Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the bloggers of The Broke and the Bookish. This is a rewind week, so I decided to visit a topic from a few weeks ago that I never answered: the top ten books I had to buy, but, for some reason or another, haven't read yet.
Before blogging, I used to be really good about this. I always had a few books on my shelf that I had not read, but that was it. I decided to limit my list to physical books, because my Kindle library is ridiculous and I have such a lack of willpower over $1.99 deals. I also didn't include books I've received as gifts, unless I specifically asked for them.
The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier — I've read the majority of Marillier's books now, and none compare to her original Sevenwaters trilogy (which I only just got myself recently). I read and own her The Light Isles duology, Wolfskin and Foxmask, and was a little underwhelmed. This is the first book in The Bridei Chronicles and I just haven't been as excited to start this yet. Maybe that will change soon.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo — I absolutely love the musical. I saw a production in Philadelphia back in high school, had many friends obsessed with this story/musical, and had all the songs basically memorized, so when I saw a used copy for sale, I knew that I had to own it. It's just so intimidating. I know I'll need a solid month at least to devote almost entirely to reading this book. Eventually it'll happen.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell — I bought this years ago promptly after being introduced by friends to her World War II novel, A Thread of Grace, and absolutely loving it (highly recommended, by the way). The Sparrow is a more futuristic story and has gotten quite a bit of praise, but for some reason I haven't been able to really get into this story. I've started it twice already, but, since I haven't been able to finish it yet, I'm counting it here.
Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott — This was the first book I bought when I started my blog. It was a really good price at my local used book store and was a "Cinderella" retelling. I really didn't need any more reasons than that, but I also knew that bloggers I follow loved it. And yet for some reason I still haven't managed to find the time to read it.
Rapunzel and Other Maiden in the Tower Tales from Around the World by Heidi Anne Heiner — I just had to buy this to help me with my personal WIP writing. Have I even opened it yet? Of course not. I don't expect to read this all at once, but I do hope that I can start reading bits and pieces here and there (because then that means that I'll also be working on my WIP again!).
Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm by Philip Pullman — Grimms fairy tales compiled and annotated by none other than Philip Pullman? This is a combination made of win, and I knew I had to have it. As with Heiner's work, I intend to read it in bits and pieces. I need to make myself get into a more scholarly mood. Hopefully that can happen soon.
Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta — At least I have a good reason for not reading this! I read Finnikin of the Rock last January and really enjoyed it but was reluctant to read Froi of the Exiles since I really disliked the character Froi. But I've heard such good things since then and decided I just had to own this trilogy. I'm going to read Froi, but I want to wait until I also own Quintana of Charyn so I can do an epic Lumatere Chronicles reading.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor — I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone so much that I had to buy my own copy of the first and the second, which had just released. I guess I bought in to the initial hype and wanted to own this book, yet I wanted to wait a little while before reading it and posting my own review, since I kept seeing reviews everywhere for it. It's been a few months now though, so I think it's about time to return to Karou and Akiva's story.
At least I have intentions to read most of these in the near future. Let's hope these intentions eventually turn into actions!
Please let me know what previous top ten list you focused on this week!
Please let me know what previous top ten list you focused on this week!
Oh this is a great topic. I remember doing this topic and looking at my own shelves and then just kind of being like oh.my.goodness. because I don't feel bad at all about buying the books I have, but I had so many that I had forgotten about!
ReplyDeleteFrom your stack, Days of Blood and Starlight shows up on MY list today - which is my wish-list. It is quite funny, actually, because I have three copies of Smoke and Bone. Go figure!
Yes, I know what you mean! I don't feel guilty about books I have either because I almost never make spur of the moment book buying decisions (unless they're super cheap...and Kindle books are another animal I don't even want to try to tackle). But still! So many books to read, so little time!
DeleteAnd lol I read your list before. That is funny. You need to get Days of Blood and Starlight! :)
hahaha same thing happened to me with Days of Blood and Starlight too! It is almost a sickness you get once you become a blogger... you WANT ALL THE BOOKS! Just their isn't enough time in the day and always newer and shinier books to read.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I've definitely spent more money on books over the past year than ever before. Although strangely I've also become more selective in what books I actually want to buy vs borrow.
