A couple more end of the year things...
Last year, I made a list of 25 books I wanted to read in 2008. It wasn't a challenge or anything like that. It was just a list that I wanted to try and follow without putting too much pressure on myself. I managed to read 15 books out of 25. 15 and a half, actually, because I read half of The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, but then I needed a break and ended up not picking it up again. I guess the 10 books I didn't get to should go on next year's list, but the thing with lists is that I get bored with them after a while. So I'm keeping some of them on this year's list, but not all.
25 books I'd like to read in 2009:
Now for some serious fun: Carl announced the second annual Sci-Fi Experience, and before you say anything, keep in mind that it's not a challenge, it's an experience :P No need to read x amount of books or make lists or anything like that.
I do have a few in mind that I'd like to get to, though. From the above list, Philip K. Dick and H.G. Wells would be perfect. I'd also love to read more Vonnegut or Bradbury, or finally read Speaker for the Dead. And then there are all these YA books I want to read next year anyway: Life as We Knew It, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, something by Scott Westerfeld (preferably Peeps because it's a standalone and I really shouldn't be starting even more series). We'll see what I actually manage to get to. But I'm sure it'll be lots of fun in any case.
And this, hosted by the lovely Jessi, is not really a challenge either. Yes, I know it's called The Dream King Challenge and everything, but honestly, it's reading my favourite author! How could I say no?
I'm going with option "Devotee: Read six works (from six different categories) and watch one movie". I thought that filling the categories might give me trouble, but no, this is going to be easy. As for the movie, I will of course be watching Coraline.
So:
Comics/Graphic Novels: I'll probably read The Eternals, Marvel: 1602 or Violent Cases.
Novels: I'll re-read Good Omens, which is something I've been meaning to do anyway. I still can't get over the fact that my two favourite authors wrote a book together.
Scripts: I got the illustrated Mirrormask script for Christmas last year, and I still haven't read it!
Short Story Collections: Time to revisit Smoke & Mirrors.
Young Adult: The Dangerous Alphabet, or Blueberry Girl when it comes out.
Other: The Sandman: Book of Dreams edited by Neil Gaiman. I read about half of it 3 or 4 years ago, and then stopped for some reason or other. Time to finish it!
Also, after being personally enticed by Jeff Shaumeyer, I decided to do the Science Book Challenge. First because science is awesome, and secondly because he's right, 3 books in a year isn't much at all, and plus the button really is gorgeous. I'm making a deal with myself, though: I must finish at least one challenge before I officially sign up. Which shouldn't be hard, since I'm one book away from finishing the New Classics Challenge anyway.
And last but not least, Happy 2009, everyone! May you have a great year, reading and otherwise. I also wanted to thank you all for, well, helping keep me sane over the past year. Lightheaded and Kim said it better than I could, but still, thanks for all the book talk, for the encouragement, for exposing me to new ideas, for agreeing and disagreeing with me, and above all for the friendship.
25 books I'd like to read in 2009:
- The Stand by Stephen King
- Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
- Their Eyes Are Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- The Lord of Flies by William Golding
- Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
- The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
- The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Emma by Jane Austen
- Something by H.G. Wells
- Howards End by E.M. Forster
- Something by P. G.Wodehouse
- The Last Man by Mary Shelley
- Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
- Mary Poppins by P.L Travers
- Something by Ian McEwan
- Something by Philip K. Dick
- Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Gormenghast Series by Mervyn Peake
- The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence
- The Metamorphosis by Ovid
Now for some serious fun: Carl announced the second annual Sci-Fi Experience, and before you say anything, keep in mind that it's not a challenge, it's an experience :P No need to read x amount of books or make lists or anything like that.I do have a few in mind that I'd like to get to, though. From the above list, Philip K. Dick and H.G. Wells would be perfect. I'd also love to read more Vonnegut or Bradbury, or finally read Speaker for the Dead. And then there are all these YA books I want to read next year anyway: Life as We Knew It, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, something by Scott Westerfeld (preferably Peeps because it's a standalone and I really shouldn't be starting even more series). We'll see what I actually manage to get to. But I'm sure it'll be lots of fun in any case.
And this, hosted by the lovely Jessi, is not really a challenge either. Yes, I know it's called The Dream King Challenge and everything, but honestly, it's reading my favourite author! How could I say no?I'm going with option "Devotee: Read six works (from six different categories) and watch one movie". I thought that filling the categories might give me trouble, but no, this is going to be easy. As for the movie, I will of course be watching Coraline.
So:
Comics/Graphic Novels: I'll probably read The Eternals, Marvel: 1602 or Violent Cases.
Novels: I'll re-read Good Omens, which is something I've been meaning to do anyway. I still can't get over the fact that my two favourite authors wrote a book together.
Scripts: I got the illustrated Mirrormask script for Christmas last year, and I still haven't read it!
