2013 Reading List: December

2013 is over, so this will be my last post on the 2013 reading list. Obviously. Fifteen books this month makes 174 for the year. That averages to exactly 14.5 per month. That's a little short of my goal of 200 books, but I'm not unhappy with the total. I like knowing what I've read; look for next year's lists in the months to come. Anyway, here's the last list of the year: 

December

1. Kenyhercz, Katie. On the Fly. Crimson Romance, 2013.
2. Allen, Heather. Just Breathe. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
3. Nunez, Frank Vincent. My Last Christmas Wish. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
4. DeGiorgio, S. Yo Ho Ho and a Very Merry Christmas. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
5. Wilkinson, Dacia. For Love of Words. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
6. Schulz, Charles M. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Peanuts Worldwide LLC, 2011.
7. Crowne, Mackenzie. Cara O'Shea's Return. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2014 (sic).
8. Robison, Roderick J. The Christmas Tin. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
9. Jordon, Autumn. Perfect. Dianne Gerber, 2012.
10. Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. Public Domain, 1843.
11. Carlson, Melody. Gift of Christmas Present. Revell, 2004.
12. Welch, Karen. Christmas at Valley Rise. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012. 
13. Rogers, Martha. Christmas at Holly Hill. Realms, 2012. 
14. Reuther, Mike. Nothing Down. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013. 
15. Bird, Chad L. The Infant Priest. Self-Published, 2013.

2013 Reading List: October and November

I fell a little behind on the project posting. And on the reading. Didn't even reach ten books in November. Then again, to be fair, November was a bit of a crazy month. Anyway, that puts me at 159 books for the year, which is an average of over 13 books a month. December is another crazy month, so we'll see what happens. Anyway, here's the lists.

October

1. Gow, Kailin. Never Ending. The Edge, 2013.
2. Hornby, Nick. High Fidelity. Penguin Books, 1995.
3. Peterson, Tracie. The Icecutter’s Daughter. Bethany House, 2013.
4. McGregor, Tim. Old Flames, Burned Hands. Perdido Pub, 2013.
5. Carlson, Melody. Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless. NavPress, 2010.
6. Anderson, Becky. In Stereo Where Available. Medallion Press, 2007.
7. Pless, John T. Martin Luther: Preacher of the Cross. Concordia Publishing House, 2013.
8. Pless, John T. Mercy at Life’s End. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 2013.
9. Clampett, Ruth. Animate Me. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
10. Goodkind, Terry. Wizard’s First Rule. Tor Books, 1994.

November

1. Labonte, Beth. Coffee Breath. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2008.
2. Newland, Tahlia. You Can't Shatter Me. Catapult Press, 2012.
3. Mason, Sally. Gone Hollywood. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
4. Blount, Angela N. Once Upon a Road Trip. Artifice Press, 2013.
5. Roach, D. A. Tethered. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
6. Hall, Tessa Emily. Purple Moon. Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2013.

2013 Reading List: September

It's that time again. With the beginning of the school year and the resumption of Catechism instruction and Sunday school, I let myself relax my reading schedule a bit this past month. With no ado, here's my list for September. (By the way, despite my usual narcissism, I have to say that my main reason for re-reading "A Great and Mighty Wonder" was because of my appearance on KFUO's BookTalk show. My third novel will probably be on my list for October for the same reason. And then November will be even slower than September because I do intend to work on another in a new genre for NaNoWriMo.)

September

1. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 1998.
2. Ferguson, Craig. American on Purpose. Harper Collins Publishers, 2009.
3. Quinn, Caisey. Girl on Tour. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
4. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 1999.
5. Zelazny, Roger. The Trumps of Doom. Arbor House, 1985.
6. Kavouras, Dean. Nine One One: The Aftermath. Lutheran Heritage Foundation, 2002.
7. Watson, Galen. The Psalter. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012. (Awful. How many heresies can one author fit into a 383-page fiction novel and pass them off as truth while writing off the actual truth is the product of conspiracy theories?)
8. Kornacki, Alan. A Great and Mighty Wonder. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
9. Swank, Denise Grover. Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
10. Gunhammer, Jessica. A Summer to Remember. Limitless Publishing, 2013.
11. Cagle, Erik. Gross Misconduct. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2007.

 

2013 Reading List: August

August was a slower reading month with a large number of hospital and shut-in visits, two house guests a week apart, and a renewed interest in playing games on my PSP. Nonetheless, I still had time to do some reading, especially since I wangled for myself a refurbished Kindle Touch. I'm still on pace for right around 200 books for the year, though there's no telling what will happen over the next four months. Anyhow, here's the August list.

1. Culbreth, Jennifer. Protect Me. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013. (I read this to support a Facebook friend.)
2. McLay, Craig. Village Books. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011. (Awful. It’s as if someone took everything he learned from his liberal college humanities professors and tried to cram it into one boring book with smug characters.)
3. Ruud, R.J. Lost Creek. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
4. Wellington, Janet. Homecoming. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
5. Adams, Sayer. Blindsided. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
6. Swank, Denise Grover. Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
7. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 1997.
8. Brinkley, Richard N. Thy Strong Word: The Enduring Legacy of Martin Franzmann. Concordia Publishing House, 1993. (The picture on the Amazon website is for the wrong product.)
9. Mosher, Eric. Lost at Comic Con. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
10. Spiva, Heather. The Puzzle Master. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.

2013 Reading List: July

Twenty-four books in July, mainly because I did a lot of sitting and waiting--some in hospitals, some in my study, and a lot in bed while I waited for the MichaelBug to fall asleep. That puts me well over one-hundred for the year and on pace for two-hundred-nine. About half of this month's books are Young Adult books, but the book that really sticks out is On Writing by Stephen King, which I highly recommend--though I don't think I read a clunker all month. Anyway, here's the July list.

July

1. Quinn, Caisey. Girl with Guitar. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
2. Kurtz, Katherine. The Harrowing of Gwynedd. Ballantine Books, 1989.
3. Kurtz, Katherine. King Javan’s Year. Ballantine Books, 1992.
4. Kurtz, Katherine. The Bastard Prince. Ballantine Books, 1994.
5. Kurtz, Katherine. The Deryni Archives. Ballantine Books, 1986.
6. Bates, Sarah. For Now and Always. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
7. Bates, Sarah. Choices. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
8. Bates, Sarah. Always and Forever. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
9. Kurtz, Katherine. Deryni Rising. Ballantine Books, 1970.
10. Bates, Sarah. Family Ties. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
11. Bates, Sarah. The Ties that Bind. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
12. Bates, Sarah. Someone to Love Me. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
13. Bates, Sarah. The Right Time. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
14. Bates, Sarah. The Very Thought of You. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
15. Bates, Sarah. The First Moment. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
16. Kurtz, Katherine. Deryni Checkmate. Ballantine Books, 1972.
17. Kurtz, Katherine. High Deryni. Ballantine Books, 1973.
18. Peters, Paul Michael. Peter in Flight. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
19. King, Stephen. On Writing. Scribner, 2000.
20. Kurtz, Katherine. The Bishop’s Heir. Ballantine Books, 1984.
21. Kurtz, Katherine. The King’s Justice. Ballantine Books, 1985.
22. Stahl, Shey. Delayed Penalty. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
23. Kurtz, Katherine. The Quest for Saint Camber. Ballantine Books, 1987.
24. Gough, James. Cloak. WiDo Publishing, 2011.

2013 Reading List: June

A little behind in posting last month's list. Here it is. 98 for the first half of the year, when I was on page for 240 after February. This puts me on pace for 196--not bad, but I've done better.

June

1. Cates, Georgia. Beauty from Surrender. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
2. Duncan, Dave. The Death of Nnanji. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.
3. Augustine, L.M. Click to Subscribe. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
4. Hatler, Susan. Truth or Date. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
5. Swank, Denise Grover. After Math. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
6. Harrison, Kim. Perfect Blood. Harper Voyager, 2012.
7. Kurtz, Katherine. Saint Camber. Ballantine Books, 1978.
8. Harrison, Kim. Ever After. Harper Voyager, 2013.
9. Sophia, Hailey. The Last Heartbreak. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
10. Kurtz, Katherine. Camber the Heretic. Ballantine Books, 1981.
11. Brooks, Kathleen. Bluegrass Undercover. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2012.

2013 Reading List: May

May saw me slow down a little bit again on the reading. Life has a way of imposing itself. Mom and Dad Kornacki visited us in May, as did a friend of ours who just finished his studies and has become an intern in a hospital setting. I've been doing some research for a possible writing project--my fourth novel, this time in a different genre, anyone? And of course being a husband, father, pastor, friend, and all-around good guy (*wink*) tends to take some time. All that being said, I still did some good reading in May. I should hop the 100 book mark in June, even should I continue to do novel prep.

Without further ado...

