2007 Booklist (partial)

Here’s the first draft of my list. Poetry I will add to in a separate section.

Ideally, I’d like to read 12 non-poetry books and 12 poetry books, a total of two a month. (Here's my original booklist post in case you missed it the first time.)

Autobiography—A Personal History, Katherine Graham
It's been on my list since her passing so it's time to take it off the shelf.

Memoir—One Art: Letters by Elizabeth Bishop
Another one collecting dust on the shelf. But I'm facinated by poetry biographies.

Memoir—Broken Music, Sting
I love Sting, and since he was an English teacher, how bad can this one be?

International Literature—Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe
I've always wanted to read Achebe's first book.

History—Against All Enemies, Richard A. Clarke
This one is on my nightstand--may read it sooner rather than later.

Field of Interest—The Norton Anthology of African American Literature
I see myself skipping around, but I'd like to take a crack at reading it.

Author I’ve never read—Smilla’s Sense of Snow, Peter Hoeg
With a name like "Smilla," it has to be good!

Classic—Grapes of Wrath—John Steinbeck
Never read it but always wanted to.

Classic—East of Eden—John Steinbeck
Never read it, but loved the movie with Jayne Seymour

Beloved—Toni Morrison
I tried reading it when it came out but couldn't get through the first chapter. Time to give it another shot.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
It's time. This one I've put off long enough.

Liar's Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street, Michael Lewis
I read Moneyball, which was execellent. Just as an aside, Lewis is married to MTV's Tabitha Soren.

Re-read—Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
This book is my touchstone.

So what else should I be reading?

Comments

Susannah Conway said…
J, the is an inspiring list - and an inspiring prompt... i'm going to have a think and will report back ...

:-)

ps thanks for the Olds link - i'm gutted i missed hearing her talk in London - next time!
J.B. Rowell said…
I still have The Awakening on my ever growing stack. I may have to steal your list and add it on. Your plan is great to read 2 non-poetry books a month!

My husband loves Sting - so Broken Music would be a great gift. Keep the list coming!
Julia
January said…
Julia:

I read The Awakening more than 20 years ago. May have to dust it off again and add it to the list.
Catherine said…
I've been thinking about my list since your original post - waiting to be read I have "Inhaling the Mahatma" by Christopher Kremmer (everyone who heard him at our recent book festival was so inspired they rushed out to buy the book which is about India),. I also want to read Dinae Ackerman's "The Natural History of the Senses" and at least one of the recent histories of New Zealand. Poetry - I have Jane Kenyon's "Collected Poems" on my bookshelf, and a collection of letters by pioneer women "My Hand Will Write What My Heart Dictates". No doubt I'll add to this list with a bit more thought.
Anonymous said…
I loved Things Fall Apart and East of Eden. Never read Grapes of Wrath...I couldn't get past the whole 'dustbowl' angle. Perhaps I'll give it a try after you.

Maya Angelou is also a gem.

I think I need a Summer reading list, since during the school year I read so much for the classes I teach...
mareymercy said…
I've been forced to read some interesting books this year with my new class - and Life of Pi is one you must read, if you haven't yet. I'm so glad I was forced to read it - blew through it in two days! It's truly magical.
Deirdre said…
I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't read Steinbeck. Bird by Bird is one of my favorites too. Anne LaMott is a genius.
January said…
Twitches, I've heard good things about The Life of Pi. I'll add it to my list.

Dierdre, I really need to get caught up on my classics. Haven't read a lot of Steinbeck, Faulkner, or Hemmingway. Maybe I'll read Hemmingway in 2008.

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