Things I’ve done and haven’t done

When updating my 2009 reading list, I always notice its question: will I keep to my plans? I’ve been reluctant to check on this, but let’s have a look-see in anticipation of the year’s halfway mark (coming up dreadfully soon, don’t you think?).

First up was the Maritime Theme, which went surprisingly well, though triggered a pretty serious desire to do a follow-up at some point.

Next up was works not in English. Here I have failed shamefully, but I always knew this would be the toughest part. If all goes well I should be dusting off some French and German for the epistolary theme, whenever that finally comes to fruition. But I’d still really like to get to some more Natalia Ginzburg, and a ton of other stuff really. It’s hard on the blog to slow down my reading like that—and doesn’t do much to contribute to my own personal sense of momentum and accomplishment. But I’ve got to stop messing around or it will be too late.

On “cutting out the junk food.” I think I’ve done pretty well here, and without abandoning contemporary works. In fact I’ve read several recently and most have been really excellent. Starting to jones for some trashy mysteries, though. And some Wodehouse. Not trash, but comfort reading.

On the nonfiction front I’ve done very well, largely due to the maritime theme. I’m up to nine at this point, much better than last year, though I still feel like the mix isn’t ideal. Another problem for momentum there.

I think I’m making my way pretty well through that stack of NYRBs, too…though I can’t seem to stop acquiring more…

Last but not least, the de-humiliations. Have I done a single one? Siddhartha, I suppose, but that seems to be it. I’m still stuck 1/3 of the way through Dombey & Son. Epistolary should involve quite a few of these though. But this is definitely an area that could use more effort at this point.