If youre one of those lucky enough to have first hand knowledge of my life then you will already be aware that I have taken up new residence ensconced in Dundalks meaty folds (gah that backfired, as I imagined myself walking into the orifice of some gigantic cthuloid entity). If you didnt know, well now you do. Im going to sidestep my issues with the move, as they arent particularly pertinent to the subject at hand. “What is the subject at hand ?” I hear you cry, worry not your suffering is at an end. The subject at hand is to re-ignite my once voracious appetite for the written word.
Reading used to be my main, and preferred, vice. But over the last few years its been supplanted by games, comics, videos, anime, surprise makeovers for farm animals, staring at walls, etc. During this period I read next to nothing that wasnt accompanied by pictures. I dont particularly begrudge myself that time, I dont think the written word is superior to manga/comics and I came across some really great stuff. But at the same time I kept buying books, books that simply werent getting read (or were getting the first few chapters read again and again).
So seeing a move of residence to be a good chance to “start anew” I have chosen to leave the key tools of distraction (my television and consoles) mouldering in the familial manse. As well as this Ive compiled a list of books that I wish to read or re-read, the titular 66. By the time the summer ends and I return to the exciting world of commuting to Dublin I intend to have read these sixty six books. Now some of the books listed are the first book of rather long series’ so I may get sidetracked at times. Im fine with that, once I keep reading.
The list in question is here – http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?viewstyle=2&view=Uthred&collection=78458&shelf=list . When Ive finished a book I’ll try and put up at least a (possibly super) mini-review of it. I always find writing informal reviews sort of odd, considering how much information there is out there describing the actual contents of a book/film/anime/comic/etc. seems both redundant and “spoilery”. So Im unlikely to talk much about the specific contents of the books in question. I think I’ll probably use the following format:
Title: Mick vs The 66 – Battle XX – “Book Name”
Score: Out of ten.
Thoughts: My general opinion/description of the book.
Listening to: Johnny Cash – That Lucky Old Sun