Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Book Envy

After surviving my book buying ban there are definitely some books that I cannot wait to get my hands on.  In fact, I've been thinking for the past week what my Top Ten Books I'm Dying to Read would be (that is this week's Top 10 @ The Broke and the Bookish).  It culminated in a whirlwind stop at the book store on my way to book club last night.  I was on a major time restriction, which ended up being a good thing, but still managed to pick up 3 books that I've been wanting.

Wolf Hall: A Novel1. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  I'm excited about this one, and am glad that it is now on my nightstand.

2. Possession by A.S. Byatt.  This has been on my radar for a such a long time, I'm glad that it's nestled up with Wolf Hall on my nightstand now.  Can't wait to get to these books!

3. Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell.  The third book I picked up in my rush through the book store last night.  I really enjoyed the film, which won high honors at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010 (which I was lucky enough to be able to attend).  I do have high hopes with this, since books usually outshine movies.

A Girl from Yamhill4. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I almost bought this one last night as well, until the words of my book club friends echoed through my head.  They could not believe I hadn't read it (the shame!) and declared that their extra copies would be in my hands at the next meeting.

5. A Girl From Yamhill by Beverly Cleary.  The first of two (I think) memoirs of one of my favorite childhood authors.  I want this one quite badly.  [must sit on hands to prevent clicking "buy it now"]

6. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.  This really isn't helping my new found self control to be gushing about the books I want, but is that stopping me?  I'm dying to read this book too.

The Children's Blizzard (P.S.)7. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin.  At least I already own this, thanks to PaperbackSwap.  I'm up for some new nonfiction (a.k.a. finding it hard to finish the nonfiction book I'm in the middle of.)

8. At Home by Bill Bryson.  Not only is he a funny guy, but he's pretty good at delivering information in a concise, accessible manner.

9. Deconstructing Penguins by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone.  About more in-depth discussion between adults and children about books, Deconstructing Penguins helps kids to engage more deeply in literature and see themes, characterizations, plot etc.

10. Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff.  Don't know much about it, but am so intrigued and want to read it NOW.


So, this is nowhere near all of them, but these are the Top Ten.  At least for today, who knows what it will be tomorrow or next week!  What are you dying to get your hands on?

13 comments:

  1. Hey, I saw Winter's Bone twice at Sundance! Maybe we brushed shoulders or something. How funny. DEFINITELY let me know how the book is. I'm also dying to read Possession, it seems like everyone recommends that one to me. And yay for number 9!

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  2. Oh also number four is one of my all time favorite books ever. I forgot to say that in my comment. That's all.

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  3. Wolf Hall is high on my TBR list as well! Nice list :)

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  4. 1 and 2 are both among my very favourite books. There's a lot of buzz around Winter's Bone, isn't there? Should I read the book or see the film first?

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  5. I'm dying to read Wolf Hall as well. Especially now that the Booker Prize is upon us again. Also, The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favorites :)

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  6. I'm interested in that Margaret Atwood one, too! :-)

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  7. Ooh nice list! I've finally acquired a copy of Wolf Hall and hope to get to it soon. The Bill Bryson is on my list too.

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  8. I have Wolf Hall and it's on my list too! I'm actually reading The Handmaid's Tale atm and I love it!

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  9. I love Handmaid's Tale and Possession was amazing.
    I should add Wolf Hall to my TBR. I have not heard of that.

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  10. I read Winter's Bone when it first came out. I think it was the best book I read that year. Great. Heart wrenching stuff. The film didn't come within 100 mile of me...which ticked me off. It may be the only movie released this year that I wanted to see.

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  11. I'm especially interested to try Wolf Hall. I read so many good things about it, I just can't help myself.

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  12. Thank you all for coming by and commenting. It's great to hear your thoughts, and seeing what's on your list.

    IngridLola--How funny! I'm hoping to go back again. Winter's Bone is just shy of 200 pages, surprisingly short...I may be letting you know how it is sooner rather than later.

    Kelly A.--I've only heard good things about it, I'm hoping that I haven't built it up in my mind too much to enjoy it properly.

    Lyndsey--I figured that you making it through The Lacuna gave me even more reason why I should put Wolf Hall and Possession at the top of my list!

    Brenna-the new prize winners seem to pile up faster than the prize winners I've read...especially if you try to follow more than one award or read the whole shortlist.

    Jillian--I think I've always dismissed it, thinking that dystopian=science fiction (which is my husband's arena, not mine) but I've heard such great reviews.

    Erin--Bill Bryson is great. He tends to get more vocal reactions out of me than any other author. :)

    1girl2manybooks--great to hear! That makes me all the more eager to read it.

    BookQuoter--that's what book-blogger-land is so great for, hearing about amazing books that you may not have heard about otherwise, or may not have picked up otherwise...I'm loving that!

    Tony D--wow, good to know! Now I really need to read it so that I can compare. From what I understand the film maker really put some effort into understanding the culture.

    Andi--yeah, I'm like that too...there's a certain point where all the great reviews equal "must read".

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  13. I enjoyed The handmaid's Tale, which is probably the best dystopian fiction I have read. Wolf Hall is one book I'm "dying" to read this year since it won Booker prize last year. I have been intimidated by the lengthy character list at the beginning of the book. After reading Iain Pears's An Instance of the Fingerpost, which briefs me the details of the historical period (Restoration in England), I feel at least I'm ready for Wolf Hall.

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