May

1. Apuzzo, Nick. Nine Hundred Nights. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
2. Pekkanen, Sarah. All Is Bright. Washington Square Press, 2010.
3. Brown, Christopher Boyd. Singing the Gospel. The President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2005.
4. Ragan, Theresa. Taming Mad Max. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
5. Vargas, Kimberly. Gumbeaux. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
6. McClure, Mark D. Her. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013.
7. Eads, Michael L. Leap Year at the Coffee Shop. Red San Publishing, 2011.
8. Rosenberg, Joel. The Fire Duke. Keepers of the Hidden Ways, Book 1. Eos, 1996.
9. James, Brooklyn. The Boots My Mother Gave Me. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2010.
10. Brown, Carolyn. The Ladies’ Room. Montlake Romance, 2011.
11. Cates, Georgia. Beauty from Pain. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2013.
12. Gaiman, Neil. How to Talk to Girls at Parties. William Morrow, 2006.
13. Burkhart, Stephanie. A Polish Heart. Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery, 2012.
14. Bishop, Paul. Penalty Shot. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
15. Duck, Julie Rieman. A Place in This Life. Self-Published Kindle Edition, 2011.
16. Kurtz, Katherine. Camber of Culdi. Legends of Camber of Culdi, Book 1. Ballantine Books, 1976.

2013 Reading List: March and April

The past few months have seen me have to cut back a bit in my reading time. Lent, family matters, funerals, and congregational priorities have slowed down my reading a bit. Even so, I still read a lot of books. As of the end of April, I'm up to 71 for the year. That's down a bit for me.

In an effort to keep track of what I read this year, I'm posting my reading list. I don't necessarily recommend everything I've read.

Anyway, here you go. Sorry about missing March last month. Holy Week is a crazy time for a pastor.

March

1. McKillip, Patricia. The Riddle-Master of Hed. Del Rey, 1976.
2. McKillip, Patricia. Heir of Sea and Fire. Del Rey, 1977.
3. McKillip, Patricia. Harpist in the Wind. Del Rey, 1979.
4. Wood Thomson, Kerri. Diary of a Public Radio Slave. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
5. Zelazny, Roger. Nine Princes in Amber. 1970.
6. Zelazny, Roger. The Guns of Avalon. 1972.
7. Zelazny, Roger. Sign of the Unicorn. 1975.
8. Zelazny, Roger. The Hand of Oberon. 1976.
9. Zelazny, Roger. The Courts of Chaos. 1978.
10. Redmerski, J.A. The Edge of Never. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
11. St. Clair, Roxanne. Barefoot in the Sand. Forever/Grand Central Publishing, 2012.
12.  Keating, Ray. Warrior Monk. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010.
13.  Keating, Ray. Root of All Evil? Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
14.  Keating, Ray. An Advent for Religious Liberty. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
15.  Betzold, Brei. My Misery Muse. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013.

April

1. Asher, Jeremy. Across the Creek. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
2. Quinn, Cathy. Courting the Clown. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010.
3. Brady, K. L. Worst Impressions. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010.
4. Blount, Patty. Send. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
5. Betzold, Brei. Faith. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013.
6. Krae, Carla. An Unlikely Pair. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
7. Krae, Carla. Personal Attention. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
8. Emerick, Anne. Poster Girl. Aboon Books, 2007.
9. Clements, Scott. Gasparilla's Treasure. Brown Dog Sound, 2012.
10. Garza, Amber. Falling to Pieces. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013.
11. Owen, Sharon K. Thicker Than Water. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010.
12. Slavick, Steven. Falling for You. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
13. Kornacki, Alan. Love Divine. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
14. Asher, Jeremy. Losing Faith. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013.
15. Tilley, Jan. Coming About. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
16. Palmer, Bill. The Fireball Kid. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.

2013 Reading List: February

As I said last month, I read a lot of books. As of the end of February, I'm up to 40 for the year, and I think I'm a little slower this year. Whatever. In an effort to keep track of what I read this year, I'm posting my reading list. I don't necessarily recommend everything on my list. In fact, this month there is one in particular that I DON'T recommend...unless you were to use it as a primer for understanding the pro-death/euthanasia argument. I'll note that one in the list. And one I recommend in particular is Ido in Autismland, written by Ido Kedar, a 16 year-old non-speaking autistic boy.

