Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
This was going to be my Christmas read until I decided to read A Christmas Carol with Billy. I've also got Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones on my TBR shelf which will make a good companion read.
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
I love reading about Virginia Woolf but it's years since I read any of her novels. If my memory serves me correctly, this is the 'easiest' one.
Special Topic in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
I have definitely read this book, but have no recollection of it whatsoever.
This Book Will Change Your Life by A.M. Homes
I loved this novel when I read it, I remember thinking that it was really life-affirming and optimistic.
Solomon Gursky Was Here by Mordecai Richler
An old, old favourite that I haven't read for years and years.
The Book and the Brotherhood by Iris Murdoch
I remember buying this book when I was in my late teens. I didn't (and still don't) buy new hardback books because they are too expensive, but for some reason on this occasion I did. I remember the thrill of buying it.
I may re-read other books but I definitely will try to read these six.
I have noticed with my reading that I rarely go back to an author, (unless they've written a series) even if I really like them. There are so many new books coming out all the time that I want to read. I'm working my way through Agatha Christie's books, but that could take decades! So this year I'm going to pick an author and try and read more of their work. And the author I've chosen is......... Hilary Mantel. It's not a challenge to try and read everything she's ever written, just to keep and eye open in the library and on ReadItSwapIt for books by her.
I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas. Best wishes for the New Year.
So amazing to me that VW is considered 'classic' but of course she is. I guess to me, she is so brand new and amazingly fresh that I can hardly believe she wrote that long ago. How I love her work.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea about picking out an author and reading more of her work.
"To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf is my favorite book. I have read it many times and I never tire of the beautiful writing, the stream of consciousness style, the relationships in the Ramsay family, all the characters, the themes, and the reality of so many things that the characters think about. Because the book is autobiographical it is also valuable to read the biography of Virginia Woolf by Quentin Bell, if you haven't already. VW's parents and family are absolutely fascinating. "To the Lighthouse" is a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your entire list, what great books!
I'm so glad that someone else reads books then forgets them completely! I did this just recently, even ordered a book off the internet and it wasn't until I'd got to about page 20 that I realised why it seemed familiar and why I didn't have it on the shelves - I'd given it to charity as it was so dull.
ReplyDeleteI plan to read a Dickens this year just need to decide which one!
ReplyDeleteI have got Wolf Hall on the shelf to read and still not done so, perhaps another one for 2012!
Nan - I hope I come to feel about Virginia Woolf the way you do. She's an author I've always wanted to like, but somehow have never got to grips with.
ReplyDeleteSunday - I hadn't realised that To The Lighthouse was autobiographical. I have Quentin Bell's biography on my shelves, it's a long time since I read it so I'll pull it out and add it to the re-read list.
Victoria - That's funny! Part of the reason I decided to keep a blog was so that I could remember what I'd read. I hope that writing about the books will fix them more securely in my brain.
Jo - I thought Wolf Hall was great, couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the sequel.