The books I read in 2012

Happy New Year, dearest blog readers!

Here’s wishing each and every one of you the most wonderful things for the year ahead 😀

It’s time for another blog post sharing the books I managed to read over the course of the past year (you can also see my posts for 2009, 2010 and 2011).

In 2011, I set my initial goal as 100 books and eventually totalled 145. For 2012, I decided to ease into things by again setting my goal at 100 books, especially since I knew how crazy-busy the second half of the year would be with work deadlines (lack of sleep for days on end is no fun…)

And despite all the madness, I still managed to beat my initial goal and bump my reading for the year up to 160 books!

So, below follows the (looong) list of all the books I read. If you’re not in the mood to scroll through and peruse it now, you can always download the PDF version thereof: Books Read 2012

Oh, and if you want me to recommend any of the books on the list or highlight some of the ones I enjoyed the most, you only need to ask. I’d also love if you’d like to share some of the books you found worthwhile. Happy reading!!

BOOKS I’VE READ THIS YEAR:

* American Gods – Neil Gaiman

* Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

* Angelology – Danielle Trussoni

* The Ultimate Book of Jewish Jokes – David Minkoff

* Incarceron – Katherine Fisher

* The Book with No Name – Anonymous

* The Private Life of the Cat Who…: Tales of Koko and Yum Yum – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Eye of the Moon – Anonymous

* The Cat Who Came to Breakfast (Cat Who… #16) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Blew the Whistle (Cat Who… #17) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Said Cheese (Cat Who… #18) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Tailed a Thief (Cat Who… #19) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Sang for the Birds (Cat Who… #20) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Saw Stars (Cat Who… #21) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Robbed a Bank (Cat Who… #22) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Smelled a Rat (Cat Who… #23) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Went up the Creek (Cat Who… #24) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Brought Down the House (Cat Who… #25) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who Talked Turkey (Cat Who… #26) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* Cinnamon Roll Murder (Hannah Swensen series #15) – Joanne Fluke

* The Cat Who Went Bananas (Cat Who… #27) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* Through the Woods: The Final Catdown – Troy Blackford

* The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell (Cat Who… #28) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* The Cat Who had 60 Whiskers (Cat Who… #29) – Lilian Jackson Braun

