Books Read Since Graduation

[sillygoosegirl]

List recreated to the best of my abilities at this late date. This entry will be edited in the future to add additional books as I start and finish them. At some point I may briefly codify them as to which I recommend and by how much.

Books Read (or listened to):

1. The Conscious Bride - Sheryl Paul
   This book is about preparing for one's wedding on an emotJional level. It talks about the "dark underbelly" of the engagement, a topic which is normally taboo. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is getting married.
   
2. The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
   This book is about the women in the Biblical story of Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and Joseph. It is very good.
   
3. The DaVinci Code - Dan Brown
   This book was a best seller for a reason. It's quite the page turner, and gives the reader something to think about too. Get ahold of an illustrated addition to read, if possible, so you can see the art they refer to as you go along.
   
4. Snow Crash - Neil Stephenson
   Interesting science fiction book set mostly in Southern California. I honestly didn't like it all that much, but everyone I've ever spoken to who read it absolutely loved it. So maybe it's just me.
   
5. A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson
   Bill Bryson is an absolute hoot, and this book is no exception. It is not, however, a history of nearly everything... it is mostly a history of science, but very interesting nevertheless.
   
6. His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
   
7. His Dark Materials: The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
   
8. His Dark Materials: The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
   This science fantasy series takes place between parallel worlds. The characters are compelling, and although it feels like a childrens book at first, stick with it: the topics and ideas have plenty of depth, particularly as you get to the second and third books.
   
9. Nickel and Dimed - Barbara Ehrenreich
   The author works various minimum wage jobs to try to see how hard it is to get by. It is very interesting, but in many ways I felt the book said more about the author's lack of understanding of the world, than what she learned in this exercise.
   
10. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
    Boy floats for over a year stranded on a lifeboat... with a tiger. This is a truly weird book.
    
11. Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World - Robert Jordan
    
12. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
    Interesting, though somewhat far fetched, story about an interesting culture. The Geisha are glorified entertainers and sometimes prostitutes in Japan.
    
13. I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
    Short stories. Kind of repetative.
    
14. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan
    
15. Fast Food Nation - Eric Schlosser
    Fassionating book. Highly recommend, but not while you are eatting!
    
16. Dealing with Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede
    Not as cool as I remember as a child, but there was a Stoned Prince, so it wasn't all bad.
    
17. My Life - Bill Clinton
    I loved Bill Clinton's memoirs. A great book about recent politics and history from somebody who lived through it.
    
18. Wheel of Time: The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan
    
19. The Diamond Age - Neal Stephenson
    I really enjoyed this book. It's a little less weird than Snow Crash, and I liked the characters better. I also liked the concept of the "Young Lady's Illustrated Primer" raising the protagonist--a young girl living in poverty, whose mother has a series of abusive boyfriends.
    
20. Wheel of Time: The Shadow Rising - Robert Jordan
    
21. In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson
    Another great book by Bill Bryson. This one is about Australia. I wasn't interested in Australia before picking up this book, but it's really good.
    
22. Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
    Quite possibly the funniest book I have ever read.
    
23. Naked in Baghdad - Anne Garrels
    Anne Garrels is a foreign correspondent for NPR. This book is about her experiences in Baghdad right before the war.
    
24. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
    
25. Hegemony or Survival - Noam Chomsky
    
26. Wheel of Time: The Fires of Heaven - Robert Jordan
    
27. The Lathe of Heaven - Ursula K. Le Guin
    
28. Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
    
29. Lord of Chaos - Robert Jordan
    
30. The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
    
31. Gift From The Sea - Anne Morrow Lindbergh
    
32. Wheel of Time: A Crown of Swords - Robert Jordan
    
33. In Suspect Terrain - John McPhee
    
34. The Partly Cloudy Patriot - Sarah Vowell
    
35. Smart Couples Finish Rich - David Bach
    
36. The Lexus and the Olive Tree - Thomas L. Friedman
    
37. Wheel of Time: The Path of Daggers - Robert Jordan
    
38. Confessions of an Economic Hitman - John Perkins - August 4, 2006
    
39. A Walk In The Woods - Bill Bryson - September 2, 2006
    Bill Bryson attempts to hike the Appalachian Trail, and this book is more or less what you might expect from Bill Bryson and such an endeavor--an absolute hoot. Highly recommended.
    
40. (in progress, but not current) Nightfall - Isaac Asimov
    
41. Wheel of Time: Winter's Heart - Robert Jordan
    
42. Collapse - Jared Diamond - September 27, 2006
    
43. Wheel of Time: Crossroads of Twilight - Robert Jordan - November 1, 2006
    
44. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger - November 10, 2006
    This book is great. Sweet, funny, interesting, and engaging. Plus, it takes place in Chicago and has time travel. One of the better works of fiction I have read this year.
    
