12 books I want to read in the next 12 months
It’s been a crazy two weeks. Been doing lots of rounds along the global domination plans, aka business as usual, and not doing anything roguish. Which kinda sucks. It also means I haven’t been reading too many blogs lately, so I don’t know much of what’s going on in the Ugandan Blogsphere, let alone my global RSS feeds.
And my apologies for the lethargy in posting.
Moving on.
In an infectious spirit that grabs all of us during a certain point of our lives every year, and irrevocably traumatizes us for the reminder of that year, I’m making a few lists, starting of course with the most literal ones. The lists will be in twelves, one for each month of the year, with a bonus thrown in as number thirteen, which will make sense in a couple of days.
Without further ado, here is list one.
12 books I want to read in the next 12 months.
I used to be an avid reader, at the peak of my reading I’d be doing an average of two novels a week, on top of my regular work related stuff. Let’s just say I don’t remember much from those novels.
I’m still an avid reader, but my reading is now restricted to blogs and business journals. Not entirely a bad thing, but I still miss the feel of a good paperback in my hands on a lazy afternoon.
Anyways, there are a few too many books I’ve been promising to pick up / buy / steal / borrow but I’ve never gotten round to doing so. I plan to pick up / buy / borrow / steal them within the next few months. They are:
- The Bible.
Of course I’ve read it, but I’ve never read the whole Bible. I think it would be fascinating to actually read it cover to cover, chronologically. Anyone know a good way of doing this? Or maybe I should just start with Genesis and see how it goes. - A Brief History of Time – Stephen Hawking
I scanned through an online version of this book almost seven years ago, fell in love with it and promptly forgot about it because I couldn’t get a hard copy. [wikipedia] A Brief History of Time attempts to explain a range of subjects in cosmology, including the Big Bang, black holes, light cones and superstring theory, to the nonspecialist reader. - For Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway
I had a fleeting moment with this book in the depths of our library at school. Have not yet been able to lay my hands on a hard copy. - 1984 – George Orwell
The origin of Big Brother. George Orwell has always been a favourite, despite my having read only Animal Farm to this day. I’m still fascinated by portrayal of a totalarian and omniscient government that lies within the pages. - War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy
Despite the hundreds of books that I pilfered from my dad when I was a wee lad, I never quite got my head around this one. I read Lord of the Flies in P3, Conspiracy Theory in P4, and had a small understanding of what ’twas all about about. But War and Peace? Couldn’t get past the first chapter.
- To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Again, my high school library introduced me to this gem, along with a certain book titled something like the Vindication of a something woman… which for me back then had content that was pretty much soft porn… I digress. Sadly, I discovered Mockingbird it when I was leaving school, so I couldn’t borrow it. I need to find it. - The Art of The Start – Guy Kawasaki
I admire this dude. He is way up there on my list of entrepreneurial idols. I’ve craved this book for far too long. Sadly, I never seem to have enough money to give to the Amazon chaps. This must change! - All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low Trust World – Seth Godin
Actually, I want to read all books by Seth Godin.
Seth Godin, just like Guy Kawasaki is high on my list of admired people. He is a marketing guru and helped bring us phrases like permission marketing, idea-viruses and so on. His blog is one I cannot go a day without reading. I’ve been meaning to lay my hands on this book, but have been procrastinating too much. - Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
I didn’t get the chance to read anything past the synopsis of this book, and ever since then, I’ve promised myself to look for it, but I’ve never done so. I think I should now. - The Origin of Species – Charles Darwin
Having been fascinated by genetics and evolution from biology class, the scientist in me will not let my mind rest until I have read this book. - The Three Little Brownies / The Book of Brownies / Hop Skip and Jump – Enid Blyton [ i think ]
I’ve never been able to find the actual title of this book. It’s a 60’s classic, and it featured characters called Hop Skip and Jump who were sent on obscure tasks to “find their goodness” and in the process “straighten a strand of curly hair”. This little children’s book fascinated me around my Primary Three, and to this day, I cannot remove the memories it evokes. How corny is that?? And so I shall renew my search to find it, since I’ve been scouring the internet for it. Or maybe I was scouring the wrong place… - Walden – Henry David Thoreau
Not one of his best recieved works, I still want to read this book, not just because it’s written by Mr. Thoreau himself, but mostly because of the circumstances under which it was written: [ Wikipedia ] It details Thoreau’s sojourn in a cabin near Walden Pond, amidst woodland owned by his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson - Bonus: Losing my Virginity – Richard Branson
Because everyone deserves a bonus, and because I keep passing this book every other day at Aristoc and and because Branson has a flair for drama (the title of the autobiography says it all) but mostly because Branson is one of my most admired business men. Ever.
