My reading list for 2012

I thought I'd share books that I've read this year, and whether or not they are worth checking out. I think I read a couple more, but I find my memory is not what it used to be. I generally read fast, but sometimes my job pulls me away from it for weeks at a time. 

A Clash of Kings (Book 2 of A Game of Thrones) - George R.R. Martin 

A Storm of Swords (Book 3 of A Game of Thrones)  - George R.R. Martin

As indicated these are both part of the Game of Throne series – which has been made popular by the HBO series. As an aside, the HBO series (at least the first season) is very well done, although I think I'd have trouble following everything if I hadn't read the books. 

With that being said, I had read the first book awhile back, and actually hadn't been that inclined to keep going. But, at some point, it caught my attention again, and I consumed these two 1,000 page books in a couple weeks time. 

Obviously, the length will deter many from picking it up, but once you get into the story, it goes fast. I've never read a fantasy story that develops so many characters and really delves into the politics of the feudal system so well. There's plenty of action to keep the narrative flowing and the chapters aren't very long. Plus, Tyrion Lannister is one of the best characters you'll run into in this genre. 

Martin does an excellent job of developing every character, and peels back depth in even the most repulsive of personalities. The only thing that catches me is that I find the book titles to be drab. 

My recommendation: If you like this genre, you'll love this series. 

The Shining - Stephen King

I felt compelled to read this since I had read so many other books by King, and this was supposed to  be one of his best. I don't rank it all that high, but it's fine and a classic due in part Stanley Kubrick's film version. I watched the film after reading the book, and they are almost two different stories with similar structure. Nothing wrong with either, they are just different. 

On an aside, I bought this used and I think it was part of the first release. I found a ton of typos. That's unusual for a published work. 

My recommendation: I think it's required reading for people that like King. 

Are You Afraid of the Dark - Sydney Sheldon

This is the third Sheldon book I've read, and it confirmed what I suspected after reading the first two. This guy has a very basic plot formula that he plugs his characters into and then runs them through, no matter the setting and the specifics. If you've never read a Sheldon book, he writes the basic suspense, spy-type thriller. After a couple reads, you come to expect a twist at the end, so you spend most of the book just looking for the likely twist. 

The afterwords are actually my favorite part. He feeds in conspiracy theories with his plots, so you get details from the "real world" on things reflected in the book. For example, this book had to do with weather control. His afterword cites public documents where the U.S. government and Russian governments have applied for patents concerning weather control. He also cites examples of it being used. I just find those interesting. 

My recommendation: Eh. It's a good transition book between longer, more demanding reads. 

The Posionwood Bible - Barbara Kingslover

This is Kingslover's most acclaimed work, but I had a hard time getting into it. The first few chapters just drag. I have read a couple of her other books, and they usually pull you in quick. This is a more cognitive work involving a family of Baptist missionaries that go to the Congo during the 1960s (I think was the 60s, might have been 50s). The middle of this book gets solid as things fall apart for the family. Cause guess what, a bunch of starving Africans need food before they get preached too. I also felt the book went on about 100 pages too long. It would probably be good to read in a group to discuss symbolism, but I think it still could have stopped sooner or been cut down. 

My recommendation: Give other works by Kingslover like the "The Bean Trees" a try before jumping into this. You'll likely keep going after falling for the charm she brings to her work. 

Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton 

I wasn't sure I'd get past the movie when I borrowed this from my brother. I was surprised how wrong I was. Much like The Shining, the two are very different tales. The book attacks the situation more scientifically without bogging the reader down in too much data. It read quick, which also surprised me since I tried to read Crichton book once before and got tired of all the legal jargon. 

My recommendation: If you find it cheap, give it a go. 

Americana - Hampton Sides

This is a collection of articles that Sides wrote for various magazines that stretch over about a 15-year period from the early 1990s to the mid-2000s. It makes me feel old to see how dated some of the early 1990s stuff is. The topics vary from Tuperware saleswomen to Steve Nash with overarching hope to provide a mosaic of the country. The post 9-11 article was the most brutally touching as he walked the steps of several people that were in the towers when the planes hit. 

My recommendation: If stumble across it, give it a chance. The nice thing is that you can read an article one day and not pick up again for 3 weeks and not have to worry about remembering plot.