Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Summer Reading List

I've done this in summers past and I've been interested to see what I actually do end up reading--no, I don't expect to actually be able to read all of these, but I like to have some in mind so I don't have a big crisis over what to pick up next.

This list is in No Particular Order and Subject To Change. That said, if you have something to say about any of these titles (either to bump it up or push it down or add it), please comment!

To Be Read summer 2009:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Because I LOVE the new movie and for some strange reason I haven't read this book yet. And I have decided that this deficiency MUST BE CURED.
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zuzak. For Shanelle. And Lots Of Others who say it is good.
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. Everybody else is doing it! I'll give in to peer pressure! However, I've glanced through a few pages and it looks like its in present tense. I am most definitely and unashamedly PREJUDICED AGAINST BOOKS WRITTEN IN PRESENT TENSE. I've tried a few, got impatient with all of them and stopped reading.
Graceling, by Kristin Cashore, because I've Heard Good Things.
Dandelion Wine by ray Bradbury because apparently it is Excellent.
I think I'd like to try some Patrick O'Brien, see if I prefer it to Horatio Hornblower, which was fun but didn't thrill me.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, because I don't know how many people have told me to read this, I've just never happened to pick it up. yet.
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, for Annilyn. Though I think I might try the book on CD route for this one, since I'll be working on a computer at work and I might as well hear a story while I draw, right?
Anna Karinena by Leo Tolstoy, while we're on the subject of Very Long Classics, and lets throw on a couple more for Good Measure.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens, because I believe I need to read More Dickens and apparently this is a Good One.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, because I started reading this in three times and got bored, but haven't tried again since middle school. Time for another try, I think.
Ben Hur by Lewis Wallace, because, well, why not?
The Once and Future King by T. H. White, because I've decided I am Not Knowledgeable Enough about Arthurian Ledgends
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, because I think I've put Too Many Very Long Classics on this list
I think I'd like to at least try some of Kenneth Oppel's books, maybe the Airborn books.
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt, because it looked like it might be fun
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier because pretty sure Vermeer was a cool dude. And I'd like to see the movie, but only after reading the book.
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, because apparently it is Made Of Awesome.
More Diana Wynne Jones in general, because she is awesome, I think I will try The Game
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor looked like it might be interesting, and I happen to have an ARC of the third book, so...
Savvy, The Underneath, and A Curse Dark As Gold, because I think I'd like to keep up with those ALA awards. I'd also like to start chipping away at that Newbery list, and eventually at least try reading all of them, Kira, Kira, The Westing Game and A Single Shard are a few that look interesting.
I'd like to read some more graphic novels, because this medium is seriously growing on me (I mean, long picture books with compex [ish] plots and cool artwork? I am so there!) I'm not quite sure where to go for these, but I think I'd like to try the Bone books, I'll have to look around for others that look interesting too. I think I've heard that there are Nausicaa graphic novels? Maybe I could find me some of those...
(Some more I've thought of:)
Til We Have Faces by C S Lewis
Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
the Lord Peter Whimsey Books
Some Terry Prachett, though I'm not entirely sure where to start with him

re-reads:
The Princess Bride, by William Goldman, because its hilarious
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, dunno whether I'll actually get around to this tome, but it is a funny one
The Chosen and/or My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emma Orczy
Harry Potters 2-6 before the movie comes out





I plan to come back and edit this list later, but these are the titles that are coming to mind at the moment.

8 comments:

Deedles said...

Awesome book list! I hope you like Girl With a Pearl Earring, I love both the book and the movie.

Shanelle said...

Yay for Book Thief! I know you'll read it first, right? Right? ;-)

Jones Family said...

Ok- this is a great list, and it gave me a ton of ideas on what to read next!

I LOVE Dandelion Wine and pretty much all Ray Bradbury stuff. Poisonwood Bible was great-but got kinda long winded toward the end. Girl with a Pearl Earring was a quick read- but pretty interesting. I guess I put too much stock in all they hype to be thrilled with it.
The Westing Game is an all time favorite of mine.

I can't wait to hear what you think...will you post a mini-review once you've read a few on your list?

emily jean said...

I am a fan of a mini review--in fact you should create your own book review blog where you review books after you are done reading them! I would follow that blog for certain.
Question--I have been thinking about reading Book of a Thousand Days--would you recommend it? I am on this Robin McKinley/Shannon Hale bash you see.
And about Jane Eyre--I really liked it when I read it, but it gets really really tedious and happening free from about the middle of the book until the last couple of chapters, so feel free to skip to the end if you think it is getting boring...

emily jean said...

yeah me again, I almost forgot: I just read Mara Daughter of the Nile and I really loved it, you should add it to (the begining of) your reading list. It is not in the present tense.

annilyns said...

Westing Game was my favorite book back in the day...like 5th grade. I think that was the same year they made us read Dandelion Wine...I hate that book, probably only because it was forced upon me. Jane Eyre is a good book. Count of Monte Cristo hooray!!! I'm thinking I want to name a girl Valentine after that book. To Kill a Mockingbird is awesome. Et Le Petit Price!!! Better in French but cute in English too.

brynn said...

So I honestly can't believe that you've never read Jane Eyre. I hope you love it! Also, thanks for giving To Kill A Mockingbird another chance. It's my all-time favorite. Plus, when you're done, you must come over to see the movie because Gregory Peck is an amazing Atticus Finch!

aly said...

Add the Bronze Bow to the list. You could read it in a sitting!! I really loved this book.

Yay for the new job- what is it exactly?

Alyson