2010 Reading List
One of my goals for the year is to compile a reading list and get through it. This may not sound like a lofty goal, but for me it adds accountability for the overall goal of reading more.
It’s terrible to admit, but although I’ve always been a writer, I haven’t always been an avid reader. To me this is inexcusable since I firmly believe that reading improves your writing. But I’ve either been too busy, too tired, (insert excuse here) to make reading a habit.
And while I’m confessing things, I might as well cop to the fact that I have only recently started the Harry Potter series. This feels like a sin for a children’s writer, but I’m not generally into fantasy so I kind of overlooked them in favor of other books. But my interest was piqued after seeing a snippet of one of the movies, so I started on my own Harry Potter adventure. And they’re great, of course, so the remainder of the series is on my list.
So here’s my list so far. I don’t plan on reading them in any particular order, but I do want the list to be varied and not just titles I know I’ll like. I’ve been adding titles here and there as I come across recommendations on other sites. Certainly if you have any you recommend, by all means leave a note!
- The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan
- Maniac Magee, Jerry Spinelli
- Mars Trilogy, Kim Stanley Robinson
- Revelation Space, Alastair Reynolds
- The Island of the Day Before, Umberto Eco
- The Compound, S.A. Bodeen
- Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult
- The Road, Cormac McCarthy
- Two Years, No Rain, Shawn Klomparens
- The Years of Rice and Salt, Kim Stanley
- Books 3-7 of Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling
- Positively, Courtney Sheinmel
- The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman
- Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
- Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
- The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin
- The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
- Homeless Bird, Gloria Whelan
- An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, Jim Murphy
- Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick
- The World More Full of Weeping, Robert J. Wiersema
- Brains: A Zombie Memoir, Robin Becker
Photo by: Spotrick
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I have looked at their site, purchased their magazine, lurked in the childrens section reading it. Thanks for the extra info on submitting. You don’t realize how great those little tips are for those of us starting out
Wow, that’s quite an assortment! The Lightning Thief, Maniac Magee, The Graveyard Book, Catching Fire, and The Road were all really engaging in their own ways. It’s a goal of mine to finish up with Harry Potter this year as well. All I have left is the final book.
If you aren’t already familiar, you might want to check out goodreads.com or thelibrarything.com. Both are great for readers to keep track of books they’ve read. I belong to goodreads, and I love it. You’re even able to keep a library of books you plan to read. You also have the option of creating other book shelves (ex. I created – “books I read significant portion”).
I listened to HOMELESS BIRD over several weeks at the gym. It was lovely. The only Umberto Eco I’ve read was THE NAME OF THE ROSE, which was amazing.
And true confession: I also write for children and have never read past the first Harry Potter. Figured I’d get to them later…
Hi Kara–
I just finished The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and loved it. A great memoir sprinkled with all kinds of good advice. The Lightning Thief is on my list of books to read with my daughter. She loves the 39 Steps books that Riordan started as well as Harry Potter. Looks like a great list!
Kara,
Confession: I started and finished the Harry Potter series just last year. Loved it. Some of the longer ones, I listened to on CD. What a great reading list you’ve got!
A Zombie book I haven’t heard of Brains: A Zombie Memoir.
Excellent list. I love your honesty and your not alone in the Harry Potter thing I just finished reading the series last year and am now addicted. I think sometimes the fandom scares me off, so I didn’t start reading it until the book series was about to end. Kinda bummed I missed out on all of the previous excitement, but better late then never!
Great list – I may borrow it. I loved the Graveyard Book and I think the Harry Potter series is a must read for everyone – not just children’s writers. I just picked up a copy of The Hunger Games today – along with A Wrinkle in Time – which I haven’t read since childhood and am longing to re-read.
That’s a great reading list! I have read several of the books you listed, and you are in for some fun adventures. If you have not already read them (and you want to get a little more fantasy in), I would highly recommend Megan Whelan Turner’s “The Thief,” Robin McKinley’s “The Hero and the Crown,” and Shannon Hale’s “The Goose Girl.” All of these are marvelous YA Fantasy novels with great writing.