12 things for 2012

Before I bid 2012 adieu, let me highlight the 12 things I learned this year after reading 85 books.

1. People are inexplicably drawn to trains. Yes, even beautiful and wealthy Russian noblewomen.
2. The best time to fart during a book discussion is when people are having a heated argument.
3. Just because a book has been likened to Twilight doesn't mean that it's just as bad. Sometimes, that book is even worse.
4. Bookworms, even ageing ones, can still have 20/20 vision.
5. Shakespeare is meant to be read aloud.
6. Unlike movies, book sequels aren't necessarily crap.
7. Debut fiction always rocks.
8. We still judge books by their covers. Well, hello there, my beautiful Penguin editions!
9. The bookmark is now a conundrum. A lot of people read exclusively via their e-readers, and yet they still love getting those bookmarks. It makes you wonder what they use them for.
10. It takes chutzpah to give books as gifts to bibliophiles. There's always the risk of the recipient getting duplicate copies.
11. Laters, baby! 
12. It's still more fun to read than to watch TV.