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?
- 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.
- 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.
- Master and Commander, Patrick O'Brien -- I keep intending to read this, but I always end up picking up a Horatio Hornblower book instead.
- In Lucia's Eyes, Arthur Japin -- This is a fictional tale of Casanova. I sort of have this thing for Casanova. Strange, I know.
- 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?
- The Secret River, Kate Grenville -- When this was shortlisted for the Booker I had to read it...
- Wanderlust: A History of Walking, Rebecca Solnit -- I checked this out from the library at least twice and then finally mooched a copy.
- 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.
- The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton -- I've been meaning to read Wharton for at least two years now.
- Portrait of a Lady, Henry James -- Ditto.
- 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.
- The Road, Cormac McCarthy -- Well, the subject matter has not compelled me to pick this up, but I will get to it.
- 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!