Every last time I create a TBR, I fail to follow it. At least, that’s how it feels. I think one time, for a readathon, I read some of the books I said I’d read. Sort of?
Point is, I want to read a ton of books. Literally, one entire ton. So many that I can’t even keep track of them. It is not possible. Or maybe the part that’s impossible is actually reading all the books I want to read.
It’s like…
Still, in a fit of wild optimism, I’m going to write a list of books I want to read. Let’s not call it a TBR because expectations. Some of these books are soon-to-be released, so I don’t want to forget to look out for them. Maybe I’ll read them all. Possibly. Or I’ll read other ones.
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series #3) by Rick Riordan
This one will be released on Oct. 3. I have been waiting for it since approximately Oct. 10, 2016, when I finished reading the newly released book two in the series. Yes, I read books written for 12 year old boys with such enthusiasm that I pay attention to release dates. What’s your point?
Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities Series #6) by Shannon Messenger
Here’s another fantasy novel for young readers I’m looking forward to. My friend Jessica told me about this series, and I inhaled the first five books. That was last fall, 2016. Book six comes out on Nov. 11. So as with the above, I’ve been waiting a year for this. No pressure, Shannon Messenger.
Theogony and Works and Days by Hesiod
I know, right? It’s so embarrassing that I haven’t read these yet. They’re, like, the beginning of everything, Ancient Greek literature-wise. I shouldn’t have bought the Oxford World Classic edition. The font is so small and densely packed.
Chasing Odysseus by Sulari Gentill
I need to stay off of Goodreads. But I didn’t, and I won’t. So yeah, here’s another YA novel based on Greek myths that I’m going to *need* to read. At some point.
The Wisdom of the Myths: How Greek Mythology can Change Your Life by Luc Ferry
Again, this is Goodreads’ fault. I think? Actually, I no longer remember where I saw this title. But you know it evoked a string of heart-eyes smiley face emojis, of which I will spare you. You’re welcome.
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
I meant to read this recently but then got distracted by … I don’t know. Some other book, I guess.
Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult by Bruce Handy
I love the idea of this. As you may have guessed, given most of the contemporary books I read are middle grade novels. I love books about books.
Eva Luna by Isabel Allende
I love her writing, and this title is on the Gilmore Girls Reading Challenge list. Conveniently, I also happen to own a copy.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Also on the Gilmore Girls reading list. Also own a copy of it. Cherry on the sundae: I loved this book as a kid but have not read it as an adult.
A Time of Love and Tartan (44 Scotland Street Series #12) by Alexander McCall Smith
This one doesn’t come out until Feb. 6, 2018. But I’ll choose to be thankful another book is on the way because I love this series.
So that’s my not-a-TBR. For now. So dear readers, which of these books have you read? Any you recommend I start with?
Howdy
I love the gifs! That’s exactly how I feel. I want them ALL, brouhahahaha. It may be an incurable disease. #BookHoarders. Let’s just face it. My name is Benjamin, and I’m a bookhoarder. See, not so bad, eh?
You would be utterly shocked if you saw how many books I’ve bought this year. Yikes! I keep piling, and piling, and piling onto the dreaded TBR list. I simply can’t resist a good looking book on sale, or an upcoming release 🙂
I’ve been considering revamping the book hoarders challenge since happily failed thus far, hah! By the way, I’ve heard good things about Alexander McCall’s work.
See ya
Hi! You know that I am fairly unrepentant about my incurable book hoarding ways. I think it’s partly all that e-reading I do: I don’t actually see the books, with my eyeballs, so it never seems quite as bad as it is!
I really enjoy the 44 Scotland Street series. I can’t think of another adult series I’ve read that is as long. After 11 books, I’m so attached to the characters!
The title of this made me chuckle – and you make me want to get organized and write down my own not-TBR list, rather than just having an unorganized number of bookmarks of websites and online bookstore pages mentioning books I want to read (yes, I am a (not) TBR hot mess).
In terms of what to read first, I love the idea of that book about reading children’s fiction as an adult, personally. But if you want something poetic and dramatic and magical, “Eva Luna” is one of my favorite books…although also one I need to re-read. I LOVED it back in the day. I hope you’ll think it’s glorious, too.
Also, on a non-book-related note, thanks for the “Lucy” gif. It’s a busy day here, but she always makes me smile. I need to re-watch some episodes of “I Love Lucy” when I’m not trying to find time to check out some of the books youv’e inspired me to read and re-read!
Thank you, Alysa! Yes, that is exactly why I wrote this. I had random lists in random places, photos on my phone I took weeks ago. I wanted to remember some of these books and be able to actually locate the list where I wrote them down, ha.
I’m going to prioritize Eva Luna. I read another of her books earlier this year and loved her writing style.
And finally, I have to add: I’m so glad Lucy makes you smile. My grandma didn’t speak English, but she loved watching Lucy. The physical comedy translated even without the words. I always remember my grandma laughing while watching I Love Lucy reruns. 🙂
One day maybe I’ll actually be determined enough to read specifically from my TBR but I keep getting distracted by pretty books!
I only know of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan but I’ve seen from your posts that you’re a big fan of the author. Is this series in the same universe?
Just wondering what kind of Greek literature you like to read (if you even limit yourself to genres). I took a Classics course back in undergrad and we read Aristotle’s Politics, Herodotus’ Histories, and Plutarch’s Lives – do you read these historical texts or prefer the mythology? (Most of those went over my head, especially Politics!)
Hi Sam! I really do love Riordan’s books. They’re so silly and fun. Percy Jackson was the first series based on Greek myth. In that same world is the Heroes of Olympus series (which is Greek and Roman mythology coming together) and Trials of Apollo (which is the newest and has Apollo being sent to Earth to live as a mortal). He has a few other series as well. From those, the one I’ve been reading is Magnus Chase, based on Norse mythology. I also loved his books on the Greek Gods and Greek Heroes, narrated in the voice of Percy Jackson – such a hoot!
I find Greek mythology fascinating and love seeing how the stories adapt and change over the centuries. I like seeing what’s done with the stories in different genres and time periods. I do read the histories for context, though not as much, and contemporary books about Ancient Greece as well. So I think the answer is I prefer the myths but try to read some of the other texts as well 🙂 I’d sit around reading it all day long, if I could!