Jan
01
2006
52 Books in 52 Weeks, 2006
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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Conrad’s Time Machine by Leo Frankowski
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Publisher: Baen
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Year: 2002
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Pages: 352
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In Brief: A prequel to the Conrad Stargard series, this book lands somewhere between playful science fiction and Frankowski’s own twisted fantasy fulfillment genre, which had crept into his earlier works, but is at the fore for at least a third of the time in this instance. Fun to read, but hardly spellbinding.
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№61
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The Fata Morgana by Leo Frankowski
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Publisher: Baen
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Year: 1999
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Pages: 320
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In Brief: Some pretty neat science fiction cum fantasy that ends up spoiled by the authors insertion of his pretty weird social ideas, and two Odd Couple characters that are comic exaggerations of real people. Also, offensive even by Frankowski’s standards.
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№62
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The Stones of Summer by Dow Mossman
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Publisher: Barnes & Noble
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Year: 1972/2003
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Pages: 608
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In Brief: Perhaps the Great Midwestern Novel. Originally having succumbed to lackluster sales, a recent documentary sparked interest in the book again. A long, absurdly rhetorical affair that descends into Joyce-esque free association by the end, as the reader peers into the main character’s own madness.
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№63
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Mountain Man Dance Movies by McSweeney’s
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Publisher: Random House
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Year: 2006
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Pages: 224
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In Brief: The usually hilarious (if high-brow) humorists of the McSweeney’s magazine compiled into a book of lists, most of which follow the same precise formula and few of which are really all that funny, in stark contrast to most McSweeney stuff. A real disappointment, even if it took all of 30 minutes to read.
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№64
The Children’s Hospital by Chris Adrian -
Publisher: McSweeney’s
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Year: 2006
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Pages: 615
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In Brief: An odd mix of biblical apocalypse, medical thriller, and good old fashioned character drama, Chris Adrians book is perhaps a bit longer than necessary, but powerful in conceptual and wonderful in rhetoric.
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№65
Alpha Beta by John Man -
Publisher: Wiley
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Year: 2001
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Pages: 320
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In Brief: Man’s insightful look at the history and development of alphabets begins in Egypt and comes all the way to modern Roman script, stopping at various cultures with interesting stories along the way. Not the greatest book you will ever read about the subject, but a good primer for those who are curious.
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№66
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman -
Publisher: Scribner
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Year: 2004
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Pages: 272
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In Brief: Klosterman’s ironically didactic essays about the silly, stupid, and trivial are delightfully witty, the combination of a variety of excellent essayists like D.F. Wallace and David Rakoff.
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№67
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From Squaw Tit to Whorehouse Meadow by Mark Monmonier
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Publisher: University of Chicago Press
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Year: 2006
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Pages: 230
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In Brief: Monmonier broaches a very intriguing subject—controversial cartography… who would have thought№—but doesn’t make a particularly readable book. It was only my persistent interest that got me through this (admittedly short) book.
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№68
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Leave a Reply
Since you did 64 in 39 weeks, which is almost 2 per week, why not attempt a lofty 104 books in 52 weeks?
Granted, it doesn’t have the same ring to it, but it would be mighty impressive :)
Considering that I’m getting through an average of 2+ books a week, that’ll probably be what my final numbers look like, but I don’t think I’m going to change the name of the meme.
[...] Approximately how many books do you read per year? Last year, 64. This year, I’m on track to read between 70 and 90, depending. [...]
You’re not going to get near 104 in 52, I’m disappointed with you :(
I know. I’m very sad about it, but I’ve had some dry spells because of other media, and because of long spells of busyness at work and at school.
I want to at least surpass my total from last year, but I’ve really dropped the ball—my actual rate was better last year, because I started three months late.
[...] rate, it will take me a little under 2 weeks to finish the book. Several bloggers online like Heliologue, Large-Hearted Boy are attempting the “52 Books in 52 Weeks” challenge, but I’m [...]