I read 129 books this year, assuming I’ll finish the one I’m reading by the 31st. I expect I will.
Here’s the breakdown:
More than ever, my reading is slanted toward mysteries, with fantasy, science fiction and, surprisingly to me, non-fiction. That’s more non-fiction in a year than I’ve read in more than a decade. In looking at the list, it’s mostly biographies and autobiographies, though I broke a couple out on the chart.
The mystery reading is all over the genre, from golden age to hard boiled, amateur detective and police procedural. I don’t read true crime, so none of that is included.
More on 2018 and my favorites in the next Monday post.
Tip the Wink 
Read 168 books this year. Didn’t break it down by category but most would be crime/mystery.
You read a lot of good things, Steve. I appreciate your suggestions and remarks, I’ve found good books from them.
Lord willing and the creek don’t rise I’ll have read about 239 books in 2018. I say “about” because some of them were anthologies and omnibuses which also include previously published novels. I also say “about” because counting above ten (twenty if I have my shoes off) is a monumental task for me.
May 2019 bring many more good books your way, Rick.
Wow! The commentators on this blog are big readers! I read 179 books in 2018. I’m in the middle of a Big Fat Book right now so I won’t be able to count it until next year so no Round Number for me. I’ve been reading old Science Fiction with THE GREAT SF STORIES series. And I love the pulp fiction reprints from ALTUS PRESS. And, with my new iPad Pro, I’ll be reading more ebooks. So, 2019 looks like a promising year for reading!
Nice totals, guys. I did not have what I consider a good reading year, and I bet the total is down. I will add things up and get back to you later. A number of factors seemed to conspire against reading too often. Many days I couldn’t concentrate on more than my daily short story. At least that category is not down, as I am still over TWO stories per day on average.
Also, there were two many disappointing books for me this year, blogs that were a slog to get through, books that I quit not only 50 pages in but halfway or more And there were a number of George’s BIG FAT BOOKS (which I did enjoy) eating up time.
And the broken shoulder has killed the last month.
OK, it looks like my total was a pathetic 107 books. I did read 748 short stories, 39 collections and anthologies total. Also 20 non fiction, including big fat books. Of the other 48 books, I’ll check, but I’d guess most were mystery and science fiction. The years of reading 80% mysteries are well behind me, though this year in particular I had a tough time finding stuff I really loved.
Jeff, my annual goal is 104, two books per week. I consider that – at my reading speed – a goodly amount of reading. When we think of the amount of books the average American reads in a year, between 4 and 12, our totals are significant. I certainly wouldn’t characterize 107 books read as “pathetic”.
Of course, I know you’re right, But unless I get at least near to 150 books read I am disappointed. I knew this would be a down year (numbers-wise, at least), as the daily Tweets made concentrating on anything else really hard.
Daily Tweets? You and Trump…
His, of course. I am not on any of the social media sites – Facebook or whatever.
We did get a lot done on the “other than reading” front this year. Travel – nearly three months in Florida plus trips to Connecticut, Washington DC, Tampa/St. Petersburg (Bouchercon) and New Orleans. Also saw plenty of theater (8 shows) and concerts (13), as well as movies once or twice a week in Florida. So it was a busy year, just a down year for reading.
Looks like Jackie read 77 books this year.
That whups Barbara, who read 64, her highest year since we got married. Before that she wasn’t much of a reader, preferring junk TV.
I am betting I read less than 75 books. Maybe less than 60. Back in the day it would have been 150-200 but not in a long time.
Lots of things can interfere with reading, and you’ve had a lot of them, Patti. It’s hard to concentrate, or even relax, when other things are affecting us.
Impossible to argue with.
Wow, I cannot believe how many books most of you have read. I hope my reading count goes up when I retire. This year I have read 112 books, more than I expected to read. Regardless, it has been a very good reading year in quality of books for me.
I think 104, two per week, is an excellent goal, and you exceeded that, plus you’re right about quality. It matters. You read a lot of really good books in 2018.
OK. as long as we understand this is not an exact count but just a quick attempt to categorize, and there are a few things I just wasn’t sure if I should put in mystery or science fiction/fantasy, here is a partial breakdown:
mystery 48 (15 short story collections)
science fiction/fantasy 24 (3 ss)
horror 7 (5 ss)
There were probably five to ten I’d characterize as straight fiction, most of them short story collections. A few things in the SF category could be called YA.
The non fiction varied, some mystery related, one or two SF, a couple of Presidential biographies (not ones you are likely to guess), collections of essays, etc.
And looking forward to any further music writing you’re moved to post! Happier 2019…
December’s Underappreciated Music
Todd, I am resolving to try to write up a couple of albums for you in this new year.
Richard, a very Happy New Year to you and your family!
I’m hoping to touch 100 books this year and create a new milestone. I have never crossed three digits. Besides, I’d also like to read more nonfiction, especially history and politics, my favourite subjects.
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