Short Story Collections: Time to revisit Smoke & Mirrors.
Young Adult: The Dangerous Alphabet, or Blueberry Girl when it comes out.
Other: The Sandman: Book of Dreams edited by Neil Gaiman. I read about half of it 3 or 4 years ago, and then stopped for some reason or other. Time to finish it!
Also, after being personally enticed by Jeff Shaumeyer, I decided to do the Science Book Challenge. First because science is awesome, and secondly because he's right, 3 books in a year isn't much at all, and plus the button really is gorgeous. I'm making a deal with myself, though: I must finish at least one challenge before I officially sign up. Which shouldn't be hard, since I'm one book away from finishing the New Classics Challenge anyway.
And last but not least, Happy 2009, everyone! May you have a great year, reading and otherwise. I also wanted to thank you all for, well, helping keep me sane over the past year. Lightheaded and Kim said it better than I could, but still, thanks for all the book talk, for the encouragement, for exposing me to new ideas, for agreeing and disagreeing with me, and above all for the friendship.
What a wonderful list of 25! Good luck, and I hope your reading in 2009 is wonderful! :D
ReplyDeleteI loved The Stand (I've read two or three times), The Lord of the Flies was kind of creepy but still good, I've read The Secret Garden a few times, Mary Poppins once a long time ago (need to re-read it for my Disney book challenge), and I've read Little Women three times (but Little Men and Jo's Boys only once). Great list here! Can't wait to hear what you think about them!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I've only read a few of the books on your list, but they were all good, so I hope you enjoy them too!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. That list from Jan2008 of the books I was to read. Before I read reviews throughout the year and kept adding and adding and adding... If I read everything on my wishlist right now (before I commit to ANY challenges) I'm already way over how many books I could ever hope to accomplish. sigh.
ReplyDeleteOH so many good books on the tentative list for next year! Mary Poppins is CRAZY and Their Eyes Were Watching God is pure BRILLIANCE! OK, I'll stop gushing. Now I want to make up a "must read in 2009 without too much pressure" list of my own.
ReplyDeleteOh, definitely Peeps for your Westerfeld book. I liked the Uglies trilogy (tetralogy, now) well enough, but Peeps is fan-frickin'-tastic. Best use of legitimate science used to explain the supernatural I've ever seen - but then, we all know how I'm a sucker for books with science.... and internal logical consistency. :)
ReplyDeleteMany of my favorites are on your list! You will enjoy them. I LOVED The Secret Garden, it made a huge impression on me when I was young.
ReplyDeleteI may have to do both of those not-challenges. :) Sounds like fun.
I want to read The Stand too.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Emma and Little Women.
Happy reading in 2009 :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Might I suggest The October Country to fulfill your Bradbury quota? It isn't SF, though; it's Bradbury's horror-story collection. I quickly run out of superlatives when describing it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I 'dared' to make a list of the books to read in 2009, since my reading mood always changes, LOL. But you've a great list there, Nymeth! And I hope to read Emma and The Woman In White too!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the challenges! They all sounds fun!
Finally, I hope you've a wonderful New Year ahead! :)
Fifteen out of 25 is very good, Nymeth. You've got some good ones on your list.
ReplyDeleteOnes I've read and enjoyed:
Their Eyes Are Watching God
The Lord of the Flies
Catch 22
Emma
A Separate Peace
Good luck with your list and your new challenges (and experiences)!
I hope you have a wonderful New Year as well!
My friend loved Cold Comfort Farm - and the synopsis at the back of the book sounded so funny.
ReplyDeleteAh, I enjoyed Woman in White and Emma. Most people remember Austen for Pride and Prejudice, but Emma i actually one of Austen's bes books, in my opinion. There's so much double meaning to it all, and it only becomes clearer - the irony, the subtlety etc on re-reading.
Zora Neale Hurston is one of those authors I keep telling myself I need to read. Catch 22 also.
But I wish you luck on Pynchon. I just can't get into his books. Many people adore him, but his books are not for me.
I like the idea of making your wish list for the year, it looks very good. I'll be a dissenter for Their Eyes... but it may have been my mood that 2 weeks it seemed to take me to read half of it.
ReplyDeleteI got nabbed by Shaumeyer too! In a good way of course; I do want to read science books, and like you said, 3 books is not a lot. And that fractals button is beautiful!
Happy New Year Nymeth!
Science is awesome! I think that's a very fair deal, Nymeth, and I'll be looking for your official sign-up with great anticipation.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think it was my expert enticement that did the trick, but I know it was really the button. However, I can live with that, since it's all in a good cause.
But everyone else had better be careful. You saw what happened to raidergirl3. I'm on the prowl and I've got a gorgeous button....
I have The Stand on my 2009 reading list, too. In fact, I have a huge list of King's titles, as a friend wants to read The Dark Tower series with me, and we're reading all the books King references. Daunting!
ReplyDeleteI've had the Stand on my TBR list FOREVER but I keep rejecting it because of it's size :p Oh no, oh no, oh no...The Dream King Challenge?! Seriously? Sheesh...another one I have to join :/
ReplyDeleteTheir Eyes Are Watching God, Emma and Little Woman are on my reading list too. Good luck with the list Nymeth.
ReplyDeleteThe Women in White is on my list for 2009 as well :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Time Machine, by H G Wells and there's an omnibus, if you can find it of Jeeves and Wooster short stories by P G Wodehouse called The World of Jeeves, which is really good :)
Hi Nymeth! First thing first: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list of 25 books. I think I'd like to come up with a list like yours too, which is apart from my reading challenges. Thanks for the inspiration! I shall post it when I've selected the books from my TBR. :)
Good luck with the rest of your reading challenges/experience! :D
I've been thinking about making a list of books like that to read, but I've already got 3 challenges that I have listed books. Plus, most of the books I plan to read are related to the challenges I hose.
ReplyDeleteOh my, what a pile of book yummy-ness!!! I'd like to read several of those on your list, too. Annie and I will definitely be reading The Lord of the Flies (for school). I read it back in middle school, and loved it...but it is unsettling. And of course, I don't even have to say how happy I am that you listed The Stand, do I? :) Oh, oh, oh, Rich got me Grimms Complete Fairy Tales for Christmas! And The Complete Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales. And The Illustrated Treasury of Fairy Tales. Isn't he wonderful? And of course, I have you to thank! You truly are responsible for my newfound adoration of these wonderful little gems. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're joining the Science Challenge. I'm doing it, too. (Though unofficially, because I couldn't figure out the whole booknotes thing.) You should see the list of possibles I have up on my reading challenge blog...it's like a hundred miles long. Of course, with Rich, it's like I have a whole science library to choose from. :)
Oh man, and The Dream King Challenge...I hadn't even heard of that before now...
Anyway, I hope you get all those read this year, and hundreds more as well...because every review you write is like a little present.
Have a very, very, very joyous New Year, Nymeth!
Hmmm, if i wrote a list of books I wanted to read this coming year I'd have to list my entire tbr pile and wish list! LOL LOL.. (nope not gunna happen!)
ReplyDeleteOhhh I have the lady in white in my tbr pile I hope you like it, it might encourage me to finally read it!
I don't have the book but have often thought of getting Little Women.. i love the movie of it with Kate Hepburn in it!.. so that's two I'll be more than interested to hear about!
oh ..heh, and I have a monster of a book called the complete Sherlock Holmes by conan doyle which I really do need to promise myself to begin to read.. since it's many stories I can read a story inbetween other books..or so I keep telling myself..I really need to read some of the TOMES I have here! lol
But I will make no lists and no New Years resolutions!.. that way I don't have to feel bad when I don't keep the promise! heh..
Have a wonderful, happy, and Healthy 2009 Nymeth!
Happy New Year, Nymeth!!! :o)
ReplyDeleteawesome TBR. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I'm reading Grimm's fairy tales now and loving the experience!
ReplyDeleteAh, I really like this. It's almost like a personal challenge of books to read. Hope you are able to get to most if not all of them!
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of joy in the New Year!
You've got some really great books on that list of 25 books you want to read in 2009. Actually, there are A LOT of really good ones there. Can't wait to read your reviews!! :)
ReplyDeleteThere really are some terrific book on the list! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your list! And I look forward to hearing your thoughts on them.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Nymeth! I hope 2009 is a great year for you!
Happy New Year and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThat Sci-Fi Experience badge cracks me up every time I see it!
When you've read Howard's End, watch the movie, it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd yaaay for Sherlock Holmes. You won't regret that.
And Happy New Year to you - I love your blog so much. :-)
Best of luck with all of your 2009 reading! I had not heard of the Neil Gaiman challenge, but is there any way I can resist it now that you've brought it to my attention?? Besides, I'm going to be seeing Coraline anyhow for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning my post :-)
Amanda: Thanks, and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLadytink: I expect to enjoy all of those too. I hope I'm not wrong :P
Andrea: Happy New Year!
Care: Yep, I know all about the adding and adding and adding :P
Andi: Can't wait to read them! And yes, you should make a list. I'd love to see it.
Fyrefly: It's official: I ordered Peeps. I'm a sucker for books like that too.
Daphne: I can't believe I've never read The Secret Garden. Well, never too late. And yep, you should do the not-challenges :P
Naida: Happy reading for you too!
Loren Eaton: I really want to read The October Country! It sounds brilliant. So far all the Bradbury I've read, with the exception of Farenheit 451, has been gothic/horror stuff. He's so good at it.
Melody: Well, it's a flexible list :P I'll really be okay with not getting to all of them. And thank you, Melody - same for you.
