Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Top Ten Books I Want to Read This Autumn


So my participation in Top Ten Tuesday is very random, depending on the appeal of the topic, and this time the topic is pretty appealing (mainly because I love autumn and I love lists), so I decided to do it. The meme is hosted by folks at The Broke and the Bookish, go check 'em out for more information.
 
It was easy to make this list because I am kind of hoping to get a lot of reading done this autumn, and I am already on a good path thanks to RIP VIII event. There is also the 24-hour readathon coming in October, so the reading scene looks pretty shiny indeed.
 
All the books are from my already existing shelves, 'cos that's how I roll (I really like to prioritise the books I already own, which is why I also find these lists and events very helpful).
 
 
 
1. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James -  short, spooky and classic.
2. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - I failed to re-read this during the reading slump I had in summer, and actually this is autumn book instead anyway.
3. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen - I mentally added this to RIP VIII list because it's appropriate and there's a readalong coming in October, and also it's a small book.
4. Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb - I actually read a bit of this one recently at the point when I was between the books, and it was really good! Ships that are alive? Crazy. But potentially awesome.
5. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde - I loooove Fforde's Thursday Next books and after having seen a few good things about this book, I just decided to check it out. Curious to see how Fforde writes other things!
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker - it's going to be the Halloween read.
7. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) - so yes, this is bad, but I have never read those books. I just finished the first one last night. When I saw the news of the 15th anniversary edition covers in spring, I decided to get the series in autumn because I really love these covers. So I now own the first three books and will get the rest as well.
8. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - just because I want to read it.
9. NW by Zadie Smith - I still have a few Women's Prize books on my shelf, and I want to get done with the shortlist by the end of this year. (Shortlist minus Hilary Mantel's book that is since I just couldn't get into Wolf Hall, at all...)
10. Bullerby lapsed (Barnen i Bullerbyn, The Children of Noisy Village) by Astrid Lindgren - this is the star book of my childhood, probably. Well I had piles of favourites, but the very favourite must come from among Lindgren books, and it's probably this one. And I want to read it again (I think the number of my re-reads of this book must be over 30 by now).
 
Let's break it down:
* 5 Classics Club books
* 3 RIP VIII books
* 3 fantasy books (yay!)
* 1 Women's Prize book
* 1 children's book

22 comments:

  1. I couldn't get into Shades of Grey which was odd as I loved the Nursery Crimes & Thursday series. Dracula is fantastic - first three chapters are boring though. Northanger Abbey is such a tongue in cheek homage to the gothic novel. I loved it. Here's my TTT
    Vilia @ Backchatting Books

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems people are pretty divided on Shades of Grey, some like it but some don't at all. The premise is appealing for me personally so I'm hoping for the best!

      Delete
  2. There are four Astrid Lindgren books on our 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, but not this one. So glad that you are such a fan!

    Here's my list of Top Ten Books I Can't Wait to Read This Fall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad Anstrid Lindgren is valued, her stories are so lovely and warm and simple.

      Delete
  3. Excellent fall selection. I've read quite a few of those books. The ones that jump out at me the most are: The Turn of the Screw, so creepy and awesome, and the Harry Potter series. I hope you enjoy them all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope to get through Harry Potter number 3 in October.

      Delete
  4. Oooooo I like the numbers on the books! Cute.

    Um YAY for The Poisonwood Bible, HP, and Northanger Abbey. Shades of Grey was the first Fforde book I ever tried and I never finished it... maybe now that I'm used to his writing style thanks to the TN books, I should try it again. Can't wait to see what you think!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah we'll see how it goes with Shades of Grey, the premise is itriguing but anything can happen. I'm sure hoping to like it though.

      Delete
  5. I love Shades of Grey, I think I like it more than Thursday Next. I've been waiting so long for the sequel (it's planned 2015 I think, waaaah).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love it that opinions are so different on Shades of Grey. I'm also curious about the other series that Fforde has written, aside from Thursday Next (which I'm also reading and loving).

      Delete
  6. I read the Hobb's Assassin trilogy, and her Tawny Man trilogy, but somehow completely missed the middle Ship of Magic trilogy. I keep meaning to go back to that. I've heard it's great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually would also have gone straight to Tawny Man trilogy if it hadn't been for my finacee who pointed out that the Liveship books come next, so I picked these up and am very glad I did, all this ship business is fascinating.

      Delete
  7. That's a great pile of books :)

    I would love to hear what you think of NW! I've only read On Beauty by Zadie Smith before, but I've been tempted by NW many a time in bookshops. I'm not sure if that's due to the cover or the plot itself though...

    I could also really do with some Milan Kundera re-reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a bit scared of NW, I haven't read anything from Zadie Smith before and I read a few first pages from NW and it was a bit confusing... But I'll definitely give it a go, it's not that big of a book anyway to take that big of time investment.

      Delete
  8. What a great list and so very autumnal. I can't imagine anything better than reading Northanger abbey or Turn of the Screw in Autumn. I hope you enjoy!

    I look forward to your thoughts on NW. I am too still making my way through the list but this one I find very intimidating so I'm not sure i'll ever get to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NW is a bit intimidating :) Thanks, I'm sure I'll be enjoying most of the autumn reads (and The Moonstone!).

      Delete
  9. Yessss to Shades of Grey! It's really good. Not as funny as Fforde's Thursday Next series BUT STILL. Excellent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah glad to see another vote for the book :) I'll be picking it up soon!

      Delete
  10. Great stack! I've been meaning to read Kundera's the Unbearable Lightness of Being for ages, lol. Hope you enjoy it! :)

    - Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This book was SO GOOD! (Of course since it was a re-read I already knew it but still.) I strongly recommend it for those moments when you might want a bit more philosophical fiction and ponder about things.

      Delete
  11. Oh! Didn't know about that Astrid Lindgren title. It's definitely going on my list!

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment if you feel like it - it warms my little bookish heart. :)