I may be setting myself up for a bit of failure this month. A couple of the books are a bit more serious than perhaps I would normally read. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And so what if I have a couple “did not finish” books this year. (Although I had one earlier in the week where, for some reason, I just lost interest more than half way through.)
I other thing I’ve noticed — my taste pendulum seems to be swinging toward nonfiction. Half the books I’ve read this year are nonfiction and four of the five on this month’s list are too.
A Brief History of Thought: A Philosophical Guide to Living, Luc Ferry — This is one of those that could be iffy. I’m not normally into philosophy books but the book came to my attention via a review offer. I was intrigued because it has been a bestseller in Europe. Realizing there was a chance I may not get it read, though, I opted to get on the reserve list at the library rather than get a review copy.
Angelmaker, Nick Harkaway — I enjoyed Harkaway’s The Gone-Away World so am eager to give his latest a chance when it comes out later this month.
The New Hate: A History of Fear and Loathing on the Populist Right, Arthur Goldwag — This is a book I’ve gone back and forth on for a bit. It was almost on last month’s list but I decided not to read it. Of course, finding out the library had it changed my mind. So now it is on the list.
Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation, Elaine Pagels — This is my other potential difficult read. Even though I’m an atheist, I am still fascinated by the history of Christianity and Pagels is unquestionably one of the best religion historians and Biblical scholars around. I’m just hoping it’s not over my head. (And thanks to Doug Wiken for bringing the book to my attention.)
Summer of ’68: The Season That Changed Baseball–and America–Forever, Tim Wendel — For a male my age, the names Bob Gibson, Denny McLain, Lou Brock, Orlando Cepeda, Bill Freehan and Tim McCarver are still magical. If you don’t recognize the names or why they conjure up such feeling, you won’t understand why the book is on the list.
Report Card:
- Calendar Year 2012
- Total Bibliolust books: 8
- Number read: 6 (75%)
- Started but did not finish: 0
- Number read: 6 (75%)
- Cumulative (September 2008-February 2012)
- Total Bibliolust books: 211
- Number read: 168 (79.6%)
- Started but did not finish: 14 (6.6%)
- Number read: 168 (79.6%)
Our house was a temple to The Book. … Books ruled our lives. They were our demi-gods.
Nick Bantock, Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence
