TL;DR: All of them. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Drive home safely now.
Okay, maybe not quite all of them, but some days it sure feels like that. Before I joined the book blog community in 2018, I honestly didn’t read much. I mean, if you asked, I’d say I was a reader … but to me, that meant about one book a month. Boy how times have changed, right? Needless to say, I’ve missed out on some things, which I intend to rectify.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually books written before I was born, but … I don’t want to do that. Who wants to read books that are 30 years old? Pffft.
I’ve actually seen a couple bloggers do lists of books they want to read before reaching a certain age, and I always thought it was a really cute idea! In 2020, I turned the big 3-0, so 35 seems like a good cut-off age here.
I’m putting this out here for posterity. So if I don’t read them, you can find me in five years and wave this blog post in my face and properly scold me. Then maybe throw the remaining books at me and force me to read them, because that might just be what it takes!
I promise that I originally intended to stick to the unwritten (they’re totally written, don’t let me fool you) rules of Top TEN Tuesday, but … there’s a lot of books, guys. Even whittling it down to 15 was difficult. Honestly, I deserve a cookie just for that! These are in no particular order. Well, that’s not true. They’re in the order they popped into my head. It’s just chaos, though, I assure you.
Mistborn
My husband has been trying to get me to read this probably since I was 25, so 35 seems like a reasonable goal to have it read by. In my defense, I’ve started it. It just hasn’t held my interest so far. But I am determined, you hear me?! I will make it through the first book, at the very least, darn it!
Discworld
I don’t know that I’ll get through the entire Discworld series, considering there are something like 70+ books in the series. I would like to get a good chunk of them read, though. Certainly the small, yet impressive, collection that I already own. As I know there won’t be more Discworld books, I want to sort of take my time with these and really enjoy them, but still work my way through them.
The Conqueror’s Saga
I have absolutely no excuse for not reading this series. I own it. My library owns it. I’ve enjoyed other Kiersten White books at this point. Yet, I still just … haven’t read it. It’s one I’ve heard good things about it, though, and I still want to get to it!
Daughter of Smoke & Bone series
This is one that was big before I really got into book blogging, and I still hear about it off and on. Seems like something I’ll like, so I bought the first two books. I actually want to read all the books by this author, as I’ve heard they’re fantastic, but we’ll start here, shall we?
The Book Thief
I may be the only human being on the planet who hasn’t read this book at this point. I don’t even know why. It sounds exactly like my kind of book. I even bought it! *flails* Yet, for some reason, it remains unread. Maybe if I give myself a deadline it’ll be more likely to happen?
Stormlight Archive
Hubby has informed me that I need to read Mistborn first, but I made no promises. I’ve got another friend who every few months pokes me and reminds me that I still need to read this series. Especially when a new book in the series comes out, like it has recently. He’s been poking me weekly. I am well aware of my lack of reading this series, I assure you! This is definitely a case of the length of the books intimidating me, even though I loved Brandon Sanderson and will obviously adore this series.
The Giver Quartet
I’ve read The Giver and remember it well enough, but I’d like to read the rest of the series! I didn’t even realize it was a series until a couple years ago. I read the second book (without knowing it was the second book), but it was so long ago that I don’t remember anything about it. I definitely want to go back and read the three last books in this series in the next five years!
The Faithful and the Fallen
I read Gwynne’s Of Blood and Bone series last year and absolutely loved it! This series actually takes place before that one (though I read it wasn’t necessary to read this one first). I really enjoyed the world, so I’m ready to revisit it. This is another series where the books are super chunky, which always gives me pause, but I still want to read it!
The Lunar Chronicles
I’m still seeing these everywhere, and I think I own at least two of them. It’s a series I obviously need to read, since everyone seems to enjoy it! Enough said? I’d be silly to skip this series when so many people are telling me to read it!
Penryn & the End of Days
TALKING SWORDS! I know nothing more except that, and honestly, that’s enough. I’ve been told it multiple times, and yet I’ve still put the series off. I’m fairly certain I’m going to absolutely love this series, and I bought Kindle editions of all of them on sale a couple years ago. I’m actually looking forward to this one. It’s really just a matter of fitting it in!
Pendragon
I absolutely loved this series as a teenager! It was one of my favorites. Unfortunately, by the time the last few books had come out, I had moved on, and I never did finish the series. By now, I only remember little bits of it. I’d love to do a complete re-read and then continue on to actually finish it, since it bugs me that I never found out how it ended!
