Psst. Per the new FTC guidelines, I think I have to tell you that a link is an affiliate link before you actually get to the link. So, heads up, the links below are affiliate links. If a couple hundred of you take a few of my reading recommendations I might be able to buy a Starbucks, so thanks!

Last year I read 78 books. This year my goal is to read 100 books. I’m already three books behind schedule, but I’m scooting along with 19 books read so far this year! I haven’t done a round-up of books lately but they always spark such great conversations and more recommendations that I thought it was time.

Here’s what I’ve read recently that I’d recommend:

Autobiography of Us by Aria Beth Sloss — You may remember me mentioning this recent conversation with my mom about this book.

After Meeting Friends by Michael Hainey — So beautifully written that this true story reads like fiction. I was especially drawn to to the fact that it takes place in and around Chicago, so I was familiar with all the streets, restaurants, and landmarks.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell — I’m a sucker for teen romances.

I have about thirty books on my bedside waiting to be read, but here’s what’s at the top of my pile:

Dear Life by Alice Munro — Currently reading and every single story is a hearbreaker. Not a happy ending in sight.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Theresa Anne Fowler — I pre-ordered this months ago and it should be arriving this week. If you’re a lover of historical fiction and enjoyed Loving Frank and The Paris Wife, I suspect you’re as excited about this as I am.

Paris, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down by Rosecrans Baldwin — Rave reviews from several friends and coworkers.

Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris — I wasn’t a big fan of David’s last book, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, but I love him so much that I’m willing to give it a go. (Also? Does it take anyone else three times as long to read a Sedaris book because you’re reading it in his voice in your head? Just me? Okay.)

Wise Men by Stuart Nadler — I can’t pass up any book set in 20th century Americana.

Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill — Stepping out of my fiction box for a little dirt on the Church of Scientology by the niece of church leader David Miscavige.

What have you been reading? What are you looking forward to reading? Let’s be Goodreads friends!

I read fiction almost exclusively. My mom reads non-fiction almost exclusively. Hilariousness ensues thanks to a misleading book title.

Mom: I downloaded the autobiography you recommended.
Me: Hmm. Which one is that? I don’t think I’ve read an autobiography recently.
Mom: I think it’s called “Autobiography of Us.”
Me: That’s fiction.
Mom: WHAT?
Me: That book is fiction. Fake. A novel.
Mom: Oh.
Me: Who did you think “us” was?
Mom: I don’t know! {pause} Somebody famous.

Regardless of whether you’re a fiction or nonfiction fan, I highly recommend Autobiography of Us by Aria Beth Sloss.

Source

One of my big resolutions (okay, my only resolution) in 2012 was to read more books. I love to read and I work in publishing but I’d really gotten out of the habit of making time to sit down with a book in recent years. I set out to read 52 books in 2012 and I hit that goal in September so I upped it to 75 books. Thanks to a week on the beach at Thanksgiving, I finished 2012 having read 78 books. Here are my ten favorites in no particular order (with the exception of one, I think they all published in the last 2 years)…

1. Tigers in Red Weather
2. The Chocolate Money
3. The Age of Miracles
4. Where’d You Go Bernadette
5. Gone Girl
6. The Chaperone
7. The Art of Fielding
8. The Fault in Our Stars
9. So Big
10. Rules of Civility

I currently have 103 books on my to-read list, but here’s what I’m most looking forward to reading in 2013 (most of these publish in the first half of the year, so get your pre-orders in!)…

1. Beautiful Ruins
2. Eleanor & Park
3. The Dinner
4. Me Before You
5. Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to See
6. Blueprints for Building Better Girls
7. Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls
8. Vampires in the Lemon Grove
9. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
10. Chanel Bonfire

What did you read in 2012? What are you looking forward to reading in 2013? Let’s be Goodreads friends!

In lieu of an exhausting string of holiday gift guides, I decided on a single gift that I’d recommend for everyone.  A Kindle.

I know what you’re thinking but I’m a diehard bookworm and work in publishing, yet even I have been wooed by ebooks. I just upgraded from the Kindle Keyboard to the Kindle Paperwhite and love love love. Who knew I’d enjoy reading in a pitch black room so much?

And once you have a Kindle, you have to have a case. Particularly, this adorable penguin Kindle case from Lands’ End. It fits all Kindles, plus the Nook and iPad mini, so it’s pretty much the perfect accompaniment to any e-reader. You can even have it monogrammed and it bears more than a passing resemblance to the socially awkward penguin, which really? You can’t not love socially awkward penguin

The lovely people at Lands’ End provided me with the pictured penguin Kindle case which I just adore. No joke. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.

I love guest bloggers! Brianna is a reader, Twitter pal, and girl after my own heart. Just look at these books…

Anyone who knows me knows that I love books. I have a huge stack by my bed from the library and more on hold. My Amazon wish list has a ridiculous 700+ items on it, most of them books. I have three completely full bookshelves in my bedroom. There are 300+ books on my Kindle. I’m a writer. I read constantly, usually two books at a time, minimum.

Needless to say, best of lists, top ten lists, etc. get me excited. Going to bookstores usually means I will spend money. Need a gift? Buy me a book. I’m not a movie buff or a TV fan. Give me books any day of the week.

All that being said, when Corrin posted on Twitter that she needed some guest bloggers, I jumped at the chance. Then, I forgot and almost missed my chance. Regardless, I’m under the wire, but I thought it might be fun to compile a short list of books I’m looking forward to reading in the coming months:

Extraordinary Theory of Objects: A Memoir of an Outsider in Paris by Stephanie LaCava – this combines my love of memoir and my love of Paris. I love reading books set in other countries. I love learning about the history and culture of other places and memoir is a great way to do that because the people writing have actually been to the places they’re writing about.

Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers by Mary Kole – As a writer, I enjoy reading books on the craft. I have a work in progress that is geared toward middle grade readers that I’m hoping will work into a series. I’ve been struggling with it, though, so this looks like a good resource. I’ll actually be purchasing a hard copy of this one.

Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan – I recently discovered McEwan because of an article he wrote for The New Yorker about the novella. I read On Chesil Beach and loved it, so I’m eager to read his latest work.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – I saw the movie adaptation the other day and it was fabulous. I’m looking forward to reading the book.

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed – I’m reading Wild right now and it’s got me absolutely hooked. I can’t wait to read her previous book.

Brianna Soloski is an avid reader and writer. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Sierra Nevada College. She also obtained her teaching credential from the college. Although she’s not currently teaching, she enjoys spending time with her friends’ kids. In her spare time, she loves to travel and would love to book a world cruise – imagine the memoir that could come from an adventure like that! Girl Seeks Place is her first full length novel and was released October 26, 2012. She can be found blogging at www.girlseeksplace.wordpress.com. She can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brianna-Soloski-Writer.