Literary Feline: I actually own many of the other 10, but shiny new books kept getting in the way :P Thank you and likewise!
Dark Orpheus: It does sound really funny. Also, I kept seeing I Capture the Castle be compared to it, and I so loved that one. I have high expectations for Emma!
raidergirl3: I've heard that the language can be difficult, at least at first...I'll make sure I pick a good time to read it. Happy New Year!
Jeff Shaumeyer: I promise it's not JUST the button :P
Renay: I've been curious about The Dark Tower series for years. They're all huge, though! Well, I know The Stand is too, but there's only one of it.
Chris: Yep, me too :P But I bet it's one of those books that feel much shorter than they are. And you know you can't resist a Neil challenge, so don't even try :P
Violetcrush: Good luck for you too!
ReplyDeleteMaree: Thanks for the recommendations!
Alice: Thank you! Happy New Year for you too. I look forward to seeing you list.
bookworm: You should make a list, it's fun :P Well, as long as it doesn't become a obligation or anything. But I did fine in that regard in 2008.
Debi: I've had a draft of this list for months, and The Stand was there all along. Rich got you some awesome books! You have to post about your Christmas book haul. I can't wait to hear all about it. And thanks for pointing out your list for the Science challenge. I'll be sure to take a look. You have a very happy New Year too!
Deslily: lol...I was actually tempted to do that, but that would be what, 150 books? :P I have a Complete Sherlock Holmes too! It's a really nice hardcover, and I've had it for months but other books keep getting in the way. You know how it is :P I hope you have a wonderful 2009 too!
Tarie: Happy New Year!
Rebecca: Aren't they great? I really look forward to returning to the book.
Iliana: It is, except I refuse to commit to actually finishing it :P But I hope to read as many as possible. Wishing you the same!
Court: I'm very exciting about reading them all!
Jenclair, thank you!
tanabata: Thanks, and a Happy New Year for you too!
softdrink: Thank you and likewise :)
Cath: Awww, thanks :) I love yours too!
Kim: I suspect this challenge would be irresistible for many of you :P It will be fun for sure! And you're welcome. It was a lovely post.
First--Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It's been about two weeks since I've been on my reader, and I've felt awful about not making the rounds to wish everyone a happy holiday. I hope that yours was wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteI get really bored with lists as well. I've even been kind of apprehensive about joining any challenges right now--at least long term ones. Really interesting list! I hope to re-read Mary Poppins next year and would love to fit in Their Eyes and The Woman in White. Crying Lot is a really interesting book--look forward to hearing what youthink of that one. I also want to read "something" by McEwan.
Here's wishing you a wonderful 2009 :)
A good list. I'm tempted to make one but know that I will never stick to it! Happy reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cool list. I really must read The Complete Brothers Grimm at some point, I can't believe I haven't already.
ReplyDeleteSome cool new challenges/experiences. I ended up reading lots of Gaiman last year but will think about it. Am going to pass on Carl's Sci-Fi experience this year as sticking more to fantasy/urban fantasy for a bit but I will be doing the OUAT and RIP challenges if he runs them again in 2009 (please...). Happy reading.
Trish: Thank you and same to you! It's great to see you commenting again, and thank you so much for taking the time to catch up. Kudos to you for not jumping into all the shiny new challenges. Maybe I should do the same, but I'm impulsive and totally lack self-restraint :P Happy 2009!
ReplyDeleteMariel: I bet I won't stick to it completely either, but I had fun making it :P
Rhinoa: I can't believe I haven't either! And no worries, I bet Carl will do OuaT and RIP. He knows we'd go after him with pitchforks if he didn't :P Happy reading in 2009 for you too!
It's great to be commenting again! And about the challenges--honestly, I'm just worn out right now. I still have a few ARCs that I need to finish up, so maybe after those I'll start joining again (should finish by the end of the month with "priority" ones).
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and all the best to you in 2009 Nymeth. I'm very grateful to have met you this past year. That's a good list of books you have there-I've got a couple I own and would like to read off that list.
ReplyDeleteI read about half of The Stand once when I was in high school. During summer vacation, actually. Then school started and I never finished it. Every year I wish that I would get back to it, but of course I'd have to start over again at the beginning. It continues to bother me that I don't know what happened! LOL. Anyhow, good luck with your list! =D
ReplyDeleteTrish: Good luck with finishing your ARCs! I promised myself that when I reached 100 unread books I'd go on a book-acquiring ban. That should be next week, probably :P
ReplyDeleteDar: Aww, thank you and likewise!
Megan: I'm thinking it's a good sign that it still bothers you :P It means the story stayed with you!
Aw, the Secret Garden is wonderful! that was one i read and reread as a kid. As for Philip K Dick, i loved A Scanner Darkly. good luck!
ReplyDelete