It's Monday! What are you reading? (Or the post in which I plan my vacation reading) -- December 20, 2010

This is a weekly event initially hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog, now by Sheila @ One Persons Journey through a world of Books, to celebrate what you are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

I haven't done this meme in a long time, due to certain personal events. I was initially planning to resume next year, but then I wanted to write a post about my reading for the next couple of weeks. So eventually, I decided to post some of the books I managed to find time to read in the last two months, while also trying to decide what to take on my vacation, starting this week. (There's nothing like writing down things to help clear your mind, as many claim. Of course, I just needed an excuse.)

Books completed in the last couple of months

  Room by Emma Donoghue: I am yet to review this book, as I read it just before I disappeared temporarily from my blog, and now I'm trying to find time to review it. In short, I enjoyed it. (Enjoy might be the wrong word, rather I did find it page-turning.) On the other hand, I'm done with books on kidnapping. Chevy Stevens' Still Missing kept coming to mind as I was reading this, and I find my reading tainted when memories of another book intrude forcefully.
  Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella: I find myself opening a Sophie Kinsella book whenever I want to be cheered up. Her books are either funny or hilariously sad, depending on how you look at it. Either you can laugh at her heroines, or feel sad because you've been in the same situation. I enjoyed this one a lot, but not as much as the previous one.
  Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane: I can finally say that I read a Dennis Lehane novel. I assumed his writing would be deep, but I just zipped through the pages. I really loved this book, and followed it with watching the movie as well.
  The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien: I reviewed this book here, but I really hate to say that because I missed the total point of this book - all because I had no clue that this was "A Work of Fiction", as noted in its titular page. In my defense, my nook copy doesn't carry that phrase, and I had avoided reading all the thorough reviews of this book. After realizing that, I felt the same way I feel after watching a Christopher Nolan movie - you feel you understood everything, and then you realize that you understood nothing.
  Everything I Never Wanted to be by Dina Kucera: This book, which I reviewed here, is one of those books that leave you totally surprised - not because of content but because it was the opposite of what you expect. I went in expecting to sniff every few seconds, but ended up laughing and smiling more. A really wonderful and hilarious way to tell a depressing story!
  A Secret Gift by Ted Gup: A wonderful historical nonfiction about a Samaritan's monetary offer during one Xmas in Depression. Read my review here.

Books in my carry-on bag
Well, technically, I still have four more days before my vacation starts. But my next few days are going to be really busy, so it will be Thursday before I can open a book. So for my eight-hour one-stop flight (and I'm only going to the other coast of the US!), and for my almost two-week stay, I wanted to plan my reads. I don't expect to have much reading time during my vacation, but what if I do? Better to plan than feel sorry!

In the Wake of the Boatman by Jonathon Scott Fuqua: Halfway through this book, I had to put it down because of other review commitments, and also because, the plot seemed to slacken a bit in the middle. It started off very well, plus the writing is engaging, though not exciting enough. Now that I am free to read what I want for the rest of the year, I want to finish this one.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks: I've been seeing a lot of Oliver Sacks around now, which probably has to do with his new release, The Mind's Eye. Browsing further, I found this fascinating book with a really interesting title. I will have to pick this one from my library this week if I wish to read it.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: I did read a couple of chapters of this book at B&N the other day. I found it so intriguing that I sat at the affiliated Starbucks to read. I haven't read Hillenbrand's previous book, Seabiscuit, although I've heard a lot of praises about it. I had instead watched the movie and found it wonderful. I'm not much into horse-books, probably has to do with an overdose of the TV show, Black Beauty, growing up. But this one was awesome, so it's one of my must-reads for this/next month.

Our Kind of Traitor by John le Carré: I don't have much of an idea about this book, except that I've seen a few raving reviews. I'll probably read this book, without reading much about it. It's great sometimes to just read a book without knowing what it's about.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg from my want-to-read-during-vacation list. Though they remain the most likely candidates. Other books waiting in my nook are The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, To the End of the Land, How to Read the Air, The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, Ape House, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, and Tinkers. Sigh, it sure is hard to decide!