* Plugged – Eoin Colfer

* Praying for Sleep – Jeffery Deaver

* Delirium (Delirium #1) – Lauren Oliver

* Hana (Delirium #1.5) – Lauren Oliver

* Pandemonium (Delirium #2) – Lauren Oliver

* Matched (Matched #1) – Ally Condie

* Grimms’ Fairy Tales – Brothers Grimm

* Crossed (Matched #2) – Ally Condie

* Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) – Lauren DeStefano

* Fever (The Chemical Garden #2) – Lauren DeStefano

* Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1) – Caragh M. O’Brien

* Extras (Uglies #4) – Scott Westerfeld

* The Last Dickens – Matthew Pearl

* Treasure Island – Robert Louise Stevenson

* Tortured (Birthmarked #1.5) – Caragh M. O’Brien

* Prized (Birthmarked #2) – Caragh M. O’Brien

* The Invisible Man – H.G. Wells

* The Iron Thorn (Iron Codex #1) – Caitlin Kittredge

* The Nightmare Garden (Iron Codex #2) – Caitlin Kittredge

* Possession (Possession #1) – Elana Johnson

* The Wind Through the Keyhole (Dark Tower #4.5) – Stephen King

* Insurgent (Divergent #2) – Veronica Roth

* Hollowland (The Hollows #1) – Amanda Hocking

* Hollowmen (The Hollows #2) – Amanda Hocking

* The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) – Aimée Carter

* The Goddess Hunt (Goddess Test #1.5) – Aimée Carter

* Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) – Aimée Carter

* Asphodel (The Underworld Trilogy #1) – Lauren Hammond

* Prophecy of the Sisters (Prophecy of the Sisters #1) – Michelle Zink

* Guardian of the Gate (Prophecy of the Sisters #2) – Michelle Zink

* Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters #3) – Michelle Zink

* Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1) – Amanda Hocking

* Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2) – Amanda Hocking

* Ascend (Trylle Trilogy #3) – Amanda Hocking

* Entwined – Heather Dixon

* Aftertime (Aftertime #1) – Sophie Littlefield

* Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) – Cassandra Clare

* Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) – Cassandra Clare

* Revived – Cat Patrick

* The Selection (The Selection #1) – Kiera Cass

* Unearthly (Unearthly #1) – Cynthia Hand

* Hallowed (Unearthly #2) – Cynthia Hand

* The Woman in Black – Susan Hill

* Virtue – Amanda Hocking

* The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

* Awaken (Awaken #1) – Katie Kacvinsky

* Mercury Swings (Mercury series #0.5) – Robert Kroese

* Mercury Falls (Mercury series #1) – Robert Kroese

* Mercury Rises (Mercury series #2) – Robert Kroese

* Surrender (Possession #2) – Elana Johnson

* City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) – Cassandra Clare

* City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) – Cassandra Clare

* City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3) – Cassandra Clare

* The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1) – Lois Lowry

* The Forest of Hands and Teeth (Forest of Hands & Teeth #1) – Carrie Ryan

* Fallen (Fallen #1) – Lauren Kate

* Torment (Fallen #2) – Lauren Kate

* Passion (Fallen #3) – Lauren Kate

* Fallen in Love (Fallen #3.5) – Lauren Kate

* Simon’s Cat (book #1) – Simon Tofield

* Simon’s Cat: Beyond the Fence (book #2) – Simon Tofield

* Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos (book #3) – Simon Tofield

* Rapture (Fallen #4) – Lauren Kate

* City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) – Cassandra Clare

* The Dead-Tossed Waves (Forest of Hands & Teeth #2) – Carrie Ryan

* Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card

* Bonded (Law of the Lycans #0.5) – Nicky Charles

* The Dark and Hollow Places (Forest of Hands & Teeth #3) – Carrie Ryan

* Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian (Artemis Fowl #8) – Eoin Colfer

* Welcome to Moon Hill – Anthony J. Rapino

* The Siren – Kiera Cass

* Critical Incident – Troy Blackford

* Kill You Twice – Chelsea Cain

* Ascent (The Party series #1) – Amy Kinzer

* White Cat (The Curse Workers #1) – Holly Black

* Red Glove (The Curse Workers #2) – Holly Black

* Black Heart (The Curse Workers #3) – Holly Black

* The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries – Rick Riordan

* UR – Stephen King

* The Kill Order (Maze Runner #0.5) – James Dashner

* Mercury Begins (Mercury series) – Robert Kroese

* Others – James Herbert

* Empty – Suzanne Weyn

* The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) – Rick Riordan

* The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) – Rick Riordan

* Forbidden – Syrie James

* The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) – Kady Cross

* The Serpent’s Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) – Rick Riordan

* The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (Steampunk Chronicles #0.5) – Kady Cross

* The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) – Kady Cross

* Breathless – Jessica Warman

* The Body Finder (Body Finder series #1) – Kimberly Derting

* Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess series #1) – Jessica Day George

* Desires of the Dead (Body Finder series #2) – Kimberly Derting

* The Last Echo (Body Finder series #3) – Kimberly Derting

* Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) – Veronica Rossi

* Between – Jessica Warman

* Princess of Glass (Princess series #2) – Jessica Day George

* Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker – Syrie James

* First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) – Darynda Jones

* Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2) – Darynda Jones

* Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson #3) – Darynda Jones

* Song of Seduction (Seduction #1) – Carrie Lofty

* Nocturne – Syrie James

* The Frenzy – Francesca Lia Block

* The Casual Vacancy – J.K. Rowling

* The Musician’s Daughter – Susanne Dunlap

* The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3) – Rick Riordan

* Ruled (Birthmarked #2.5) – Caragh M. O’Brien

* Promised (Birthmarked #3) – Caragh M. O’Brien

* Poison Study (Study #1) – Maria V. Snyder

* Magic Study (Study #2) – Maria V. Snyder

* Fire Study (Study #3) – Maria V. Snyder

* Power Study (Study #3.5) – Maria V. Snyder

* Storm Glass (Glass #1) – Maria V. Snyder

* Sea Glass (Glass #2) – Maria V. Snyder

* Spy Glass (Glass #3) – Maria V. Snyder

* Dangerous Lover (Dangerous #1) – Lisa Marie Rice

* Dangerous Secrets (Dangerous #2) – Lisa Marie Rice

* Dangerous Passion (Dangerous #3) – Lisa Marie Rice

* Enclave (Razorland #1) – Ann Aguirre

* Endurance (Razorland #1.5) – Ann Aguirre

* Outpost (Razorland #2) – Ann Aguirre

* Portrait of Seduction (Seduction #2) – Carrie Lofty

* Reached (Matched #3) – Ally Condie

* Middle Ground (Awaken #2) – Katie Kacvinsky

* Betrayal (The Descendants #1) – Mayandree Michel

* Sacrifice (The Descendants #1) – Mayandree Michel

* The Bar Code Tattoo (Bar Code #1) – Suzanne Weyn

* The Bar Code Rebellion (Bar Code #2) – Suzanne Weyn

* The Bar Code Prophecy (Bar Code #3) – Suzanne Weyn

* The Night Dance: A Retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” – Suzanne Weyn

