TTT: Autumnal Reading
First, let me say that Saturday’s Doctor Who premier was… well, I’m not going to say. I will be posting a Who Review later in the week and you can find out then…
Today’s Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) asks us to give the
Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR List
Since I didn’t get through all the books on my Summer list, my Fall list will comprise of books left over from Summer, plus a few others. Here they are:
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ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis The first in a trilogy that has been on my TBR list for a while. It’s about a cryogenically frozen girl on her way to a new planet with her fellow frozen passengers, when she is unexpectedly awoken from her sleep by someone attempting to kill her. Sounds exciting and sci-fi-ish, doesn’t it? |
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THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman A classic novel, made into a classic movie. I’ve seen the movie countless times, so I thought it about time I read the book. |
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A GAME OF THRONES by George R. R. Martin This is the first volume of the much-talked-about fantasy series. It has recently been made into an HBO series, so the chatter about it has increased exponentially. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, so I thought this would be a good way to get a bit more fantasy into my literary diet, and find out what all the fuss is about. |
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THE STAND by Stephen King THE STAND is hailed by many as King’s finest hour. I don’t typically read his favorite genre (horror), but I have a lot of time for Stephen King because he knows how to write, and not everything he writes is horror. He likes suspense, and, yes, he does like to scare, but he also has some interesting story ideas. This edition is the “complete and uncut” version. I think there’s a dent in my desk where it’s been sitting… |
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GRACELING by Kristin Cashore I believe this is another fantasy novel, but one that has been highly recommended by blog friends, so I’m happy to give it a try. It’s also the first in a series, so we’ll see if I’m enticed to read the next… |
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THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak Regular visitors might recall that I ran a little survey a short while ago to get people’s opinions on what book I should purchase next. This was the clear winner, so it now sits on my desk waiting its turn. |
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THE GUNSLINGER (THE DARK TOWER I) by Stephen King Two Stephen King novels on the list? This one was recommended to me by a Stephen King fan. It’s the first in his “Dark Tower” series that’s been running for… years, now, I think… |
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CINDER by Marissa Meyer Another book that’s been on my TBR for a long time. I really need to get to it soon–it sounds better with every review I read! If you don’t know, it’s a sort-of retelling of Cinderella, but with androids. It, too, is the first of a series that I think Marissa says she has finished writing already–and book two isn’t even out yet! |
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ERAGON by Christopher Paolini My wife and daughter both enjoyed this series, so I am told I need to at least read the first book. Again, it’s fantasy, but since I’m trying to read a bit more fantasy to become more familiar with the genre, that’s not a bad thing. |
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THE CASUAL VACANCY by J. K. Rowling Rowling’s first non-Potter book is scheduled to come out at the end of this month. I have it on pre-order. From the write-up it seems to be a small-town mystery with an unexpected death, and lots of intrigue and in-fighting. |
Reviews of these, and any other books I read, will be posted either here or on my Goodreads page as I read them. If you’re interested in reading my reviews, the best thing to do is “friend” me on Goodreads. I usually post a review of every book I read, or if I’ve reviewed it on the blog, I link to the blog article.
What’s on your Fall Reading List?
I confess the book “A Princess Bride” is kinda boring compared to the movie, but a must read, anyway.
Across the Universe was interesting, but I don’t plan to finish the trilogy.
Eragon is one of my favorites reads of all time. The whole series is 😉
And Graceling too!
Oh, The Casual Vacancy. Yeah, I want to read that one too!
I fear the book version of THE PRINCESS BRIDE has a lot to live up to! But you’re right, I should read it. Who knows–maybe I’ll like it… even prefer it?! 🙂
Graceling, Cinder, and Rowling’s new book are all on my to-read list! I tried reading The Book Thief but only got halfway… I couldn’t get into it. The Princess Bride is a favorite, though!
It’s interesting how books strike people in different ways. Even among discerning and thoughtful readers, like yourself, a book like THE BOOK THIEF can get mixed reviews. This encourages me to be bold in my critiques and not say I like a book simply because one *ought* to like certain books.
I definitely need to get around to reading THE BOOK THIEF. I’ve had it for way too long and have been hearing great things about it for even longer. I picked it up recently looking to read it, but put it down again because I wasn’t sure I was in the mood to read a book like that. It does feel like one of those ones you should read, you know?
Hubby’s been suggesting that I read GAME OF THRONES for a while now. He’s all caught up with that series and is pretty hooked on it. I’m just not sure I’m willing to commit to such a humongous series.
