Books Read Analysis

I started tracking my books read on this blog in 2008.  Five years later, I decided to do some minor analysis.

I read the following books per year:
2008 - 62 (average 5.17)
2009 - 48 (average 4.00)
2010 - 78  (average 6.50)
2011 - 57 (average 4.75)
2012 - 74 (average 6.17)

I read the following books, on average, per month:
January - 4
February - 4
March - 3.8
April - 4
May - 7.8
June - 4.6
July - 6.8
August - 7.4
September - 7.2
October - 4.8
November - 4
December - 5.4

The months in which I read the most varies from July, September, December, October, and August through the last five years.  Of course, these numbers are skewed a bit due to speed reading a few series - some of which were shorter stories.  Also, this month's book club book is a bit longer than usual so it's going to take me all of the month and then some to read it so I have logged nothing for December and may have very little next January as well.

I know people with children say they don't have time to read, but I make time - and I have no real time-consuming hobbies.  I read during lunch and after Little Miss falls asleep (which is no later than 9PM).  I read the most during the week between 9PM and midnight.  I read the least when new tv is on.  Interesting to see if there are any trends.

This coincides with my attempt to get back on track with Good Reads (goodreads.com/princessapr).  I hope to be more active than last time which shouldn't be difficult.  I have included the books I've listed on this blog, but I think it'll be nicer to be able to go somewhere with more uniform and correct links. 

Books Read in December 2009

1. Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This book is the 30th book in her Eve Dallas series - not including novellas. The full order can be found here.)
2. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

This was definitely a slow book-reading month. However, I prefer to think of it as quality over quantity. I really enjoyed all of the books I read. I don't think Kindred in Death is my favorite book in the series, but I did enjoy it. It did move the characters forward and had a decent case. I saw the film, Fantastic Mr. Fox and immediately went home to read the short book. Growing up, it was one of my favorite books and probably my favorite Roald Dahl book as well. It was nice to revisit and compare it to the film. I enjoyed Bel Canto as well. It's still staying with me, and I'm currently rereading portions. I'm not obsessed with it, but it was definitely worth reading. I have a pretty big To Be Read list. It is full of quality books. The next month is a slow book-release month for me so I'm hoping to tackle the books I already own. We'll see how successful I am and if the books turn out to be winners.

Books Read in November 2009

1. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts (NOTE: This book is the second in her Bride Quartet. The full order can be found here.)
2. Storm Front by Jim Butcher (NOTE: This is Book 1 of The Dresden Files series. You can find the order in which to read here.)
3. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (NOTE: This is part of the Southern Vampire or Sookie Stackhouse series. You can find the order in which to read here.)
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is the fourth and final book in the Lone Star Sisters series. The first three books are Under Her Skin, Lip Service, and Straight from the Hip.)

It was a more productive month than I expected. I thought The Help was going to take longer. It's for bookclub and 450 pages. However, it was a fast read. I also took a break from romance and read a bit of paranormal which helped change things up. I'm back in the reading mode now and have a ton of books piling up so it's nice to be back. I am really enjoying the Nora Roberts series. It's sweet. I tend to like a bit of dark and twisty in my books, but hers are just really sweet and cute. I almost wish there was more conflict but have decided to just take them as they are. Not a bad book in the bunch this month.

Books Read in October 2009

1. Love You to Death by Shannon K. Butcher
2. Upon the Midnight Clear by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter series. You can find the order in which to read here.)
3. Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter series. You can find the order in which to read here.)
4. The Family Man by Elinor Lipman

It was a slow month. I enjoyed all the books though. None were perfect and blew me away, but I did thoroughly enjoy them all. The last was for book club. It was my pick. Because we haven't discussed yet, I'll keep my comments to myself, but I'll just say it wasn't my best pick. Still, none of the books were disappointing. I have some (hopefully) good ones waiting to be read, and I'm ready to pick up one of those as soon as Little Miss takes a nap today.

Books Read in September 2009

1. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
2. Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 1 in a series.)
3. Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 2 in a series.)
4. To Tempt a Scotsman by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 1 in a series.)
5. A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 2 in a series.)
6. One Week as Lovers by Victoria Dahl (NOTE: This is Book 3 in a series.)
7. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

All the books I read in September were during the first week while I was on vacation. That said, they were all fun books. I should admit that I only read 1/4 (if that) of The House at Riverton. It was for bookclub and, though I started it early and had grand plans to read it, it was a slow-moving book for me. Victoria Dahl is a new author for me. She came recommended so I picked up some books with some money to Borders I had accumulated. Then, I discovered that I purchased two books that were the latest books in two separate series so I had buy the backlist. I'm glad I did. Who knows what's in store for me this month? I don't anticipate a lot of reading as it's a busy month for me, but you never know.

Books Read in August 2009

1. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
2. The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
3. Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter series.)
4. Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter series.)
5. Fear the Darkness by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is a super short ebook part of the Dark Hunter series.)
6. The Dream-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon (NOTE: This is part of the Dark Hunter series though also starts the Dream Hunter series.)

I read a bit this month. I wanted to read more, but I decided to read a book for bookclub. I thought I could squeeze it into the last week of August, but I don't think it'll happen. I borrow the Sherrilyn Kenyon books so I tend to read them all in groups like I did this month. Julie James is a new-to-me author. I enjoyed Practice Makes Perfect and plan on reading her first book during vacation so you'll see that book when I post my September reads. I hope I can keep up my reading momentum into September!

