A New Year Begins

2010 has now gone into the annals of history, and a brand new year lies before us. I will not wax poetical about this passage of time, nor will I delve into an introspective analysis of the previous twelve months. What I will do is share one of my resolutions for the new year. Inspired by some of my fellow bloggers, I have composed a reading-list, of sorts, for 2011. Actually, it is not so much of a list, as a selection of topics.

First on the list is the Great European Wars. This is something I've managed to steer clear of up until now, but it is time now, I think. I've already covered the Hundred Years War, and I am in the process of reading Europe's Tragedy: A New History of the Thirty Years War, by Peter H. Wilson. Thereafter I plan on covering the Napoleonic Wars, gain some deeper insight in the growth of European nations, then tackle World War I and II. Lastly I intend to see how deep I can be bothered to dive into the Cold War. The curriculum isn't laid out yet, and I intend to leave space to follow leads that appear as I read.

As for fiction, I plan to focus on Norwegian authors this year. I've got a list long as my arm here, but as I got Sophie's World for Christmas from one of the patients, I'll start there. Then there's Mengele Zoo, by Gert Nygårdshaug. This one has been haunting me for years and years, and a lot of people have told me it's one of those books that'll change your world. Fine! I'll read the damn thing. Once that's done, I might go for some Hamsun, or I may stumble across something completely different.

Lastly, I have a few books on my shelves I need to get through, so it won't be all war and countrymen. I also mean to read Messages to the World: The Statements of Osama bin Laden, as well as a few other books I know, or will get to know during this year.

There you go.

Have a smashing year, one and all.