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Audio: Uncle Sam – When I See You Smile
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Offtopic:
Beware of the man of one book.
- Thomas AquinasI am not a speed reader. I am a speed understander.
- Isaac Asimov
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39 Responses to “12 books I want to read in the next 12 months”
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Miss Cheri on February 12th, 2009
Grabbing a fresh pair of midnight socks!!
Miss Cheri’s last blog post..Message on a blog
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
@Miss Cheri, You woman, don’t you ever sleep?
Teti on February 12th, 2009
I picked up 1984 about a week ago, but I’ve not really had a chance to sink my teeth properly into it.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ I left it next to my bed back home. I should have brought it, ’twas a good read.
Blah, blah on the business books, I refused to be interested. Yet.
*Have you read Catch 22 by Joseph Heller?
Teti’s last blog post..Give me Silence!
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
You have “To Kill a Mockingbird”?? We need to swap for my King Arthur. Which is where, by the way?
You’ll succumb to the business books in due course.
Catch 22? Sounds familiar, but no, haven’t read it.
Nevender on February 12th, 2009
I want to see you; guess I will camp at Aristoc! Anyway, there’s a great guide to reading the Bible chronologically and it’s called Cover to Cover. Any bookshop should have it. Good reading.
Nevender’s last blog post..Sojourn by circumstance
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
You want to see me? Pop by our offices.
And it’s good to see you back on your feet man, I was told you were in hospital but there wasn’t a way to contact you.
Cover to Cover is one of those fad books for me. The ones that are all the rage and everyone talks about for a full month before they get bored and move on.
Excellent examples are “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”, “Seven Habits” and “A Purpose Driven Life” I avoid those books, until the world has calmed down and I can read them in peace.
Thanks though!
TRP on February 12th, 2009
Well am one Number 1: If Cover to Cover doesn’t work i know a great site that can help; http://www.youversion.com/ It’s what am using..
TRP’s last blog post..Destiny…
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Interesting, I’ll check it out.
Emi's on February 12th, 2009
I donno what happened to me and reading..of late, I find myself more of a collector than reader. I’ve promised myself to read 1984 more times than I can remember but still can’t get down.
I did read the whole Bible in upper Primary school I had tons of time in the evening and the stories were fascinating. try reading it like a story without pausing to discuss with friends at least an hr each day and read really fast.
Nev I once got the cover to cover form a friend in 2000 but I’ve not yet gone beyond page 3.
And I used to be such a book lover to the extent I did literature just to get a jig in the library.
Wish you the best of focus..you’ll need lots of that to finish those books
Emi’s’s last blog post..A Waste of Time
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Focus has never been much of a problem. Time has.
But thank you!
spartakuss on February 12th, 2009
i think the classic you are attempting to read are pretty much the hardest of the lot and bring with quite tumultuous themes and very strong contrasts with our society and yet do not be deceived; they also bring great pleasure.
the love affair in 1984 is something of a post-modern, forbidden, and almost sensually fulfilling experience and yet the fact that he still gets made in the is so painful i cried when i read it.
Steinbeck, Hemingway, and Lee are timeless pieces of art!
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Precisely the reasons I want to read them!
Mr. B2B... on February 12th, 2009
dude
the bible is an excellent way to start, but there’s a way that it shouldn’t be rushed through!
Dyu digg??
so when you start it, you could start with your focus at the time…
Specific books do give certain messages….
wisdom, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
courage, Joshua
and yes…
Romance, Song of Songs
so if you could talk to someone who is “ahead” of you in reading the Bible, you could get a few pointers…
it is a very deep book, so do not blaze through it!!
Hmmmn
about the other books….
man, you might want to add:
Thinking for a Living, How to get better performance and results: Thomas Davenport….
This one Solo is one for peeps like you who use knowledge to make things easier for people…
Did you get my email about the SME Toolkit??
Thanks for sharing the list mate!
