Hello bookworms!
I’ve been tagged by the awesome Grey at Use Your Words (aaagggges ago – I’m sorry!) in the huge TBR Alphabet tag! All I have to do is list a book that I’ve been meaning to read for each letter of the alphabet. So let’s crack on!
A: The Alibi Girl by C. J. Skuse
After reading Sweetpea and In Bloom and absolutely bloody loving them I’m really excited about this book! I’ve got it as an ARC from Netgalley so I’ll get round to it soon.
B: A Bit of a Stretch by Chris Atkins
I’ve also got this as an ARC from Netgalley because one of the tasks in the #ReadHarder challenge is to read a book that was written in prison. I need to finish it before the end of the year so it’s an imminent current read.
I: I Capture the Castle by Dodi Smith
I always see this book on “Best Books of the 20th Century” list but I’ve never got round to reading it. It looks like everything I usually enjoy – it’s set in the 1930’s, it’s a coming of age story and its main protagonist is a teenage girl, so I have no idea why I haven’t read it yet!
D: Dracula by Bram Stoker
I really wanted to read something spooky for Halloween and since this is the quintessential horror story I added it to my TBR. As usual, life got in the way so I haven’t actually started it yet but it’s an imminent read.
E: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott-Card
I’m a bit dubious about this so called classic because of the views of the author (both homophobic and sexist) and I believe his chauvinism is overtly expressed in this novel. However, I’d like to see for myself so I will get to it when I’m in the right mood.
F: Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
I adore anything by Jeanette Winterson so as soon as I saw this in the library I added it straight to my TBR!
G: Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
Gravity’s Rainbow has been on my TBR FOREVER – I did actually start reading it once but at over 700 pages it’s going to take a considerable effort. Definitely a book for 2020.
H: Hunger by Roxane Gay
I came across Roxane Gay via Hannah Gadsby and I’m really looking forwards to reading it. I love a good memoir – especially a food memoir – so this looks right up my street.
I: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
I keep hearing about this book EVERYWHERE and it looks soooo interesting – I can’t wait to read it!
J: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
This book WILL NOT DEFEAT ME! I started reading it years ago but the text is so tiny and I kinda got bored. I will pick it back up again, honest…
K: Kane and Abel by Jeffery Archer
True story: I met Jeffery Archer when he’d just come out of prison and he made a joke about it that only I laughed at (in a room full of about 300 people). Awkward. Anyway, I’ve never read any of his work so although he was a bit slimy in real life I’m kind of intrigued.
L: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
This is one of those books that somehow doesn’t appeal to me but everyone always says how brilliant it is, so on to the longlist TBR it goes!
M: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
I’ve heard both good things and bad things about this book so I thought I’d find out for myself.
N: No Good Deed by John Niven
This has been floating around my NetGalley backlog for years and I honestly have no idea why I requested it! I will get to it eventually (can you hear the excitement in my voice…)
O: On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Oooh, Zadie Smith. I quite liked White Teeth (even if the ending was a bit weird) but I thought her writing was beautiful so I expect great things from this book.
P: The Passion by Jeanette Winterson
More Jeanette Winterson! I just love her writing so much and I found this in a National Trust bookshop, so I immediately bought it.
Q: The Quiet American by Graham Greene
I love all of those mid-century, middle class authors who write about odd, awkward characters not really doing very much. I liked Our Man in Havana so I’m looking forwards to this.
R: Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
I keep hearing excellent things about Mark Lawrence from some of my most trusted blogger friends but for some reason I’ve never got round to reading him. I’ll get to this once I’ve finished The Priory of the Orange Tree.
S: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Yes I know, everyone in the world loves this book and I STILL haven’t read it! I’m not always a huge fan of YA fantasy so I’m perhaps not as excited about it as I could be but I will read it just to see what all the hype is about.
T: Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
I ADORE Sarah Waters and this is another one of those books that’s been on my TBR forever – I literally can’t wait to read this. Why is it taking me so long?
U: Unhappenings by Edward Aubrey
I bought this book last year and… I can’t remember why? Is it good? Has anyone else read it? Let me know!
V: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
This is another one of those books that WILL NOT DEFEAT ME! and yet I can’t be bothered to actually, you know, read it. Maybe if the publishing industry implodes and books stop being written I’ll get round to it.
W: Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
In the period between starting this post and finishing it, I have actually begun reading this book and OMG IT IS AMAZING! Highly recommended to everyone.
X: The X-Men, Vol 1
Considering I’ve been “reading” i.e. started then ignored Watchmen for years now I doubt I’ll be getting to this any time soon but it’s definitely something I want to read. I just need more hours in the day!
Y: The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
I stupidly bought MaddAddam before realising it was the third book in a series so I will get to this once I’ve read book one. I love Margaret Atwood so I’m excited for it.
Z: Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates
I just checked Goodreads and this book appears on both “the most disturbing books ever written” and “I like serial killers” lists so it looks right up my street!
And that’s it! Thanks to Grey for tagging me, I tag:
…and anyone else who wants to join in!
So, have you read any of these books? Is your TBR as terrifyingly long as mine? Let me know in the comments!
