My list for 2013 for the TBR Pile Challenge--the highlighted books are linked to my review of them.
Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin - I love New York and am so looking forward to getting to know Brooklyn.
Madame Tussaud, by Michelle Moran - I won an ARC copy of this years ago, and it's languished though I know I will love it.
Hamlet's Dresser, by Bob Smith - I heard about this on a blog awhile ago, got it, and promptly forgot about it, but the back cover promises that it is "a portrait of a person made whole by art."
The Testament of Mariam, by Ann Swinfen - a gift from the author, it's about the sister of Jesus.
The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro - why haven't I read this book yet? I know I will love it.
The Virginian, by Owen Wister - I bought my copy roughly 35 years ago in a used bookstore and have been meaning to read it ever since. Someone told me it references Emma, so that should be fun!
The Whiskey Rebels, by David Liss - I love historical fiction, and I've heard Liss is at the top of the game.
Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver - I am really becoming a Kingsolver fan, and as a gardner need to go back and finally read this novel.
The Ninth Daughter, by Barbara Hamilton - the first in a mystery series with Abigail Adams as the slueth. I'm expecting this to be a lot like the Stephanie Barron Jane Austen mysteries. I adore Abigail Adams so I hope it's good and worthy of her.
Cleopatra's Daughter, by Michelle Moran - I got this shortly after I finished Cleopatra, by Stacy Schiff, and then I saw another shiny object and this novel has been waiting patiently ever since.
The Leopard, by Guiseppe di Lampedusa - so many of the Regency and Victorian authors and poets I admire were inspired by Italy that I really am trying to educate myself about Italian life and politics. This is a novel set in the 1860's that is reputed to be excellent.
Katherine, by Anya Seton - again, I've heard this book is so wonderful and yet it sits on my shelf, pining for my attention.
Alternates, which I will probably end up reading anyway:
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley - gotta follow the crowd on this one!
1876, by Gore Vidal - I loved his Lincoln, and I really have a gap in knowledge when it comes to the latter part of the 19th century.
I'm busy thinking if I can add this challenge to the two I'm already doing since they all fit together! lol This one definitely sounds doable, since I have so many stacks of books to read. I laughed at your description of having The Virginian for 35 years now :-) I think I have books I have been meaning to read for at least that long too, like War And Peace.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to say I've read Prodigal Summer a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I've read Animal Dreams by her too, and it is just as good. I hope you enjoy it also, Jane.
I'm curious how you will like David Liss, I have heard good things about his books, and how you like the Abigail Adams mystery - if they're good, I might try one also :-)
Enjoy the challenge, Jane!
What a great assortment of books!
ReplyDeleteI was looking at this challenge a couple weeks ago! Ishiguro's also on my list, it's been such a while since I've read anything contemporary.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for the New Year!
There are a few TBR challenges around for next year - I'm doing one too.
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy The Remains of the Day and Prodigal Summer - well, I did! I read Katherine many years ago and my memory is that it was wonderful! I wonder if I'd think the same now. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on these and the other books you've listed.
My record for a TBR book is 22 years - and I'm determined to read it this coming year. I enjoy TBR challenges, they really make me think about my shelves and what I've been piling up - though I continue to add to the shelves, which probably defeats the purpose! Good luck with yours -
ReplyDeleteLooks to be a great list.
ReplyDeleteI too loved Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra: A Life. Cleopatara's Daughter looks really good. I look forward to reading your commentary on it.
Glad you're joining us for the 2013 TBR Pile Challenge! I haven't read any of these, but The Remains of the Day and Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie have been on my list for a while. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on all of these. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've only read one of these, Remains of the Day. I remember it was slow but I did like it. And I'm also going to start reading David Liss -- he's coming to my book group in a few weeks! He's a local author and has agreed to come to our library's book discussion of The Coffee Trader, so that's pretty exciting. I haven't read any of his other books so I look forward to your review of The Whiskey Rebels.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn is a favorite read of mine - I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDelete