I love to read, but somehow I only end up reading newspapers, online articles and magazines unless I’m on a plane or on vacation. So, this year, I want to make more of an effort to read books even when I’m not traveling.

My friend Bri over at SanBriego.com aims to read 50 books each year, and though she hasn’t met that goal the past few years, I think that sounds like a worthy goal. I’m going to try to do the same, and let you know how I do. I hope you’ll also tell me which books you’ve read and loved (and read and hated, so I can avoid those!).

To get this whole thing started, here are some of the books I read over the holidays:

Wild (by Cheryl Strayed): I did not relate to Cheryl at all, and actually kind of hated her as I was reading. But, I still enjoyed the book. The writing is decent, and despite the fact that I couldn’t understand why she kept making the choices she did, it kept me interested. I really only bought it because I was book-less on a plane and this was the only thing I could find in the airport bookstore, but I’m glad I did nonetheless. And now, I want to see the movie.

If you’re a legit hiker, you’ll probably hate this. Same for if you are hoping to get lots of information about the actual trail, or get irritated when people make stupid decisions (like, say, intentionally ruining a marriage with an apparently wonderful person to do heroin with a random dude). But, if you enjoy memoirs and can get past all the crazy, you just might like it.

The Secret History (by Donna Tartt): I really loved The Goldfinch, which is also by Donna Tartt, and this book came to me very highly recommended, so I had pretty steep expectations. The story is a mystery, though it’s not set up like a traditional mystery novel. And, like The Goldfinch, it features a bunch of interesting — but not terribly lovable — characters. I ended up liking it, but I didn’t tear through it, and I didn’t love it.

I think your experience with it may have a bit to do with your college experience, whether you have ever studied Greek or the classics, and how you feel about books about a bunch of weirdos. Northeast liberal arts college grads who have a working knowledge of Greek culture? You’ll probably love it. Southern party school grads whose knowledge of Greek comes mainly from sorority and fraternity life? Maybe not. And if you didn’t like The Goldfinch, I think you’d probably really hate this book.

The Book of Unknown Americans (by Cristina Henriquez): I loved this book. It’s written not like a traditional novel, but, rather from the perspective of several different immigrants from Latin America who all live in the same apartment complex in Delaware. And you know I like books written in short story form.

It’s not perfect: Some of the characters and story lines aren’t as well developed as they could be, and many could probably be cut out in favor of the main story, which is compelling and emotional. But I feel like it is very timely and important when so many Americans dehumanize and stereotype immigrants, particularly those from Spanish-speaking countries.

Dark Places (by Gillian Flynn): It’s not the same as “Gone Girl,” but it’s the same type of book. A quick, fun, creepy thriller that you’ll definitely enjoy if you’re a fan of Gillian Flynn’s work.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog (by Muriel Barbery): Everyone was super into this book a few years ago, to the point where it was checked out of the library for.ev.er. Anyway, I finally got around to buying it… and I hated it. Perhaps it’s because I don’t have a particular affinity for French culture, the class system or philosphy, but I found most of the novel insufferable. I finished it anyway, but it didn’t get better.