Friday, January 4, 2013

My Challenges in 2012

2012 meant 10 Reading Challenges and a lot of great books and authors that I discovered. The 71 books read during what was supposed to be a very busy year made me realize that keeping track and getting involved in challenges is a highly positive thing. I simply loved reading Japanese literature and I will continue to do so in 2013. I am also looking forward to Venice in February Reading Challenge hosted by Bellezza and myself and I am optimistic I will be reading more than two books for Birgit's Tea and Books challenge.

Here is a glimpse of my 2012 in books:

1. Best book I read: The Museum of Innocence (Orhan Pamuk)

2. Book I was excited about and thought I was going to love more but I didn't: The Daylight Gate (Jeanette Winterson)

3. Most surprising book: Soni (Andrei Ruse)

4. Favorite new author of 2012: David Foenkinos

5. Book I recommended the most: Manuscript Found in Accra (Paulo Coelho)

6. Most thrilling book: Piercing (Ryu Murakami)

7. A book I will definitely enjoy re-reading soon: The Last Lecture (Randy Pausch)

8. Favorite cover book: Furious Love (Sam Kashner)

 9. Favorite quote from a book read in 2012: Nothing to Be Frightened of (Julian Barnes)
 “When we fall in love, we hope - both egotistically and altruistically - that we shall be finally, truly seen: judged and approved. Of course, love does not always bring approval: being seen may just as well lead to a thumbs-down and a season in hell.”

10. Worst book: Fear and Trembling (Amelie Nothomb)

Post inspired by Elena.

4 comments:

Rikki said...

I love the quote. Very true! You did great on your challenges, Ally! Much better than me, that is for certain!

Ally said...

I think I did, Rikki, I just didn't have the time to write about it :))

Bellezza said...

I am so off to order Piercing before the JLC6 ends.

I loved The Museum of Innocence, too.

Can't wait until February when we resume our tradition in Venice!

Ally said...

Indeed, "Piercing" is a book that you won't be able to forget. I didn't and I still feel the shock of reading the cruel story... But there will be a JLC7, right? Some people are getting addicted :)