Bookshelf '24
Annual catalog of my time exploring other worlds.
Heya and Happy New Year!
Last year’s resolution was to read/listen to more books and graphic novels, and share them on social media. Looking back at 2023, I wasn’t great at sharing what I read. By year end, my total count was—for me—a respectable 36. Of course this became an external accountability tool to encourage more reading in 2024.
The low-hanging fruit was more audiobooks, but hold my head up high, I needed to push my printed book count. This required more time dedicated to reading, and—as crazy as it sounds—reading faster. Reading fiction quickly is tough, as my emotional connection to the story determines the pace. If I’m not feeling it, I read slow. Of course, the reverse holds true. But non-fiction was just a matter of practice to increase the information input rate over the year. As I said, last year, I’m not a fast reader.
The process wasn’t easy, and embarrassing. I use my finger to skim across the lines of text to guide my eye. Yes, the very same technique used to teach children reading is part of the “speed-reading” toolkit. I won’t go into the physiological reasons for this, but it works. Aside from the potential laughs from others, the toughest part is relaxing your mind, but not drifting off. Just like regular reading, you have to track back to where you last remember, but in this case, it can be a half page away. When it works, the pages fly by. Well, fly by for me.
The combination of increased and dedicated reading/listening time, paired with a faster reading pace pushed my read pile from 36 to 56. Let see how it all went down.
January through March led with a mix of three short printed books. A re-read of CALL OF THE WILD kicked the year off, then a writing craft book by Haruki Murakami, and THE WAR OF ART. Two long audio books, that chewed up way more time than I hoped. Also three graphic novels. Two by guests of the podcast, Beth Hetland, Jason Copland, and I’d love to get Paul Grist on someday.
I picked the pace up April through June. That’s a 150% uptick for the math-minded. Six pretty pacy audiobooks. I really enjoyed my first foray into the book worlds of John Le Carré and Michael Connelly. Four graphic novels, by three podcast guests; André Lima Araújo, M.S. Harkness, and J. H.. Williams III.—of course I’d love to have Jeff Smith on too! Only two printed books; THE ROAD and BARBARIAN DAYS. (both I highly recommend)
July through September was another 150% increase. I sustained this pace for the rest of the year. (I don’t know how I can increase that without becoming a full-time reader. If you have a lead on that job, please let me know.) Four printed books. Two are brilliant reference/craft books, one a telling of STAR WARS in iambic pentameter, and the fourth penned by my first comic book editor, Fabian Nicieza. If you like crime novels in unique settings, this might be your next favorite read.
With seven graphic novels, I must have been in full-podcast mode. I do try and read as much of my guest’s work. Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the current superstars in comics and his heart-warming and action packed stories always deliver. Book two in a three book, post apocalyptic genre mash-up series PHENOMENA. (a blast) And, as I was out of the comic book world for a decade and a half, I missed out and all the good stuff between 2000 and 2015. Nestled in that period is a book [now] living on my all-time favorite’s shelf, BATTLING BOY, by Paul Pope. (also welcome on the podcast)
Seven more audio books round out the quarter. Though the FOURTH TURNING, was intriguing, I learned that I struggle listening to non-fiction audiobooks. My ongoing tour through Terry Pratchett’s DISCWORLD continues. THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE was an uproarious familial tale, and I opted to do my re-read of the LORD OF THE RINGS series in audio this time. If you haven’t heard these new released, narrated by Andy Serkis, please do. They’re glorious.
With Hurricane Helene, our life changed here in Asheville during October through December, but I kept reading. Six printed books filled my days. A re-read of an all-time favorite, THE YIDDISH POLICEMAN’S UNION, by Michael Chabon. A wonderful examination of work in SHOP CLASS AS SOULCRAFT. Plus two motivating craft books (of a sort) by Haruki Murakami, and Rick Rubin.
I found JADE CITY, by Fonda Lee a refreshing look at the fantasy genre, and the standout among the six audio books.
To keep the numbers even I rounded out the year with six more graphic novels. For fans of post-apocolyptic fantasy adventures, it doesn’t get much better than KAYA, but Wes Craig. If you like your action in the form of giant monsters, then James Harren’s ULTRAMEGA is you jam. But if you prefer your graphic novels to be heavy, not just in size, but subject, then Barry Windsor Smith’s MONSTERS tips the scales.
You can check out each post for every book on the Bookshelf ‘24 page on my website. Here.
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I’m putting together a Bookshop.org page, in order to make it easy for you to pick up thee books, support indie book shops, and what I do here. Check them out, and stay tuned for updates on that.
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Happy New Year Alex!