Page One

The average American reads one book a year. ONE BOOK!! Taking a tip from my English-teaching husband, who invented a challenge for himself to read 52 books a year, I decided a while ago to try to keep up. I've half-tried in the last couple of years, but haven't even come close once. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm an avid reader. Self-proclaimed bookworm, I'm one of those who always has a book in her purse, and I get through my fair share. But it's become obvious in the last few months (see list of books read thus far in the sidebar to the right) that if I want to do this, I'm going to have to buckle down and get serious. Enter blog, a.k.a. accounting mechanism. So, here are the rules:

1. My year begins tomorrow, September 19, 2010. Not following the Roman, Chinese, Jewish or lunar calendar, just my own.
2. I will report each Sunday night about the book read the previous week.
3. Three "passes" may be utilized during the one year period. These will only be used to give a reason for an incomplete weekly post; the 52 book rule stands firm, so I'll have to either read books simultaneously, or read a couple short ones to make up the difference.

I am ALWAYS looking for new books to read. If you have one you'd like to recommend, please don't hesitate to suggest it.

One note for the would-be blog follower: My weekly posts contain my impressions of the book. While content may be referenced in regard to my opinion of it, my intent is not to summarize or screen books for any particular set of values or expectations. I won't be informing you how many times the characters have sex, or on which page a certain swear is used. That's a different blog, not mine. This blog is my view, which I hope you find interesting. If you don't, I respect your right to differ in opinion ... but I hope we'll be able to remain friends. I'll try to keep the reviews spoiler free (wouldn't want to ruin the end of the Harry Potter series for you or anything), but I will give you fair warning if I find it is necessary for me to do so. I welcome your comments and suggestions - after all, that's part of why I'm using this as a blog instead of a spreadsheet!

And so it begins ...