Without further ado, here are the 30 books I plan to read before I'm 30 (in a year and a day):
Classics (things I should have read, but haven't):
2. Wuthering Heights (I'm a little squeamish about characters named "Heathcliff"-- unless they are tabby cats)
3. Great Expectations (I'm kind of anti-Dickens ever since... well... I'm not sure why. I probably had a good reason when I formed my opinion as an English undergrad).
4. A Tale of Two Cities (As long as I'm making a list of books I wouldn't otherwise read, I figured there's a place for two Dickens novels).
5. Moby Dick (I hate, hate, HATE Herman Melville, and I generally pretend to have read this just to avoid people asking me why I haven't-- I mean, I know how it ends and all-- but I figured that now is the time to do finally buck up and read the effing thing).
6. Sense and Sensibility (I've seen the movie and didn't like it, so I never read the book. I've always felt guilty about not reading it).
Books I've Always Wanted to Read But For Which I Have Never Found Time
10. Anne of Green Gables (I've seen the movie a million times, have a neverending crush on Gilbert, but have still never read the book).
11. The Blind Assassin (I love Margaret Atwood's short stories, but have always found her novels a little difficult to get into. But this one sounds good, so I'm giving Atwood another chance).
Books Other People Have Recommended
15. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (My sister Tasha's favorite book. She let me borrow it once, but I never opened it).
16. The House of the Spirits (my brother was incensed when I told him I've never read anything by Allende).
Books I Own But Have Never Read
17. The Dante Club (I have tried reading this book about half a dozen times and always get distracted. So now I'm finally going to finish it!)
18. Suite Francaise (Josh finally bought this book for me after it had been on my Wishlist for a few years, and then I never read it).
19. The Lost Language of Symbolism (about symbolism in the scriptures).
20. If Only I Had Known... Avoiding Common Mistakes in Couples Therapy (you know, for the learning of something).
21. Psychotherapy with "Impossible" Cases (also for the learning).
22. Women of Covenant: The Story of Relief Society (about the women in the early years of the church).
23. The Devil in the White City (I've heard from a million people that this is good, and I bought it way before anyone else I have ever known read it).
24. Balancing Act: The Authorized Biography of Angela Lansbury (Josh bought it for me for Christmas after I begged for it, but then I never read it).
25. The Madness of Mary Lincoln (I made Josh buy this for me after we went to DC and I saw it in the Ford's Theater gift shop. Mary Lincoln was crazy? Awesome!)
26. My Life in France (for various reasons I have put this off, even though I really want to read it).
27.Blonde (I bought this book more than 5 years ago when I went through a Joyce Carol Oats phase but then never opened it).
28. Sometimes a Great Notion (the other Ken Kesey novel)
29.Sophie's World (this book was required in my high school program, but somehow I got out of reading it. I'm not sure how. So I guess I'll read it now!)
Books I've Never Thought of Reading But Made an Effort to Include on This List
30. Their Eyes Were Watching God (I realized that my book list was a bit White).
I don't know yet what order in which I'll read these. I suppose it will depend on my mood. Because of my newly acquired Kindle, I can get some of these books for free from Amazon (Best. Present. Ever!) I'll keep everyone updated, because of course I'm reading these so you don't have to.
27.
28. Sometimes a Great Notion (the other Ken Kesey novel)
29.
Books I've Never Thought of Reading But Made an Effort to Include on This List
30. Their Eyes Were Watching God (I realized that my book list was a bit White).
I don't know yet what order in which I'll read these. I suppose it will depend on my mood. Because of my newly acquired Kindle, I can get some of these books for free from Amazon (Best. Present. Ever!) I'll keep everyone updated, because of course I'm reading these so you don't have to.
2 comments:
Well! time for a long unsolicited comment about books (the ones on the list I've read).
I have never read Les Mis because I am not a huge fan of Victor Hugo's style. But, as a French historian, I want you to know going into this (in case you didn't) that it is NOT about the French Revolution of 1789 like practically everyone thinks. It is about the Revolution of 1830, so it might behoove you to read the wikipedia article on that just so you're contextualized a little.
Wuthering Heights is beautifully written but I can't stand it. It sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading but I will never read it again. Still, it was engrossing for one time, which is all you need.
LOVE LOVE LOVE a tale of two cities. That one IS about the French revolution 1789. I do not feel it is cheating to read abridged Dickens if you can't stand all the subplots. The down side of Dickens in my opinion are the domestic angels female characters who are completely lacking in depth or complexity. Nevertheless, this is a good one and a great Dickens.
Moby Dick, never read and never plan to torture myself. Good luck.
Sense and Sensibility -- a toughie. Harder to love that P & P because the characters are just not Elizabeth. But I actually do love S & S.
Importance of being Earnest is a play that reads very very quickly and is a delight.
War and Peace -- I urge you STRONGLY to do what you hated in high school and make a character list with their nicknames. The hardest part is keeping track of everyone.
Jane Eyre is awesome. I hated it the first time, loved it the next two times. I think I was too young the first time to get it. Love it.
Anne of Green Gables is PERFECt for when you're sick or depressed. Its chirpy and sweet and light fun.
I did not at all enjoy Sophie's World, but I had to read it for high school and keep a journal and I was supposed to read it in French. If you can stand philosophy (and I can't) you'll get something from it.
Tell me how it all goes!!!!!
I love book reviews!
A Tale of Two Cities is probably the only Dickens novel I will have ever read. I liked it but it felt very dark. Not dark, like ominous, dark like I wanted to wash the walls and install new lighting for all the characters.
Sense and Sensibility the book is way better than any movie adaptation out there. I hate every one I've seen, but I really liked the book. I was on an Austin kick a couple summers ago and it was one of my top 2.
The Blind Assassin I've never finished but I've somehow started it twice. That is one that I would definitely finish reading. I like Margaret Atwood, though -- The Handmaids Tale and The Robber Bride. I'd also like to read Oryx and Crake
The Fountainhead is an interesting read. Hard to explain, but I felt like she was mocking the reader at points. Definitely read it. I don't think I could read it a second time, though.
Good luck with your book list!
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