Reading Plan Update

I've been progressively moving away from the notion of a prescribed reading plan for myself over the last few years, not that I ever strictly adhered to one. I always have in mind the next few books I want to get to, triggered by physical piles of books in my bedroom, lists I scribble (on post-its or on this blog), and spare crannies in my brain. But I also always leave myself open to whim, chance, and opportunity. One of the great things about working in an academic library is immediate access to tons of great stuff, and more often than not, when I come across a reference to something intriguing, chances are likely that we'll have it already--and then there's always inter-library loan.

So, no formal reading plan for this coming year, although I won't hesitate to mention a few books looming in my future. First, though, looking back, I find that I have pretty much stuck to maybe half of what I said I wanted to read in my last reading plan post: I didn't get to as much early modern drama as I'd hoped, but I did read some Thomas Heywood and Thomas Middleton. I got through a fair-ish amount of Shakespeare, reading the Henry VI tetralogy twice. I didn't get to Javier Marías' trilogy, but I did finish Knausgaard's My Struggle. I reread Bleeding Edge and got through some Jane Austen. And I only have two John Le Carré novels to finish! So, not too bad.

I will get to those Le Carré novels soon. I am also gearing up to work through the rest of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels. The third Esslemont Path to Ascendancy is coming out in April. I will delve into some novels suggested by Steven Moore in his various books and essays, including some Rikki Ducornet and a rereading of Gaddis' The Recognitions. Want to get to some Vollmann, re-read Barth's Giles Goat-Boy, and of course more Shakespeare. Maybe re-read Moby-Dick and Sense and Sensibility. Some Dumas? Oh yeah, and get to Marías.