The holidays are over, our ginormous Christmas tree is no more, and my life is settling down into its more normal patterns. Shortly before the new year, I wrote my grand post about what I’d read in 2013, and I thought it might be fun to continue that with what I might read in 2014. I make no promises because I tend to read like I watch movies on Netflix: if it looks good and the timing is right, I’ll read it instantly. If it’s not available, I might reserve it at the library, though by the time I get it, I’ve usually lost interest. I guess that’s what e-books (and working in a library) have done to me. All this means that I’m not good at making to-be-read lists and sticking with them.
That said, I’m putting in a little effort this year: I’ve joined the Roof Beam Reader’s 2014 TBR Challenge. I’ve already posted about that, though, so I won’t repeat myself. So there’s twelve that I’ll probably read. I’m off to a good start, anyway, with The Master and Margarita. Anyway.
So beyond those twelve books, I guess this is a list of what I’d like to read this year, though I probably won’t get through most of these books because of my apparent reading-choice ADD. Here we go, in no particular order:
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, by Haruki Murakami. According to The Guardian, the English translation will be released sometime this year. As Murakami is one of my favorite authors, I can’t wait to read this one.
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt. It’s all over the internet, and it looks interesting.
Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. So many people have suggested I read this book. It’s high on my list, but I’m waiting until I’ve read…
A Dance with Dragons, by George R.R. Martin. I’m not sure how I’ve lasted so long, though it probably has something to do with there not being another Song of Ice and Fire book to pick up after I finish it.
The Girl Who Fell beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There, by Catherynne M. Valente, because I loved The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making so much.
Wolves of the Calla, and possibly Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower by Stephen King. While I’m on the subject of various series, let me add this one to the pile. I’ve read the first four of the Dark Tower series, so the rest of them are on the horizon. I’m certainly choosing more long books for 2014.
The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker. Another word-of-internet winner.
Doomed, by Chuck Palahniuk. I read (and generally liked) Damned after I’d won Doomed in a drawing. Doomed is still sitting on my bookshelf, waiting patiently. I’ll get to it eventually.
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, by Barbara Demick. North Korea fascinates me, and I’ve heard that this is a good book.
The Childhood of Jesus, by J.M. Coetzee. It’s been on my list since before it came out, but there I’ve read reviews on both sides, and I’m not sure how much I’ll like it once I get into it. I liked Disgrace, but it was a little sappy.
Jesus’ Son, by Denis Johnson. Here’s another one that friends have recommended. I saw the movie years ago and loved it. I’m bad at picking up short story collections, though.
A Discworld novel, or two, by Terry Pratchett. Because I love them. I’m slowly reading them chronologically, and next up is Reaper Man.
A Tale of Two Cities or Great Expectations. The former was the first book I read after I graduated college and is one of my favorites, and I tried to read the latter a couple years ago, but failed. Holiday time is Dickens time, so one of these will probably happen next December.
And that’s all I can think of at the moment. It’s funny how most of the books I want to read are fantasy, though most of the books I actually read are not. We’ll see what happens this year. I make no promises.
Also: Somehow, I neglected to post a photo of a certain orange kitteh on his TENTH birthday! I can’t believe he’s ten.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsayloveshermac/11802726463/
And, finally, thanks to Palmer for the pine needles photo and the awesome sweeping skillz!
