How many books did you read in 2010?
@allyoftherain (7208)
United States
December 31, 2010 1:23pm CST
I started a similar discussion back in 2009, and it was such a big hit that I wanted to start another one for this year. How many books did you read this year? Do you even know? Did you have a big reading goal and did you reach it? How many books do you want to read next year? What did you read? What did you like or not like? Basically... how was reading in 2010?
Last year I read 91 books and I knew I could do better so my reading goal for this year was to read 100 books. I've read 129! To be honest, I thought that it was pretty darn easy. I've always been a fast and mad-crazy reader. So even with the busyness of life and college, I finished my books goal and then some. I might aim for 150 for next year.
The majority of the books I read were fantasy, though there were a few science fictions, realistic fictions, supernatural thrillers, and some historical fictions. My favorite reads of this year were the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead, The King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead, The Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks, Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore, The Restorer by Sharon Hinck, The Singing by Alison Croggon, Starlighter by Bryan Davis, The Auralia Thread Series by Jeffery Overstreet, Heartless by Ann Elizabeth Stengl, The Last Hunt by Bruce Coville, The Ember Series by Jeanne DuPrau, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky, The Legend of the Firefish by George Polivka, and the Charlaton's Boy by Jonathan Rogers.
How many books have you read this year? What were your favorites? What are your reading goals for 2011?
3 people like this
17 responses
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
1 Jan 11
I lost count! I read about a book every month. I prefer very long books, especially biographies. Music biographies are a special favourite. I buy them quite cheap at my local CD store; say for about 6 US dollars each. When I'm done with them, I'll often just throw them away; but I've been known to deliberately rebuy the same book several years later! It sounds extravagant, but I buy them at a fraction of their original price. I do keep some!
2 people like this
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
1 Jan 11
Yes, about that, although one month is only average, sometimes 2 weeks for one book; but I read very little of a book daily. yes it is wasteful, but for the the book has served its function; I've paid just a few dollars and been richly rewarded. Also, I've been known to make notes from my books; and keep parts of them too. I'm almost totally non-materialistic. What I create I treasure, and much of that is online. But a book? I'll keep some (I have quite a large book collection)...but won't keep others...I leave it up to others as to what choice of book to read, rather than recycle my choice. Strange thinking perhaps...oh well (smile)
2 people like this
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
1 Jan 11
I deliberately rebuy a book I threw away a few years ago. I always enjoy it second (or in at least one case third) time around! (smile) On one occasion though I did rebuy a book by accident..I still enjoyed it though...but I was a bit mad at myself!
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Well if you've read one every month then it would be around 12 give or take a few. That's a good number. Personally I can't imagine reading that few books but I've been a mad crazy reader since I was six.
I buy a lot of books either from the new book store or the used books store. If I don't enjoy a book or just don't want to keep it then I give it to the used books store. I can't imagine throwing away a book. It just seems so wasteful to me. I don't think I've ever re-bought a book unless it was a book I got rid of and then decided I did want to keep after all. I've never re-bought a book on accident. lol
Happy reading in 2011!
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I've probably read less than 10, but I've listened to probably another dozen or so.
I don't read much except a bit at work, like when I'm eating lunch. I listen to books in my car, but I'm seldom in my car more than 20 or 30 minutes.
I guess if I read more and mylotted less I might get more books read, but then again, I would make payout less often too...
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
If I'm short on time and it's a choice between spending the afternoon on mylot and making payout and reading a good book... I think I'd choose the book. I don't really think the money I make on mylot is worth sacrificing an afternoon.
I take public transportation right now, but if I did do lots of driving then I think I would be listening to audio books too. Typically I don't listen to audio books because I can usually read 10x faster than whoever they have reading the book!
Happy reading in 2011!
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
2 Jan 11
That's probably the only thing I like about audio books... is that you can listen and work on something else. Usually though I'd prefer to read the book myself. I read faster and I feel like I have a better connection to the story and the character that way. But then again... I'm really weird.
2 people like this
@dogsnme (1264)
• United States
31 Dec 10
I can't say for sure but I would guess I've read maybe 3 or 4 this year. I admit I'm a very slow reader. But, there are simply too many other things that I want to do or have to do to spend most of my time reading. I read history and other educational books but I also like to read fiction. I don't really have a goal as to how many books I hope to read in the coming year but I would certainly like to put a little more effort into my reading in 2011.
2 people like this
@dogsnme (1264)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Sometimes you just need something to spark your interest as far as reading history goes. For me it was the movie Titanic. I was so overwhelmed by the movie the first time I watched it that I just had to learn more about the actual event. Now, I'll read just about anything I can learn something from but history is my favorite. You just have to look past the stigma of the study of history as being just learning a bunch of dates. History is so fascinating and it has everything that fiction has....plus it's true. It's a great deal of fun to study when you approach it from the right point of view. Happy reading to you too!
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
There are many periods of history that I am interested in, I just haven't gotten around to reading about them yet. I think it is important for me to read them though to educate myself. Thanks for the tips! I'll be sure to remember those! 
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I tend to put reading first over lots of things. I don't watch much tv and I prefer a good book over games, movies, and the internet. I'm a weird kid in my generation that way.
I don't read much history or non-fiction but it is a subject that I'm interested in. I have a goal to read more non-fiction that I'm interested in this year. I had that goal this year too but I would go to the library and be like, "OOOHH!!! FANTASY!". So I'll try to be serious about it this year. lol
Happy reading in 2011!
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
31 Dec 10
I used to keep track of all of the books I read, and list them and write descriptions and do the whole schpeel... And I remember senior year in high school, not including books for school, I think I read 120 or somewhere close to that number. Thinking about this year, I have probably read about 20. This makes me sad to notice the difference. I feel like the fact that I've been out of school has probably come into play in that. I am getting dumber and therefore I have less motivation to read. Who knows. I got into Lisa Gardner, who is a murder-mystery author, and I believe the other's name is Tami Hoag who is also a murder-mystery writer. I don't usually LOVE murder-mystery type books but for some reason theshs this year, with books like Possible Side Effects and Dry: e authors really get my attention! I also discovered more of Augusten BurrougA Memoir. What an amazing and cunning writer is he! I can't think of any other reading highlights of this year.
Maybe I'll check out some of your favorites from the year..I need a good book to read!
2 people like this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
31 Dec 10
Oh my gosh, I dont' know how I goofed up all the words in my response. I must have hit the wrong key and switched it around. Anyway, ignore that last bit that makes no sense. I was trying to tell you about my new love for the following authors: Augusten Burroughs, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag. Pshh.. I wish I could type! LOL
2 people like this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
1 Jan 11
You can remedy typing errors by hitting the 'preview comment' button and editing what is necessary before posting. MyLot gives us that option with each submission. It doesn't take much time and I've caught several of my own goofs this way.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
It's alright Maezee, I understood you well enough! I think I'm actually reading more books now that I've left high school and have moved on to college. Is that weird of me? lol
I keep track of the books that I read through goodreads.com. I update it obsessively. I've never been into mysteries but if I spot any of the authors you mentioned on my next trip to the library, I might give them a try.
Happy reading in 2011!
I think I'm actually reading more books now that I've left high school and have moved on to college. Is that weird of me? lol
I keep track of the books that I read through goodreads.com. I update it obsessively. I've never been into mysteries but if I spot any of the authors you mentioned on my next trip to the library, I might give them a try.
Happy reading in 2011!1 person likes this
@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
1 Jan 11
I used to read a lot but now, I don't know what happened to me. I don't even know what am I doing here answering this discussion. Haha. Well I couldn't even begin to remember the ones I've read, all I know is that it's not as many as yours! Wow, 129.. I want to have that kind of goal too. I want to start reading again (well aside from textbooks. Haha). Thanks, you gave me one of my goals for this year. Hope that I could stick with it though. Haha. Good day! ;)
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Well I hope that you stick with that goal too! Reading books is noble, or at least I think so. Happy reading in 2011!
Happy reading in 2011!1 person likes this
@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
2 Jan 11
Yes I think so too. Haha. Thanks! You too! :)
1 person likes this
@ArmyChick (488)
• United States
31 Dec 10
I honestly couldnt even begin to count the number of books that i read during 2010. I absolutely love to read. I have recently gotten an ebook reader and i absolutely love it. At first i thought i wouldnt like it at all but i love it. To give a little insight on the amount i read, last week alone i read five books. Its going to be really hard to try and count the number of books that ive read during the whole year.
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I didn't start counting the books I read until last year, but once I did I was really proud of myself. I like being able to say with certainty what I've read and how many books that I've read. I keep track through goodreads.com. I just make a shelf for Books Read in 2010 and I let the website do the math.
Personally, I have an aversion to e-readers and I highly doubt I'll ever change my mind about them. I feel I read pretty fast anyways, and I always thought regular 700 page hardcover books were portable.
Congrats on all your reading done in 2010 and here's hoping for even more books read in 2011!
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Oh, my..I don't think there is enough time or space to list all of the books I've read this year. I average 4-5 a week. Some weeks I may have two or three in progress and right now I have four underway. I'm reading Winston Churchill's The Second World War, Stones From the River by Hegi, The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant, and The Eternal Frontier by T. Flannery. Memorable reads were The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by D. Wroblewski, Under the Dome by Stephen King, Nicholas and Alexandria by R.K. Massie, The Tailor of Panama by LeCarre, We Were the Mulvaneys by J.C. Oates, The Idiot, The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment all by Dostoevsky, the Bush At War series by Bob Woodward, Piers Anthony's Geodyssey, Texas by James Michener.....but the list would go on and on. I would say I've read close to 100 plus or minus books over the year. Fortunately, I didn't buy all of these as I found a book swap site and all I have to do is pay the postage to swap books.
