This week’s Top Ten (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) asks us about the top ten books on our TBR. While many people might list new books being published this spring, I have an eye on my backlog of books. Of course, the slightest shift of the wind will change my reading mood, so take this list with a grain of salt. You may or may not see reviews for these books in the coming months…and given that I am officially FIVE books behind in reviews this year, even if I read them, you may still not see reviews. Ahem. Anyway.
Today I’m in the mood for deep books, even some rather big books, and I know that as slowly as I read that this list also an ambitious one I’d be lucky to finish by the end of summer. I’ve included two books I started but never finished (The Plot Against America, which should be interesting in context of what’s happening politically these days, and The Blind Assassin), and the only remaining book left to read by one of my favorite authors, Kent Haruf (Where You Once Belonged). Without further ado, here’s my full list:
The Evening Reader 
I always intend to try more Philip Roth (have only read American Pastoral) but can never muster the strength to! 😛
Great list! You’ve reminded me that I need to read more Atwood, immediately.
I LOVE love love Angle of Repose. It’s been a while since I read it, but it’s amazing. Also, I really liked Tell the Wolves I’m Home. It moved me. The Blind Assassin is on my to-reread-sometime-soon list! I remember nothing about it, but I know I loved it.
I’ve been wanting to read The Blind Assassin for years…so many books so little time. Happy reading!
Oh man, good luck with Atonement. McEwan has some gorgeous nuggets of prose, but not enough to justify the draggy pace of the book (for me). That one was a DNF for me.
I should probably reread East of Eden. I had to read it in high school, but I think I’d get much more out of it now. I was as shocked as anyone when I legitimately LOVED reading The Grapes of Wrath!
You have some good books on this list! I also have the first 2 books on my tbr pile. East of Eden and Blind Assassin are both good. And, Atonement is painful – in a ‘want-to-yell-at-the-book’ kind of way.
Good luck with them!
Wow, this is a great list! Tell the Wolves is so good, and I loved East of Eden. I didn’t like Atonement and Crossing to Safety as much as I felt I was supposed to, but still great books. And Haruf is a writer I need to read more of.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home! Oh read that one! It’s so wonderful, and for a book as emotionally weighty as that one is, it’s a quick and easy and enjoyable read. And so good.
Oh, what a great list! I loved Tell the Wolves I”m Home, Atonement, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Angle of Repose is a modern classic, and brilliant, but really takes determination to get into. Well worth the effort though. I hope you enjoy all of these!
Oh I loved An Instance of the Fingerpost when I read it quite a few years ago. Hope you enjoy.
I hope you have better luck with The Plot Against America this time around. I liked it. I also really liked Hotel at the Corner. Enjoy!
The Blind Assassin is one of my absolute favorites! Hope you enjoy it this time around!
I just read Tell The Wolves I’m Home this year and I REALLY liked it. I was so disappointed in myself that it took me so long to get to it.
Olduvai, American Pastoral is so well written but probably one of the bleakest books I have ever read. My favorite Roth is The Human Stain, which is also dark but in a completely different way.
Lauren, one can never go wrong with more Atwood!
Laila, I’ve read about 1/3 of both Angle of Repose and The Blind Assassin, and I remember enjoying them and am not sure why I set either aside (most likely to read a book club book or something due back soon at the library). Of course as soon as I made this list I thought of at least five other books I could put on there, like The Woman in White and The Orphan Master’s Son. Oof. It’s overwhelming!
Curiousdaisy, isn’t it the truth!
Katherine, interesting about Atonement. I’ve only read three or four of his books but only his latest (The Children Act) really disappointed me. As far as Steinbeck, I also loved The Grapes of Wrath, which I read in high school. I’m excited about reading East of Eden.
Naomi, a friend loaned me Hotel at the Crossing of Bitter and Sweet, but it’s been on my TBR forever. Like I told Laila, after I made this list I of course thought of at least five other books to add to this list. Really, it never ends, and of course I’ll change my mind. 🙂
Curlygeek, read all the Haruf! That’s the only one I haven’t read (some more than once), and I’ve loved them all.
Jenny, I just bought it on a whim because I have been meaning to read it forever. Happy to hear it has your endorsement–that means I’m bound to enjoy it!
Lisa, I have read part of Angle of Repose, and it’s a book that I always meant to get back to but just kept forgetting. I really love the way Stegner writes, so I am bound and determined to read it this summer.
Cathy, did you read Stone’s Fall? Is that one part of the 746? If it is you MUST read it. It’s so good!
TJ, The Plot Against America is one of those books I just HAD to have right after it was published, so I bought it, read the first 30 pages or so and then….forgot about it. I like Roth’s writing but who knows. I’m a moody reader! Here’s to the second time around, indeed.
Laura, thanks! I’ve read part of it, and I know it’s quite intriguing!
Kailana, I have picked it up so many times, but every time I left the store without it. Just before Valentine’s Day I saw it on super sale at Target, so I bought it. Now all I have to do is read it!
You have some great books listed. Atonement and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet are two of my favorites. It took me awhile to get through The Blind Assassin, but I enjoyed it quite a bit overall.
Thanks! Not really in the mood for dark reads at the start of spring but I’ll keep that in mind for next time!
Interesting list. The Plot against America is on my list too. Tell the Wolves I’m home has caught my attention; will look it up. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shantala, Tell the Wolves I’m Home was wonderful. I just finished it this week and could not put it down.
Wendy, at least somebody liked Atonement! It sounds like so many people had a difficult time with it. I’ve seen the movie, but I’m still interested in the book. I like the way he writes.
Oh thanks for letting me know. Adding it on my library holds list now. Thank you. 🙂