Books!

As my longtime loyal readers (all six or so of you) know, I post more or less annually the number of books I read in the prior year, and total pages.

In 2014 I had a slow reading year: just 19 books, for a total of 6,406 pages.

This is compared to the bumper year 2013, when I read 30 books, for 8,903 pages.

This far in 2015, I'm on something of a tear (which is likely unsustainable): already 6 books, for 1,993 pages, which amounts to 31% of the total pages read in all of 2014, in less than a month.

Best book read in 2014: The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. In the vein of Marquez-style magical realism, sweeping, incredible characters, totally gripping. In my journal where I record these books, my notes say "EXTRAORDINARY, enchanting, deep, magical, mesmerizing"

Perhaps the runner up: The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey. I seem to be re-igniting my love of magical realism. (Escapism?)

Normally I'd mention the worst book I read, but there wasn't really a standout. I did note "meh" for several, including Divergent by Veronica Roth, and Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight.

I love reading. Maybe I'll sit around and read all day instead of cleaning and packing and sorting.

Reader challenge: email me, or post a comment, with the best book you have read recently (define "recently" however you like) and I'll put it on my to-read list.