to break up the monotony of the heavier reads!!

Thanks for the comment, Connie. You're right, these YA books are nice to read after reading heavier stuff. Plus, it makes you feel like you're making a lot of progress, which is nice after failing horribly at my goal last year.

9)Mister Monday by Garth Nix
Whoo! Another book down, another Nix down. A little out of order, but oh well, now I can get back on track with the rest of the series.

MEGA UPDATE!

I haven't updated in a while, but hey, I got married!

10-12) The Fall; Castle; Aenir by Garth Nix
Made some headway into this fun little series by Nix. For some reason, I remembered half a the first book, absolutely none of the second, but remembered strongly the last half of the third...

13)The Hunters by Clark Howard
Bought for a 50 cents at a flea market. A short mysteryish type novel that was better than I expected, but that's not saying much. A huge chunk of the book was pretty pointless. Apparently, it is an obscure book, as goodreads doesn't even have the cover on the site.

14) Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theroux
I absolutely loved this book. It actually started making me sad that I don't have the time or money to be able to travel...

15-17)Harry Potter 1-3 by JK Rowling
My wife bought me the boxed set of the Harry Potter series as a wedding gift, so I got right down to business. I forgot how much I loved this series. So far, the third book as been my favorite. Lupin is the greatest character.

My goal for the rest of 2011 is to read the rest of the series. I have them all on hand, so there isn't too much of an excuse not to.

Gregg wrote: "MEGA UPDATE!

I haven't updated in a while, but hey, I got married!..."

Congrats!!

18-19) Harry Potter 4-5 by JK Rowling

So it ends. More than I had last year, but still a few short of my goal. Oh well, I read some great books and will read even more next year. I can't wait!