Hello, 2015!
By Mirah W. (mwelday)
Every year it seems more and more things get in my way as I try to get through my ‘to be read’ shelves. At present count I have 6 shelves (about 80 books) on my living room bookcases of books I want to read. I can’t stop myself from getting more books, even though I already have plenty. And based on some of the fellow PBSers I know, I don’t think I’m alone in this affliction. I have several books that have moved to the top of my ‘to read’ list. Here are my top 5 I hope to get to this year:
1) All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – This novel is a National Book Award finalist and I enjoy books about World War II so this book quickly made the list. A young French girl and a German boy become connected while trying to survive the atrocities of the war. I’ve heard from others that the novel is beautifully written and reviews indicate it is well-researched.
2) Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult – Picoult has written another best seller and in her typical style, she has the readers guessing and doubting what they would do when faced with questions of conscious. A mother disappears and a daughter lives her life constantly wondering about her mother and questioning if she was abandoned by choice.
3) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion – The sequel to the funny and insightful The Rosie Project. The first book was a great reminder that love can be a reality for everyone. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and can’t wait to see what happens to them in the next stage of their relationship.
4) Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin – I am totally behind the times. It seems everyone has read the books or watched the TV show except me! Several friends and my husband have all recommended the series and I’ve yet to read book one. Time to catch up, I think.
5) Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell – Every year I try to read at least one classic and I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while. I am a huge fan of the BBC mini-series and love the characters created by Gaskell. The plot is full of misunderstood characters, unrequited love, and a questioning of the standard roles of men and women.
Hopefully I’ll be able to get to all of these (and many more) this year. Fingers crossed! I’d love to know what books you have on your ‘to read’ list for the coming year; please share your top picks in the comments, I may want to add some of your choices to my list! Happy reading in 2015!
Hi Mirah W.
I truly can feel your pain in this matter! I only wish that I had but 80 books to choose from in my bookcases. I am unsure of my count but I know it is a couple of hundred at the least. I have not chosen my top five books though to read in 2015 but I think it is a wonderful idea to have a set plan of action. I have just been finishing one book and browsing through my books to see which book next jumps out at me. And yes I too continue to order more books. I am beginning to feel like a book hoarder. I guess there are worse things I could be. May we both be blessed to read those books that we are in need of reading this year.
Deanna
It is comforting to know that I am not the only book hoarder. Today I started “Infinity” (Chronicles of Nick) by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I also have “Games of Thrones” waiting for me, as well as “The House on Durrow Street” by Galen Beckett, “Certain Girls” by Jennifer Weiner, and “Come Home” by Lisa Scottoline to name just the 5 you asked about. I have shelves and drawers filled with books waiting to be read.
Some good choices though I have not read any of them myself. However, probably would not read Game of Thrones, for sure, or Leaving Time, just a genre I choose to avoid. But, like you, my list keeps growing. I TRY very hard NOT to buy books, just use the library. I use goodreads.com to keep my Lists: Read, Reading, Want to Read, and Want to is now up to 400+!!! Thank goodness I’m not buying them!! (Not to say that I don’t have stacks anyway!! ha) Anyway, I get most of my leads from Bookpage (hardcopy from the Library), the Sunday newspaper, and friends/family. And then, guess what, don’t take it to the library and get ones that are totally not on my list! LOL The library has revamped their patron account page and taken out the Wish List but will be restoring it soon, so maybe that will help. I kind of have a philosophy of serendipity and figure that whichever book I pick up, whenever, and wherever, is the one I’m supposed to be reading. And I never fail to learn something that usually just fits or helps with whatever I am dealing with. Karma.
To Many Books – Too Little Time
DeAnna…no doubt there are worse things to be other than a book hoarder. We’re usually pretty nice people. 🙂
Audrey…I’ve never read Kenyon’s books but I have a couple of friends who really enjoy her books. I’m curious what you’ll think of Certain Girls. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a favorite of mine; I think Weiner has written better novels.
Sheila…I use goodreads.com as well. I like to be able to see what other people recommend based on books I’ve read and liked.
Thanks for your comments!!
[…] this year, I picked my top 5 books to read in 2015 (see Hello, 2015! blog post) and All the Light We Cannot See was at the top of my list. This book was quite the […]