It has been a long time coming, but I am officially on a book buying ban for the foreseeable future. My bank balance, my ever-collapsing bookshelf and my concierge who gladly accepts all of my Amazon orders ever-other day shall probably rejoice at the fact book buying is off the cards for a bit.
Instead of loading up on new novels, I am going to race through and finish my To Be Read shelf over the last few months of 2018, and into early 2019, too. There are a plethora of fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies and canonical classics to get through in my leisure time – all of which are listed below.
If you have read any or fancy reading along with me via #cigsoundsbookclub, follow me via Goodreads or Instagram for regular updates.
Harry Potter (1-7) by J.K Rowling
Sometimes, I just cannot be arsed to physically read, hold a book, or actually have my eyes open, yet still, yearn for something to be consumed and to buzz around my brain. Annually, the answer to my prayers is usually the Stephen Fry-narrated Harry Potter audiobooks. I have recently repurchased them and am already deep into the wilds of Philosopher’s Stone. I wonder if I will ever stop being a geek.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Waterland by Graham Swift
The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass + The Tiger In The Well by Philip Pullman
A Philip Pullman frenzy is on the cards. After sinking my teeth into The Northern Lights and its predecessor (the first volume of The Book Of Dust) earlier this year, naturally next on my list to devour is The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass (the most recent additions to my shelves).
Away from the His Dark Materials trilogy, I too ate up the second book in the Sally Lockhart quartet, The Shadow In The North. The third, The Tiger In The Well, has been sitting on my shelf for some time now for reasons unbeknownst to myself. I WILL READ YOU THIS YEAR.
Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Waterland by Graham Swift
Reelin’ In The Years by Mark Radcliffe
I finished Mark Radcliffe’s Thank You For The Days earlier in October and was in adoration at his sarcastic mannerisms, ability to convey sheer emotion and allow the reader to feast on his humorous memories. Thus, ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ is next on my list from Radcliffe. A pop-culture-littered autobiography with every chapter being labelled with songs, ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ is apparently warm, comedic and terribly witty. I am so excited.
Vanity Fair by William Thackery
If you do keep up to date with my Goodreads, you will see this has been in my ‘reading’ folder for well over 2 months now. It is a bloody hard read and usually, I would have ditched this by now – but I need to digest it before I watch the three-part ITV Vanity Fair drama. Need to watch Vanity Fair, but need to finish the book before I watch it. A cyclical narrative indeed.
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
M Train by Patti Smith
Set The Boy Free by Johnny Marr
The Hollow Of The Hand by PJ Harvey
PJ Harvey is one of my forever, ever icons. She’s just so fucking cool; there is not another way to describe it. Her poetry book (featuring gorgeous photography from Seamus Murphy) The Hollow Of The Hand, has sat on my bookshelf for years after winning it when placing second in the 2015 Wilko Johnson Writing Award. My copy is signed by Harvey herself. The fact I am yet to read this book is a crime.
Can’t Stand Up From Falling Down by Allan Jones
How Music Works by David Byrne
Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Persuasion + Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Like Pullman, I have a Jane Austen extravaganza on my hands. The collection of novels I am yet to read, including Mansfield Park and Persuasion, are neatly wrapped up in a beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing Austen anthology. The author is one of the only canonical writers I unwaveringly adore, which is why she deserves a time injection.
ELLA LOUISE SCOTT 