I Just Read About That…

[cue music]:

I saw these stats come sailing in, on Christmas Day on Christmas Day.
I hit 60,000 views on Christmas Day in the mor-ning.

I hit 30,000 views back in March, and I was quite thrilled.  When I started the blog in May of 2007 I didn’t expect to get all that many views, it was more or less a blog to keep track of my books and maybe have other people comment too.  And so, it took nearly two years to get to 30,000.  Imagine how delightful it is to reach the next 30,000 views in the span of just nine months!

So thanks everyone for checking out what I had to say.  And thanks also for all the comments.  As with the first 30,000, I’ve included the stats that have brought me to this hallowed (but random) spot.  And I must add that Infinite Summer, which is underrepresented in my top ten posts, was absolutely essential for this huge spike in views (thanks DFW fans).  But, by far the biggest surprise was the surge that came from the first book(s) on the list below.  I posted about the Ulysses Moore series in April.  And it was by far the most frequently sought and (presumably) read post on the blog.  So, Scholastic Publishing, if you read this, please note the craving that my readers have for the rest of the series!  And please update your site!!

So, anyhow, thanks all.  Listed below are the Top Ten (and a few extra) viewed posts on my blog.  Happy New Year!

1. 1663 views posted April 25, 2009 [not published as of 30,000 countdown]
Pierdomenico Baccalario–Ulysses Moore series Books 1-4
SOUNDTRACK: PEARL JAM-Vitalogy
As I mentioned in the introduction, this book has soared to the top as my most viewed post, flying way past Son of the Mob in half the time.  And the majority of people who have posted are demanding to know when the next book (number 5) in the series will be translated and published here in the States.  Are you listening Scholastic?  The website for U.M. is dreadful, indicating that only two books are out so far.  And if you search for the book on Google, my sight comes fourth!  It’s quite difficult to find any real information about this quite fantastic series (even Wikipedia needs to be updated).  So, please, someone pick up the ball on this and get the rest of the series published in English!  Please!

2. 1263 views posted April 4, 2008 [was #1 at 30,000: 819 views]
Gordon Korman–Son of the Mob (2002)
SOUNDTRACK: GORDON LIGHTFOOT-The Complete Greatest Hits
This is a very popular book in schools.  Most of the views are for people seeking assistance with papers.  Of course, if they would call their librarian instead of just browsing the internet, they could probably get real help!

3. 1055 views posted November 26, 2007 [was #2 at 30,000: 521 views]
Pseudonymous Bosch–The Name of This Book is Secret (2007)
SOUNDTRACK: FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS-The Distant Future EP
I’m still getting posts about the secrets in this book.  I’d love to help the desperate, but it’s been ages since I read it, so I’m not well versed with the answers anymore.  So, readers, if someone asks for help, I’m counting on you to supply it.  I’m also surprised the other P.B. books aren’t higher on the tally.  (If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late has only 203 views and This Book is Not Good For You has only 9!)

4. 798 views posted June 1, 2008 [was #4 at 30,000: 478 views]
McSweeney’s #27 (2008)
SOUNDTRACK-THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT-4 songs from MySpace
This was the only McSweeney’s that was in the Top 10 last year.  I’m still not sure why, although I expect it has something to do with The Airborne Toxic Event.

5. 766 views posted June 21, 2008 [was #3 at 30,000: 503 views]
Jeff Kinney–Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) & Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2008)
SOUNDTRACK: DROPKICK MURPHYS-The Meanest of Times
This was totally expected, although I’m actually surprised it’s not a little higher (200+ views in 9 months seems rather low).  Everyone loves Wimpy Kid.  I only wish I had done a separate post for each book.

6. 739 views posted February 12, 2009 [not charted as of 30,000 countdown]
Jeff Kinney–Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2009)
SOUNDTRACK: THE FLAMING LIPS-Waitin’ for a Superman [US maxi single]
Not bad, book 3!  You almost surpassed your predecessors in a short period of time.  My only question now is, what happened to DoaWK Dog Years?  It’s only got 16 views.

7. 719 views posted March 4, 2009 [not charted as of 30,000 countdown]
The 2009 Edmonton Folk Festival
NO SOUNDTRACK
I’m led to believe that this Festival was a huge success.  I only wish I could have gone to it.  I also expect that this post has peaked (last view was in August), so the rest of you posts can look to move into 7th!

8. 667 views posted August 12, 2009. [not published as of 30,000 countdown]
Clash of the Gods (The History Channel, 2009)
NO SOUNDTRACK
Actually, this one has probably peaked as well (although I see views in December, so I guess not).  While this show was on the air, it was very poorly marketed on the History Channel Website.  So I think that sent a lot of readers my way.  Well, that and that I printed an actual schedule for the shows.

9. 658 views [was #9 at 30,000: 380 views]
About me
NO SOUNDTRACK
Narcissism Rules!

10. 652 views posted July 13, 2008 [was #5 at 30,000: 432 views]
David Goldberg, Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg–Superbad: The Drawings (2008)
SOUNDTRACK: Paul F. Tompkins-Impersonal
Everybody loves drawings of penises, even if McLovin’ isn’t present.

… … …

I was planning on doing only the Top Ten, but since these titles all managed to get over 500 views (and I did want to get DFW on this list too, after all) I’ve made it 14.

11. 599 views posted July 16, 2008 [was #6 at 30,000: 425 views]
Alex Stone–“The Magic Olympics: with tricks explained! (Harper’s July 2008)
SOUNDTRACK: JENS LEKMAN-Night Fall Over Kortedala
This post caused some serious activity when the article was written (even some heated debate!).  It still gets some views, but the heat has faded somewhat.

12. 529 views posted September 21, 2009 [not published as of 30,000 countdown]
David Foster Wallace–[Week 14/End] Infinite Jest (1996)
SOUNDTRACK: SONIC YOUTH-”Rather Ripped”
My final summary of Infinite Jest, after a wonderful Infinite Summer.

13. 517 views posted July 21, 2008 [was #7 at 30,000: 415 views]
Marisha Pessl–Special Topics in Calamity Physics (2007)
SOUNDTRACK: AGAINST ME!-New Wave
I was delighted at how many hits this title received.  I didn’t know that it was a widely read book.  Again, the fire has dimmed somewhat since last time, but i still see search terms for it.

14. 507 views posted April 8, 2008 [not charted as of 30,000 countdown]
Gordon Korman–Born to Rock (2006)
SOUNDTRACK: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III-Career Moves
Finally, the second Gordon Korman book on the list.  I like to think that the kids who were fans of Son of the Mob read this book as well.  I enjoyed both of them and have been meaning to read some of his others too.

Thanks for all the support, and we’ll see you again at 90,000.