I've kept a journal of every book I've read since I was 15.

That would be 20 years of title writing.

The first book on my list is "The Return of the King," by J.R.R. Tolkien. I have to assume that I would have read the other two previous to this. And to be honest, I'm thankful for the Peter Jackson movies. As much as I love Tolkien, I find the last half of TROK tedious and boring. Frodo, just throw the ring in the fire already.

Next on the list comes "The Shining," by Stephen King. I used to read a lot of King, as well as other spy-thriller type novelists like Robert Ludlum and Jeffrey Archer until I became a book snob later on. Thankfully, while I still like to challenge myself by reading a classic now and then (though I've never made it through 10 pages of James Joyce's Ulysses), I've gotten over the snootiness.

I read King's "The Stand" last month. All 1,100 pages of the uncut version. I like to read Dean Koonz on the beach. I find Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" novels clever.

Early in my list, I notice some J.D. Salinger scattered about, including "The Catcher in the Rye," "Nine Stories," and "Franny and Zooey." I can only figure, when these are snuggled up against "The Bourne Identity" and "Skeleton Crew," that I was trying to be deep, trying to impress my friends with titles they'd never heard of, trying to keep the ladies guessing as to just who was the real Doug Serven.

They didn't know the real me, mostly because I didn't either.

But at least I kept reading.

I think my love for books came mainly from two places. My mother has always seemed to have a book in her hand, and she continues to buy me books for my birthday. I'm hoping to get one tomorrow, though now we trade back and forth.

But I also have to credit Mr. Crutcher, my high school German teacher. I didn't learn much Deutsch in his zimmer, but he started to feed me books. "Cry the Beloved Country," by Paton, "The Once and Future King," by T.H. White, a Thorton Wilder book and some kooky Richard Brautigan.

When I arrived at the university, though, I realized I was way behind. There was just so much I hadn't even touched yet. So I began in earnest.

I'd dabble in some evangelical Christian nonfiction, but I started to devour novels: John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, John Updike, Toni Morrison, Willa Cather, Louise Erdrich, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ralph Ellison and many others became my friends that way.

I'd always have two or three going at the same time and couldn't wait to get to the next one.

It was so great to graduate and get to read whatever I wanted, though required reading hadn't slowed me much. I took on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novels for awhile -- some good, some fairly terrible.

Along the way, I began to read more cultural analysis and kept reading faster and faster. I now try to read 52 books a year, something I have achieved for several years in a row. I envy those who get to and are able to read more than that.

The trick to a book-a-week average is not that easy to explain.

You have to stop reading word by word, as if you're reading aloud, and begin to read two, then three, then more words, then sentences at a time.

Your brain can do that, but you have to practice.

I think you can get through a few books a month merely by reading 10 minutes before bed. Not too long, but keep plugging away. You'll get another one or two in if you always have one for those spare minutes -- waiting in line, walking to class, arriving early, reading while eating. Redeem those spare minutes by reading.

After that, you have to range around in books that interest you. If a book stinks, put it down after you've given it a legitimate chance. Why waste your time?

But do try some new things. Don't only stick with what you know and like. Branch out now and then.

I have a new project this year. I've picked 35 books to re-read. I rarely do that, preferring to keep buying new ones (amazon.com shipments come to my door too often).

My criteria are: 1) I have to really like it, and 2) I already have to own it.

So on my list are a few I've already alluded to -- Steinbeck's "East of Eden," Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!", and Walker Percy's "The Thanatos Syndrome."

I've read some really good books. Some have influenced me greatly. Others have been great snoozers. I can't wait to buy even more, for to own them is a particular delight. I don't like returning books to the library. I feel like I'm giving back something of myself. My idea of interior decorating is a house full of books, shelves lining the walls, creating my own library of sorts.

Books can become a part of you, I think. If you submit yourself to them, you learn to see things differently.

Understanding the author's point of view, his or her message and how that intersects with yours is sometimes hard work but almost always worth it. There is something alive in this word, this outside voice, this inspired story brought to you, made flesh in your life.

I'm looking forward to the year ahead of re-reading.

I know this -- I'm going to read that first book on my list again, "The Return of the King." All the way through this time.

Maybe.

-- Doug Serven is a professional writing graduate student. His column appears every other Friday, and he can be reached at dailyopinion@ou.edu.
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