Books Read in July 2009

1. Whose Child? by Susan Gable
2. The Mummy Plan by Susan Gable
3. Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 1 of the Lone Star Sisters series.)
4. Lip Service by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is Book 2 of the Lone Star Sisters series.)

It was a month of Susans this month. Susan Gable was, I thought, a new-to-me author, but it turns out I read all of her books but these two. I finished the first and then, earlier in the month when I was on vacation, I got to meet her at the RWA Literacy Autographing where she gave me The Mummy Plan (which is the UK version of The Mommy Plan). I really liked that one and it may be my favorite though I liked A Kid to the Rescue a lot. I enjoyed Susan Mallery's books as well. I have the third book in the series en route to me. I'm on a nice light reading kick though The Mummy Plan totally made me cry - it's about kids and organ donation. I have a lot of good books at home and hoping to read more in August. We shall see!

Books Read in June 2009

1. Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
2. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
4. A Kid to the Rescue by Susan Gable
5. Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

This month, I couldn't read enough. It's not noticed in my total of books, but Shannon K. Butcher's book took me awhile to get into, and the J.R. Ward was a pretty long book. Plus, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was a slower read. Still, all in all, I was very happy with my month of reading. I've been doing my best to read the books I already own and, so far, it's proven worth it. Who knew I had such hidden treasures? At the end of the month, I quickly read Susan Gable's books. I can't remember how I found her, but I really like her Harlequin titles. They're always a little deeper than I expect with the satisfying happy ending. Plus, I just found out that Susan Gable has a contract for two of the hero's brothers so we'll see more of the Hawkins Family. The hero is one of 12, and you really got to know the family in this book so it'll be great to see them again.

Books Read in May 2009

1. Vision in White by Nora Roberts
2. Beach Music by Pat Conroy
3. Sophie's Secret by Tara Taylor Quinn

Though this month was kind of piddly, the books were good. Nora Roberts rarely fails to deliver. Her book was sweet and romantic and the good start to her new series. I can't wait for the other three books. Pat Conroy's book was for book club. It has been over a decade since I've read his work, but I do like his storytelling even if I'm an impatient reader. I always want to follow the book and enjoy the way he weaves a story. He is a very visual writer and I bet his books are great as audio books. Last, but not least, I squeezed in Tara Taylor Quinn. She writes Harlequin novels and always is a pleasure to read because of her unique plots and characters. I wanted a little more out of this book especially at the end. It left me with questions. As this is part of The Shelter Valley series, I may get answers eventually. It's always a good book when you want more. Good month. I'd love to keep up the reading trend. I started Susan Mallery's book, have J.R. Ward's close by, and I also have Shannon K. Butcher and Geralyn Dawson so I'm not lacking of anything to pick up.

Books Read in April 2009

1. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
2. Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

This month was rather pathetic. I read both books within the first week of the month. I did start a lot of books, but I never finished any of them. I thought the Curtis Sittenfeld book was good. It did give us a lot to discuss at book club. I enjoyed the Sherrilyn Kenyon book much more than I expected and just got my latest batch of Dark Hunters so I can't wait to dig in. I didn't expect to be enjoying the series as much as I am. Plus, they're quick reads.

Books Read in March 2009

1. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb. (NOTE: This is part of her Eve & Roarke series. The entire order for the series can be found here.)
2. Almost Home by Pam Jenoff.
3. What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Good month. I really enjoyed Promises in Death. I like a bigger body count, but the characters helped that along. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) always seems to write really great characters and her secondary characters are always complex, too. The bookclub book, Almost Home, was a quick read. I liked it overall, but I hate open-endings in books. I understand how some things had to be open-ended as the book was written in First Person and that's one of the weaknesses to the style. I really enjoyed What I Did For Love though it took me awhile to get hooked. Once I did, I ignored everything (sorry, Husband and Little Miss)!

Books Read in February 2009

1. Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann. (Note: This is part of a series. The order in which to read the Troubleshooters series is found here.)
2. Stud Finders Incorporated by Alexis Fleming. (Note: This is a book in the erotica genre. I will admit that the book is pretty tame considering others in the genre. The title and cover are the steamiest parts of the book. However, the plot was actually cute though the book could have been a little better in my opinion.)
3. A secret book which I promised not to mention though I wanted to keep track of my total. I very much enjoyed it though. If you're very curious, I will tell you privately but not on the blog.

It was a pretty sad month considering I read the first book last month and finished it the first of this month. The others were quick reads. I will be reading the next book club book by the time you read this blog. So far so good (though I'm only on page 3) so expect more on that next month. I also have a package from Barnes & Noble this week so that should increase my book count next month because I'm looking forward to all of them.

Books Read in January 2009

1. Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Note: This is book 7 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
2. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Note: This is book 8 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
3. Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. (Note: This is book 10 of a series. The order in which to read the Dark Hunter series is found here.)
4. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

I had a long break between Sherrilyn Kenyon books. I've been borrowing them from a friend. I really like them, but I was waiting for the new shipment. In the meantime, I lost momentum in the series. I read these two books back-to-back and found I really missed the old Dark Hunters. I still have a a couple left in my pile. I hope to get to them soon. The third book was for book club. I finished it. I can't say I loved it, but it has stuck in my mind which is more than I can say for some other books. Something happened today that made me think of it. Either way, it's always good to read something I normally wouldn't and even better to have an excuse to have lunch with friends and talk books.