Monday, January 3, 2011

Oh Yay! Another List!

Instead of reviewing the books that are still hanging on from 2010 like a good little girl, I think I'll make a list based on idealistic goals.  It's been awhile since I've joined in a Top Ten Tuesday, let's see where it takes us...

The Top Ten Books I Resolve to Read in 2011?

1. Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer.  I've been wanting and WANTING to read this book, but I think I might save it for next month and make my entire book club read it.  What do you think about that?
Everything Is Illuminated: A Novel
2. The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor.  Mm, I started this in 2009.  'Bout time I finished it.  Especially considering that I've really enjoyed most of the stories.  I need to crack the whip!

3. Possession, A.S. Byatt.  I need to pull up my pants and just jump in.  I'm nervous that I won't like it as much as everyone seems to, so I keep procrastinating.  What can I do to force myself to read it?

4. 1776, David McCullough.  I love the topic, I love the author, I even have two different versions of this title.  What on earth am I waiting for?

5. At Home, Bill Bryson.  It's been TWO YEARS since I've read anything of Bill Bryson's.  How sad is that?  Pretty sad, considering I find him quite entertaining.  Every time I read one of his books I actually consider writing him a letter.  And then I chicken out.

6. Some new, current poetry.  Not a specific title, I know, and this probably belongs more on a resolutions type list, but still.  I want to get caught up on the poetry scene.

True Grit7. Dr. Zhivago, Boris Pasternak.  This is on my Classics Challenge, so really no excuse to not read it.  I used to love the movie in high school, still haven't read the book.

8. True Grit, Charles Portis.  Saw the new movie, fell in love, must read book now, praying it will be as great as the movie, the end.

9. Redemption Falls, Joseph O'Connor.  Loved Star of the Sea, and this one about the Revolution looks like a good place to go next.

10. How Green Was My Valley, Richard Lleewellyn.  This was the other serious book (apart from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) that I loved in high school.  I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn so much more on my re-read, that I must find out if the same happens with this one.

Hopefully these books will make it off the Idealistic Goal list and onto the Realistic Goal list.  I'd read them all in an instant if I could, but these things do take time, don't they?  I suppose that is part of the reason they make such an impact on us.  Wish me luck!
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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    I was some 9 or 10 years old when I watched Dr Zhivago. Understandably, I found it a bore. I intend giving the book a try some time. But I don't think it will be on this year's list!

    Risa

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  2. JessicaJanuary 4, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    This is a good idea for a list.

    Everything is illuminated and Possession is on my list for this year as well!

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  3. GeosiJanuary 4, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    I love books by a.s byatt. I am interested in your reading of possession. happy reading.

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  4. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzJanuary 4, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    A wonderfully idealistic list! Good for you!

    I got swept up in Possession by the alternating love stories and could not stop reading. I hope that will happen to you, too.

    Here's my list of ten books to read this year.

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  5. LyndseyJanuary 4, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    You WILL love Possession, I promise! It will be one of our 'tree grows in brooklyn' shared obsessions!

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  6. Sam (Tiny Library)January 4, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    I want to read Everything is Illuminated too. Good luck meeting your goals :)

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  7. BenJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I had to read a few top 10's before getting this one. I'm going to do one also. Nice list. Except that I could'nt even be tortured into reading Dr. Zhivago

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  8. Teacher/LearnerJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Great list! I also want to read Possession, but I may try The Children's Hour first as I read an awesome review of it. True Grit (the newer movie) was meant to be an adaptation of the novel & not a remake of the cheesy John Wayne movie, so that may give you an indication ;) Bryson...yes, that's a challenge book for me this year & I sure hope I get to it. Good luck!

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    here's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-books-i-resolve.html

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  10. Peppermint Ph.D.January 4, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I need to read Possession and 1776 as well...I buy them and then they just sit on the shelf...so sad :(

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  11. BJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Everything Is Illuminated is at the top of my list for 2011! I absolutely adored Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

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  12. BibliophileJanuary 5, 2011 at 12:47 AM

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  13. BibliophileJanuary 5, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Good list. I remember liking True Grit when I read it, many years ago. I never saw the movie and was intrigued to discover there was a new movie out.

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  14. April (BooksandWine)January 6, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Everything is Illuminated and Dr. Zhivago are both fab!

    I am dying to read Possession, 1776, and At Home. All three are on my physical TBR.

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