You have a really great list here, Colin. Lots of great “autumnal reading” (I love the word ‘autumn’, but the way. It sounds ever so much more descriptive than plain old ‘fall’, don’t you think?) 🙂
Thanks, Jaime! I must say, I too prefer “autumn” over “fall.” And I don’t think it’s just my British prejudice. There’s something poetic and evocative about the term “autumn.” “Fall” is very pragmatic. Leaves fall, hence it’s “fall.” Nothing wrong with that–it works. But “fall” also describes what happens when I trip on something, and what happened in Genesis 3… 🙂
I wonder how many of the differences between US and UK English really come down to practical vs. poetic/historical? Did the US change the spelling of words simply because those additional letters were, they felt, unnecessary? Whereas for the UK, those letters are like archeological remains, artifacts of spelling that betray the language’s past. Somebody do a study on that, please! 🙂
Doctor Who! I’m looking forward to your thoughts on the premiere. I thought about doing a post but I’ve decided to do a review of the entire series at the end.
Game of Thrones – Seriously brilliant. I just read the first book a couple months ago (because I really want to watch the TV series) and the second one is on my shelf now.
Eragon – It’s a good series and, I think, worth a read but I don’t think it’s anything to rush for. I’m still trying to deal with my disappointment with the final installment and it’s been almost a year now.
On my fall reading list: A CLASH OF KINGS (sequel to Game of Thrones), THE CASUAL VACANCY (if it was anyone else, I probably wouldn’t pick it up but it’s not anyone else), THE MARK OF ATHENA (third book in Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series)… I have EVERY DAY by David Levithan in my mailbox right now and I’m dying to get my hands on it.
Your positive comments about GAME OF THRONES are duly noted. I must confess, for someone who doesn’t read a lot of fantasy, it’s a bit daunting (over 700 pages). But I’m hoping I’ll like it as much as you seem to. 🙂
Looking forward to your Dr Who review!
I certainly need to put Game of Thrones on my TBR pile one of these days. I loved the first series of it’s TV adaptation.
I really hope you enjoy Cinder and The Princess Bride. I know I’ve raved about them as well as others so I hope it hasn’t given you such high expectations that you’ll end up disappointed. They’re fun reads. 🙂
I hope I’ll like CINDER and THE PRINCESS BRIDE too! CINDER sounds like it should be good, so I’m positively disposed toward both books. 🙂
I’m a little skeptical about reading The Casual Vacancy… I guess I’ll read the first few pages and see if it’s any good. I just liked HP, I guess.
None of your picks are on my list, but I really want to read Cinder, Across the Universe and Graceling… just haven’t quite got to them yet.
I think, like many, the curiosity factor is a large reason for wanting to read THE CASUAL VACANCY. Rowling did such a good job with MG/YA, it’ll be interesting to see how she does with “adult.” Though I’m sure “adult” is more for marketing purposes with J.K. In reality, she’s just writing the story that’s in her head, and she believes it will appeal more to an older audience. Like I said, it’ll be interesting to see… 🙂
Lots of big books on this list. Good luck getting through them all! But beware — once you start “Game of Thrones,” you will have to add the other four to your list. And they’re HUGE.
My desk is groaning under the weight of these books, Bess! And yes, just looking at THE STAND makes me wonder when I’ll find the time. Saying that, though, I read UNDER THE DOME in less than a week, so I have hope. 🙂 As for GAME OF THRONES–you can see you’re not the only one warning me of it’s addictiveness! I will read with caution. But there are worse things in life than getting hooked on a good series. 🙂
I love the movie, The Princess Bride, but have never been interested in reading it – will be interesting to hear if it’s better than the movie or not.
The Book Thief is amazing, different than any YA I’ve ever read (which isn’t a ton, but still…), but in a good way! I almost feel like it deserves a re-read as I’m sure I missed some things the first time around.
I read Eragon when it first came out and loved it – I need to go back and re-read it and then continue on reading the rest of the series, especially since I own them all ;p
Great list, and good luck! 🙂
Thanks, Brie! My wife is just finishing up the last in the Eragon series. She really enjoyed it. I don’t know if I’ll read beyond book one, but I’ll give it a chance anyway. 🙂
I also have Across The Universe, Graceling, and Cinder on my TBR list. I was planning to borrow Eragon series from my friend, but sigh, I have to finish my unread books first =p
I think I have to read The Book Thief too soon since I heard a lot of good things about it, and I’ll wait for your review of The Casual Vacancy =)
Thank you for sharing! That’s a great list and oh, I love your blog, seriously 😉
Thank you for stopping by my blog too ^^
Yes, I get that twinge of guilt whenever I get new book–there are so many books I have yet to read… and I’m getting another??! It passes quickly, though. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Elisa! 😀
I read Across the Universe and enjoyed it. The ending was satisfying for me, but I guess it’s a trilogy so maybe I’ll have to pick up the next installment.
I’m excited for The Casual Vacancy, but really worried that I’ll be too hard on it. I guess I’ll just have to pretend Harry Potter never happened.
I felt the same way about THE GIVER–the ending was satisfying and I wasn’t sure where it could have gone next. So I was surprised to learn it was the first in a series! We’ll see if I agree with you about ACROSS THE UNIVERSE.
I’m not sure what I expect with THE CASUAL VACANCY. I imagine the style will be reminiscent of the later Potter books, but it would be unfair to compare. Different genre, different audience. Pretending this is her first book might help. 🙂