I really don't form a reading goal...I just read. I've loved books and where they can take me since I was 9 yrs old. Open a book and you're off to another world for however long you choose. Of course, I have to balance out my reading with my other passions which include cooking, crochet and internet usage.
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I buy or borrow the majority of the books that I read. When I have money I buy books and when I don't then I go to the library. I think it's a pretty good system for me. lol
I keep track of the books that I read through goodreads.com, and I absolutely love knowing and counting the books I've read. I update my goodreads quite obsessively.
Sounds like a good list of books! Maybe I'll check a few out. Happy reading in 2011!
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Boy, I know I haven't read as many in 2010 as in 2009 as I just didn't have the time with all the changes that went on. But I know I have read a whole lot of books! 
I'm thinking I read maybe 25 or 30 at least. That's not too bad I guess - about two a month. I do hope to read more this coming year - but I also hope to write more too!
I'm thinking I read maybe 25 or 30 at least. That's not too bad I guess - about two a month. I do hope to read more this coming year - but I also hope to write more too!@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
2 Jan 11
I am also hoping to write more. Maybe not so much write more as do more with my writing. I write a lot but it just kind of sits there when it's written.
25 to 30 is a really good number. Much more books than my fellow peers have probably read this year!
25 to 30 is a really good number. Much more books than my fellow peers have probably read this year!1 person likes this
@emma90 (530)
• Indonesia
31 Dec 10
I have read maybe only 20 books plus my college book (maybe 5books) and the total 25 books.
Honestly, I want to read more book..but I don't have enough time. I must finish my homework, I must working, and I must do some other activities.
I was very surprised hear you read 129 books :D
thanks, you give me spirit to read more books with your 129..
happy new year and have a nice day :D
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I finished a book the last day of the year, so actually I read 130 books. I wouldn't say that I have much time either, but like all things that you love... you have to make time. I really don't watch much TV and I prefer a good book over games, internet, and movies. I know I'm totally weird for my generation.
I hope you'll be able to read more in 2011! Happy reading!
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
17 Jan 11
Oh boy I lost count. This was the year where a read a lot of comic book trades in book form. Green Lantern: Blackest Night might have been my favorite. Other than that, there was a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories written by various other articles. It is a compilation book. I might have read about eighteen books, not counting the books that I started, before I gave up. Not that many, but that was about three or four this year, which is a new high. I think that might be just my tastes changing.
1 person likes this
@mandywilks (191)
•
1 Jan 11
My goodness me I couldn'nt begin to count - hundreds!!
I read all genres of books - I love classics like Wuthering Heights and JAne Eyre, I love thrillers, chiuck lit - in fact there are very few books that I don't like( oh yes, I don't like Mills and Boon and Westerns!!)
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
lol. I'm really not a big fan of most classics myself, and I absolutely hated Wuthering Heights, but I think that as long as you're reading what you love then you can't go wrong. Personally I think I'll read anything except Romance and Horror, but Fantasy is my favorite genre and I'm rather biased in my selection process.
Happy reading in 2011!
Happy reading in 2011!1 person likes this
@goodhunter (334)
•
1 Jan 11
The books that I read are usually business books that are locally written. they number about five. The other books that a read are trade books on how to do things. They are also written by local authors.
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
2 Jan 11
The only local authors I know are my fellow unpublished and unloved writer friends. lol I did read one published small press book by someone I knew... not really local though. I'm glad you're supporting your local authors.
1 person likes this
@wenscel (2)
• India
1 Jan 11
To tell the truth I m not much of a book reader.Infact i prefer outside world to books so i never use to read books. but in 2010 i tried reading some books because i felt lonely n i started with OSHO's Dancing with the bauls, then i carried on to Chetah bhagats The Two states , then i read Paulo choleo's brida then sherlock holmes n i stopped but this was the first time in a year i 've read so many books... i m liking it .. but i m looking forward to other sherlock holmes adventures hahaha
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I hope you pick up reading again! It's a really good habit to get into! Happy reading in 2011!
@ErrollLeVant (4353)
• United States
6 Jan 11
I read 52 in 2010, and have read at least that many--kept a log of them--every year since 1983.
@bartimaeus (4)
• Philippines
6 Jan 11
I lost count already, but I assume less than 50 only, I didn't get to read a lot last year so I'm hoping that this year I'm going to finish my backlog, My TBR books are piling up high and I need to do some reading soon.
My favorite books I have read are Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, Marley and Me, Time Travellers Wife, though I'm really not into love stories, suzanne's diary for nicholas made such a huge impact on me that at times I still think of what had happened to suzanne and his son and how matt handled the situation. I don't think I can get over that situation.
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