At the end of November, I asked you guys how you felt about monthly TBRs. I personally really enjoy them, but I do find them stressful when I restrict myself to a set amount of books. I also get a bit annoyed at myself if I don’t read every single book on the list and I then refuse to carry books over to the next month out of spite. So this year I’ll be sharing my TBR each month, but I won’t be so restrictive. I tend to read about ten books per month, so to keep myself from getting too stressed about this I’ll be sharing between five and ten books that I would like to read. And I’ve made a promise to myself that I won’t get stressed out if I don’t get to them.
1. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
I bought this book for myself for my birthday in November, and as luck would have it, it was chosen for my December book club pick. I’m two books behind, so I need to get a move on and read this. I’m very excited for some fantasy! I have the audiobook as well, so I’ll hopefully be listening to that. The narrator’s voice was amazing in the sample that I listened to so I bought it there and then.
2. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
This is a book club pick for a different book club – one that I’m not behind on! Woo! I’m always here for historical fiction, and the main character of this one is Aussie. YES.
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I don’t know much about this (I’d like it to stay that way, please!) but it’s probably going to make me cry.
4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
I’ve had Red Queen on my Kindle for the longest time, and I’m excited to finally be reading it! Joan and I will be buddy reading it in time for the sequel’s release next month.
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman has been very hit and miss with me so far, but this is the second book club pick that I’m behind on. I hope I can get into it!
6. Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
The main character is a slave and that’s all I know. I want to read this one ASAP!
7. Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers
I really, really hope this is a good debut, because it has such potential! I love assassin stories.
I got this one from my friend as a Christmas present and I want to read it very soon! It’s been on my wishlist since it was announced, so I’m thrilled to finally be able to get to it! Post-apocalyptic novels are my favourite.
9. The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard
This is another one that I know very little about, and it’s another book club pick that I need to get to. Literally all I know is that it’s been translated from Danish, and it has been compared to The Shadow of the Wind. Which I haven’t read. Oops?
If you have read any of these books then you should let me know what you thought of them! Or tell me which ones I should prioritise and review first. I’m particularly excited about Orleans and Red Queen, but I can’t wait to read any of them.
Samantha says
You’ve got some good books on here! American Gods is one of my all time favourites, though I know it’s a love it or hate it book, and River Of London is so, so great. I also listened on audiobook and I bloody love the narrator. I’ve had The Narrow Road To The Deep North sitting on my Kindle for a year now – perhaps it’s time I actually picked it up?
Amber says
I’m a bit nervous about American Gods, but I’m also looking forward to giving it a go. Same goes for TNRTTDN.
Kaylie @ Potterhead Reviews says
Out of all of these I only read Red Queen and I didn’t enjoy that one at all. Not to demotivate you or anything! A lot of people seem to like it and I hope you will too. The other books on your TBR are completely new to me.
Amber says
You didn’t demotivate me, don’t worry! I just marathoned books one and two XD
Piper says
My TBR consists of books that I would like to read but I never restrict myself 🙂 I really enjoyed American Gods.
Amber says
I don’t stick to the list if I don’t want to, don’t worry xD
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic says
I SO BADLY want to read Red Queen and Sword and Verse! Enjoy!
Amber says
RED QUEEN WAS AWESOME.
Rowen says
I keep debating whether to pick up American God’s. One of my favourite authors really recommends it, but Stardust is the only Neil Gaiman book I’ve read and after the film I actually felt a little disappointed. Unusual, but I just loved the film so much!
Amber says
I haven’t read Stardust but I agree that the movie is excellent! And it has a great soundtrack. Neil Gaiman is very hit and miss, so I don’t know if I want to read the book and feel like you did 🙁
Vlora says
I haven’t read any of these, but I have The Color Purple (I’ve had it for a year or so, so I’ll try to get around to reading it at some point this year) and I’ve been on the fence about whether I want to Red Queen or not since it came out, so I’ll be curious to know what you think!
Amber says
YOU NEED TO READ RED QUEEN RIGHT THIS SECOND
Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity says
I was just scrolling through the post glimpsing the book covers and thinking I wasn’t going to bother commenting (I know, bad me) but then I saw Library of Shadows and I got really excited because I’ve read that! My mom sent it to me in my first year of uni and said I’d probably like it and I really did. I’ve been meaning to reread it for the past couple of years. It’s different to anything I had read up to that point and I found it so interesting. The entire concept was new to me. I really hope you do read it because I would love to hear someone’s thoughts on it that isn’t my mom.
As for the rest Red Queen was fun but not original, it was enjoyable though. It was a fun dystopian read and I’ve recently read Glass Sword and it does take a new and interesting route in the second book which makes me forgive some of the unoriginality of the first. Orleans, I am very jealous of you having because I’ve been intrigued with that one ever since I began a quest to find books set in New Orleans. American Gods was a fantastic read, but it’s Neil Gaiman so I’m biased. It’s daunting due to it’s size though, but definitely worth it if you’re interested in mythology and world gods.
Amber says
Someone in my book club chose it on a whim – I hadn’t heard of it before! I’ve seen some mixed things, but I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much. I’m hoping to read it ASAP, as long as I don’t get distracted by other things. Haha.
I read Red Queen (and Glass Sword, because what is self control?) and I loved them both! Not the most original, but a lot of fun and I ADORE stories about people with powers. X-Men is my favourite thing.
Rinn says
Rivers of London is waiting on my shelf too. Maybe I’ll try and get to it this month 🙂