What To Read?

In my previous post, I mentioned one of my goals for 2010 was to read 50 books. 50 doesn't really sound like all that many books, but I don't think I've read 50 books (not counting graphic novels) in a single year for quite a while. I got the idea for this goal over on LibraryThing, where there are a variety of book challenges going on: 50, 75, 10 books in each of 10 different subjects, books you already own but haven't read, and so on.

I've set a few limits and guidelines for myself, in order to help me focus and keep on target for making my goal this year.

1. Only 20 graphic novels count towards the 50 books: This is to keep me from choosing the easy way out, and finishing early. I tend to read at least 2-3 graphic novels or comic book collections a week, sometimes many more than that. Since I read them both for pleasure and for work (I'm the graphic novel subject librarian for the library where I work), I'll quickly hit 50 books without reading anything but graphic novels.
2. Graphic novels that do count must be complete, stand alone stories: A large percentage of the graphic novels I read are simply compilations of a run of comics. In order to count, the book must be a stand alone story. Titles like Batman: Year One or Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 would count, but Invincible Volume 11 would not. 
3. Focus on books I own, have checked out from the library, or have wanted to read for a long time: I have a very long "To Be Read" list, and it grows longer each week. Instead of reading from this list, I just add to it, and never seem to read what I have already put on the list. Instead I read whatever I saw most recently that struck me as worth adding to the list, so the longer a book is on the list the less likely I'll read it. By trying to read mostly books that I already want to read or own instead of whatever I come across new, I hope to make a small dent in the pile. I'm sure I will not stick to this 100%, but that's fine. 
4. Mix up genres a little: I tend to read the same genres over and over-fantasy, science fiction, horror, and similar. I'm going to make an effort to occasionally read something different, just to make my list a bit more rounded. I'm sure the bulk of titles will be in these areas, though.
   

With those ideas in mind, here is a quick starter list of potential books, taken from my book shelves at home and in my office at the library. A few of these I've owned since high school, yet have never read. Others I've picked up in the last year or so. Any could be next, so could something not on this short list. As of this writing, I've actually completed one (Manhood for Amateurs) and started another (Eyes of the Dragon) from my list.

See anything that I should read right away?

A Feast for Crows	George R.R. Martin
Abarat	Clive Barker
Anno Dracula	Kim Newman
Declare	Tim Powers
Everyday Life in Early America	David Freeman Hawke
Expiration Date	Tim Powers
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	J.K. Rowling
Into the Heart of Borneo	Redmond O'Hanlon
Magician: Apprentice	Raymond E. Feist
Manhood for Amateurs	Michael Chabon
Moving Pictures	Terry Pratchett
Neverwhere	Neil Gaiman
Orchid Fever	Eric Hansen
Return to Lankhmar	Fritz Leiber
The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier & Clay	Michael Chabon
The Blade Itself	Joe Abercrombie
The Bloody Chamber	Angela Carter
The Bridge of San Luis Rey	Thornton Wilder
The Children of Hurin	J.R.R. Tolkien
The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian	Robert E. Howard
The Crystal World	J.G. Ballard
The Elric Saga: Part I	Michael Moorcock
The Eyes of the Dragon	Stephen King
The Good Life	Helen and Scott Nearing
The Jungle Books	Rudyard Kipling
The Land that Time Forgot	Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Pine Barrens	John McPhee
The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane	Robert E. Howard
The Scar	China Mieville
The Traveling Vampire Show	Richard Laymon
The Truth	Terry Pratchett
Voice of the Mountain	Manly Wade Wellman
Witches Abroad	Terry Pratchett
Wizard and Glass	Stephen King

Listening:  Muse-Origin of Symmetry