Jan 01 2007

52 Books in 52 Weeks, 2007

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Darfur DiariesDarfur Diaries by Jen Marlowe
Publisher: Nation Books
Year: 2006
Pages: 256
In Brief: A tag-along narrative of the documentary of the same name. Seems to overlap in many areas, material-wise, but has much for explanation than the movie’s visceral, sensory appeal to pathos. A “take it or leave it” kind of book.
№11
Black Bodies and Quantum CatsBlack Bodies and Quantum Cats by Jennifer Ouellette
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2005
Pages: 336
In Brief: Making science accessible is a tricky business, and Ouellette has mixed success. Not bad as a simple physics primer, however.
№12
The Road to OxianaThe Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1982
Pages: 292
In Brief: The cultural nuance of travel writer Byron’s journey through the Middle East in 1993 has some difficult remaining coherent after 70 years, but his acerbity and wit are as scalding as ever.
№13
The SilmarillionThe Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 1999
Pages: 384
In Brief: Tolkien’s history of the universe he created is dense and difficult, like reading the KJV Bible. It’s also a literary treasure, and is the basis for everything else he ever wrote. A recommended read for any fan.
№14
The Moon is a Harsh MistressThe Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
Publisher: Orb Books
Year: 1967/1997
Pages: 384
In Brief: Heinlein’s dystopian novel is not only wonderfully inventive in its world-creating, but a ‘tragically ironic’ political statement about the relative benefits of libertarian government (or lack thereof).
№15
Naked in BaghdadNaked in Baghdad by Anne Garrels
Publisher: Picador
Year: 2003/2004
Pages: 264
In Brief: NPR reporter Anne Garrels’ first-hand account of the lead-up to and start of the War in Iraq seems dated, but her prescience says some important things about the disaster that’s followed.
№16
The Eyre AffairThe Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2003
Pages: 384
In Brief: Fforde’s genre novel introduces some really wonderful concepts, and his worldbuilding is good if consistent. The novel’s not perfect by any means, but it’s good enough to make me want to read at least the next book in the series.
№17
The Lemon TreeThe Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2003
Pages: 304
In Brief: A detailed history of the Israel/Palestine conflict told through the narration of the personal stories of a Palestinian named Bashir and an Israeli named Dalia, and their unlikely friendship. A bit overdone on the personal narrative perhaps, but an excellent work of history.
№18
What is the WhatWhat is the What by Dave Eggers
Publisher: McSweeney’s
Year: 2006
Pages: 475
In Brief: Dave Egger’s semifictional retelling of the true story of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudenese refugee resettled in America. A wide, expansive work of present conflict as well as flashbacks which draws subtle connections between the two. Powerful and gripping.
№19
The Alphabet of ManlinessThe Alphabet of Manliness by Maddox
Publisher: Citadel
Year: 2006
Pages: 204
In Brief: Internet phenomenon and satiric iconoclast Maddox makes the jump from viral website to the printed page. The result? *yawn*
№20

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

13 Responses to “52 Books in 52 Weeks, 2007”

  1. Horizonon 01 Jan 2007 at 1:02 pm

    I see you’ve got World War Z planned. Awesome book. I bought it a few weeks ago and just got around to finishing it. If you’ve never read his Zombie Survival Guide I’d recommend that too. :D

  2. Heliologueon 02 Jan 2007 at 2:42 pm

    If I like World War Z, I’ll definitely think about it.

  3. Joshon 02 Jan 2007 at 7:30 pm

    Just thought I’d let you know that I”m going to try and do this this year as well. Hopefully it’ll help me break my bad habit of attempting to read 15 books at once.

  4. Daveon 07 Jan 2007 at 11:53 am

    What is the best way to do this and still keep up with your business/career based reading (and love of magazines!)

    Or do you count books that are part of your career based learning (including textbooks, which we all know are difficult to devour in 1 week!)

  5. Heliologueon 07 Jan 2007 at 1:28 pm

    I’ve never really had a problem, as my particular field doesn’t require too much book reading. For the occasional English course which requires me to read novels, I do count those, yes—I’ve never seen the point in the rule which says that only voluntary books can be counted.

    There’s no easy answer as to how you can best balance your workload and/or family life with a reading meme like this. It really just depends on your situation. My suggestion to you, however, would be to set a goal that’s realistic: it isn’t necessary to read 52 books a year if you’re really too busy to do so, and you read other material as well. Start with a number that’s more than you currently read—perhaps a book every two weeks—and spend the year doing that. If it’s a success, you can increase it next year, if you feel like it.

    Remember, too, that this meme isn’t simply about reading the books. It’s also about reviewing them, meaning part of the goal is to do a bit of writing as well, putting your thoughts about the book down in permanent form. It’s a double-whammy.

  6. [...] books in 52 weeks is a reading meme that’s pretty self-explanatory. Both Ben and Rob are participating and I feel like getting some motivation to read more regularly. I always [...]

  7. 52 Novelson 12 Jan 2007 at 10:05 am

    Six on the brain #8…

    I’m facing deadlines these days. I’ve got a lot of ‚em at my day job right now. My freelance and business projects are heating up, too.
    Don’t get me wrong because I’m not complaining. I’d rather be busy like this t…

  8. 52 Novelson 23 Jan 2007 at 9:34 am

    52 in 52, 2007…

    Here’s the list of books I’m reading this year. These aren’t full reviews—I still won’t do this out of fairness. These are just a few quick impressions I had while reading. Take them for what they’re worth.
    2. GOLDIL…

  9. ozladyon 15 May 2007 at 6:38 pm

    Dave - I’m in! This sounds like just the thing to get me writing more… reading I do - usually can knock off a book in a couple of nights! This sounds just super cool.

    Can’t promise they’ll be literature worth reading - my tastes run to some pretty weird and wonderful!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

  10. ozladyon 15 May 2007 at 6:40 pm

    Sorry - I called the site owner Dave… :( How embarrassing. Sorry - it’s early where I am and I’m reading cross-eyed… not a good way to start! LOL

    Thanks again!

  11. [...] See the rest of this year’s listings • What is 52 Books in 52 Weeks? №24 [...]

  12. [...] See the rest of this year’s listings • What is 52 Books in 52 Weeks? №36 [...]

  13. [...] seems like only a few months ago that this meme began its third year, but of course it’s been a full 52 [...]

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