rc-3: Concluded

I'm ashamed to say that more than having not completed rc-3 a.k.a. Reading Challenge III, I completely lost track of it. To be frank, I don't care that I didn't "complete" it. The most important thing is the fact that I'm reading and challenging myself to read more. And I read 17 books in 2011, which is not too shabby at all. However, I'm bummed that I can't say for sure which books I read in the last part of the year. For example, I believe it was 17 in total, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, it really doesn't matter. Here's what I think I read in 2011.

1. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
2. The Girls by Lori Lansens
3. Live from New York by Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
5. The Divinity Gene by Matthew J. Trafford
6. 38 Witnesses: The Kitty Genovese Case by A.M. Rosenthal
7. I Met the Walrus by Jerry Levitan
8. Saturday by Ian McEwan
9. Bossypants by Tina Fey
10. Animal Farm by George Orwell
11. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
13. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
14. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
15. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
16. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
17. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

So, not bad at all, really. I read a few classics (Animal Farm and The Old Man and the Sea), a few silly reads (Bossypants and Bridget Jones Deux), a bit of non-fiction (Live from New York, 38 Witnesses, I Met the Walrus, The Tipping Point, and Tuesdays with Morrie), and the rest my beloved fiction (65%). I'd say it was a good year.

I'm currently reading David Sedaris' When You Are Engulfed in Flames and Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw.

I thought I'd already revealed rc-4, but it appears not. Next time I will!

rc-3: 14 down, 6 to go...

It's been too long since I properly updated my die-hard fans readers on Sugar & Gravy's Reading Challenge #3, more commonly known as rc-3.  The truth is that I was on a total roll up until August and then in September I barely read at all.  I was really busy with work and going through a few personal things and just couldn't catch the reading bug again.  But I slogged through and managed to get a few books read after The Help.  I'm currently on book #15 - Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Alboum.  I've always meant to read it and picked it up for $1 at a book sale (along with 9 other books I really didn't need to buy, but $1/book?!  How could I not?!).  I'm loving it so far and it's a fast read, so that'll leave me with 5 books to go in about 6 weeks.  It's possible that I can still do it, though I might need to pick the shortest books on my shelves.  I shall do my best and see how I make out.

So, this year I have read...

1. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
2. The Girls by Lori Lansens
3. Live from New York by Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
5. The Divinity Gene by Matthew J. Trafford
6. 38 Witnesses: The Kitty Genovese Case by A.M. Rosenthal
7. I Met the Walrus by Jerry Levitan
8. Saturday by Ian McEwan
9. Bossypants by Tina Fey
10. Animal Farm by George Orwell
11. No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod
12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
13. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
14. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Random note: 5/14 are non-fiction... seems as though the love for fiction is back and in good form!!!

EDIT: This is too funny.  In re-reading this post, I realized, wait a sec... 6/14 are non-fiction... or is it 5?!  SUGAR & GRAVY QUIZ -- Which of the books listed above is like a tomato in that it's unsure whether it's a vegetable or fruit?

RC Continues

I know I said the Reading Challenge was concluded, but the truth is that I hope it's ongoing for the rest of my life. Regardless, I will continue to discuss the books that I'm reading (as I have been), how I like them, and what I'm doing to encourage/allow myself to read more.

Currently Reading:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - I've got about 150 pages to go and I am just eating it up! How does J.K.R. do it? Her stories are so intricate and well thought out, and I love how much more substantial they get once Harry hits 4th year. Incredible! After this, 3 more to go!

Next:

• Superfreakonomics - I got so into HP that I've neglected this book, but I've got 3 more weeks before it's due back at the library, so I have to read it soon!
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - I'm obsessed with HP right now, so it's more likely that I crack this open before Superfreakonomics but I'll try to practice self control if I can. The books aren't going anywhere, but it might be hard to finish books 5, 6, and 7 before November 19th (when part 1 of the 7th movie comes out [5 weeks to go]). I'll try my best!!!
• The Old Man and the Sea - This was on sale at Indigo and I felt the urge to buy it. It looks like a quick read and it's a classic, so I was sold! Plus, I feel embarrassed as an English major that I haven't read Hemingway, so this will be my start! I'm redeeming myself post-grad.
  

HP

I just finished the 3rd Harry Potter a.k.a. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I can't believe I didn't bring the 4th one with me to Toronto because I'm desperate to start it right now. Oh well... I'll be back home in 36 hours so I can start it then.

If I didn't mention it already, I'm currently re-reading the Harry Potter series in preparation for the first installment of the 7th movie (opening in theatres in mid-November, I believe). In fact, I haven't even read the 7th book yet, which is why I started re-reading in the first place. I don't know why I never got to reading it. I guess it's because I always felt I needed to re-read the other books and was always overwhelmed by the notion. I'm committed this time though. Plus, it's a nice and easy way to get back into the world of fiction. Never mind the fact that the books are just so darn good.

They really are. J.K. Rowling doesn't get nearly enough credit for the incredible world she has created. When you're reading the books, everything seems normal about the world within them, which is a testament to Rowling's imagination and writing. I mean, what even is a dementor? Yet, it makes perfect sense in the world of Harry and Hogwarts.

Anyway... I'm enjoying every word of them and I can't wait to get on to the next. I'm now heading into the more beefy of the Harry Potter series books, too, which is nice. A little more substantial, if you will.

In the meantime, I'm going to get to reading more of Superfreakonomics. I borrowed it from the library and it's due in 2 weeks, so I've gotta focus on that, too! In fact, I think I'm going to get to that now!