I’d never really given much thought to my first read of the year, other than being happy when it turned out to be a particularly good book. Last year I started with Great House, which was unfortunate, since I thought it was a bit of a dud. And then the rest of the year turned out to be a bit of a dud, too (although I did go on to read some especially wonderful books. Oh, and the trip to Boston was fun. But overall? Not a year I want to repeat.)
So when Sheila talked about how her first book of the year had to be just the right book, I decided she was onto something, and that I was going to read something that would reflect the tone I wanted the rest of my year to take. I stared long and hard at the shelves and finally decided on:
A book about the Happiest Place on Earth? Yes, please. And there’s travel? Now we’re really talking. Plus, I remembered that it was sent to me by Trisha, one of my favorite bloggers. So I’d found a book that reflected my desire to be happy and travel. And the fact that I would be reading this particular book at this particular time because of Sheila and Trisha made me feel even more connected to this blogging community that I love.
And while the book won’t go down as my favorite travel memoir of all time, it still ended up being the perfect reading start to 2012. There was lots of talk about happiness (although I’m not really convinced Bhutan is on a path to sustain that happiness they spout), and being happy with your own life (which I am, despite my complaints (because complaining can be fun, in its own cathartic way (just like parentheses are fun))), and I learned some interesting stuff about the teensy weensy kingdom of Bhutan (always a bonus in reading, as far as I’m concerned).
And even though I’m not superstitious and I don’t believe in woo-woo stuff, I am going to take this reading experience as a good omen for the year and think of it as my talisman for the year to come. Happiness! Travel! Good blogging friends! Bring it all on!!
(Except then I went over to the Shelf of Doom to pick my next read*, because I want to get started on the TBR Pile Challenge, and I realized that all the books I picked are such downers. Either that or they’re 50 bajillion pages long. What was I thinking?!?)
(*I ended up choosing The Memory of Love, because it has a purty cover, and purty covers make me happy. Hah…I can so make this work.)
This one was just meh for me. Okay, but kind of skimmable. It didn’t help that I read it right as I was coming to realize I don’t really like memoirs very much anymore…
Hmmm…my first read of the year had quite a few people committing suicide. Not sure what that bodes for me…
My first read of the year was a carry-over from 2011, so there was not a lot of thought involved in choosing it. I had hoped it would be my last read of 2011 and that didn’t happen. The first book I actually chose to read was the newest Fables. I love that series and it was a good official start to a new reading year.
Woo hoo! I love that! I am glad you enjoyed your first read of the year – I liked mine too, I was glad to finally get to Divergent and it was a goooooooood read!
I still have fond memories…of Bhutan. I can remember a few of the details of the story itself, but what really captured my imagination in this one was Bhutan itself. And yet, despite a promise to myself, I never actually read any more on Buhtan. Bad me.
I definitely think a first book can set the tone for the year. I read Dewey, which I enjoyed, so I look forward to good things in 2012. I liked Radio Shangri-La simply for her attitude of being positive and because I learned about Bhutan, a country I knew nothing about.
I liked this book, but didn’t love it. I thought the author inserted herself into the story too much. I hope 2012 is your happiest year yet!
I am glad your year has gotten off to a good start, Jill! This sounds like a good pick for just that. I finished a book I started last year about motherhood–seems fitting in the scheme of things. The newness hasn’t quite worn off yet.
Have a great week!
Sounds like a fun, happy read! This hadn’t really been on my radar but it is now! I used to make a big deal out of the first read of the year but this year it happened to be just what my sister was reading and I felt all conflicted about not choosing something amazing, LOL
THANKS for taking the time to read my book. It was a labor of love and I’m honored when someone invests their valuable time…much less appreciates it!
My best to you
lisa
I’ve never given much thought to my first read of the year either. I probably should in the future. Luckily this year it just happened to be pretty good.
I made the same mistake with the TBR Pile Challenge last year. I compiled my list then realized that four were 1000+ pages and several others were 500+. I did finish them, but I paid attention to the length of the book this year.
My first read of 2012 was Love at First Bark…I’ll be just fine this year if that experience is an omen to the way books are going to make me feel this year
Yes, yes, yes. Brilliant. I am focusing on happiness this year (as I have done for the last few years) and I love travel stories, so yes, yes, yes. Great first book choice.
I’m seeing some Chunky Monkeys when I head over to my own Shelf of Doom, too, and I get all yikes!-ish.
I do always like to kick off the year with a good book – glad you found one and hope mojo works throughout the year!
I agree that a good first book can set the year.
Oh man, I hope your hypothesizing about the state of the year being determined by the first book you read during it isn’t true because my first 2012 book was kind of a dud, for sure. I really need this to be a good year, so maybe I’ll twist the way I look at it, since even though the first book I finished in 2012 was a dud, I actually started reading it in 2011, so maybe that can rightly be considered the last book I read in 2011. The book I’m now reading (which I started—and will finish—in 2012) is one I’m really loving, so that suits me much better! What are rules for if not bending?
I’m glad your first book of the year was a happy one. I liked this one too and you have a much prettier cover on yours!
Ok, with a title “Shelf of Doooooooooom” I think you need to restock with happy titles.
Going to see if my library has this one on audio. Love travel memoirs.
I really enjoyed this book but I read it as an ARC, posted a photo of my ARC with my review and got chewed out by the author for not using the final cover image. So, my memory of the book ended with a sour twist. Glad you enjoyed it! I love travel memoirs.
Dear Nancy: I am sorry it felt as if I was chewing you out. That was not my intention; I was just hoping you might put up the new, better looking cover so as to avoid confusion. (And that old cover was a dud, wow.) I was just so sad that the publisher sent out ARCs with it…and riddled with mistakes, to boot.
That said, a new cover for the paperback due in April is coming….
Thanks for taking the time to read my book.
Lisa
I one this one last year but haven’t looked at it yet. My non-fiction bookshelves are in my basement, easy to forget about. Do you think that makes them feel bad?
Non-fiction wants to be free!
Or at least liberated from the basement. Remember, truth is stranger than fiction…and therefore, often more intriguing….