Welcome back! It's been a while since I've been in this space and it's also a while since I've finished a book. So I figured why not go combine these two, go back to my blogging roots and share some bookish thoughts!
Over the years I've shared some wrap ups, top books i’ve read each year, and suggestions based on genres (eg spooky reads!) and today I'm sharing some of the books I'm planning on reading this year - to share love for these books, get some opinions on them and hold myself to account with getting these books read!
I've chosen the following books from my seemingly unshrinkable to be read pile, based on categories/genres I want to read this year.
I haven’t re-read a book in the longest time and really want to change this. Re-reading a book is always such an interesting experience as your interpretation changes so vastly with your age and mindset. I first read The Bell Jar whilst studying my A-Levels and loved it so much I decided to write my coursework on The Bell Jar. I'm so intrigued to read this again and as it's been so long it will amonst be like I'm rediscovering the novel!
‘Are you stressed out, overbooked, and underwhelmed by life? Fed up with pleasing everyone else before you please yourself? It's time to stop giving a f*ck.’
I’m almost certain I first heard about this book from the adaption but regardless, I want to read it! I’m not entirely sure of the storyline and kinda want to keep a bit of mystery before I delve in. The description of this book being the fusion of a social novel and vampire legend really sold it to me! They might just be two of my favourite things so I am hopeful this book will be amazing!
‘So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos.’
I've chosen the following books from my seemingly unshrinkable to be read pile, based on categories/genres I want to read this year.
The To Be Read List
A Recent Adaptation
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
'It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.'
You’ve definitely heard all the hype about the Netflix adaptation of this book last year, and while the storyline between the two is different, I have nothing but high hopes. I absolutely loved the adaptation -it was so gripping I had to sneakily watch half the series by myself. I feel as though I've done the whole 'read the book first and then watch the film' backwards but I'm counting on the book being just as intense and chilling as the series!
'It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a "haunting"; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.'
You’ve definitely heard all the hype about the Netflix adaptation of this book last year, and while the storyline between the two is different, I have nothing but high hopes. I absolutely loved the adaptation -it was so gripping I had to sneakily watch half the series by myself. I feel as though I've done the whole 'read the book first and then watch the film' backwards but I'm counting on the book being just as intense and chilling as the series!
A re-read
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
‘Sylvia Plath's shocking, realistic, and intensely emotional novel about a woman falling into the grip of insanity’
I haven’t re-read a book in the longest time and really want to change this. Re-reading a book is always such an interesting experience as your interpretation changes so vastly with your age and mindset. I first read The Bell Jar whilst studying my A-Levels and loved it so much I decided to write my coursework on The Bell Jar. I'm so intrigued to read this again and as it's been so long it will amonst be like I'm rediscovering the novel!
Non Fiction
Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck by Sarah Knight‘Are you stressed out, overbooked, and underwhelmed by life? Fed up with pleasing everyone else before you please yourself? It's time to stop giving a f*ck.’
This book is on this list because of the many, many rave reviews I've heard and because the title has echoes of Marie Kondo. It also seems such relevant to so many of us who spend so much time caring about things that we really don't really need to - especially things that only have a detrimental effect on our mental wellbeing.
21 Rituals to Change Your Life: Daily Practices to Bring Greater Inner Peace and Happiness by Theresa Cheung
‘Creating personal ritual in our lives allows us to bring the presence of the sacred into the everyday. The rituals in this book have been designed as symbolic acts providing a framework for anyone to use to create positive change in their lives. The 7 morning rituals are designed to help you 'wake with determination', the 7 afternoon rituals focus on 'living on purpose', and the 7 evening rituals are about 'retiring with satisfaction'.’
I bought this book on a whim one morning without really knowing much about it. I think I added it to my amazon basket to bring the total to over £20 in order to get free shipping hurrah! I'm not sure what to expect but I'm hoping this will be a really inspiring and motivational read. I really enjoy early mornings and desperately want to feel as though I am making the most of my time - I'm hoping this book will suggest some inspiring and (hopefully) life-changing ways to create a successful morning/evening routine and encourage a wealth of other positive habits!
‘A unique and brilliant fusion of social novel and vampire legend. And a deeply moving fable about rejection, friendship and loyalty.’
21 Rituals to Change Your Life: Daily Practices to Bring Greater Inner Peace and Happiness by Theresa Cheung
‘Creating personal ritual in our lives allows us to bring the presence of the sacred into the everyday. The rituals in this book have been designed as symbolic acts providing a framework for anyone to use to create positive change in their lives. The 7 morning rituals are designed to help you 'wake with determination', the 7 afternoon rituals focus on 'living on purpose', and the 7 evening rituals are about 'retiring with satisfaction'.’
I bought this book on a whim one morning without really knowing much about it. I think I added it to my amazon basket to bring the total to over £20 in order to get free shipping hurrah! I'm not sure what to expect but I'm hoping this will be a really inspiring and motivational read. I really enjoy early mornings and desperately want to feel as though I am making the most of my time - I'm hoping this book will suggest some inspiring and (hopefully) life-changing ways to create a successful morning/evening routine and encourage a wealth of other positive habits!
Horror
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist‘A unique and brilliant fusion of social novel and vampire legend. And a deeply moving fable about rejection, friendship and loyalty.’
I’m almost certain I first heard about this book from the adaption but regardless, I want to read it! I’m not entirely sure of the storyline and kinda want to keep a bit of mystery before I delve in. The description of this book being the fusion of a social novel and vampire legend really sold it to me! They might just be two of my favourite things so I am hopeful this book will be amazing!
Young Adult
Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng‘So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos.’
I’ve heard amazing things about this book in the YA fiction circles! I’m also itching to read this book for the racial diversity, which is something I definitely find lacking in popular young adult books and an aspect which is super important to me as a girl of mixed race heritage - not just for me but all of the younger women of colour who are reading these books.
Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
'Poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are — and seeing them right back..’
Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
'Poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are — and seeing them right back..’
I’ve read one Niven book before (All the Brighter Places) and was a bit unsure about it. My pal Aycan loves Niven and recommended this book in one of her posts not so long ago which made me decide to give this one a chance! I want to have my heart melted too!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
'Who are you? What have we done to each other?
These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren't made by him. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what really did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?'
FINALLY, AM I RIGHT?
All joking aside, I am desperate to read this book, I've picked it up a few times but haven’t been able to stick with it for too long - There’s been so much hype, especially with the film adaptation and yet I’m still in the dark about all the twists and turns of this book.
Who knows what i’ll pick up this year, I’m hoping to read 12 books this year, so I’m leaving four of those spaces open for any new books I pick up this year - hopefully something a bit different and out of my usual reading comfort zone - poetry perhaps?
Recommended
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn'Who are you? What have we done to each other?
These are the questions Nick Dunne finds himself asking on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they weren't made by him. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what really did happen to Nick's beautiful wife?'
FINALLY, AM I RIGHT?
All joking aside, I am desperate to read this book, I've picked it up a few times but haven’t been able to stick with it for too long - There’s been so much hype, especially with the film adaptation and yet I’m still in the dark about all the twists and turns of this book.
Wild cards? x4
Who knows what i’ll pick up this year, I’m hoping to read 12 books this year, so I’m leaving four of those spaces open for any new books I pick up this year - hopefully something a bit different and out of my usual reading comfort zone - poetry perhaps?
I'm always searching for new books to read so let me know which books are upcoming on your to be read lists!?
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