The Dark is Rising Sequence
I read this series as a kid … several times. So much that I memorized the poems within it and still remember them, even though I don’t remember a lot of things about the books themselves. I’ve been wanting to re-read this one for a long time, too, so I figured I’d make it one of my goals.
Norse Mythology
Technically, I’m going to group this with American Gods, both of which I think I’ll love and was desperate to read then I got them for Christmas and they fell by the wayside. It’s a sad fact of a bookwyrm’s life. I refuse to watch the American Gods series until I read the book, though, and I really want to read this one at the same time, while I’m at it.
The Promised Neverland
I’ve been told that I need to read this series so many times! I’m sure I’m going to love it. My desire to read manga waxes and wanes, and for the past year, when this really came into my radar, it’s been waning. Hubby’s interest in manga, however, is booming … so much so that he just bought a new tablet to read manga on. I suspect when his interest wanes, mine will probably kick in … and then I’ll have a fancy, new tablet to use to read manga on! See? Perfect plan!
Case Closed
I absolutely loved this anime. So freaking much! I’ve seen it too many times, and I keep rewatching it. The one thing that bugs me is how it ends, though, so I never get any answers. Which is fair, because the manga for this goes on foreverrrrrr. Honestly, that’s probably the main reason I haven’t read this yet. I mean, as of last year, there were 76 volumes out, so I think this goal is going to take me a decent chunk of time. I want to at least start working on this one, though, while my library has e-copies that I can get.
Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you thought of them in the comments, and drop your own TTT links!
This is a really interesting take on the prompt! I went with classics to avoid having to feel old (I turn the big 3-0 this year!), but I love how you twisted the prompt 🙂 great list!
I hope you like the City Watch Trilogy.
My post.
I loved The Lunar Chronicles! There are a few on here I need to read as well and love the idea of this for a blog post!
I hope you don’t push back from older books forever. That’s like saying all old people need to be sent to the gallows! There’s great wisdom there.
41 😉 Shh. That is doable.
Annemieke recently posted…Books Written Before I Was Born That I Have Read | #TopTenTuesday
I just got a copy of Malice and I’m very much looking forward to it. appy reading! 😀 My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/books-written-before-i-was-born-the-classics-edition/
I’ve never read John Gwynn or Sanderson and I almost feel like I’m a fake member of the fantasy community, lol. This list is great, though! I’ll be cheering you on😁
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…WINTER’S ORBIT by Everina Maxwell – Review
YAS, Mistborn! YAS, Lunar Chronicles! YAS, DoSAB! I loved these series so much (though some of them I read so long ago my old person memory fails when it comes to the details)!!! I loved American Gods but haven’t read Mythology or seen the show yet… I do want to check it out though! Lol great list, Sammie! Five years is a long-ish time… I reckon you can read all dem books! 😜You got this!
Dini @ dinipandareads recently posted…#TopTenTuesday: 10 Books from the 1980s
The Book Thief is one of my favourite books, I hope you enjoy it! I sadly didn’t like And I Darken, so haven’t read any of the other Conqueror’s Saga books. I’ve read most of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone books, but I keep putting off the third one because I didn’t like the second one much. I’m planning on finally finishing it this year.
Jo recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #301
Brandon Sanderson is my favorite! Everything he writes is amazing. At least Mistborn is short though.
I also loved Angelfall.
Briana @ Pages Unbound recently posted…Are Spreadsheets the Secret to Successful Blogging?
It seems like a lot of people aren’t going with the prompt! I didn’t either. The Book Thief is one of my favorite books ever. Here’s my post if you’re interested: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/ttt-february-new-releases/
So many of these are on my TBR as well!! Hope you enjoy all of these😊.
Hayden @ Followinggoodbooks recently posted…10 Classics on My TBR
“The Book Thief” is very good, I hope you love it! Others here are on my TBR too 🙂 Great list!
There’re so many great books on this list! The Book Thief, The Lunar Chronicles, and Norse Mythology are all exceptional, and I hope you love all of them. Discworld, the two Brandon Sanderson series, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone are all on my TBR too. I never really got as into The Conqueror’s Saga as a lot of other people did (it’s been several years and I still haven’t gotten to the 3rd book), but I can definitely see why other people like it so much, so I hope you enjoy it.
I hope you get to all of these before 35! YOU CAN DO IT!
I still need to read The Lunar Chronicles and The Book Thief too! And I also want to re-read Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising Sequence. But I can tell you that I really enjoyed Gaiman’s Norse Mythology, if that helps. (I listened to the audiobook of it. I really love listening to Neil narrate books.)
