Somehow I have managed to forget to post on here for a while, so this post is going to be a little longer than usual.

To see a list of the last few books I have read,( follow the cut )My total goal for 2009 was to read at least 60 books, and I read 71, so no issues there.

Unfortunately, my goal of reading 20 books from the 1001 (or in my case, 1284) list was obviously a little optimistic, as I only managed to get 13 of those in.

I managed to hit my target of ten non-fiction books exactly, and this means that my "and everything else" category target of 30 was more than achieved- I read 48 of those.

The main thing that I am taking away from this year's attempt is that I think I will set myself fewer specific goals next year. Despite having read more books than my target in total, I am somehow feeling guilty for having failed my 20 1001-book target. For much of the latter half of the year, I felt under pressure to read books I wasn't in the mood for, and was actively looking for as-short-as-possible 1001- books. This didn't make my reading experience more enjoyable, and, in the end, enjoyment is what this should be all about. I have enough things to worry and feel pressured about at work, without setting myself silly targets in my spare time. So, while I will participate in the 50 Book Challenge in 2010, it will be just that: Attempting to read 50 books, any books, in 2010. I will still group them into categories, but not set myself sub-targets. Also, by setting myself a lower target in total, I am hoping to tackle some of the larger tomes on mount TBR, which I was scared to touch last year due to self-imposed deadlines. And if I feel like reading 50 trashy books in 2010, so be it.

So there, feeling better already

 #64 Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

A vampire novel that gradually gets more and more disturbing, but unlike certain other books that I've read recently, the gruesomeness didn't stop me from loving the book. Tense and at times brutal, I was told that I often had a seriously distressed look on my face while reading, and yet I couldn't put it down. While so many vampire novels these days have glamorous vampires and their relationships with humans are idealized, this book shows the ugly and complex nature of human relationships and humanity's ability to do evil and good and the many shades of grey in between. The supernatural aspect is really only a catalyst of events, but doesn't conceal the ugliness of very human realities such as pedophilia, bullying, loneliness and alcoholism. A book that I would love to gift to certain Twilight lovers out there...

 # 62 A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Very short book, the large print and double spacing making it feel like a bit of a rip off. Ah well, at least I've now read the Sookie short stories and have thus filled some knowledge gaps concerning Sookie's cousins, fairy and vampire alike.

 # 61 Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Meh.

 Well, as of last night, I have hit my target of sixty books for the year. Unfortunately, I still have ten books from the 1001 list to complete, and one more non-fiction book. Until I have hit those targets as well, I don't consider my challenge completed.

#60 Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton et al

#59 Die Verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum by Heinrich Böll

A sobering look at the power of the tabloid press. Due to the unusual perspective this is narrated from, it took me a while to get into it; but once I got used to the style, I found this a very worthwhile read.

This brings me to 10 books off my 1001 list - my aim for the year was 20, and it's November, so it's not looking great! However, I am not giving up just yet- I just need to find some really short 1001 books....

 #58 Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason

A very atmospheric mystery with a sad ending. Quite short, but despite the melancholic themes a satisfying read.

 #57 Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

While I really enjoyed this book, it took me a very long time to get through. I would read a chunk and then get distracted by something else, and it would take me weeks, sometimes months, to pick this up again to read the next chunk. I am not sure why that is, as I really did enjoy myself while reading it; but I guess it just didn't pull me in in a must-continue-now-to-find-out-what-happe... way. So, lovely book, great atmosphere, maybe a bit lengthy. Certainly more worthy to be on the list than some of the others, but still not necessarily must-read-before-dying material for me.

 #56 The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton

Nothing special, but entertaining enough for me to continue with the series for now, and undemanding enough to read when too hungover to focus on anything more substantial.

#55 Rotes Meer by Åke Edwardson

This one's been a bit of a disappointment for me. I have had this issue with this series before- the build up goes on and on and then the resolution falls flat. I know it's probably more realistic that way- I doubt that the solvings of many crimes in real life come with a grand spectacular finale, but it does leave me feeling a little deflated at the end. Still, quite an atmospheric read I suppose.

I've been away, and then kind of busy upon my return, so despite the lengthy absence I haven't managed to read that many books.

#52 The Fire Gospel by Michel Faber

Loved it. Very short, but packs a punch.

#53 Street Haunting by Virginia Woolf

I used to adore Virginia Woolf when I was was younger, but whether this is because it is not her best material, or whether I have outgrown her, or because I was simply distracted, I found it hard to focus on this, and find it difficult to recall anything about these stories in retrospect.

#54 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Fantastic book. If I had to recommend a book as a great holiday read to anyone, this would be it. One of my favourite books of the year.

 #51 How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

A very enjoyable and enlightening read. Whether I'll actually remember to apply this guide in practice remains to be seen, but I know I would be very grateful for it if I was a student- definitely a good starting point for someone who wants to get more out of their reading.

#50 Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Meh. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Good enough to pass quiet periods on a night shift at work, the kind of book that's easy to get back into after constant interruptions. I may read more of the series, but not on my priority list. Maybe there should have been more vampires to grab my attention.

 #47 The Return by Hakan Nesser

While nothing outstanding, a pleasant enough way to while some hours away.

#45 Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

I loved this. Despite the gruesome subject matter this was humorous and actually quite gentle. Well written and entertaining- I'll definitely look out for her next one!

 #44 Die Schattenfrau by Ake Edwardson

While this series has been a little hit and miss for me, I really liked this one. Only the second one in the series, it had just the right pacing to keep me engaged, had a neat twist or two, and managed to be believable throughout.

I'm currently reading two 1001- novels, as I'm really behind on those. So, of course, I am picking the smaller ones for now: A Clockwork Orange and The Awakening. I've also started on Last Rituals, which is not a 1001 book, but so far very entertaining.

I've had a busy week, so haven't managed to get a lot of reading in, but I did finish
#43 The Bastille Falls by Simon Schama last Thursday.

While it was interesting, the French Revolution is not really a topic that particularly interests me, so I am not sure I would have finished a longer work on it. However, as it was one of the Penguin 70's series, I enjoyed it.