I found a list online of 50 types of books – 52 books in total (a trilogy only counts as one) – designed to get readers out of their comfort zones. I had the bright idea to read 1 book every week and check off every criteria on the list by the end of December 31, 2015. As someone who usually gravitates towards mysteries and memoirs, I was excited to try out genres like graphic novels, a book originally written in another language, or a book with magic or nonhuman characters.

So far, I am ahead of schedule: I’m working on book #28 – a book that became a movie. I’ve crafted more responses and reviews in haiku form, because, as the old chatterbox Polonius said, “brevity is the soul of wit.”

A book from an author you love that you haven’t read yet: Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins.

Trapped by blackberries,

A post-modern fairy tale:

Redheads and outlaws.

Poetic language

Found in all Robbins’ novels,

And life’s mysteries.

Pyramids, the moon,

Royalty and Camel cigs.

I adore Robbins.

 

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A book by an author with your same initials: Inside the O’Briens, by Lisa Genova.

A family, caught

The unknowing of disease,

Three generations.

A strong cop, broken

As his grown children adjust

Their lives differently.

Beautifully written,

Powerfully emotive,

Recommend to all.

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A book with a color in the title: Love is Red, by Sophie Jaff.

Serial killer

Stalks Katharine’s ancient soul,

Hunter v. hunted.

Such poetic prose:

Every color has a taste,

Feeling, emotion.

Student in New York,

Expected love triangle,

Unexpected end.

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A book with more than 500 pages: Stone of Tears, by Terry Goodkind.

Part of a series,

The Seeker of Truth embarks

On an epic quest.

Wizards, swords, dragons,

Everyone’s jaw is chiseled.

Tale of adventure.

Not the best writing,

Almost a thousand pages,

A light summer read.