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Tag Tuesday ~ The Serial Reader Tag
You’ve got a lot of great reading coming your way, Sammie! I love the Discworld series – my favorite character is Moist von Lipwig, a con man who has been given no other choice but to run a failing city post office. His series within the Disworld stories starts with Going Postal, followed by Making Money, and Raising Steam.
There are so many books here that are also on my TBR! I did read The Book Thief and absolutely loved it. I also did the same thing with The Giver. I’ve reread the first one multiple times, but I ended up picking up Messenger (book #3) and reading it without realizing it was part of the series. I’ve been meaning to get around to the full quartet for awhile now. I also really need to reread and finally finish the PenDragon series…
Holliehocks @ My Thing About Books recently posted…TTT: Books I Love That Were Written Before 1990
Hmmmmm. So, yes to Cinder, I read it but I still haven’t read the last one in the series. But I think you will like it. It’s a great book.
Angelfall. Maybe. I don’t know. I have read it and the sequel but the third book is still on my tbr and I don’t know when or if I will read it. The truth is that I can’t really remember that much about those books? I know that it’s rather a fast read, the style is good. But honestly, I don’t remember much about the plot anymore.
I liked Daugher of Smoke and Bone and have been meaning to reread them since I’ve chickened out on the third book because size. Honestly. The German edition is so big, it’s not even funny anymore. I tried to sell it once because I kinda gave up but those fiends just…sent it back? I don’t know. I guess this could be a hit or miss for you. I have to admit, I’m quite curious what you will think of it.
Also, you forgot to put every Abi Elphinstone book in existence on this list. Also, I hereby challenge you to read books by Jake Burt. Just, you know, because I haven’t made you read stuff lately. 😉
Marion recently posted…My Reading & Blogging Goals for 2021 // better late than never
Brandon Sanderson has come very highly recommended! I’m excited to try his stories! Daughter of Smoke and Bone is really good! Love your take on this week’s topic! 😀
M. recently posted…Now, Then, Later
I love The Lunar Chronicles and DOSAB so much! I’m definitely due for a reread of both.
I love the twist you did for this week. The list of books you have is awesome; I absolutely love The Book Thief!
Cinder series… everyone seems to have read it except me but now I feel a little relieved it’s not just me 😛 (Lemme join the club, if there’s one 👀) Anyway, I keep seeing this book everywhere too! So might as well get to it soon 🤔
I have to agree that every human being having read The Book Thief, but hey, here I am again 😂 I haven’t read it either.
Ah Brandon Sanderson’s books always intimidate me because of the size 😅
I am currently watching Case Closed anime occasionally! I absolutely love it 😍😍😍 And I didn’t remember exactly, but I believe The Promised Neverland has been turned into an anime too🤔
Appy @ the bookish kitten recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: I Can’t Wait for…
Great list. I really need to read more Laini Taylor! I reread the first Mistborn when I tried to finish the series but only made it through the first two books and I’ll admit that I still don’t remember much of the details of what happened so I might have to give up on that one haha. 🙂
Lisa @ waytoofantasy recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles and all the Discworld series and all these other books sound amazing! You are a menace for my poor TBR 😄
Here’s my TTT.
AB @ Iwishiownedabookstore recently posted…Review: Wolf Girl by Leia Stone; aka Werewolf Bachelor
The Book Thief is on my list of books to read as well. I loved The Giver, but I also haven’t read the follow up books. I’d like to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone also. Great list!
Anneliese @ Miss New Village Reads recently posted…January Wrap Up
Oh Sammie, I can’t recommend Terry Pratchett’s fantastical Discworld series enough to you! Love it! 😍
jessicabookworm recently posted…🙏 Sunday Reflection | 7th February 2021
Very nice twist this week! Yes! Please read The Lunar Chronicles and then keep a record of your thoughts to share with us! 😉 It’s a series I’ve read several times, but I’m eager for a reread. The Book Thief is amazing, but quite the commitment. I’ve only read the first book, And I Darken, but I’m also hoping to finish the series one day. Happy reading!
Dedra @ A Book Wanderer recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Epic Romances Written Before I Was Born
Whoaaa, it’s been a long time since I saw Pendragon :O I was obsessed with those books through middle and high school. I haven’t reread them since. I would be curious to hear what you think of them now!
Jenna @ Falling Letters recently posted…The Liar’s Dictionary: An Unusual Work of Literary Fiction [Review]