Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2013 Statistical Roundup- My Year in Books

For the fourth consecutive year I present... the numbers.

How many books read in 2013? As of today, I've read 74 books this year. That's down significantly from 95 last year. I read a couple of very long books, and less crime, but basically life has been crazy and I didn't get as much time to read. Working on my crafting business has also taken reading time away.

How many fiction and non fiction? 13 nonfiction and the rest fiction. Last year I also read 12 nonfiction.


Male/Female author ratio? 
42 by men, 32 by women. Better than last year's ratio but it needs improvement to be more equal. Basically, I don't keep track of this kind of thing as I'm reading. I just read what I want.

Favorite book of 2013?
The Son, by Philipp Meyer. Just read it already.

Least favorite?
Something I didn't finish. I don't remember.

 Any that you simply couldn’t finish and why?
A few. I have a bunch of half-finished graphic novels, books of essays and the like hanging around. I tried to read a big recently-published Italian opus and failed. Stuff like that.

Oldest book read:
Coronation Summer, by Angela Thirkell, originally published in 1937 and about a pair of young girls traveling to London for the coronation of Queen Victoria. They buy pretty dresses, flirt with boys and have fun.


Newest?
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt.

Longest and shortest book titles?
Wave, by Sonali Deraniyagala and Why Be Happy When You Could be Normal, by Jeanette Winterson

Longest and shortest books?
The All of It, by Jeannette Haien was probably the shortest; The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt was probably the longest.

How many books from the library?
None!

Any translated books?
I read books translated from Italian, French, Hebrew, German, Greek, Chinese and Russian.

Most read author of the year, and how many books by that author?
Three each from Jane Gardam and Massimo Carlotto.

Any re-reads?
No re-reads this year!

Favorite character of the year?
Peter McCullough from The Son.

Which countries did you go to through the page in your year of reading?
Through books I went to Ireland, Israel, Poland, France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, England, America, Greece, Germany, Norway, Holland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Laos, Canada, Japan and Korea.

Which book wouldn’t you have read without someone’s specific recommendation?
The Snow Hunters, by Paul Yoon, recommended by my coworker Jennifer.

Which author was new to you in 2013 that you now want to read the entire works of?
Lydia Millet. I loved her Magnificence and want to read all of her books.

Which books are you annoyed you didn’t read?
I'm a little annoyed I didn't get to the Serge Gainsbourg biography I picked up last year, and Morrissey: The Pageant of His Bleeding Heart, not to mention Morrissey's new autobiography. Yes I love moody vocalists, sue me.

Did you read any books you have always been meaning to read?
Why Be Happy When You Could be Normal, by Jeanette Winterson. That was last year's annoyed-I-didn't-read.
 
My Hopes for 2014: 
  • I hope I read more books!
  • I hope to have time to pursue my own interests and keep up with current releases.
  • I hope to attend more bookish events and have more bookish fun. 2013 was distinctly lacking in bookish fun. You know what I miss? BEA, conferences, networking opportunities, meeting authors.
  • I hope to get to some of the dusty books on the back bookshelves.
That's it for me! It's been a great year in books! What are the highlights of your bookish year, and what do you hope for 2014?

8 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

It was hard for me to figure out my stats for this year since I stopped posting reviews this fall, but I think I read 109 books. No idea on the percentage of audio versus print, but it is usually close to 50/50. I really need to read The Son. I just saw it on Reader's Respite's favorite list as well. I'll put that on my 2014 goal list!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I'm always fascinated by this post. Mine is going to be posted later this week.

bermudaonion said...

I just checked and I do have The Son - now to find the time to read it. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

The Son has been on a few lists that I've seen so there's really no excuse not to look for it!
My reading has been way down the past few years, life and all that, but I'm hoping for a rebound this year!

Aarti said...

Wow, The Son was quite the winner! I will have to look into that.

I agree that I need more bookish fun in 2014! I am trying to join the Library's junior board so maybe that will help :-)

Col (Col Reads) said...

I am hoping to get to Magnificence next year. Looking forward to your bookish insights in 2014!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

You had a good year Marie. I read the Lydia Millet book and purchased the earlier ones of this series as well. (read in 2014 - I hope)

Wishing you a great 2014.

As the Crowe Flies and Reads said...

The Son made it to my Top Ten list (it will post on Jan 2) but I couldn't stand Peter as a narrator. We'll have to chat, preferably over an adult beverage, about why he was your favorite character. ;)