The Four Eyed Book Worm blog has reached two-hundred reviews – a milestone on its never-ending (and of course, unachievable) quest to devour every book in the world. The story began all the way back in the fog of time – or June 2009 to be exact – with the intention of reading as many books as possible, whilst giving some scathing and partisan reviews.
The milestone book review was a rather poor book on the history of football; which recieved one terrible, lonesome and pathetic nod. Not a great book to celebrate this event; but neither was the 100th book review from the Worm: Roy Jenkins’ rather dull memoir Twelve Cities.
Where was the 5 nodder review to spark off the fireworks? Well, as you readers fully well know, the Worm does not give too many of those in the past 200 reviews. In fact, there have been just nineteen 5 nodder reviews out of the two-hundred (accounting for a mere 9.5%). The biggest award has been 3 nods, amounting to 71 reviews (35.5%). Sadly, 2 nodder reviews are also a major player at 52 books read and reviewed, whilst more encouraging is the 4 nodder review on 47 books. Thankfully, 1 nodder reviews are uncommon at 12 in total (less than 6% of all reads). The Worm has been more conscious in recent reading-seasons in avoiding horror reads, and instead concentrating on renowned books and authors. Hopefully, the current season will bring more of the 5 nodder big-hitters.
Non-fiction is the victor, currently accounting for 116 books, in comparison to fiction’s 84 books. The largest particular type/genre is History on 47 books read throughout the past three-and-a-half years; not surprising for a reviewer who graduated within that field. However, the novel is snapping at the heels of the top spot (currently on 43 books read and reviewed). In fact, the novel was the victor in the first book reading season in 2009-10 (18 books to 17 books) and second season in 2010-11 (15 books to 9 books); however, it was truly trumped during 2011-12 with 7 books to 16.
Next on the list are books of the political variety, on a modest 14 books read and reviewed. Others vying for third spot are short fiction/stories (12 books), graphic novels (12 books), and autobiographies (10 books). Looking at the bottom of the barrel include seeming one-offs in the genres of trivia (giving the Worm a few cold shakes), philosophy (moving the Worm to vow to read more in this field), TV & Film as well as genealogy.
Newly bought books (those from Waterstones and which still have that lovely, enticing fresh-book-smell) account for 24% of books read; but they miss out to the big leader: second-hand books at 32%. Nothing can beat the find of the second-hand book, its own story and history from the printing press to become an unwanted, abandoned item on a forgotten shelf: only to return, a phoenix from the flames, to find a home on the Worm’s bookshelves. Tried and trusted library books account for 12.5%; borrowed books from friends and foes 9%, and books given as presents account for 6%. The Worm has not been absent from the technological revolution that surrounds us, with books read on an iPhone accounting for 8% now giving way to a big riser of Kindle read books (5.5%). Another recent development has been the advent of downloaded books, currently at 3%.
Two-hundred reviews down; and many, many more to come. The Worm marches on, as keen as ever before – always in search of the elusive reads that move him to applaud ecstatically and enthusiastically on the web-pages of this blog.
Read End of Season Reviews below:http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2010/08/worms-yearly-review-2009-2010.html
http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.com/2011/07/year-in-review-2010-11.html
http://4eyedbookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/2011-12-season-review.html
And for a blog that celebrates the number 200, look no further:
http://maanumberaday.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/200.html
