I set out at the beginning of 2012 with a challenge: Read 5 books per month or at least 60 throughout the whole year. I wanted to read all kinds of different books that spanned through different genres and time periods.

I wound up reading 82 books. Everything from finishing up the Harry Potter series, to leadership, theology, and politics. Here’s a list photo representation of my “Finished” bookshelf after this year.

Favorite Fiction Book of 2012

I really enjoyed Hologram for a King by Dave Eggers and The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. Both were fully engrossing to me. I would highly recommend them if you’re in the mood to get lost in a book for an afternoon.

For people looking for something on the funnier/slightly off-kilter side of life, Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander is a must-read as well.

Favorite Non-Fiction Book of 2012

I thought the David Foster Wallace biography Every Love Story is a Ghost Story by D.T. Max was pretty incredible. It’s a very thorough and intimate portrait of DFW in a way that you always can see lurking behind his writing, but has never quite been brought to light. I have a new appreciation for him after reading this. And a renewed sadness that he’s gone.

What were your favorite books of 2012? I’d love to add them to my list for the coming year! My goal for 2013 is to read 90 books. We’ll see how it goes.

Happy reading!

Cheers,
Eric