Reading Accountability: January

Posted by David Duhr in WBN News & Events      4 comments

Jan
31

Along with the freshly-relaunched AccountabiliBuddy (our writing accountability tool), we here at WBN could use a bit of reading accountability. As we all know, few activities are more important for writers than plunging our noses into a book as often as we can–and my reading stats from the past two years are mildly embarrassing.

So my goal is to read 80 titles in 2013, to average 1.5 books/week. (And to avoid the base impulse to read, just for the sake of quantity, only slim books.)

I read an even dozen in January, but I’ve also had more free time than usual. After the jump, my list of January titles. (If you’re interested! Which you really shouldn’t be.)

Tell us, what are your reading goals for 2013? What are your writing goals? How do you plan to achieve ’em? How can we help?

Title — Writer (idiotic note):

Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale — Lynda Rutledge (Occasionally funny, ultimately forgettable)

How to Get Into the Twin Palms — Karolina Waclawiak (The opening lines of which we looked at here)

Stoner — John Williams (If I read a better book this year I’ll be shocked)

Inland — Gerald Murnane (If I read a more frustrating book this year I’ll be shocked)

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone — J.K. Rowling (Yes, I’m finally reading these books)

Cat’s Cradle — Kurt Vonnegut (Thanks, Library of America)

Will in the World — Stephen Greenblatt (Became a slog)

The Way of the Superior Man — David Deida (For a friend …)

Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets — J.K. Rowling

Fight Song — Joshua Mohr (An unexpected pleasure)

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater — Kurt Vonnegut (No, seriously, God bless you, Library of America)

A Sport and a Pastime — James Salter (Advice: Read this one in a cold bath. Or at least, not in public while wearing sweatpants)