What I read in 2011

In 2011 I got back to reading. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always been a reader—but in the year past I pursued it with a vigor I haven’t had in years.

I read books about design and business, lots of fiction, and re-read a few classics. I read all the books on my shelf that I’d bought but somehow never got around to reading, and several books that I’d heard were good but hadn’t attempted yet. 

I made an effort for balance this year, too. Instead of just design and business books, I was more open to other topics. And I returned to fiction. The most productive years of my life as a artist were complimented by reading fiction almost exclusively. Reading fiction seems to open the imagination in ways that nothing else can. I tried to relax and read for enjoyment. Reading literature and books in my field is important, but reading for the pure enjoyment of the story was missing in recent years. 

So why did 2011 turn out to be such a great year for reading?

1. Balance. I tried to keep two books going at once. One fiction, one work-related. 
2. Goodreads.com. Keeping score is always a motivator for me. I started using Goodreads in late 2010 and found keeping track was a positive motivator for me. Have I really not touched that book in 2 weeks? Maybe I should move on. And it’s been fun to look back.
3. Bookins.com. Bookins is awesome for trading books. Get rid of the old ones on your shelf and pick up a few new ones. They don’t have the most eclectic selection but I’ve found dozens of books there. It’s dead-simple, too, with Netflix-style queues for what you have and what you want.  

So what did I read in 2011? Take a look at my 2011 reading list on Goodreads.

My biggest surprise and treat this year was definitely the Harry Potter series. I’d put it off for years thinking that I’d read it someday if for no other reason than that it was part of the popular lexicon. What I didn’t expect was to enjoy the series so thoroughly.

Sure the first few are written for pre-teens and have very simple themes, but it’s reading those that lets you appreciate how masterfully J.K. Rowling grew the series in sophistication, theme, and reading level as the characters (and readership) aged. The final book reveals that the pieces were all in place from the start. The world is charming, the characters endearing. I loved this series in a way I haven’t any since I was a kid. 

It’s funny how putting something off for a long time, only to have it exceed your expectations leaves you with a feeling of loss. This great experience could have been a part of you so much sooner, and that time is gone.

I feel that way about Harry Potter and I’m starting to feel it again for my last book of 2011 (and first book of 2012 since I haven’t finished yet), Cloud Atlas. I’ve been meaning to read it for years, and within just a few hours it was shaping up to be one of my favorite books ever. Can’t wait to finish. And I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings. Happy reading!