What I like about having a book list, though, isn’t its ambition or magnitude; it’s that it sets an intention, a guideline. Here’s what I’d like to read, though I fully expect not to read half of what’s on this list. Why? Well, one big reason is my book club, which will dictate about 8-10 books I’ll read this year (that aren’t on the list because I don’t know what they’ll be). The other big reason is that I’ll find other books, or they’ll find me, and I’ll end up reading those instead.
The Long Novel
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Fiction
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
Memoir
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison
Poser by Claire Dederer
Business
How She Does It: An Everywoman’s Guide to Breaking Old Rules, Getting Creative, and Making Time for Work in Your Actual, Everyday Life by Anne Bogel
The E-Myth Revisted: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso
Do More Great Work: Stop the Busywork. Start the Work That Matters. by Michael Bungay Stanier
The Boss of You: Everything a Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business by Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon
My So-Called Freelance Life by Michelle Goodman
Creativity
Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L’Engle (a re-read)
The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (to be released in September)
Nonfiction (general)
Smile at Strangers: And Other Lessons in the Art of Living Fearlessly by Susan Schorn
Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected About Being a Mom by Lisa-Jo Baker
Christian
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
Found: A Story of Questions, Grace, and Everyday Prayer by Micha Boyett
Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Doyle Melton
Every Bitter Thing is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things by Sara Hagerty
I can’t wait to dig in and keep reading. What about you? Do you make a book list, or just wing it?
*As part of my list of 33 things to do before I turn 34, I plan to write 33 lists. This post is list 4/33.
The Corrections is on my list, too! If you’re looking for a long novel/fiction/whackadoo story, try Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.
I have kept a list of the books I’ve read (past tense) since 2000. But honestly, it’s never occurred to me to try that the other way around! Thanks for the idea. 🙂
I find it handy to have a list that I can pull up on my phone when I’m at the library. I use Goodreads (obviously) and it’s so good for tracking it all!
I love a good list and a book list is even better! Just wrote a bunch of your titles down on my reading list (I make it up as I go along. The only rule I have is I MUST be reading a book – no day without a story). 🙂
I totally agree. A day without reading is, well, a sorry excuse for a day! Callie, are you on Goodreads?
I usually don’t write a list of books, but this year I did it because I want to read all the unread books that are waiting for me on my shelf! I talked about my reading goals last week here 🙂 http://www.thegeekyburrow.com/2015/01/my-reading-goals-for-2015.html
You and I are sort of in the same boat — no limitations or goals, just reading! I love to read, but it became burdensome last year as I closed in on 52 books. I’m glad to say I did it, but I don’t want to chase that goal again! (And I’m glad we’re friends on Goodreads now! Yay!)
Same here, thanks for accepting my request! 🙂
I don’t know how you do all the things you do! My goal for this year is to stop wasting so much time so I actually have time for the things I want to do–like reading!
Thank you for these recommendations ~ I am a book worm but have lately had time for reading literature related to my work (and devotionals), My goal is to read a non-work related book each month.
I could your inspiring and lovely place / blog via Instagram ~ I heart the timeless mood in your tea cup – photos, smitten by the peace,
Nina
Nina, I’m so glad you stopped by! I always love good book recommendations, so I’m glad you like these ones. Do you have any for me?