My Top Twelve 2016 TBR

Hello friends.

Is it just me, or does it still feel like a brand new year? We’re a whole week and a half into 2016 and I’m feeling all fresh start-ey. This is a strange feeling for me as I usually just slip into the new year, blink, and realize it’s July.

When I decided to write this post, I expected there would be a clear 12 books I really wanted to read this year for some specific reason. Like: these have been on my to-read book the longest. Or: these are classics I really should have read at some point in my life I can’t believe I haven’t yet. BUT NO. Life could not be so simple. These twelve books are so, so random. But each and every one called to me for some reason or another. Who am I to say no to the cosmic pull of the universe, right? So this is my official must-read-in-2016 list hodge-podge of books. I hope you will find my reasoning as entertaining as I do.

---

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

If you saw my best books of 2015 post, then you know that The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood was my number one read last year (it’s amazing. Highly recommend). The Blind Assassin won the Man Booker which means there’s a fairly good chance it’s pretty fantastic. Also, I am basically a crazy person and I have searched for this book for the last year in every bookstore I visited, but I hated the cover I kept finding. Eventually, an owner looked up various editions and we discovered the version I wanted was the Canadian cover. BOO. So I was telling Tim’s mom about it and she just happened to be going to Canada and looked for it for me and SHE FOUND IT. YIPPEE. So I now own The Blind Assassin with the cover pictured above and I am quite anxious to read it.

1984 by George Orwell

Did any of you ever listen to Simple Plan back in the day? The lead singer, Pierre, once said in an interview that his favorite book was 1984. So of course, 11-year old Simple Plan obsessed Jordyn tried to read it. It didn’t really work out for me at that point in my life. I was like, who is Big Brother? But I’ve wanted to read it ever since and it’s probably about time I get around to it.

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I read my first Bradbury book last year and loved it. Fahrenheit 451 is by far his most celebrated work and I am fairly certain I’ll love it. That’s all I’ve got for this one.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Last year for Valentine’s Day, Tim gave me $60 and took me to a surprise location (hint: it was a secondhand bookstore) and let me explore and spend my money. IT WAS AMAZING. I had never before considered reading Gone with the Wind, but I found it on that trip and was *this close* to buying it, but the cover was all messed up so I decided to hold off. But I’ve really wanted to read it ever since, so it makes the list. It’s time for me to finally understand the Scarlett O’Hara references.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Again, I don’t have any reasoning for this one except the universe tapped it for this list.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The time is near for me to finally read The Book Thief. I can feel it. Plus, my wonderful TBTB Secret Santa got it for me! So I now own it and that makes it much harder to ignore.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

In my head, this book is a poetic escape into some gorgeous secret garden-like wonderland. I have no idea what it’s actually about, but I have an inkling that I’d like to find out.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein

My mom bought a box set of the Lord of the Rings series when I was little. Periodically, I would take the books out and read a little bit to see if I was old enough to read them yet. At some point, someone borrowed The Hobbit and never gave it back, so when I eventually did read the series, I just skipped The Hobbit. Then I saw the movies and became obsessed with the story and I bought my own copy on that Valentine’s trip last year! It needs to be read. But I’m saving it for a time when I can re-read the entire series. So I suppose that will have to happen this year!

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

I don’t think I’ve ever read this book. Which is strange because I know for a fact there was a Beverly Cleary book I was OBSESSED with and it was pink and I have no idea what it was called. But anyway, my favorite movie, Stuck In Love, has this moment with my favorite couple where they both say their favorite book is Dear Mr. Henshaw. So of course, I have to read it.

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

Again, I just really like the idea of this one? And the title? And the fact that there’s a movie with Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller? That is all.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I loved this movie. It completely threw me for a loop because I had no expectations whatsoever other than “Emma Watson! Oh, that boy is adorable”. And then it basically blew my mind. I need to read this. I just haven’t gotten a copy for some reason. It’s like I know I’m going to read it eventually so I never make it a priority? Which sounds ridiculous now that I’m typing it… please, someone, tell me this sounds familiar?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Well, a 4.22 average rating on Goodreads is damn impressive. Also, I love the title. Finally, I have no idea what it’s about but I really want to read it which is always fun.

---

Think I’m crazy yet? ;)

I’ll write again soon! Until then, keep reading!

J. Bookish