New Year, New Ways

Happy New Year fellow readers!

Just as I put the finishing touches on yesterday's post, I must admit I was ready to dive into this new reading challenge of reading books with titles of each letter of the alphabet. Guess I am not burned out by a book a week. Thank goodness... because I own way too many books for that to happen right now. Speaking of owning so many books, I am really, really, REALLY going to try to read the most of this year's books from the vast collection I already own.

For really.

And while I could be frugal and responsible and just not buy any new books this year, the reality is this project is a bit trickier than just picking up a book every week. I will only have to knock out half of what I did last year. However, it requires a bit more forethought and planning this time around to ensure I cover every letter of the alphabet. Last time I did my ABCs there were a few letters that I though could prove tricky and I don't want half of the year to pass by when I realize I don't have books titled with J, Q, X, Y and Z. So I have assembled the following list based on what's sitting on my shelves and downloaded to my Kindle.

I present to you, my reading list for 2011.* Reviews will follow the completion of the book, just as last year.

1. A: The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl by Shawna Reid
2. B: Blankets by Craig Thompson or Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy
3. C: Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
4. D: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
5. E: Eventide by Kent Haruf or East of Eden by John Steinbeck
6. F: Family History by Dani Shapiro
7. G: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows or Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresea Medeiros
8. H: Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
9. I: The Imposter's Daughter by Laurie Sandell
10. J: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
11. K: It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
12. L: Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
13. M: The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington
14. N: Night by Elie Wiesel
15. O: The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
16. P: The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
17. Q: Quieter than Sleep by Joanne Dobson
18. R: Room by Emma Donoghue
19. S: Still Alice by Lisa Genova
20. T: The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson
21. U: Unless by Carol Shields
22. V: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
23. W: When Katie Wakes by Connie May Fowler
24. X: X in Flight by Karen Rivers
25. Y: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
26. Z: Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

*Fine Print: Despite my desire to really want to read these titles in alphabetical order, due to my participation in a monthly book club, that's just impossible. Plus, some of the titles listed here will change as the book club selections will meet some, though certainly not all, of this year's requirements. I am also not likely to go a whole year without buying a new book. I mean, really.

That leads me to my next thought... if you have read something fantastic, don't be shy. Share the book love and let me know. You could be enabling my book acquisition habit; but I am okay with that and you should be, too.