Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December Reading

Do I dare make a December reading list? I'm not so sure I do after last month's failed attempt, especially considering December was the month last year that I managed to read the fewest books due to the busy holiday season. So I think I'll learn my lesson from last year (when I attempted to read a 700 - 800 page book that I just didn't have time for) and stick to short-ish books for December. I am going to set goals of reading The Dragons of Hazlett by Michelle Scott and The Wolverine Files by Mike W. Barr since they're not too long and have been in my pile for a while, though.

Right now I'm most of the way through The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay, which I'm having fun with. Next I'm not sure what to read - I'm considering Graceling, Unseen Academicals, Hunting Ground, Night's Master, Resenting the Hero or a Catherine Asaro book. And several others. (I'm not at all indecisive.)

November was a great reading month since I read three books that I loved above and beyond the average "good" book - Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor, By the Mountain Bound by Elizabeth Bear and Black Ships by Jo Graham (which I'm working on a review of now).

What's everyone planning to read this December? Has anyone else found they have the same problem with reading this month that I do?

12 comments:

Benjamin said...

Hey Kristen. Nothing wrong with sticking to a bunch of short books. I do that myself from time to time. Though that reminds me that I need to get around to Anathem eventually.

Currently reading Pyramids by Pratchett, which was necessary after reading The Road by McCarthy.

On the agenda for December,
Ariel, Steven Boyett
Suicide Kings, GRRM et al
Eye of the World, Robert Jordan (yup, first foray into WoT)
Promise of the Wolves, Dorothy Hearst

orannia said...

Oh, interesting line-up Benjamin :)

Kristen - I'm currently reading Shadow Magic (Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett). On my list for this month is Corambis, although reading that requires me to write a review of The Mirador!

And yes, I'm having issues ATM finding time to read. And this weekend will be out as until I unpack and connect my new computer - to the wall and the modem - I'll have no internet!!!

Kristen said...

Benjamin - December is a decent month for short books. Good luck with Anathem when you do get to it. That one is so long it would take me a month to read.

Pyramids was a good one. Since I just finished Busted Flush I'm looking forward to reading Suicide Kings at some point soon too.

Orannia - What do you think of Shadow Magic? I haven't picked that up yet, although I did really like Havemercy. Can't wait to hear what you think of Corambis too! Although I really liked it, it didn't strike the same chord for me as the other three books in the series.

Eek, no internet! I'd go insane.

orannia said...

I'm really enjoying Shadow Magic. It's slowly I feel that HaveMercy, but then there is more going on behind the scenes IMO. The voices aren't as distinct as in HaveMercy either...but I like it.

And I have no interenet at home now because the internet connection on my current computer died on Wednesday night (and IT think it is hardware related). So I'm on a mission this weekend!

Benjamin said...

Orannia, no internet connection? Like Kristen, I'd probably go insane. Hope you manage to get it fixed soon.

James said...

Well, it is my Bleak December now and I have just finished my first story from Poe (going in order in the book), Metzengerstein. Read it before and distinctly remembered not being at all fond of it, but it was much better the second time around.

Also reading The Other City by Michal Ajvaz alongside it, which is perhaps one of the oddest novels I have read in some time.

Also on the agenda:

Devices and Desires by KJ Parker
The Sea Came In At Midnight by Steve Erickson
And finish up VanderMeer's City of Saints and Madmen if I get the chance.

Also plan to read the short fiction of MR James, if I get around to it.

Unknown said...

I've just finished Red Claw by Philip Palmer and I'm now starting Fallen. My tentative December list is, Ill Wind by Rachel Caine, Already Dead by Charlie Hutson, Mr Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett and a few others with a Christmas theme. But it could all change ;-)

Kristen said...

Orannia - Thanks for the info on Shadow Magic. I'm going to get that one after it comes out in paperback (since I have Havemercy in paperback and so they need to match). Good luck with the computer issues!

Benjamin - I know, it's good cause for insanity. A couple of weeks ago we changed our domain host and didn't have email for a day or two and that drove me crazy!

James - That sounds like a good list. I'm curious about both KJ Parker and Jeff Vandermeer's books.

Book Chick City - Ill Wind is on my to read list too. Looking forward to hearing what you think of it!

orannia said...

Thank you Kristen! New computer is now up and running and so shiny :) And fast!

Brenda Hyde said...

I hear you on the book list. I have SO many to read, and a bunch I've read to review. I think I need to read and writer faster! I just finished The Better Part of Darkness, and I have Deep Kiss of Winter to read before the blog tour. I'm reading Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Francis right now.

Benjamin- I'm up to book 4 in the Jordan series and love it. I just haven't had time to start up again.

orannia- congrats on the new computer! I thought Shadow Magic looked good, but haven't picked it up yet.

So many good books I haven't read yet. Sigh.

Kristen said...

Orannia - A fast new computer sounds excellent!

Moonsanity - If I could read and write faster, I'd be very happy. Especially since the writing has dropped off a lot, just like around this time last year. I finished The Better Part of Darkness recently as well. How is Bitter Night so far? That one is on the TBR.

Brenda Hyde said...

I'm not very far in it yet, but so far it's good. Grabbed me from the beginning, which is always a good thing, and I like her writing style. My TBR pile just keeps growing, but some of the books are ones that were recommended to me, but not new, so I'll save those until later.