2013 Update!

So yes, this is a bit late… But at least I’m doing it 😉

And I did it! One full year of posting about every single book I read. It also was perfect timing because last year I beat my personal yearly record by over 100 books.

Anyways,

Last year I managed to read a total of 407 books (24 were rereads). I’m honestly still shocked that I managed to make it past a book a day personally, when I didn’t think I would get it even close to 365 books in a year.

I also managed to finish all but one book in my reading everything that had been on my shelf pre 2013. I am giving myself a bit a room with the last book though because it’s the 4th in a series and wasn’t able to get to the library for books 2 and 3 due to a broken foot… Anyways, considering how much was on it, I think I did pretty good 🙂

Well, I better stop rambling now…

Here is hopefully to another amazing reading year in 2014!

-S

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

“At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled “quiet,” it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society–from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.

Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts–from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a “pretend extrovert.”

This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.” -Goodreads.com

 

Yep. It took me 9 months to finish Quiet. I found I actually took more in reading it slowly instead of zooming through it at the speed I normally go through books. Though I think I might have enjoyed it a little bit more if I hadn’t rushed the last 50 pages but still was very good. Honestly was pretty eye opening for someone like me who is very much a introvert through and through.

 

4 stars.

Read from March 15 to December 31, 2013

Bought.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

“Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared–the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood–but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude’s high school. Despite promising Jude she’ll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel’s shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy’s dark secret…and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it–her soul.” -Goodreads.com

 

The Dark Divine was another book I just didn’t care for. While towards the end it got a bit interesting I didn’t like slugging through the rest of the book to get to the good parts…

 

2.5 stars.

Read on December 31, 2013.

Bought.

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

“Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn’t leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.” -Goodreads.com

 

I liked Not a Drop to Drink, but not as much as I thought I would.

It’s hard to exactly pinpoint everything I liked/didn’t in this book. What I was expecting and also not at the same time.

Just wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

 

3.5 stars.

Read from December 25 to 29, 2013.

Bought.