21 Books (Actually Books) for 2021
Hello Dear Dragons,
Here are some of the books. Just chilling with the plants by the window.
How behind am I? The answer is extremely. If you proceed with your reading you will see a Closet of Shame mentioned, and I belong there for being so behind on this blog in addition to my reading. In all fairness, the assault of the Capital really messed me up mentally, and then Grad School happened and I am already behind (or so it feels).
I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of books I want to read this year. I have learned my lesson and am only putting books on the list. There is no series to be found. Well, there is one first book in a series but it is still just one book. I have learned my lesson.
The books on this list are mostly books I have been telling myself to read for a long time, but have made no steps to actually read them. That is going to change. I am putting my intentions out into the universe so hopefully, it will be enough to motivate me.
Can my dog actually read? That’s a secret I’ll never tell.
XOXO Book Dragon
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- this book is over a thousand pages. I am intimidated. I heard great things about this one. I have been given encouragement to read it. I have to read it. It’s a matter of pride now. This is a revenge story, so hopefully, I feel the hunger for vengeance. Vengeance will be mine! Vengeance against what or whom I am not sure but it will be mine.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott- I need to read this one too. I have been meaning to for years. I need to get in gear when it comes to actually follow through on the things I said I was going to read and then did not read.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry- I really have no excuse. I had this book in Poland (in polish) and didn’t read it. I dont currently have it but I have been meaning to read it for so long that that’s not really a valid reason not to read it. Libraries exist. If I love this one, and so many people do, I will get a copy of my own.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- I know a lot of people love this movie. I have not seen the movie. I also know a lot of people love this book. Obviously, I have not read it. I am a little worried about reading it due to the fact that time travel can very easily be done very wrong. I hope the good reviews are right and that I too will fall in love.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold- Everyone who reads my ramblings regularly knows about my obsession with true crime and murder in general. I am in the middle of rewatching criminal minds as I type. This book should be right up my alley of preference.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens- Why did I not read this book? I do not know. I have no reasoning for the things I do. I have given up on reason. This is one of the shorter Dickens books so it should not take too long to get through.
Dune by Frank Herbert- I need to get into classic Sci-Fi. I have been putting it off because I don’t usually enjoy narratives about the world actually ending. Lucky for me, this book is no about that. It seems more like a fantasy from the description but it takes place on a planet and we shall find out if there are spaceships.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- let’s try this again, shall we. I meant to read this last year. I did not read it last year. I will make it happen. Let’s manifest things into being by saying them over and over again.
The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov,- what can be better than a novel about the devil and his retinue coming down (up?) from hell to 1930s Russia and wreaking havoc? Nothing that I can think of. There is also a talking black cat who likes vodka. I have to read this. I mean the universe demands it.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón- Firstly, this takes place in Barcelona. Secondly, it has to do with books. Thirdly, according to the summary, there is murder, madness, and doomed love. I must read this. Once again, the universe demands it.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt- I don’t think I talk about aesthetic enough. This book is all about aesthetics. I must become one with. We will merge together and become one.
Perfume The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind- this book was not even on my radar, but one of my goals for the year is to expand my horizons and read books that might not have made it onto a list like this under different circumstances. This book sounds promising, and if I hate it at least I will be able to say that I read it and my reasons for hating it are as follows. It’s good to have a reason for your opinion.
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough- Here we go again. I meant to read this last year. I did not read this last year. I think I am putting a lot of pressure on summer to help me read all these tomes I am putting on the list. Also, I have been told this will make me cry so I would rather cry during the summertime when I have something to cheer me up outside. Flowers? Leaves? That one possum that keeps eating my mom’s tomatoes? Oh, the joy.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman- Funny story about this one. I read it halfway and then got busy, put it down, and never wicked it back up. I love this book. Well, half of it that I have read. SO reading the whole thing should be just as enjoyable. Plus I have the joys of the TV Show to look forward to when I finish reading the book..
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende- Going back to the idea of me challenging myself, here is another challenge. I have seen the movie this time and did not enjoy it a whole lot. I am hoping that the book blows my mind, however. Or at least makes me think. This is a book that has been overshadowed by the movie, and so I want to give the story a fair chance and see if I enjoy it more in the written form.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire- What do I know about this book? I know it has been turned into a musical. I know I like the musical. I also know that a musical, no matter how great, will never capture the full essence of a book. I want to read this because the characters deserve to have their story known. Also, I heard great things about the book itself.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern- Who is failing to read the books she wants to read? If you hear vague mumblings of “I am” that’s me coming at you with this admission from my closet floor. There are just so many books. And only so many hours in the day. And there’s work to afford the books. All I find in my quest to read all the books ever published are obstacles. But this year is the year. This year I will read this book. It is time. It has been ten years since this came out. Does that still qualify as reading it “soon”?
The Song of Achilles- Look I live in The Closet of Shame. I know I do. I have been meaning to read this book for almost ten years since the book has been out in the world. I need to read it. I really have no excuse. It judges me from its spot on the shelf and I can feel the judgment. It must be stopped.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux- From everything I read this book is all about dramatics, and I just cannot say no to that. Give me falling chandeliers and man lurking in basements with masks on. I see no way in which this could go wrong. Nope. Nothing can go wrong.
The Martian by Andy Weir- Hear me out. I have not seen the movie. I have heard great things about the book. So I figured I should read the book. It is a relatively short novel, so I can probably get through it in a day or two. And vicariously living through being stuck on Mars by yourself is a great way to spend my time. Just in case I ever get stuck by myself on Mars.
Devil in the White City by Eric Larson- I’m going back to the Closet of Shame. I have not read this yet. I don’t know why. This book is all the things I love. Serial killers, history, complicated context to the events. I have no excuse. For those who don’t know, this book explores the 1891 Chicago World Faire, and how HH Holmes took advantage.
Alright, here is my list. Looks doable. Right? It looks totally doable. Please, someone, reassure me. I am fragile. All jokes aside I really hope I get to every single one of these. They all have something that intrigues me, and so hopefully when actually reading I keep that same feeling of intrigue.
Look out for a January reading update soon. My goal is to post weekly reading summaries, instead of irregular book reviews. This is not to say I will not do reviews. I will. I will just make them a bit more manageable for myself. Or at least that is the hope.
See you all next time!
Anna The Scared Book Dragon