DeleteI've only read DotF and SotS by Marillier, but I really LOVED DotF and I recently finished Wolfskin and loved that as well. Foxmask is what I'm planning to read soon and I'm sorry this duology underwhelmed you. I hope The Dark Mirror trilogy is better for you - I'm looking forward to your thoughts on those.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just LOVED Froi of the Exiles and Days of Blood and Starlight as well as Shadows on the Moon, which did have a few flaws for me. I really hope you enjoy it, though. :)
Thank you, Keertana! I may return to Wolfskin and Foxmask at some point to see if I like them better now. Though if I'm spending time reading any Marillier right now, I'd prefer it to be Sevenwaters again. :)
DeleteI haven't heard of Mary Doria Russell, and I'll have to check out her books. As for Froi of the Exiles, I found that book to be tiresome and not half as good as Finnikin of the Rock, but I hope you like it more. I also want to read Les Miserables but I don't know if it will ever happen because, as you said, the size is intimidating. It will mean a huge commitment. I also have Pullman's Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm. Maybe, we could read a few together. And you definitely need to read Days of Blood and Starlight pronto, girl.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed that your books seem to be mainly black and grey except for one red and two white. Maybe, you just avoided the more somber colored books on your shelf because you're optimistic? :P
Read A Thread of Grace! Read it! Better yet, I'll re-read it as you read it. I definitely need to return back to that story. :) And yes! Readalong for Pullman's tales too lol.
DeleteHuh. That is weird. Maybe it's just that more serious books generally don't have brighter/lighter covers? And we all know I prefer my books more serious.
You must read Days of Blood and Starlight and Froi of the Exiles!! I hope they blow your mind as much as they did mine. I have only read a few Marillier books and am jealous of how many you've read. I must fix that soon! Great topic.
ReplyDeleteI will! Very soon, hopefully. As for Marillier, I'm a little jealous of you. There aren't as many books of hers I haven't read, which is sad in its own regard. I'm not sure how I feel about her new series being for a YA audience, since I think she does adult fantasy so well. Maybe I'll change my mind though.
DeleteSo I've added some of these to my TBR list, but I have to say, I don't think Froi of the Exiles or Days of Blood and Starlight will disappoint!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! I can't wait to read those two!
DeleteYou must read Froi, Amanda!! I didn't like him in Finnikin either but everything changed in that one! Plus you meet my all-time favorite couple of the series: Lucien and Phaedra! :)
ReplyDeleteI have heard about those two. I will read it soon. Just need to get my hands on a copy of Quintana first because I have a feeling that once I start this series I won't want to stop!
DeleteWell, I can't fault you for *having* to buy that bunch of books, they're all so incredible. FROI absolutely crushed all my expectations and elevated me to a level of Marchetta worship that I had heretofore thought impossible. Plus, it's a doorstopper, which is always a good thing when it comes to a fantasy. :)
ReplyDeleteOh definitely! You know my thoughts on chunky fantasy books. :) I cannot imagine how much higher my love of Marchetta can be elevated, but I'll see soon enough!
DeleteOof I would have hundreds to put on this list! Bahaha. Days of Blood and Starlight was really good bu I liked book 1 more. I also see you're reading Shadow of Blackbirds! Eep! I just bought this one this weekend and it's my next read I'm so excited! This is one that won't end up on a list like this in a few months lol
ReplyDeletehaha well I'd have tons and tons more if I included my Kindle books. :) And really? That's interesting since I thought most people liked book 2 more. I guess I'll have to see where I fall! And yes. It's been a slow read for me - but not through any fault of the book. It's beautifully written and I anticipate really enjoying it when I have some time to properly devote to it!
DeleteShadows on the Moon is SO SO good. I hope you love it!!! Also, I'm going to be reading the Marchetta fantasy series soon and I am very excited!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read it! As well as Marchetta's series! :)
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