I've kept a log of what books I've read (in full, cover to cover, didn't put a lot on from grad school for instance because I skimmed so many of them) since May 2003. It doesn't really feel like I've been doing it that long, but when I go and look back over it, I have no memory of reading quite a few things there. like classic stuff. Faulkner in April 2005? Henry James in July 2004? uhh..... which is a little scary that I can't remember what the books were about, let alone the fact that I read them.

Although its nice to think back when I somehow found the time to crank out 5, 6, 7 books a month. Its also been pretty handy when authors have several popular books out and I just can't remember for the life of me which ones I've actually read. Best example of this is Malcolm Gladwell. I can't keep the books straight. In reality, I've only read The Tipping Point but always feel like I've also read Blink. I will also say to someone, oh I read that a few years ago, and go to look and its been more than a few since Nov 2003 (Ella Minnow Pea).

Lastly, I used to strive to read at least 1 book a month. Things went really well for a long time, until school did me in, but happy to report that I'm back to the pace-- and then some! My more recent obsessive habit is to have read 1 book in the top 10 on just 1 of the NYT book lists. Its actually much harder than you think. Thank goodness for Eat, Pray, Love sticking around and the movie boosting it a bit.