Sorry for my relative absence, folks. This is bound to continue over the next few weeks as I will be doing my finals, studying for my finals, packing to move, moving (unless I become homeless, in which case…) well, things just seem to be looking rather stressful for me right now. However, as I am one of those eternally driven to find solutions people, I will continue to stare adversity in the face with an arrow cocked and waiting, okay fine, no, but I shall survive this! Rahr. I find that making lists calms me down so here are twenty books I am determined to read over the summer.
1. Castle in the Air – Diana Wynne Jones
2. House of Many Ways – Diana Wynne Jones
I read and loved Howl’s Moving Castle and since these are sequels and the characters from Howl make an appearance here, I am excited to read about them and be taken on the same adventure as I was with Howl.
3. Pale Demon – Kim Harrison
4. A Perfect Blood – Kim Harrison
I am a huge fan of The Hollows series but for some reason, I haven’t read the last two books. I have them, in all their expensive hardcover-iness. But I just haven’t read them. Hm. I intend to rectify that as soon as possible.
5. Anna Dressed in Blood – Kendare Blake
I know, I know, the next book is coming out soon and I haven’t read this latest one. Rossi’s read this one and I haven’t. I will this summer!
6. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
Yeah, I haven’t read this one either. I’m atrocious!
7. The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
The movie’s coming out so I have to read this and get prepared for it! The world had better not end before I watch the movie, yo.
8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
I’m in the mood for something smart and puzzle-ey. And if the reports are right, this is smart and puzzle-ey.
9. Lolita – Vladimir Nobokov
I’ve had this on my reading pile forever. And I read a bit of the beginning and was entertained so I shall def attempt to read this.
10. The Wind Up Bird Chronicles – Haruki Murakami
It’s been a while since I read a Murakami despite challenging myself to reading all his book. So I shall read this one and prepare myself to be baffled yet again.
11. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
I actually won an ARC of this during last year’s armchair BEA but have been unable to get to it. My friend, Teng, had nothing but good stuff to say about this so I shall pick it up this summer.
12. Liesl & Po – Lauren Oliver
I like Oliver’s writing but I just don’t like the books she has written so far. Wendy from Midnight Garden gave this a fabulous review so I picked it up.
13. Brida – Paulo Coelho
For a challenge I’m doing.
14. Five Flavors of Dumb – Antony John
Comes recommended by Eden and Rida. They loved it so here’s hoping I will too.
15. The Rebel Prince – Celine Kiernan
The final in the Moorehawke trilogy that I absolutely love. Will have a huge post about it once I’m done.
16. The Book of Wonders – Jasmine Richards
A retelling of 1001 Nights. You can bet that I can’t wait to read this one. It’s middle grade, btw.
17. My Name is Red – Orhan Pamuk
This book is fantastic. I actually got it out from the library but had to return it before I finished it. So I bought a copy. And am still lingering over it.
18. Pippi Longstocking – Astrid Lindgren
I shouldn’t even have to explain this one.
19. A Lion Among Men – Gregory Maguire
The third one in the wicked years series. Not as good as the rest but since I want to read the last one, I feel compelled to read this one first.
20. Finnikin of the Rock – Melina Marchetta
I’ve been saving this one. But I think the time has come for it to be read.
Sending good thoughts your way! Hope things get less stressful for you.
I’m excited for you to read The Book Thief! I didn’t think I would like it but had to read for school and ended up loving it.
I have a feeling I will really like it. And I hope so too. I give it a month and if it does not calm down, I might need to take off the gloves and punch it better. Hee.
Castle in the Air is really good! I loved it. I think it’s really neat how she tricks the readers. Lolita is my absolute FAVORITE book in the whole world. He’s the one who made me feel that language can be beautiful. His writing in that book is the most GORGEOUS thing I’ve ever, *ever* read. Not to mention it’s a brilliant character study as well as employing the unreliable narrator complication.
I really hated Pippi Longstocking. I know it’s a children’s book but some parts of it really rubbed me the wrong way.
Really? I wonder what it is about Pippi that you hated. But I’m totally looking forward to both the Wynne books and Lolita. I kind of love unreliable narrators.
This is a great summer reading list! I loooovee summer reading lists and summer reading – I always tend to read so much more in the summer and since I haven’t read the majority of these you’ve listed, I’ll be interested to see not only your thoughts on them but read a few of them as well!
I will definitely share my thoughts on most of them. Probably analyze the heck out of them. And I loveeee summer reading lists too. They make me feel the potential to be productive (that is never realized) but oh well.
I’m sorry, I stopped reading after you said “I haven’t read [The Book Thief].” ………………O_O I can sorta understand FFOD because it wasn’t as high-profile (but you still have to read it!) but no TBT? Oh my Lord. Oh my Lord. *hyperventilates*
NAFIZA. YOU MUST READ. Like seriously, Zusak’s writing’s so gorgeous (I actually think you’d appreciate it the best, out of all my bookish friends) and the entire cast of characters is so d**ned lovely… let me know when you do read it. I want a running commentary. :P
Oh I have the book. I just haven’t read it yet. I didn’t read Chime until like a year later either. Haha. So don’t worry, I’ve seen the writing and swooned and if you want, I shall do a running commentary of my reading experience. :P
YES RUNNING COMMENTARY <3 You just made my day, Nafiza. :D :D :D
LOLITA is definitely creepy, but in a really interesting, almost ..subtle way. I could talk about it forever, but I’ll spare you. ;]
I don’t mind creepy. Unless there’s gore. I don’t think I can do gore anymore.
Wow, so many great books! Lots of books I read and loved/liked as well as several books on my list too.
Is this the order you’re going to read them in? Because I LOVE Castle in the Air and would be so excited to see what you think of it. :)
I shall read it first then! I can’t wait to sink into it.