* * *
Inspired by the post I wrote at the beginning of last year I'm here with another tentative list of books I'd like to read this year. I say tentative because I didn't read all of the books I put on my list last year because I'm such a mood reader, but it was really interesting look back over it to see how my reading taste has changed so I wanted to compile another one.And you know, I do love having a good ol' chat about books!
* * *
How to be Both by Ali Smith
A novel containing two stories. Eyes follows a fifteenth-century artist and Camera is about a modern-day teenage girl. The stories intertwine and explore the versatility of art through stories of love and injustice.
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love, but their country is under military dictatorship and if they can, people are leaving. Ifemelu goes to America and Obinze to London, where they have very different experiences. When both return home and rekindle their love for each other, they both face the most difficult decisions of their lives. Adichie is an incredibly talented writer and many regard this as her best work to date, so I'm looking forward to it for sure.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Although at first they seemingly have nothing in common, over time Aristotle and Dante discover that they share a very special friendship, the kind that lasts a lifetime and shows each of them the kind of person they want to be. I've heard that this is a special novel and I can't resist a good coming of age story.
The First Bad Man by Miranda July
Cheryl is a vulnerable woman who lives in an eccentrically ordered world. She is haunted by a baby boy she met when she was a young girl. She is also obsessed with Philip, a board member at the non-profit she works for. She believes they have been making love for many lifetimes although not, as yet, in this lifetime. Clee, a selfish and cruel young lady, moves into Cheryl's house for a little while and brings her back into reality with a bang.
The Incarnations by Susan Barker
A Beijing taxi driver is being pursued by his twin soul across a thousand years of Chinese history in an intriguing blend of historical fiction, magical realism and suspense.
No Logo by Naomi Klein
A journalistic non-fiction work exploring advertising and branding & the effects this has had and continues to have on society.
No Matter The Wreckage by Sarah Kay
A poetry collection by the wonderfully talented Sarah Kay, who manages to capture in words feelings of love and the power of celebrating the little things in everyday life.
My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff
A memoir that details Rakoff's journey as an assistant to the literary agent for J.D. Salinger. Tasked with responding to Salinger's fan mail she finds herself unable to send in return the agency's standard response and instead begins writing back herself.
The story of Anne, a documentary photographer in her youth and her grandson Luke, who has just returned home to Scotland after a tour of Afghanistan where he served as a Captain in the British army. They both have secrets that begin to emerge in Blackpool, where they watch the annual illuminations that brighten the seaside town as winter sets in.
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Potentially a group of pretentious people, doing pretentious things, whilst having pretentious conversations? This is how it has been described to me by more than one friend and I'm curious.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
A group of eccentric, intelligent misfits at an elite New England College discover a way of thinking and living that is markedly different from their contemporaries, under the influence of one of their charismatic Professors. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality things begin to change. Again, this is either going to be excellent or horribly pretentious!
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
An exploration of character and family dynamics over 500 pages. Enid wants to have some fun, but her husband has Parkinson's Disease and her children are experiencing their own life issues. Despite all these things though Enid sets to work on bringing her family together for one last Christmas at home.
* * *
Are there any books that you would particularly like to read this year?
xoxo
Thank you for all of these wonderful recomendations!!! Ive just finished 'The Girl on The Train' and am at a bit of a loss now!!! Have you read it?! xxx
ReplyDeleteI haven't BUT I'm really tempted! xxx
DeleteI've literally never heard of ANY of these! "The First Bad Man" sounds really good, I'm going to add that to my list!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO into reading at the moment. My "have read" in 2015 list isn't QUITE as big as yours yet (seriously, you're January list put me to shame!), but I'm 7 books deep so far!
I'm reading "The Kite Runner" at the moment and really enjoying it so far. The writing is really descriptive, yet easy to read and relate to (even though I'm not a 12 year old boy growing up in Afghanastan!). Have you read it?
Chrissy x
www.chrissylilly.com
7 books is awesome! I've always heard such wonderful things about The Kite Runner, so many friends studied it at some point but I never did. Would you recommend? xo
DeleteEee, I'm so excited for you to read The Secret History! I suppose it is a little pretentious, or the characters can be at least but it really is an interesting read :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI WILL read it soon for sure! xx
DeleteSome great choices :) I really want to read The First Bad Man, I love Miranda July's writing x
ReplyDeleteMe too, she's a real talent! xo
DeleteI've only read The Secret History out of these - so many people raved about it and then I read the premise and rolled my eyes and expected it to be really pretentious, which it kinda is, but it makes up for it with the characters and plot, so I quite enjoyed it in the end!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite excited to start it soon! xo
DeleteI will have to pick up a few of these! How to be both and The Marriage Plot sound great.
ReplyDeleteZoe Newlove Beauty Blogger & MUA
<3 <3
DeleteAll of these sound so good! I'm definitely going to pick up The Incarnations to add to my ever growing to-read pile!
ReplyDeleteCatherine xx | Brighton Girl
It's one I'm going to pick up really soon I think, sounds so intriguing! xo
DeleteI just love book lists so thank you for sharing it with us. I'll be adding quite a few of your suggestions to my own list. Very well chosen, Jennie. Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteEmilia :)
www.emilialeigh.com
Yayy! Have a wonderful weekend! <3
DeleteYou keep making me buy books! You're such a enabler!
ReplyDeleteHehe sorry! xx
DeleteThanks for these recommendations, a few of these have now gone onto my 'to-read' list!
ReplyDeleteEmily
http://dreamuphappiness.blogspot.co.uk/
Aww yay! xo
DeleteI have a couple of these on my to read list too, really want to try The Marriage Plot and The Corrections!
ReplyDelete<3 <3
DeleteOooh what a list! Writing a few of these down for myself! Americanah is really, really good. Secret History I wasn't such a fan of despite loads of people raving about it- The Goldfinch was a much more engaging read I thought. Can't wait to see what you think Jennie!
ReplyDeletexxx
Chambray & Curls
I will definitely pick up The Goldfinch after, I have to read them in publication order! x
DeleteThe Secret History is also on my list to read this year, along with many many others.
ReplyDeleteAmy x | A Little Boat Sailing
So many good books, so little time! xx
DeleteHow To Be Both has been on my wish list for a while now, and I need to actually pick it up pronto!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers
Me too! xx
DeleteI'd really love to read Americanah and No Logo! But first I have all the GoT books to get through, which I think is gonna take me all year haha x
ReplyDeleteJosie’s Journal
They're pretty chunky! xx
DeleteThis is an excellent selection! Half of these are on my to-read list too. I'm particularly eager to start "The Secret History", I've read so many good things about it!
ReplyDeleteMe too, it gets a lot of praise! xo
DeleteMy friend just finished Americanah and she said it was fantastic. Definitely looking forward to reading it :D
ReplyDeleteLittle Miss Katy | UK Lifestyle Blog
Ohh that's amazing! xo
DeleteA brilliant list :) I loved A Secret History when I read it last year; reading The Little Friend now and planning to read The Goldfinch in the summer. On my giant TBR pile I also have Elizabeth Is Missing, a novel of short stories by Breece D'J Pancake (best name ever), a Pelican Introduction to Economics, The Sun Also Rises and a Charles Dickens novel! xx
ReplyDeleteOhh you've got some fabulous reading ahead of you! xx
DeleteThe Secret History really is amazing! I'd highly recommend the Goldfinch if you haven't read it already, also!
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely pick that up very soon, I've heard such incredible things! x
Delete