Reading List for 2016

· by · in Personal. ·

If you’re friends with me on Goodreads, you’ll see that my to-read list is rather extensive. And I’m endeavoring to read at least 20 books this year (which i-flip-flap-reading-statue-curiousnarrows down to about 2 a month). 20 books was my goal last year, and I made it to 23.

This year, I’d like to resume and/or complete the book series I’ve began in the past few years. Time to tie up loose ends!

I finally resumed Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s series and am currently reading Speaker for the Dead. So far, I’m enjoying the philosophical tension in it. It would be a page-turner… if I didn’t have so much going on in my life right now.

Upon its completion, here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish in this crispy new year of 2016 ::

Fantasy

  1. Consider Phlebas (Culture #1) by Iain M. Banks. I’ve heard so many great things about this author (apart from his tome-length novels). The Algebraist was on my list for the longest time, but upon further research, I hear the Culture series is a good start for the Banks newb.
  2. The Source of Magic (Xanth #2) I read the first book of this series, Spell for Chameleon in the last quarter of 2015, and it was such a fun read. Anthony Piers is witty (nevermind his social status) and a very easy and fun read.
  3. Yendi (Vlad Taltos #2) I read the first book of this series, by Steven Brust, a number of years ago. He has an addictive writing style and I’ve been meaning to finish this series eventually.
  4. To Light a Candle (#2), by Mercedes Lackey
  5. Hyperion, by Dan Simmons
  6. Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson (to analyze his first published novel)
  7. The Eternal Champion, by Michael Moorcock
  8. The Sword of Shannara, by Terry Brooks (my first Brooks novel)
  9. Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A Heinlein

Classics/Literary

  1. The Gambler, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
  2. Bleak House, by Charles Dickens
  3. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte
  4. The Eternal Husband, by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Apart from his Diaries, this will complete my Dostoevsky library of all his novels)
  5. The Burning Land (#5) by Bernard Cornwell
  6. Middlemarch, by George Eliot
  7. Vanity Fair, by William Makepeace Thackeray
  8. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
  9. Emma, by Jane Austen
  10. The Girl Who Played with Fire (#2), by Stieg Larsson

 

Have you read any of these books? Any alternative suggestions? What book can’t you wait to get to this year?

16 responses to “Reading List for 2016”

  1. Looks like a fantastic list! I’m curious about the sequels to Ender’s Game, do you think they are worth reading? My favorites on your list are Wuthering Heights, Emma, and Little Women. While you are reading Emma, I’d suggest watching the Emma Youtube series put together by channel Pemberly Digital. It is a modern adaptation of Emma, and would be fun to watch with (or after) the book. I’d suggest Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore- I think you’d like it!

    I am embarking on a 50 book challenge this year, and would love to share recommendations with you! My blog is here: napoleonsplit.wordpress.com

    Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Napolean! I believe there’s 12 books in the Ender’s series so it’s going to be quite a feat to get through them all — but I certainly intend on doing just that. I really loved the first book and so far, I do recommend anyone who enjoyed the first book to continue the series. I’m only about 1/4th of the way in “Speaker for the Dead” but so far, it’s got top stars from me. I’m hoping for another jaw-dropping plot twist like the first book.

      Thank you for your suggestions for reading Emma! I’m looking forward to it as I hear it’s Austen in her moment of glory. I love her other books and I’ve been saving Emma for last.

      I’m checking out your blog now! Happy New Years to you as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Wow! That is really is quite the feat. I read Ender’s game a couple of years ago, and think that most of the political references went over my head. I definitely want to read it again. I actually prefer Pride and Prejudice to Emma, but love Emma nonetheless. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • No rush on my end to read all 12 of the Ender’s series though! 1-2 books of the series per year would keep me happy.

          Pride and Prejudice was my first Jane Austen book, and I immediately fell in love. As of now, it’s still my favorite one. We shall see if that still holds true after reading Emma!

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Great mix of the classics and modern.
    I’ve read The Girl Who Played With Fire a few years back and loved it! In fact, I read all three in the trilogy and watched the movie as well! I found that it was a mix between slightly disturbing, suspense, mystery and drama.
    Little Women & Wuthering Heights were also good but then again anything by the Bronte sisters is a must-read.
    Good luck with your list 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks! It all depends on whether I’m feeling thoughtful (classics) or wanting to go on a fun journey (fantasy/modern).

      Larsson’s trilogy is fantastic — I loved the first book. But it is disturbing…I know my mind needs to be in the “right” place to read the next book, as I believe it’s about her past.

      After reading Crime and Punishment, Jane Eyre is what sealed the deal for my love affair with classic literature. I whole-heartedly agree and I know I need to read more of their works. Nearly everyone I know loves Wuthering Heights, so I know it’s high time I read it, too!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Ellastasia, great list. I’m a big ol classics fan myself. I think your list is quite impressive. I would humbly suggest one other book…it’s a long one, so if you enjoy snuggling into a ton of pillows and a blanket then this is the book for you…it’s Anthony Trollope’s The Way We Live Now. It’s a great novel and would go well after reading Eliot’s masterpiece Middlemarch. I”m glad to make your acquaintance. Love the blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for the recommendation! I’ve added it to my reading list. After reading some of its reviews on Goodreads (and there are very many positive ones at that), it sounds like something right up my alley. I have a special place in my heart for long novels (Brothers Karamazov, Les Miserable, and the like) and I enjoy the commitment and time put into an author’s pride and joy (and lots of hard work!). It’s a pleasure to receive your recommendation, thanks again!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. That looks like an exciting plan. Love the combination of Austen and Karamazov: you could see them as complementary. And do you read poetry? A few lines can carry you quite a long way. (I have a vested interest.)

    Liked by 1 person

    • In a particular way, those two authors and their themes are quite connected. Thank you for your comments! I don’t read poetry very often, never specifically just poetry ):

      Like

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