What books are on your to read list right now?
The recent signs of spring have me extra energized to tackle my To Be Read Pile. I’m a pretty avid reader, and I recently discovered the blog, The Broke and the Bookish, who hosts a Top Ten list every Tuesday focused on various book themes. Today we’re talking about the Top Ten Books On Our Spring To Be Read List. I don’t know about you, but I have the hardest time whittling down what book to read next because I want to read All. The. Books!!^$?!
If I drink All. The. Coffee. I will never have to sleep again!
I can just read and read and read and read…
Hmm, maybe not.
But here are the Top Ten Books on my Spring To Be Read List:
1. Persuasion by Jane Austen
The last of Jane Austen’s six novels I have yet to read. Once I finish the story of Anne Eliot I will have completed her most well known works and can move on to some of her novellas like Sandition and Lady Susan. Judging from the film versions I’ve seen (many times), Captain Wentworth is indeed worth waiting for.
2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Claimed as the new Eleanor & Park meets The Fault in our Stars, I’ve been hungry to read this book for awhile but busy finishing up some other titles. I even bought this one in hardcover. I don’t even really like hardcover. I’m a paperback girl. I just wanted to read this one that badly. It’s the story of two teens – one a total loner who contemplates death and looks to the future with a strict eye, the other a free spirit who lives in the moment and sees life as an adventure. Their worlds are about to collide. I want to find out what happens!
3. Cress by Marissa Meyer
The third book in The Lunar Chronicles; I’m committed now. I absolutely loved the first book, Cinder. I thought the second book, Scarlet, was ok. But friends assure me that Cress is worth the read. A futuristic spinoff of classic fairytales, this is the continuing adventure of a cyborg named Cinder who is on the run after the evil Lunar Queen, Levana, has a call out for her head and plans to marry the good-intentioned Emperor Kai. With the help of some fellow misfits, will Cinder overtake Levana before the Queen takes over their world?
4. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
It’s been too long since I’ve read any Neil Gaiman and I must remedy that. What’s more intriguing than a pond that becomes an ocean? As a middle-aged man returns home for a funeral, he is reminded of the people he grew up with and the stories they each told.
5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Bestseller in the early 2000’s, all my friends read this one, but I didn’t. I was afraid I couldn’t handle the subject matter. But this winter I happened upon the book in a Little Free Library near my house and decided it was time I checked it out. Despite its serious subject matter, I’m really looking forward to reading this one.
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Long before there was Christian Grey, the leading man with the wealth and power was Dorian Gray. A favorite old film of mine, the black and white version of course, I’m excited to read the novel for the first time. This title was selected by my book club as our classic this year and I’m really looking forward to our discussion.
7. The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless
Another book I had to get in hardcover because I couldn’t wait. I’m a huge fan of author Jon Krakauer, who wrote Into the Wild, the story of Chris McCandless. Now, Chris’s sister, Carine, has written her own telling of her family’s history and the days leading up to her brother’s nomadic life.
8. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
A few years ago I had a year of comedy, where half of the books I read were humorous memoirs. I think this year may be my year of YA. I’ve got so many young adult books on my list. And one of them is Eleanor & Park. Even the colored pencil sketch cover looks like spring to me. How could I possibly say no to a love story between two misfit teens when the leading lady has red hair?
9. Wildalone by Krassi Zourkova
I’m not shy about admitting the fact that I disliked Jane Eyre. I know, I know, such sacrilege from an English major! What can I say? I’m more of a Heathcliffe/Wuthering Heights kinda girl. However, I really enjoyed This House is Haunted which is an adaptation of Jane Eyre, and Wildalone has some notes of Eyre as well. I do enjoy a good paranormal read and this one seems intriguing!
10. The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
I’m embarrassed to admit how long this beautiful book has sat on my TBR shelf. It’s been an alternate in the TBR Challenge for 2 years and since I never had to use my alternates I didn’t get to it. This year I made it part of my challenge, determined to finally read it. I love the idea that the lead character can see ghosts by cooking up recipes from them. And this is what sets her off on a journey of family secrets.
*****
That’s my Top 10 books to read this spring.
What titles are on your spring list?
Jess Witkins' Happiness Project 
The only book on this list I’ve read is The Picture of Dorian Gray. I thought I would try something literary, and I love the actual story, but I hated the writing. So stiff. I guess I just don’t like the old classics. 😦
Right now, I’m trying to read everything I can by Blake Crouch. I’m also reading a lot of stuff by my indie author peers since I feel like I need to support them. But, if Stephen King publishes anything, I’m on that like a duck on a June bug! (Can you tell I’m from the south???)
So, I have no idea what my Top 10 will be
It’s hard to narrow down isn’t it? What did you think of Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep? I need to read The Shining first, don’t I?
I liked Dr. Sleep. You wouldn’t HAVE to read The Shining first, but I think it would be helpful.
“The Lovely Bones” is one of the best books ever. Love it. Yes, the subject matter is dark, but Sebold writes so beautifully and compassionately you can’t help but be drawn right in.
I’m curious about “The Wild Truth.” Loved the movie “Into the Wild” – let us know how that is when you finally get around to it!
Will do! I’m a Krakauer fan for sure. Excited to hear this side of the story. You should follow Jon Krakauer on Instagram, he’s got cool travel stuff.
I read “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” and really enjoyed it… a very interesting read. I think it would be a great book for discussion at book club!!
I’d love to read a Neil Gaiman book with book club!
CRESS! I recently read Fairest, the novella of Queen Levana’s prequel story. It was good, but I still think Cress might be my favorite.
I’m reading a bunch of YA fun contemps this spring (my writing genre). Titles on my list include AUDREY, WAIT! by Robin Benway (Audrey dumps her boyfriend, then he writes a song about her that becomes a hit and rockets her to unwanted stardom–how weird would that be?); ANGEL, THONGS, AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING by Louise Rennison (described as a YA in the spirit of Bridget Jones’s Diary, I keep meaning to read this one!); GOING VINTAGE by Lindsey Leavitt (and I’ll be honest; the cover sold me).
Oh, but I loved Jane Eyre and thought Wuthering Heights was…um… Never mind. We shouldn’t get into it! LOL.
You keep your Mr. Rochester, I’ll keep my Heathcliffe.
I totally want to read The Wild Truth! Can’t wait to see what you think of it. I’ve just joined a book club and we are reading Villette by Charlotte Bronté for our April meeting. I’d never heard of it, as it is one of the lesser known ones, but I am so looking forward to it. Happy reading!
Enjoy your new book club, Liz! Keep me posted on what other titles you all read. I’ll let you know what I think of The Wild Truth.
Ooh The Wild Truth looks great. I love “Into the Wild” and just finished “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed (maybe they need to spend a little more time on their titles, though…) and highly recommend it!
I’ve read Wild. I liked it too. What’s next up on your list? Call of the Wild perhaps? 😉
I’m reading book #8 in the Master & Commander Series, “The Ionian Mission” by Patrick O’Brian in e-form on the nook in the car on the way to work; at bedtime, “The Town & The City” by Jack Kerouac in book form. Otherwise, keeping up with periodicals that show up at my house! There are so many!!!
Oooh Kerouac! Sounds perfect for this time of year.
[…] read 7 out of 10 books on my spring ‘to be read’ list which isn’t bad in less than 3 months time. My favorite thus far has to be Wildalone by […]