Books I wanted to read, but didn't: a Thursday thirteen

I was looking through my notebook where I keep the titles of books that have been recommended to me, and lists of books I have that I want to read and other sundry items, and I noticed all the lists of books that I've made that I planned to read. Not just lists of books for a particular topic, but lists of books that I set out to complete this year (usually in conjunction with challenges...).  I didn't realize I had made quite so many.  So, a little rundown of what I didn't accomplish (will have to limit it to 13 only).  Maybe I'll get to them next year?

1. The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas -- Last year around the holidays I started reading the intro to this in anticipation of reading it in the new year, but it never quite happened.  I love Dumas.  And I bet I will love this book.
2. Marie Antoinette: The Journey, Antonia Fraser -- I am in the mood for something about royalty.  Poor Marie.  I have a fictional book about her I want to read as well.
3. Master and Commander, Patrick O'Brien -- I keep intending to read this, but I always end up picking up a Horatio Hornblower book instead.
4. In Lucia's Eyes, Arthur Japin -- This is a fictional tale of Casanova. I sort of have this thing for Casanova.  Strange, I know.
5. The Game of Kings, Dorothy Dunnett -- I have wanted to read Dorothy Dunnett and her series of books for a long time now.  I have this book right by my bedside, but it seems like the sort of thing you don't read when you have thirteen books started.  So, can you see why I haven't gotten to it?
6. The Secret River, Kate Grenville -- When this was shortlisted for the Booker I had to read it...
7. Wanderlust: A History of Walking, Rebecca Solnit -- I checked this out from the library at least twice and then finally mooched a copy. 
8. A Passage to India, E.M. Forster -- I had thought to read this in conjunction with a Persephone title also about India called The Far Cry by Emma Smith.
9. The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton -- I've been meaning to read Wharton for at least two years now.
10. Portrait of a Lady, Henry James -- Ditto.
11. Suite Francaise, Irene Nemirovsky -- I did read her recently published book, Fire in the Blood, which I didn't blog about, but enjoyed very much.  Definitely next year.
12. The Road, Cormac McCarthy -- Well, the subject matter has not compelled me to pick this up, but I will get to it.
13. His Dark Materials Trilogy, Philip Pullman --  I think I would enjoy this series very much.  It's just a matter of fitting it in!

Sorry, this is a bit of a pooter-ish post, but as I will be spending time with family a bit later and not be around the computer, it will have to do for today.  If you are celebrating the holiday--have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  And if not, I hope you have a wonderful Thursday, and I will have an extra slice of pumpkin pie for you!

Comments

[Imani]

Happy thanksgiving!

[Dorothy W.]

Happy Thanksgiving! You've got a great list there -- perfect books for getting to next year!

[hobgoblin]

You must resist this urge to substitute Hornblower for O'Brian. O'Brian is the master and commander, and Hornblower is the green-gilled landlubber trying desperately not to sick up his daily one pound of dried beef and peas. He's that good. Seriously.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

[litlove]

Happy Thanksgiving! Perhaps next year's collective blog ought to be around a Dumas novel! They are huge and fun. In any csse you have the start of a wonderful list of reading for 2008!

[Ann Darnton]

Did you actually read 'The Far Cry', because, if so, I would be interested in what you thought about it. It received a lot of publicity in the UK when Persephone published it but I was disappointed.

[nutmeg]

Ditto #6 and #12 but I did get to #11 and the first part of #13! Hope you get to squeeze in some reading around all that pie eating!

[Carl V.]

Wow, that is quite and impressive list of 'want to reads'! Oh well, just gives you stuff to read for next year.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and I hope your weekend is wonderful and relaxing as well.

[Danielle]

Imani--Thanks! :)
Dorothy--Well, they've certainly been on the TBR piles long enough. Maybe I will try not to make so many lists next year. Then again, who am I kidding.
Hobgoblin--Horatio certainly didn't have very auspicious beginnings, did he!! I absolutely am going to read Master and Commander--I've heard from at least three people how good it is, and I have a feeling I will thoroughly like it!
Litlove--I just love Dumas. I wouldn't mind rereading The Count of Monte Cristo. It would be fun to read him in a group!
Ann--I was going to read it in conjunction with the Forster, which didn't happen (either book). I still want to read it, though you are the second person to say you were disappointed by it. That always makes me curious, though.
Nutmeg--I have read a little--not as much as I wanted, but that's always the case, isn't it!! So many books I want to read...there just isn't enough time!
Carl--My list could go on and on. I think I think about these things too much. I hope you had a great holiday, too and enjoy the rest of your weekend.