“So many books, so little time”
Frank Zappa
My 2019 Reading Resolution:
As I mentioned a month or so ago, I’m not big into making reading lists. I see no reason to assign myself homework at this stage in my life. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have reading goals for 2019. I’m just going to make them both concrete and a little vague.
So here is my reading goal for the upcoming year: I will read between 26 to 32 books by December 31, 2019. This works out to about a book every week and a half to two weeks. That should be doable, especially if I recommit to spending less time to internet surfing and more time reading.
What books I will read will be left wide open. The only real rule I plan to follow is that these must be books I haven’t read before (I am a re-reader).
How about you? What, if any, reading resolutions have you made for yourself this year?
What I’m reading: “Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell’s Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon by Edward Dolnick.
Excellent book so far. Mr. Dolnick is able to make John Wesley Powell’s real world expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers read like an adventure novel than a dry historical recounting. One thing I’ve already learned is that this expedition was mostly funded by Powell himself. I’d always assumed that it was funded by the U.S. Government, similar to the Lewis & Clark expedition.
What I am looking forward to this year:
Ian Toll has a great trilogy called “The Pacific War”, and it covers the U.S. Navy’s War in the Pacific during WWII. The first book, Pacific Crucible”, takes us from the day after Pearl Harbor until the Battle of Midway. The second book, Conquering Tide, starts at the invasion of Guadalcanal and goes until the 
Marianas campaign. I’ve read other books about the Pacific theater, but Mr. Toll’s is perhaps the best yet. The rumor is that the third book in the trilogy is supposed to be released later this summer or fall. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the rumor is true.
Epilogue:
That’s it for this week. Comments, suggestions, tips and recommendations are always welcome. If you don’t wish to post comments on this site, feel free to email me at: Mrvintageman2@gmail.com.
Happy New Year!
Most Entertaining: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. A kick-ass science fiction/mystery/horror novel with great characters and tons of action!
Most Informative: Empire on the Edge by Nick Bunker. Penetrating look at how the British Empire blundered into a colonial uprising.
Most Insightful: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck by Mark Manson. Great book about being honest with yourself and cutting through your own bullshit.
Most Disappointing: Downhills Don’t Come Free by Jerry Holl. I love books about biking touring, and this book about a tour from Alaska to Southern California should be in my wheelhouse. But Mr. Holl’s book reads more like a training journal. He’s so busy cranking out the mileage he never stops to enjoy the ride.
Most Times Started and Stopped: America’s War for the Greater Middle East by Andrew J. Bacevich. A very interesting subject to me, but for some reason I have struggled with this book. Maybe next year.
