So I didn’t die of the heinous strain of influenza circling Denver, it was a near thing though. I have never been that sick in my adult life. There were several days where I thought I might die. It may seem dramatic to say now, but at the time I swear it was true. Now on to the topic at hand. The following ten books are ones that I’ve been putting off reading (North and South, Hyperion), heard great things about (The Dinner, Wool), or have challenged myself to read (On Writing). Limiting myself to ten was both difficult and rewarding. I’m almost proud of myself. Way to start the new year right.
In no particular order:
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – This will complete my need for a letter Z in my author index and is highly recommended by Kate (whose list format I’m stealing – sorry and thanks!). As I understand it, I need to prepare myself for a good cry (a skill that I have little experience in).
9. American Gods by Neil Gaiman – It just needs to happen. 2013 is the year.
8. The Dinner by Herman Koch – Also recommended by Kate here.
7. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell – This has nothing to do with my love of the mini-series or Richard Armitage. I swear. Sort of.
6. On Writing by Stephen King – As part of The Stephen King Project. I am a little ashamed I haven’t read this one yet.
5. Hyperion by Dan Simmons – This will happen this year. Finally.
4. Wool by Hugh Howey – This one comes highly recommended by Annabel Smith (and she has excellent taste in books). It’s rare that I find a person who loves The Marriage Plot, The Sisters Brothers, AND Revolutionary Road (in the same year).
3. Ablutions by Patrick DeWitt – I loved The Sisters Brothers, now I have to check out his earlier work.
2. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson – Recommended here and I generally trust his opinions (with only a few exceptions). And it’s Swedish. My love for Sweden knows nearly no bounds.
1. Mary and O’Neil by Justin Cronin – Also recommend by Annabel.
There you have it, Top Ten Tuesday (on a Wednesday no less, I had to go back to work this week, it was quite sad). I would ask for recommendations, but I’m overwhelmed as it is. So keep your bookish thoughts to yourselves. Or don’t. Please?
flannel and folklore 
Sorry to hear you were quite sick recently, glad to hear you’re feeling better now! 🙂
Fantastic list of books to read, I hope you have fun with them this year. I absolutely ❤ Gaskell's North and South and enjoyed Gaiman’s American Gods and Zusak’s The Book Thief.
Been meaning to read Simmons’ Hyperion (and really any of his other works), it seems to be quite a staple in the sci-fi genre.
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Thanks, I am feeling so much better now (it made 2013 seem life a fresh start). Glad to know you enjoyed these, I can’t wait to get started. I’m almost certain I will love North and South, but we’ll see! 🙂
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I forgot to add that The Terror is excellent!
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the book thief was a good one!
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That’s what I hear (and am hoping). Even though I haven’t read it, I absolutely love the line “I am haunted by humans”. It’s beautiful, so I’m confident I’ll like it.
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Yay for number 8 and 10. I plan on tackling ‘On Writing’ this year as well – as a King fan, I’ll look forward to hearing your thoughts.
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Ah yes, I really need to read On Writing as well. I feel like a bad SK fan for not having done so already.
Also, it IS possible to read The Book Thief without crying. 🙂 Still a very good book though!
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Good to know, I’ve only cried reading two books in recent memory. One was The Fault in Our Stars, which you’d have to be near heartless not to. I only hear wonderful things about On Writing, so I am looking forward to it. It seems to be the one SK book that everyone loves.
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I love American Gods, I found North and South a tricky read but I think it gets better as it goes along!
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I’ll need to read North and South during the summer when I have few distractions. I can’t wait for American Gods, I don’t know how I’ve gone this long without reading it.
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Wool! Yes! That’s been on my kindle forever! Definitely reading this year.
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2013 is the year to get it done, truly, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it.
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Agreed. I think I’m putting that on my list to read in February. Can’t wait!
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On Writing was the first Stephen King I ever read (yes, even before his fiction), and I loved it! Also, American Gods tend to be love it or hate it. I am in the first camp.
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I hope to be in the former as well. I already know I’ll like On Writing, it’s Stephen King. And generally I tend to agree with you on books (like Bleak House), except I heart Frannie and when/if I have a daughter and name her Frannie I’m mailing you a birth announcement. 🙂
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Some terrific reads here. I highly recommend On Writing and The Book Thief. You will enjoy them for sure. I’m keen to read The Dinner also. My aim this year is to read more translated fiction.
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That is one of my goals as well. Translated fiction is not something I read often enough (aside from Swedish crime novels, which I love).
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Wow, three of these books are on my list too and I already read The Book Thief. It’s excellent!
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