Anyway, here's my list for February:

1. Brees, Drew with Chris Fabry. Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity. Brees Company, Inc., 2010.
2. Zager, Daniel, ed. Celebrating the Life and Hymns of Paul Gerhardt and Martin Franzmann. Journal of the Good Shepherd Institute, Vol. 8. Fort Wayne: Concordia Theological Seminary Press, 2007.
3. Zager, Daniel, ed. Luther on Liturgy and Hymns. Journal of the Good Shepherd Institute, Vol. 6. Fort Wayne: Concordia Theological Seminary Press, 2005.
4. Strom, Abigail. Cross My Heart. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011.
5. Veeck, Bill with Ed Linn. “Bill Veeck’s Crosstown Classic.” Veeck as in Wreck. Mary Frances Veeck and Ed Linn, 1962.
6. Crane, Rebekah. Playing Nice. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013. (Excellent)
7. Rehder, Ben. The Driving Lesson. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012. (This book is a worldly defense for assisted suicide.)
8. Cronin, Keith. Me Again. Muscovy House, 2012.
9. Gow, Kailin. Never Say Never. “Never Knights,” book 1. The Edge, 2012.
10. Gow, Kailin. Never Land. “Never Knights,” book 2. The Edge, 2012.
11. Kedar, Ido. Ido in Autismland: Climbing out of Autism’s Silent Prison. Kindle Edition, 2012. (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
12. Lind, Valia. Simplicity. A-Argue Better Book Publishers, 2012.
13. Kornacki, Alan. One Thing’s Needful. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012. (I find my narcissism knows no bounds. Yet I remain so humble that my modesty is a beacon in this dark night of vanity and arrogance.)
14. Chan, Jason W. Meet Me at Taylor Park. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2011. (Did not finish--very poorly written)
15. Sawyer, Avery. Notes to Self. Laura Schafer, 2011.
16. Murphy, Monica. One Week Girlfriend. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2013. (Too much gratuitous sex)
17. Sharp, Tracy. Repo Chick Blues. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010. (Too much gratuitous sex)
18. Wilk, Darian. Reinventing Claire. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
19. Appel, Liz. Save Me. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
20. Yu, Rachel. How to Be a Super Villain. Michael Yu, 2011.

 

2013 Reading List: January

I read a lot of books. I used to read a book or two each day. Being a parent has slowed my reading a bit, but I still read as much as I can. I have never kept track of my reading, though. Until now, that is. I made a conscious decision this year to track my reading. I'm not doing any challenges, and I haven't written any reviews. I just want to keep track of what I read. Some of these are research for novel ideas. Others were assigned for the hymnwriters conference. Still others were read to have something to read.

Anyway, here's my list for January:

1. Zager, Daniel, ed. Hymns in the Life of the Church. Journal of the Good Shepherd Institute, Vol. 4. Fort Wayne: Concordia Theological Seminary Press, 2003.
2. Lovelace, Austin C. The Anatomy of Hymnody. Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc., 1965.
3. Reynolds, William J. and Price, Milburn. A Survey of Christian Hymnody. Third Edition. Carol Stream, Illinois: Hope Publishing Company, 1987.
4. Hobbs, Eric. The Librarian—Book One: Little Lost Boy. Kindle Edition, 2011.
5. Hobbs, Eric. The Librarian—Book Two: Unhappily Ever After. Kindle Edition, 2012.
6. Bird, Chad L. Why Lutherans Sing What They Sing: An Apology for Lutheran Hymnody. Kewanee, Illinois: Evangelical-Lutheran Liturgical Press, 2003.
7. Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology. “Hymnody & Confession of the Faith.” Volume III, Number 2: Eastertide/April 1994.
8. Gregory the Great. Pastoral Care. Henry Davis, trans. Ancient Christian Writers, Volume 11. New York: Newman Press, 1978.
9. Luther, Martin. Luther’s Works. Volume 53: Liturgy and Hymns. J.J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald and H.T. Lehmann, eds. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
10.  Billington, Sarah. The Kiss Off. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
11. Jones, Jenny B. There You'll Find Me. Kindle edition. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011.
12. Bourque, Stefan. My Name Is Joe. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2010.
13. Crafton, Carrie. Snow Soldiers. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
14. Paris, Patricia. Letters to Gabriella. Glebe Point Cay series, book 2. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
15. Lutheran Theological Review. Volume 20, Academic Year 2007-2008.
16. Burke, Rachel K. Finding Mia. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
17. Hamm, Amanda. The 4^th Floor Lounge. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
18. Schalk, Carl. Praising God in Song. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1993.
19. Schurig, Rachel. In Search of a Love Story. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.
20. Springer, Kristina. The Paparazzi Project. Self-Published Kindle edition, 2012.