10 (or more) books on the horizon
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday invites us to list the books on our reading horizons for autumn. I had intended to say that I don’t have an Autumn reading plan because a) I’m no good at sticking to these kinds of plans b) I haven’t long finished working through the 20booksofsummer list so am suffering a little list fatigue and c) I’m a hopeless prevaricator so can never make up my mind in advance what I want to read.
But then of course I remembered that I have a little unfinished business with my Booker project. So by default I seem to have a plan of sorts because I want to finish this project by the end of the year. That means I know there are seven Booker Prize winners I will be reading in coming months.
2015 – A Brief History of Seven Killings (Marlon James)
2004 – The Line of Beauty (Alan Hollinghurst)
2003 – Vernon God Little (DBC Pierre)
1994 – How Late It Was, How Late (James Kelman)
1993 – Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (Roddy Doyle)
1974 – The Conservationist (Nadine Gordimer)
1972 – G. (J Berger)
Based on the insight from several bloggers I’m saving The Line of Beauty and Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha until the end. The order in which I read the other five will be down to the mood I’m in at the time I’m ready to start a new book.
What else is in the offing?
From the library today I picked up a copy of Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor which was longlisted for this year’s Man Booker Prize and – according to many comments I’ve seen – deserved to be on the shortlist but was overlooked by the judges. In it, he depicts the aftermath of the disappearance of a 13 year old girl during a New Year’s holiday in a village in the Peak District. Over the course of 13 years, McGregor shows how life goes on in this community after the initial shock of her disappearance. To get the best idea of this book take a look at Susan’s review at A Life in Books.
I’ve already started reading this it being a perfect day to sit in the sunshine with a coffee and read. And so far it’s turned out to be a remarkable book…
I have a few novels I’ve agreed to review including a crime story in the style of the Golden Age of Crime, a historical fiction book set in Versailles and a new work by Richard Flanagan called First Person which is apparently a story about a ghostwriter haunted by his demonic subject.
And then there are a few Elizabeth Taylor and Penelope Lively novels that are calling to me, and it’s time I revisited some of my classics club list. which has a few Anthony Trollope and Emile Zola titles I fancy. But wait a moment, what about all the Louise Penny titles I bought on my last trip to the USA? And the authors from Wales that I’m trying to highlight….
Even with my less than stellar arithmetical skills I realise I’m way over 10 books. Better get reading hadn’t I????
You are so close to being done with your project! Are you excited? What will you do when you are done? Will you be relieved do you think or casting around for a new project?
I have a few other on going projects like reading Zola and Anthony Trollope that I’ve neglected. I think I’ll be glad when the Booker one is finished – its taken me a lot longer than expected.
I’m glad to hear you’re liking Reservoir 13 – that’s one I would like to read! I’m also looking forward to hearing more about your last Booker books (of which I have read none).
Im having to ration myself with Reservoir 13 so I don’t spoil it by racing ahead even though I just want to keep reading….
Reading decisions can be the hardest – good luck in choosing!! 😀
Enjoy your Booker reads! I’d really like to read History of Seven Killings. Reservoir 13 sounds great. I have far more than 10 on my list too.
I suspect most people would find 10 too limiting
I’m still riding high after my 20 books of summer and so still in list making mode – that said there are way more than ten books I want to read!
You read so much faster than I do so 10 for you is probably just a month’s worth!
I loved paddy Clark he really made the main character leap of the page
Thats good to know Stu – I’m glad to have a good one to end the Booker project with
Haha I know that feeling when there are too many books you want to read! While I love making these TBR lists, I don’t take them too seriously: If I read the books great, if I don’t never mind, but it is fun to make a possibles list 😀 Just as your list contains books from your Booker Project, I have quite a few books on my list that would be perfect for the R.I.P event. Happy Autumn reading 🙂
Exactly the right attitude Jessica – why get stressed about it
I think Reservoir 13 is one I should add to my list of books that I am not reading at the moment. The trouble with making a list is that the moment you do something else, definitely not on the list, sails into view and farewell list.
I think you’d enjoy Reservoir 13 based on what I’ve read about it elsewhere. I’m coming to the view that lists are meant to be abandoned within about 5 minutes of them being created
I have heard good things about Reservoir 13 too and would like to pick it up soon. I think I requested it at the library.
I thought I might have had a long wait for the library reservation to come through but it seems I was the only one to want this
haha. That’s really funny, isn’t it – a book that’s receiving so much attention on an international scale but little buzz in your neck of the woods. It works in our benefit, though.
Even odder, it came from a branch that’s in the most upmarket part of our county. Lots of lawyers etc Maybe they are too wealthy to need a public library??
Or is this the kind of literature that only the residents of that upmarket community are expected to read?
Maybe but then again I don’t know
That’s a pretty ambitious reading list you have there. Happy reading!
Ambitious or to put it another way, foolish to think I can ever read all of these 🙂
So many books – so little time … Sigh.
Sigh indeed and it seems that retirement hasn’t actually provided me with any more reading time ….
Very pleased to hear that you’re enjoying Reservoir 13, Karen, and thanks for the link. I’m still sore that this isn’t on the Man Booker shortlist.
I’m still sore that my favourite from last year didn’t win. They should have real readers as judges ….
They should. Which was that?
Madeleine Thein -Do Not Say We Have Nothing which has won zillions of other prizes
nice list, enjoy!
I plan to enjoy at least some of these
My reading mind went kind of dead on me last week. I am reading mysteries because they seem to rest my mind. But A Brief History of Seven Killings is amazing! I hope you like it.
I find with mysteries that once I’ve read the book I forget who did it and how they did it