* Water Song: A Retelling of “The Frog Prince” – Suzanne Weyn

* Simon’s Cat vs The World (book #4) – Simon Tofield

* Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) – Bethany Griffin

* Golden: A Retelling of “Rapunzel” – Cameron Dokey

Book spine poetry: Attempt 1

Something for all book lovers to enjoy and engage with:

I recently discovered the ‘art’ that is book spine poetry. It is described as an “emerging form of expression” that became popular during April, aka National Book Month (not sure if it’s limited to America or not… as if you need an excuse to read books… but at least it encourages both adults & children to delve into the wonderful world of books).

What I like about this is the fact that you don’t have to create something out of nothing. You can look at the titles of books that are available to you, and use them to make something new – the authors of said titles indirectly ‘inspiring’ and aiding you in a journey of self-expression.

I know, I know, how cheesy does that sound?

Since I am an avid reader who still loves physical books (i.e. hardcopies), I find book spine poetry as another way to engage with the beloved books on my pretty-full-already shelves. It makes creation tangible – literally holding and weighing what you are about to make in your own hands. (Yes, again, super cheesy.)

That said, I’ll bite the proverbial bullet and share my first attempt at one of these poems. I took the photo at the beginning of the month already – just shows you how lazy I’ve been with posting things on my blog. (Note: the poem is a bit long. Perhaps I should opt for something shorter next time. Blame it on my enthusiasm for working with books.)

It’s such a pity that most of the books I’ve read over the last two years have been e-books – it would have been nice to have them on my actual shelves for later use. At least they’d help diversify things and add more flavour against all my prescribed books from when I was at university.

It’s not the best photo ever, so I’ll type out the actual ‘poem’ underneath it for easy reading. Next time, I think I’ll try using only Stephen King titles. Now that will be fun!

Diary of a bad year

 

Bleak house

Catching fire

Just after sunset

 

The whole truth

and the chamber of secrets

Twisted echoes

Persuasion

 

The husband

The lover

Out the door

 

Disgrace

Misery

Our tragic universe

 

Things fall apart

Under the dome

I’m freeeeeeee

Blog readers!

I’ve missed yooouuu!!!

This whole year has been crazy-busy for me. I’ve been working a lot of overtime, weekends ceased to exist for a period of what seemed like endless time, many a disappointment and frustration abounded, and yet I am still here – happy that it’s nearly over… if only for a while.

To ‘celebrate’ the fact that the last three of the books I was working on were burnt on disc at 21:30 last Friday (talk about a long day at the office… and great hunger on my part, with no food or monies), I spent the weekend reading… Oh, and dealing with a HUGE headache that bordered on the verges of migraine land. Monday evening, my amazing friend Mr Awesplendmarkable – thus named because he’s awesome, splendid & remarkable – sent me his latest novel 🙂 To make it more exciting (I was already in great anticipation about it), he made Smudgy & myself joint-dedicatees, along with one of his other friends and her kitty companion. If that isn’t cool, then I don’t know what is!! [I was able to finish the book in a day, even with sleeping and going to work and all the little things that go with it.]

Last night I was baking up a storm because I was commissioned to do so. Since I’m the office ‘bakester’ (or should that be bake-STAR, amirite??), I was the obvious choice for providing goodies for one of our colleagues’ last day in office before she moves on to better, brighter things. I was never told what to bake, and ‘cake’ is open to interpretation… so I baked chocolate cake, cheesecake, cupcakes plus some carrot muffins and cookies. I left work angry – so much so that I started crying when I got into the car – so baking was therapeutic.

Probably because I was very seriously contemplating whether I could get away with inflicting irreversible, epicly-proportioned harm on certain individuals.

But that’s all right. It’s over now. I’m free. Today is my last day in office, then I’ll be on leave until (and including) the 26th. The next almost-two-full-weeks is going to be great. Sleeping, reading… reading… more reading… I think you get what I’m driving at 🙂 And even if I get bored, I’d much rather be bored at home than bored or super-busy at work. [Repeat after me: “I need a vacation!”]

Now I just have to hope that the Department of Basic Education approves these books. Otherwise I don’t want this job anymore. To quote someone or other: “F*ck this shit!”