Friday, January 14, 2011

Books I Never Read, But Probably Should've

Over at Janet's Journal this morning, my blog buddy Janet was talking about Children's Literature - what's she's read and what she hasn't.  Combined with a post over at Jennifer Lyon's blog - wherein she mentioned loving a character name from a JD Robb novel - I got to thinking about the famous authors and classic novels I've never read that I probably should've by now.

These are the books and/or authors I've never read - some of which I plan on rectifying once I get some time:

JD Robb / Nora Roberts - she's only one person (albeit a hugely prolific one), but I'd like to read at least one of each of her personas

Stephanie Meyer - I've never had the urge to read the Twilight series, but The Host sounds interesting, and I suppose I really should see what all the hubbub is about with her big money books.

Scott Westerfeld - from everything I've heard I'm doing myself an injustice by missing out on his spectulative series.  Uglies is definitely on my To-Read list.

Jane Austen - I've tried.  Really I have.  I just can't make myself get farther than a third of the way through anything I've picked up by her.

Mark Twain - Somehow, somewhere along the way I skipped reading any of his books.  Seen the movies, but never read the novels.  I did read one of his short stories, though.

Jean Auel - at some point, I am going to read Clan of the Cave Bear if it kills me.

Don Quixote - I've seen the play.  Hell, I can probably sing most of the songs from it all the way through.  I just need to get off my ass and read the book.

Mario Puzo - He's sold tons.  Millions of readers can't be wrong.

John Michener - Ditto

Ivanhoe - because, come on, I love the period, and the theme of the book is right up my alley

Louisa May Alcott - I must be the only female above the age of 14 who hasn't read at least one of her books

Joseph Conrad - I've heard conflicting reports on his books, but I did enjoy the movie Lord Jim (well, most of it).

Moby Dick - Call me Ishmael.  If Matilda can love it, why can't I?

Matilda - I loved the movie.  I really need to read the book.

Oscar Wilde - the man's sense of humor calls to me - I can't think of why I haven't read him yet.

The Rabbit novels by John Updike - recommended to me twenty years ago

Robinson Crusoe - given the fact that I tried to write this book when I was four (by copying it onto loose leaf paper), it's sick that I haven't ever read more than the first page.

DH Lawrence - especially Women in Love, which was given to me by the best English professor a young wannabe writer could ever need

Edgar Rice Burroughs - Tarzan?  Gods of Mars?  What's wrong with me?

Andre Norton - I did read her MG novel Star Ka'at, but she wrote so many great books

Tolstoy - I've read longer books.

Anthony Trollope - I've read some quotes from this guy that make me want to see what his fiction is all about

Wuthering Heights - another book I tried to read and failed. 

Charles Dickens - well I read The Mystery of Edwin Drood, but it's so odd I think I should try something else by him

Peter Pan - a case of love the mythology of this world, but never read the book

Anne of Green Gables - because my daughter loved it so

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - from everything I've read about Eco, I really don't like the man, but the movie from this book was awesome, so I better read the book. (I'm a sucker for Sean Connery - even if he plays a monk.)

The Lord of the Rings - I haven't read Tolkien other than The Hobbit - which I loved - and the beginning of The Silmarillion - which I hated.

So, I guess in this month of resolutions, I should commit to reading some of these.  Tell ya what, I resolve to read five of these books this year - more if I get a chance, but definitely five.  If I think of anything else I'll let you know.  If you think I missed anything, let me know.  K?

What books haven't you read that you feel like you should've?  Anybody willing to commit reading five of their own missed books this year?

5 comments:

  1. Let's see...

    no one reads the Twilight books because they're well written... we read them (Again and again) because they are MUSHY and we like the way they make us feel. The Host, on the other hand, is just REALLY interesting. Get past the first 80 pages and you're golden.

    The Uglies... I read the first book and it was okay. I'm not in a rush to keep going, but I probably will eventually.

    Jane Austen--I'm with you. It's hard to read when some of the movies are SOOO well done (the 2008 BBC version of Emma is AMAZING, and I like the twist on Pride and Prejudice in Lost in Austen--one of my top 5 fav movies EVER)

    I haven't read a lot of the really old classics because they bore me to tears, but I will say that The Picture of Dorian Gray is just too interesting not to read.

    I also plan to read the Anne books one day.

    That's my two cents! :)

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  2. I haven't read so many of those either! Anne of Green Gables is on my list as is Uglies. I have given Lord of the Rings and honest attempt 2x and just...can't. I loved The Hobbit too but dang it all...I will not give up yet. But...it's hard. lol

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  3. The Silmarillion really is hard to read, isn't it? That's what happens when an author wants to world/history build in a whole book! LOTR rocked though.

    The Rabbit Books are good. My favorite is Rabbit Is Rich.

    Good luck with your books!

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  4. I have to admit to not reading most of those on your list, although I do love Jane Austen. My daughter rolls her eyes whenever I've read (short) bits out trying to let her see how beautiful they are. I'm never going to convince her though.

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  5. I have a million books I should have already read but haven't! I want to be a more committed reader this year.

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