About a month ago I proposed a personal reading project for myself: read 3,000 pages in the 30 days of my Christmas break. Technically, I still have one magazine story to revise and turn in, but it’s so close to being done with the semester that I’m going to start today, yay!
I have one entire bag packed with the books I want to read over break. Per usual, I’ve over-packed, but that’s ok. And as an added bonus, I decided to do a vlog sharing the books with you. Enjoy!
I don’t know why I always look so awkward in videos, but oh well. In case you missed any of the books mentioned, here’s the list with some links and the page numbers:
- I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (912 pages)
- Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (275 pages)
- Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman (368 pages) — and my Women Unbound guest post
- The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (352 pages)
- Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder (314 pages, 180 pages left)
- The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (320 pages) — our sister’s vlog on books
- Memoir: A History by Ben Yagoda (304 pages)
- Love Stories in This Town by Amanda Eyre Ward (224 pages)
- The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson (447 pages)
- Birdbaths and Paper Cranes by Sharon Randall (192 pages)
- Dream Girl and Dream Life by Lauren Mechling (320 pages and 336 pages)
- Dracula is Dead by Sheilah Kast and Jim Rosapepe (400 pages)
- The Great Starvation Experiment by Todd Tucker (288 pages)
- The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (521 pages)
If I did my math right, that’s a total of 4918 pages 5439 pages of books brought home, which is far more than my goal for the next month. So many books, so little time. Anyway, rather than blathering on I should get onto my reading — Mountains Beyond Mountains is calling!
What books are you trying to read over the next month? Any suggestions which book I should dive into next?
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From your book bag, I’ve read only The Nanny Diaries and The Blind Assassin (which is not in your posted list, I noticed…), both good. 3000 pages seem a lot at first, but 100 pages on a holiday day seem totally manageable to me, so you can probably pass the 3000 pages mark!
BTW, you look much younger (and prettier) on a video than in photos. I totally love your hair (mine never lies so straight, not even 10 minutes after a very close encounter with my hairdresser, a hair dryer, a brush and a flat iron… Lol)
Alessandra: Thanks for pointing out I forgot The Blind Assassin, I wrote out the list before I made the vlog and new I forgot something!
And thank you 🙂 My hair is stick straight all the time, which is nice sometimes and annoying other times. It tends to get really flat after just a little bit. I’ve never figured out how to blow dry it so it get volume. Oh well 🙂
Mountains Beyond Mountains was the required reading for all freshman at Messiah College this semester. I didn’t like the book too much, but every first year seminar had discussions on it, and Tracy Kidder came to the college. I met him and had to go to a symposium where he spoke to us. He signed my book!
Have fun with this challenge! My big plans for my Christmas break involve tons of reading since I wasn’t able to do any this semester. Next year I will have to challenge myself to do something similar!
Sarah: I would love to hear Tracy Kidder speak, but I’m a big nerd like that. I’m jealous he signed your book! I hope you get to read a lot over break too 🙂
I’m reading I Know This Much Is True over break too if you want to do a buddy review! 😀
Sounds like you have a great list! I’m reading Under the Dome, which is HUGE too. Over 1000!
Lu: A buddy review would be awesome! I hope I get to that book, but it’s such a chunkster. But if you’re reading it too, then maybe that’ll keep me on track.
I thought about reading Under the Dome, but I haven’t read much King, and over 1000 pages seems like too much to start with 🙂
I am currently reading Under the Dome and enjoying it but I had to put it down 400 pages into it to read a little lighter fare around the holiday. I’m planning to pick it up and finish it after New Years.
Wendi: Good luck with the book. I’ve heard mixed reviews from people who’ve finished, so I’m curious to read more opinions.
Oh now you’re just bragging! Just kidding. I miss having a month long winter break. Have fun and good luck and enjoy. I’ve only read The Nanny Diaries from your list and it’s been awhile but I enjoyed it.
Wendi: Just bragging a little bit 🙂 This is, probably, my last long break, so I plan to enjoy it!
I always over pack books too! Good luck with your reading project!
Kathy: I overpack all the time. I went on a vacation when I was a kid where I had practically a full backpack of books for a week. But I hate to be stuck without a book, or at least without a book I want to read!
You have some great books picked out. I think Dracula is Dead sounds interesting, so you are making me add to my pile. I want to finish Among The Thugs this months, and a few others.
Nicole: I think Dracula is Dead will be a good one, I just needed some space before I read it.
Devil in the White City is an exciting non-fiction book. I think, after I finish up this book I’m reading now, I’m going to try and tackle one of my big non-fiction books for my week off between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m thinking I will pick up City of Laughter, which is so pretty 🙂
Aarti: Awesome. I don’t know much about Devil in the White City other than my sister liked it and I’m interested in the Chicago World’s Fair. Tackling big nonfiction is a good plan for a break, I think. Might as well do heavy stuff when there isn’t much going on 🙂
What a cute vlog! I would love to read 3000 pages in the next 30 days but I think I’ll just be happy if I read a few decent books. 😉 I have The Blind Assassin on my TBR shelves but I’m hoping to read The Handmaid’s Tale first. Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much is True is a great read. It’s really engaging. Hopefully it’ll be a pretty fast read for you. Good luck on your project.
Vasilly: I liked The Handmaid’s Tale a lot, it’s such a creepy dystopian book. I can’t wait for the Wally Lamb book; I hope I don’t put it off because it’s so long.
i’ll be joining you in the challenge. i just put together my list and my books already sitting next to my couch or bed plus what’s waiting on hold at the library and needs to be picked up this week totals over 5000 like your list too. here’s my list: http://www.carrieactually.com/3000-pages-30-days/
Carrie: That’s so cool, I’m glad you’re joining me!
My vote goes to Mountains Beyond Mountains or Handmaid’s Tale or the Anne Lamott book. All superb.
debnance: I just finished Mountains Beyond Mountains and I grabbed Traveling Mercies next. Loved the Kidder book, and I’m really enjoying Lamott, as I expected I would!
Looks like you got a great pile of books there! Devil in the White City is a great book, especially since it all happened.
softdrink: I love reading good stories that actually happened 🙂
You are so cute! Happy reading, enjoy your summer.
Lots of good looking books! I hope it is a success!
I feel horribly under-read now.
I must get myself to read The Blind Assassin at least. Nanny Diaries is the ONLY ONE on your list I’ve read!