Jan 5, 2011

 Happy New Year! In this episode we discuss reading resolutions, Michael announced a new reading challenge and a new website, and we talk about audiobooks that can help keep our resolutions. In 2 books we can't wait for you to read, Ann recommends Gryphon by Charles Baxter, and Michael talks about American Rose by Karen Abbott, about the life of Gypsy Rose Lee.

Reading Resolutions

(Thanks to Changing Hands bookstore for letting us use this photo of their cool shirts. I may be buying one soon if they are available!)

Now that the calendar has flipped to 2011, I want to remind you about our online discussion of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which will happen on January 20th. We'll have more specifics very soon, but we hope you will get reading so that you can join us!

Did you make a reading resolution for the new year? Jacket Copy, the blog of the LA Times, spoke to several authors about their literary resolutions, including Emily Pullen of Skylight Books in Los Angeles who says, "I resolve not to be suffocated or crushed by books in my tiny apartment."

Michael is resolving to read 11 more books in 2011 than he did in 2010, and has started the +11 in '11 Reading Challenge. You are welcome to join him in adding 11 books to your total. I'm going to do it by listening to 11 audiobooks. My other reading challenge is to complete War and Peace in 2011, aided by the War and Peace Read-along I'm co-hosting. Join me there as well!

Michael's other resolution, and one that he's already accomplished, was to start a new blog, Cookbooks on the Nightstand. It's a spin-off of this site that focuses on cookbooks and cooking magazines. If you have an interest in food, or literature about food, please check it out.

Let us know if you've made any reading resolutions. Leave a comment here, or call our voicemail line at (209) 867-7323.

Audiobooks to help keep resolutions (9:40)

I asked twitter for some audiobook recommendations: specifically, audiobooks to listen to at the gym, that would have me eager to get back on the treadmill day after day.

@BethFishReads, who is also one of the brains behind Audiobook Jukebox, said that Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, a young adult modern-day fairy tale, is her all-time favorite audio production.

Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, the first book in the Pendergast series, was recommended by Melissa Klug and then seconded by many people.

Michael suggests The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, one of the best audiobooks that Michael has ever listened to.

Tanya suggested Shantaram by Gary David Roberts, which she describes as "epic" but that at 40 hours I will still want more.

Michael also recommends The Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby, a young adult novel , which he just finished listening to at the end of the year. I can't wait to listen!

Do you have audio recommendations for me? Please leave them in the comments -- and please keep them focused on books that will keep me on the treadmill for just a few minutes longer!

Two books we can't wait for you to read (17:42)

Gryphon: New and Selected Stories by Charles Baxter (due out on January 11) is a wonderful collection of short stories from the author of Feast of Love, and features one of my favorite short stories ever (the title story).

Michael recommends American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott, an extensively-researched look at the life of Gypsy Rose Lee that has been getting raves from our booksellers.

We'll be back next week with a preview of books that will be coming out in Spring 2011.