45. Eragon - Christopher Paolini - December 25, 2006
    Josh discribed this book as "The bastard child of every sci-fi and fantasy story ever told"... and frankly I have to agree: I was not particularly impressed.
    
46. Wheel of Time: Knife of Dreams - Robert Jordan - January 2, 2007
    Egwene continues to kick ass... ironically, by having her own ass kicked.
    
47. Earth in the Balance - Al Gore - February 22, 2007
    Al Gore is my hero.
    
48. Palestine: Peace not Apartheid - Jimmy Carter - March 2007
    
49. Yellow Raft, Blue Water - Michael Dorris - May 22, 2007
    
50. Star Wars: Survivor's Quest - Timothy Zahn
    
51. Star Wars: Outbound Flight - Timothy Zahn
    
52. Star Wars: Allegiance - Timothy Zahn
    
53. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J. K. Rowling
    
54. Guns, Germs, and Steel - Jared Diamond
    
55. American Gods - Neil Gaiman
    
56. Wheel of Time: New Spring - Robert Jordan
    
57. An Introduction to the US Health Care System, Sixth Edition - Steven Jonas, Raymond L. Goldsteen, Karen Goldsteen - April 23, 2008
    
58. Drawing Down The Moon - Margot Adler - May 12, 2008
    
59. How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie - July 17, 2008
    
60. The Spiral Dance - Starhawk - July 17, 2008
    
61. Go Green, Live Rich - David Bach - July 21st, 2008
    
62. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham - July 26th, 2008
    
63. Wicca, New Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to the Old Religion in the Modern World - Vivianne Crowley - September 23, 2008
    
64. The Botany of Desire - Michael Pollan - October 15, 2008
    
65. Gifts - Ursula K. Le Guin - November 13, 2008
    
66. The Art of Ritual - Sydney Barbara Metrick - November 26, 2008
    
67. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver - December 24, 2008
    
68. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey - January 18, 2009
    
69. Real Magic - Isaac Bonewits - returned to library, not finished
    
70. A Long Way Gone - Ishmael Beah - February 3, 2009
    
71. The Life and Times of Thunderbolt Kid - February 10, 2009
    
72. A Dirty Job - Christopher Moore - March 15, 2009
    
73. The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan - April 8, 2009 (est)
    
74. The Mists of Avalon: Mistress of Magic - Marion Zimmer Bradley - May 7, 2009
    
75. The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics - Riane Tennenhaus Eisler - June 5, 2009
    
76. Down to Earth: Nature's Role in American History - Ted Steinberg - June 21, 2009
    
77. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - Steven Levitt - June 21, 2009
    
78. Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene - Ingrid Bauer - June 27, 2009
    
79. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll - August 23, 2009
    
80. Fool - Christopher Moore - September 7, 2009
    
81. Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science--from the Babylonians to the Maya - Dick Teresi - September 25, 2009
    
82. Sign With Your Baby: How to Communicate with Infants Before They Can Speak - Joseph Garcia - October 25, 2009
    
83. Altered Carbon - Richard K. Morgan - November 5, 2009
    
84. Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy - Peggy Reeves Sanday - not finished or current
    
85. China (Eyewitness Travel Guides) - All but Tibet section, Novemberish
    
86. National Geographic Traveler: India 2nd Edition - Louise Nicholson - First half, Novemberish
    
87. Lamb: The Gosple According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Friend - Christopher Moore - December 25, 2009
    
88. The Gathering Storm - Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
    
89. Dracula - Bram Stoke
    
90. India Culture Smart - Nicki Grihault
    
91. Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne
    
92. Nature Girl - Carl Hiaasen
    
93. Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher
    
94. Fluke - Christopher Moore
    
95. Island of the Sequined Love Nun - Christopher Moore
    
96. You Suck - Christopher Moore
    
97. The Highest Tide - Jim Lynch
    
98. American Theocracy - Kevin Phillips
    
99. Silent Spring - Rachel Carson
    
100. The Scarlet Pimpernel - Baroness Emmuska Orczy
     
101. The Assault on Reason - Al Gore - September 10, 2010
     
102. Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen - September 14, 2010
     
103. Practical Demon-Keeping - Christopher Moore - September 20, 2010
     
104. The Stupidest Angel - Christopher Moore - September 22, 2010
     
105. In Defense of Food - Michael Pollan - October 9, 2010
     
106. 1491 - Charles C. Mann - October 29, 2010
     
107. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver - November 12, 2010
     
108. At Home - Bill Bryson - November 29, 2010
     
109. Towers of Midnight - Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson - December 14, 2010
     
110. Small Gods - Terry Pratchett - December 30, 2010
     

2011 - I've set myself a goal to read 50 books in 2011, so the count starts over:

1. Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex - Mary Roach - January 7, 2011
   
2. City of Illusions - Ursula K. Le Guin - January 11, 2011
   
3. Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife - Mary Roach - January 13, 2011
   
4. Shakespeare - Bill Bryson - January 17, 2011
   
5. The Mists of Avalon: The High Queen - Marion Zimmer Bradley - January 26, 2011
   
6. The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want - Sonja Lyubomirsky - January 28, 2011
   
7. Babyproofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less, and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows - Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill, Julia Stone - February 1, 2011
   
8. Superfreakonomics - Steven Levitt - February 5, 2011
   
9. Split Second - David Baldacci - February 16, 2011
   
10. Rocannon’s World - Ursula K. Le Guin - February 17, 2011
    
11. Anathem - Neal Stephenson - March 10, 2011
    
12. Planet of Exile - Ursula K. Le Guin - March 14, 2011
    
13. Packing for Mars - Mary Roach - March 23, 2011
    
14. The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East - Sandy Tolan - April 1, 2011
    
15. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown - April 9, 2011
    
16. The Mists of Avalon: The King Stag - Marion Zimmer Bradley - April 14, 2011
    
17. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams - April 15, 2011
    
18. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Douglas Adams - April 21, 2011
    
19. The Sea Fairies - L. Frank Baum - April 21, 2011
    
20. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul - Douglas Adams - April 24, 2011
    
21. Quicksilver - Neal Stephenson - May 10, 2011
    
22. The Mother Tongue - Bill Bryson - Last cassette wouldn't play. Stopped in a section about Burma Shave Signs.
    
23. The Land of Painted Caves - Jean Auel - June 10, 2011
    
24. King of the Vagabonds - Neal Stephenson - June 24, 2011
    
25. Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert - July 1, 2011
    
26. Stiff - Mary Roach - July 8, 2011
    
27. Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin - July 15, 2011
    
28. Odalisque - Neal Stephenson - July 28, 2011
    
29. Alex and Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process - Irene Pepperberg - August 4, 2011
    
30. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas - September 6, 2011
    
31. Changing Plains - Ursula K. LeGuin - September 13, 2011
    
32. The Broken Bridge - Philip Pullman - September 19, 2011
    
33. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - September 23, 2011
    
34. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins - September 25, 2011
    
35. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - September 28, 2011
    
36. Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran - Azadeh Moaveni - October 10, 2011
    
37. Star Wars: Choices of One - Timothy Zahn - October 24, 2011
    
38. Salmon of Doubt - Douglas Adams - October 31, 2011
    
39. So Long and Thanks for All the Fish - Douglas Adams - November 7, 2011
    
40. A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin - November 27, 2011
    
41. Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams - December 5th, 2011
    
42. A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin - December 19, 2011
    
43. Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory - Peter Hessler - December 2011
    

2012

1. A Storm of Swards - George R. R. Martin - January 18th, 2012
   
2. How We Decide - Jonah Lehrer - January 23rd, 2012
   
3. A Feast for Crows - George R. R. Martin - current
   

To read (* indicates available from Audible, + indicates I own it):

1. Gaia's Garden, Second Edition: A Guide To Home-Scale Permaculture
   
2. Heaven Lakes
   
3. Investigation by Stuart Kauffman (KindleLendingClub.com)
   
4. Contagion: The Financial Epidemic that... by Talbott, John R. (KindleLendingClub.com)
   
5. Natural Experiments of History - Jared Diamond
   
6. The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal - Jared Diamond (KindleLendingClub.com)
   
7. Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution Of Human Sexuality - Jared Diamond
   
8. +The Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley
   
9. The Secret Teachings of All Ages - Manly P. Hall
   
10. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
    
11. More Timothy Zahn, as in Timothy Zahn that's not Star Wars (recs?)
    
12. +Getting Things Done
    
13. **What do you care what other people think?
    
14. **Charlie Wilson's War
    
15. The Theory of Moral Sentiments - Adam Smith
    
16. The Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith
    
17. Parenting books
    
18. Slow is Beautiful: New visions of community, leisure, and joie de vivre by Cecile Andrews
    
19. Contact
    
20. Travel as a Political Act - Rick Steves
    
21. The Origins of Sex: A History of the First Sexual Revolution - Faramerz Dabhoiwala
    

Aug. 1, 2007 - More recommendations are always welcome, I might even get to them. I am particularly interested in books on sociology, or at least that's what I'm interested in that I feel short on book recommendations for... as you can see from my list there are a good many other topics I am interested in reading about. I am also somewhat interested in recommendations for books on economics.