Top 10 Revisited

Today while I was swimming, it occurred to me that there's one more of my 2005 books that deserves recognition. I'll give it an award outside the Top 10. It is the book that had the Greatest Lasting Effect on me.

TOTAL IMMERSION by Terry Laughlin re-taught me how to swim.

Last summer I did my first open water swim and immediately knew I wanted to do it again and do it better. That's when I found TOTAL IMMERSION. I spent last fall re-learning to swim. I'm sure the other people at the pool thought I was nuts, because I followed Laughlin's plan to the letter, took my stroke apart and then put it back together again. But it has really paid off. I wanted to trim 5 minutes off my time from last summer, which would mean swimming a mile in less than 30 minutes. I'm almost there, and I'm doing it at a pace that feels like a "swim forever" pace. It's intoxicating. My swims are no longer grueling workouts, they are Zen experiences. I literally practice swimming. I swim mindfully. I count my strokes and keep them consistent. I think about my breathing. I keep myself long, like a well-designed boat. I try to swim with the strength of my core and not flail with my arms.

The power of reading is at work in the pool every time I swim.

My Next-Read Stack for 2006

I always have a stack--a HUGE stack--of books that I am waiting to read. I already have a huge stack waiting for me this year. And, if they aren't on the stack, I have titles in my head. Here are the books I'm hoping to read sometime soon:
THE CONSTANT PRINCESS by Philippa Gregory--After reading THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, she became my current favorite author, so I want to read more of her books.
MY FRIEND, LEONARD by James Frey--I was totally hooked on A MILLION LITTLE PIECES and want to know what happens next.
A friend recommended THE GLASS CASTLE by Wells.
ANNA KARENINA--this has been on my stack for years. I need to get to it.
RESTORATION by Tremain--recommended by Tracy Chevalier on her website. I get lots of titles from her list. She reads great stuff! And she is one of my absolute favorite authors. So I trust her recommendations.

Books that are coming this year by some of my favorite authors:
RISE AND SHINE by Anna Quindlen
Jeanne DuPrau has a prequel coming out to CITY OF EMBER
EL Konigsburg has a new book coming in February.

I have a few more 2005 children's books to read before the Newbery is announced this month.
I'll keep you posted as I read them.

I'm also hoping to keep up with new children's books again this year. It has been fun to keep up with the books and buzz around them. And, of course there are several professional books that I'm looking forward to reading.

This plan could change (it usually does!) but it is my stack for now:-)

My Top Ten Books for 2005

These are in no particular order of favorite-ness. As I look over my choices, I am pleased to see that they are split about in half adult/kid. Three of them (*) were not read for either of my book clubs. (I do more than my "assigned" reading! The teacher in me loves that!) Three of them are by Shannon Hale. I'm not usually able to give a favorite author (either adult or kid) but right now, Shannon Hale is my favorite kids' book author.

CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER by Robert Fried*
GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING by Shannon Hale*
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hale
CHILDREN PLAYING BEFORE A STATUE OF HERCULES ed. David Sedaris*
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
THE MASTER BUTCHER'S SINGING CLUB by Louise Erdrich

Favorite Books of 2005

Well, I read 54 books in 2005. A good year of reading for me. I tried to pick my TOP TEN. I couldn't narrow it down to 10 so below are my top 13 books for 2005. I feel like I read some really good books. Here they are in no particular order. I love them all and they stay with me for different reasons.

KEEPING KATHERINE BY SUSAN ZIMMERMAN
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS BY DEBORAH WILES
A MAZE ME BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER BY ROBERT FRIED
THE MERMAID CHAIR BY SUE MONK KIDD
TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE BY AUDREY NIFFENEGGER
PRINCESS ACADEMY BY SHANNON HALE
MARSHFIELD DREAMS BY RALPH FLETCHER
LIVING ORGANIZED BY SANDRA FELTON
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL BY PHILIPPA GREGORY
INEXCUSABLE BY CHRIS LYNCH
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES BY JAMES FREY
CLEMENCY POGUE: FAIRY KILLER BY JT PETTY

Why We're Doing This

Franki and I have taught in the same school district (but never in the same building) for about 20 years.

Our conversations about books started as very casual chat, but have grown into semi-regular meetings, extensive emails, and an informal Mock Newbery Club.

This year, we decided to take our conversations out into the world via a blog, to see what other folks are thinking about books and reading.