After letting my To-Read list on Goodreads get to sky high numbers (there are just too many interesting-looking books out there!!) it can be tough to decide what should really be prioritized. After some careful thinking I’ve narrowed it down to a list of ten books of wildly varying genres and my reasons for ranking them highly in that to-be-read pile. Anyone who happens to click on this post, have you read any of these titles and have any thoughts to share? Thanks in advance!
A Clash of Kings (ASOIAF) #2 by George R.R. Martin – I went into A Game Of Thrones expecting to add it to my “did not finish” file from the sheer length and my unfamiliarity and only vague interest in medieval high fantasy. Surprise- it was amazing and I loved it. I was so ready to dive right into book 2 but my TBR of library books await. It’s still high on the list. So eager to see what happens to the main cast- and to see things from the point of view of new characters (especially the villains!) there is an illustrated version coming out this year and from what I’ve seen the art style is achingly beautiful so that’s another thing to look forward to.
Wildacre by Philippa Gregory – I read this review on Goodreads and can’t get out of my head how much ‘for me’ this book seems to be. High drama, forbidden love, a diabolical (main?!) character, family saga, a giant scary-sounding estate that might be making everyone deranged and sounds like it’s from some gothic romance. Sounds like a V.C. Andrews book but with (probably?) less pulpy writing. Pretty much checks every box of very niche-within-a-niche weakness I have when it comes to fiction. It seems like a widely hated book though, as the main character is a literal murderer. I do like the idea of unlikable main characters though if it’s framed as an intellectual challenge for the author and reader alike (see- Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov or the Death Note manga series.)
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas – This book is so beloved and I’m really curious to read it. I feel like the last person on earth who is finally getting around to reading this book lol, also interested in the movie. Amandla Stenberg was so adorable in The Hunger Games movie and now she’s all grown up in The Hate U Give. ❤ Anyway, I’ve heard that the protagonist is sort of caught between worlds as she goes to school in a prestigious academy yet was born and raised in a low income neighborhood. Very curious to see how the author conveys the culture shock and inner conflict that naturally develops in such a scenario.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks – The title alone sends massive “????s” whirring through my head. The summary sounds equally inexplicable. I saw BooksAndLala on Youtube discussing this one. In short, she wasn’t expecting much and went in with low or moderate expectations (moreover, she’s an avid fan of the genre and has seen it all) yet ended up, surprisingly, loving it. That sort of reaction elevates a books profile in my mind. Will likely buddy read this.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – I’ve heard there are two female protagonists, the setting is during WW2, and it’s quite the tearjerker. This is one of those books that is forever waitlisted on Overdrive so the demand for this one is quite high.
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews – So this first book in the Kate Daniels series is apparently not very good? At least in comparison to future entries in the lengthy series. I am still curious to power through it though since I’ve heard that Andrews excels at great banter between characters, which I’ve come to find makes me insta-love a book.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – A short classic that my father encouraged me to read, I don’t remember a single bit of it but am pretty sure it went over my head at the time since I was 7 or 8 years old or so. Hoping to revisit it with a new vigor and profound inspiration not unlike The Little Prince. ❤
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – This is the book that has been mentioned or referenced ad nauseum in many a romance novel I’ve read. Not quite as often as Pride and Prejudice, but it’s up there. While I also need to read Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights captures my interest more readily right now as I’ve heard it’s something of a ill-fated, tragic romantic yet cynical love story. So basically I will probably ship the main pair at my own peril, ready for the challenge!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – An acclaimed WW2 YA novel. I’ve heard it’s a tearjerker. I am apparently drawn to the tearjerkers. I remember seeing it on The Great American Read awards show on PBS (a sort of recounting of the top 100 books of all time) and have been steadily building up enthusiasm for it ever since.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – Not unlike Game of Thrones, I am hesitant to start this book too soon as it seems like one that deserves a lot of time and commitment. To exemplify how deep the rabbit hole of this series goes, it has companion guides that are some 400-500 pages each, a lengthy televised adaptation, and a spin-off.
Kitty Marie's Reading Corner 
Great list! Love Kate Daniels series, but the definitely get better as they go along. One of my favorite urban fantasy series. Enjoy!
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Yeah I am definitely going to try at least a few books of the Kate Daniels series, I’ve heard so many good things. Thanks for the comment. 😀
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