Mr. B2B…’s last blog post..Weird complexities
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
I do not intend to rush through the Bible, I can assure you. The thing with starting with specific books is that you end up focusing on a few, and it means eventually, you don’t read the whole Bible.
Thinking for a Living huh? Awesome, will look for it.
Ashy on February 12th, 2009
You and Cherie do not sleep?
1- 6 and 9 – I LOVE!
10 – Just watch Heroes
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
She does, I do not sleep.
Heroes is brilliant, especially Mohinder Suresh’s take on the Heroes and their origins, but tis fiction lol. I want the real deal.
Miss Cheri on February 12th, 2009
Yes, the Bible…
But the Origin of Species and the Bible in the same piece? Dude, unless u’re studying the difference or similarity between the 2. U’re either Darwinist or Biblist (forged that one)
Lol, why would I read about Richard Branson losing his virginity? Even if its business virginity?
Miss Cheri’s last blog post..Message on a blog
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
I’m infinitely inquisitive. I read some things to try and understand the author’s mindset. How can I say I’m anti-Darwinism when I don’t know what Darwinism is?
LOL @ the Branson thing. It’s about Virgin, the company, not his private bidness.
Miss Cheri on February 12th, 2009
Mr. B2B, I’m more than impressed!!! U not only read the Bible but also have all this knowledge to dispense from it.
We need to talk abou this Bible… I need to know where to read from.
Esp, via patience, courage, belief and faith.
Miss Cheri’s last blog post..Message on a blog
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Well, we can start you off with this:
Joshua 1:7-9
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
smelling the coffee on February 12th, 2009
i like your list.
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Why thank you.
walkonby on February 12th, 2009
I’m inspired, may I share what I’m about to read with you?
…..A Thousand Splendid Suns
– Khaled Hosseini
there’s this feeling I have….almost like my first day in French class…and I’m the youngest student amogst mature students-kinda feeling…
walkonby’s last blog post..The ‘water test’
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
I badly want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, but it’s a fairly recent craving, so I omitted it from this list.
Welcome to french class, lol. And oh, imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw you on some HUGE billboard. Go you!
Teti on February 12th, 2009
Guess what? Guess what?
I appear to have brought Arthur with me. Lol!
Maybe you could go to my house and get ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ from there.
Teti’s last blog post..Give me Silence!
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Teti, Teti, Teti…
I value my life above all else. How do I tell Mama Teti mbu I want to pick up “To Kill a Mockingbird” from your bedside…
Sybella on February 12th, 2009
john steinbeck wrote The Pearl, yes? never to touch any more of his books after that book!
6 and 13 i would love to read
Sybella’s last blog post..Celebration of Love
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Haven’t read The Pearl, but now I want to!
Francis Agaba on February 12th, 2009
I have “Losing my Virginity”
you can borrow it
Solomon King on February 12th, 2009
Francis. Awesome! I’ll holla sometime. Same number, right?
Thanks mate.
Darlkom on February 13th, 2009
I read 1984 fairly recently and it is a fascinating book, I would suggest you start with it if you can.
Solomon King on February 13th, 2009
Well, I’ll start with the first book I can lay my hands on.
Suzan on February 13th, 2009
Love 3, 6, 8, 10 & 13.
Try Watership Down – about rabbits.
Solomon King on February 13th, 2009
I watched Watership Down as a kid. Loved it, though it left me traumatised for a while. It was a violent cartoon lol.
Emi's on February 13th, 2009
Dude, Focus and Time are sleeping in the same bed!!
Do you have that Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls?
Solomon King on February 13th, 2009
Trust me, if I had it, it wouldn’t be on the list.
Muhumuza on February 13th, 2009
quite an interesting list. man, i really want to read ‘the origin of species’ especially since i’m reading ‘darwin on trial.’ looks like that dude was interesting. been hearing stuff about him on bbc lately & just today was reading another interesting excerpt about him from the guardian. dude married his cousin & some of his sons he was afraid would not turn out well have all done so well. and do you know it’s not him the coined the famous ’survival for the fittest?’ do u also know it’s not true that on his deathbed he denounced his beliefs and turned to christ? darwin was a very interesting man.
Solomon King on February 14th, 2009
He turned to Christ? Wow. Awesome! I’m always fascinated by radicals. They help shape our history. Even Jesus was a major radical.
fahrrad on March 8th, 2009
Dies ist ein gro?er Ort. Ich m?chte hier noch einmal.