I’m linking up with Rebecca Murphy‘s wonderful, thought provoking Relish12 writing prompts for the month of December. Come join us!

Day Seven: Before Twitter, before Instagram, yes, even before Facebook there were these things calls BOOKS. They were the best way we had for spreading ideas, information, and inspiration to the masses. Sure, today we have Youtube, but I’m holding out hope that books still play a role in your like (even if they are on your kindle!) What books did you read this year? Which were your favorites? Why did they mean so much to you?

Okay, so here’s the thing with me a books. I don’t review them. I tend to only really remember whether I liked or disliked the book, so here are some quick takes on the books I read this year. I’m mostly doing this to brag about all the books I read this year. Go reading!

Responsive Web Design by Ethan Marcotte – Admittedly, this wasn’t a soul searching read. This was an “Oh my god, a client just asked for a responsive website and I told them I could do that and I have no idea how to do that,” read. AKA this book saved my butt in a hurry, and now I can make things look pretty even on your phone. (Note to self: This blog needs a responsive layout.)

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace – If you read no other book on this list, read this one. Just trust me on this one. Granted, the first 100 pages or so you’re going to want to kill yourself because you have no idea what’s going on… but seriously, you need to read this book. I recommend reading Infinite Summer along side (it’s the archives of a read along that happened of the book several years ago).

The Book of Drugs: A Memoir by Mike Doughty – You know… The Soul Coughing guy who doesn’t want to remember he was ever in Soul Coughing because it was so damn traumatic. After reading this book, I don’t really blame him. It’s a wonderful addiction recovery story.

Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp – Another addiction recovery story, this one by a Massachusetts journalist. I think I ended up picking it up because it was referenced in The Book of Drugs.

Dirty! Dirty! Dirty!: Of Playboys, Pigs, and Penthouse Paupers-An American Tale of Sex and Wonder by Mike Edison – I suppose you could say that it’s a history of porn, but really it’s more a history of freedom of speech and obscenity laws… It’s also a really fun read.

Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie – This book is the story of how the TOMS shoe company got started, in which he makes the point that the story behind the product is often what sells the product. If you’ve got a small business, it’s a decent read.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac – If you like road trips and drugs, you’ll probably enjoy this book.

Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs – As I recall, upon finishing this I thought to myself, “I’m not really sure what just happened, but I’m pretty sure it was fucked up.”

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson – If you like TheBloggess.com, you’ll probably like this book because she was the one who wrote it. More fun that shoving your hand up a cow’s vagina (and she would know…)

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins – Okay, so it’s three books but I wasn’t going to write descriptions for each one now, was I? They might as well have been one book but then the publishers wouldn’t have made as much money now would they have? Yeah, I could see why everyone liked it.

Abby Has Issues by Abby Heugel – Otherwise known as the person behind the blog with the same name. Great self-degrading humor. I’d recommend it.

Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music by Phil Ramone – Chances are you’ve heard something he’s produced in your lifetime. Given my proximity to the recording world, I probably found this way more interesting than most of my readers would… I consider it one of my “doing my homework” books.

Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson – No one tells a story like Hunter can… That’s all I have to say about that.

Currently Reading:

Because you know, I’m always reading something… That’s what train rides are for.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown – You know, the TED talk shame researcher lady. See Listening to Shame and On Vulnerability.

Zen and the Art of Producing by Mixerman – Homework.