Books

This year I actually set a new years resolution. This is something I usually never do because I'm just a bad goal setter. However, I decided on one goal that I thought would be challenging but obtainable. It was to read 25 books that year. I usually try to read as much as possible, but with full time school, full time job, a part time job and two kids, it's a little more difficult. But I decided to set it. 25 books, 1 year.

Well, I am pleased to announce that I did not only reach my goal, I surpassed it in reaching 32 books (It may become 33 as I am hoping to finish another book soon). I am pretty impressed. The books have been great and many of which have helped me grow and I'd recommend many to friends and family. There is a list on the side of the blog, but I'm going to put it up here as well with one sentence about each:

01. To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis -- Truly a funny and clever time travel book.  

02. Time by Eva Hoffman -- Discussion on times effect on individuals and how we perceive it.

03. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson -- A great cyberpunk story about a virus infecting peoples brains.

04. Billions and Billions by Carl Sagan -- His thoughts on science, global warming, and the importance of environment.

05. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein -- This is how society should start a revolution.

06. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss -- Not as good as his first. Too bad.

07. Cosmos by Carl Sagan -- Basically everything he says on his show 'Cosmos' written down, with some changes. 

08. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman -- Shows how war over light years can effect someone, and the stupidity of war.

09. Doctor Who and Philosophy by Lewis & Smithka -- How can you not want to read this?

10. Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clark -- Human kinds first encounter with aliens who completely ignore us.

11. Science Fiction and Philosophy by Susan Schneider -- Again, how could you not?

12. The Internet is a Playground by Davide Thorne -- The posts from internet troublemaker, Thorne, from 27bslash6.com.

13. The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut -- One of the best passages about freedom I've ever read.

14. In Search of Time by Dan Falk -- The philosophy, physics and history of time and I learned so much from this.

15. A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck -- the most chilling book that will make you look at eternity in a very new way.

16. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi -- Probably not worthy of a Hugo award, not horrible . . . just nothing happened.

17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling -- Second time reading and it was amazing.

18. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling -- Third time reading and references stuff in book five.

19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling -- Third time and the Quidich final made me want to cheer!

20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireby J.K. Rowling -- Second time and I hate that Harry and Ron fight.

21. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson -- Not his best. A bit slow and dry.

22. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling -- Second time reading and it sucks that Sirius died.

23. Discourses in Mormon Theology by McLaughlan & Ericson -- I love theology and so I loved reading this.

24. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling -- Third time reading and it was so exciting.

25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling -- Third time reading and I was bummed it was all over again.

26. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein -- Great interpretation of love and brotherhood, "Thou art God."

27. At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft -- Chilling in the details.

28. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells -- Not as good as I remembered and so that was a bit sad.

29. The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- I loved this and its boldness as well as its great description of the 60's.

30. Reamde by Neal Stephenson -- If you're into thrillers, (which I am not) you'll love this.

31. Origin of Species by Charles Darwin -- Had to reread this for biology class, it's such an influential and important book.
32. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman -- A wonderful adventure wit that same wonder that Harry Potter brings.
33. The Scholar of Moab -- An amazing story tying stories of four different people together, through Hyrum's search for scholarship.

I am also currently reading, (there's usually a few because I have one at work, one at home and one in my bag and so I read them depending on where I am):

01. Dune by Frank Hebert

I also finished my time travel book, Pillar of Salt and am re-editing What Are They to God? (formally know as God's Consciousness, which was formally known as Sad Robot). And I have written about 10 new short stories. One of which got an honorable mention from the Writers of the Future contest. That was big.

And here is a pic of my book shelf, severely depleted in books in an attempt to cluttered. (Sorry, it was taken with my phone so the quality is pretty bad).