Read in 2019.

[scvdder]

I read 81 books this year (unless I finish something before NYE and boost my score) which is the best I've ever done! That stat was definitely helped by my newfound access to the comics section of the library, and my discovery of the library audiobook, but this year was also incredibly tumultuous, so I am very proud of that number. According to goodreads, I read 15,937 pages wow. Some highlights include:

• Night by Elie Wiesel. A firsthand account of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. This was the first thing I read, it really put what else I was reading at the time into perspective.
• The End by Lemony Snicket. I finally finished A Series of Unfortunate Events.
• The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Stetson.
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. Probably my first foray into traditional sci-fi lit; far better than the movie.
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin.
• The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh.
• The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket). His debut novel was a YA black comedy about a girl murdering her crush with a croquet bat because he didn't return her feelings. Usually I loathe YA but this was amazing.
• The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster. My friend was telling me about this sci-fi short story she'd read as a kid that was bizarre and when I looked it up, I discovered it was written by Eddie Morgan himself?? which seemed so far from the sentimental stuff I love him for, I had to read it.
• My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin.
• Legend of Korra: Turf Wars, and Ruins of the Empire comics. They're good for the soul.
• Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Easily the longest book I've ever read, and what a masterpiece. Just yesterday I bought The Ladies of Grace Adiieu, the companion short story collection, and I am itching to sink my teeth into it.
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I think my only reread of the year (bad habit, I need to revisit books more often) and I loved it even more than the first time (if that was possible).
• Heroes by Stephen Fry.

I'm currently reading Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks, a look into Islam and womanhood, and it contrasts the Christmas festivities quite nicely. And as an early Christmas/late Birthday present I got the collected Raffles stories (and novel) in hardcover!! I finally own them! I had forgotten that I'd vowed not to read Mr Justice Raffles until I owned it, so I've still got that to look forward too!

Here's to hoping next years books are even better. (The stacks on my bedside table waiting to be read are quite promising, at least I have that to look forward to in the new year.)