Books on my Summer TBR

I decided that I want to have a reading plan this summer. Well, not really a plan, but more of a guideline so I'm not so overwhelmed by books on my shelves. I don't have as much prepping to do this summer, so I'm planning on spending a lot of time reading, working out, and taking care of myself. I think it's pretty well-known and acknowledged that I'm pretty focused on school during the year. Now it's time to read.

I broke up my list into subcategories....because I'm just that crazy. Let me know what I should get to first!

Victorians

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte: I've had this title sitting on my shelf for quite some time, and since A Victorian Celebration is well underway, I think this will be my first read for the event. :)

Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy: I actually started to read this one a few months ago, but set it aside and never got back to it. I was really enjoying it, as I seem to enjoy all of Hardy's work, so I think it's time to settle in and finish it (it's also pretty short, so it should be a fast read).

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: So, if you've been a long-time reader of my blog, you know that Dickens is my arch-nemesis...well, he used to be. I've come to love some of his work (David Copperfield.... SO GOOD). This title is one that I've hated, but I really want to give it another chance. So, you're up Dickens!

Two on a Tower by Thomas Hardy: This is another slim Hardy volume that I'm sure I can fly through in a long sitting. I'm actually really intrigued by the story, so this might be at the top of my pile.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: I loved The Woman in White when I read it a couple of years ago, and while this has been sitting on my shelf for a couple years, I'm anxious to read it. :)

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot: This title will be a reread for me, but I was so blown away by it the first time, that I just need to read it again. I consider this my favorite of Eliot's works, so I need to make sure that stands. ;)


Other Classics

The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather: I really want to get back into my Cather project, and this is the next title up. :)

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton: I only have 100 pages left....so really, I need to just finish this. It's my favorite book. Ever. But I know it so well that I don't want to finish it, if that makes any sense. It's just so beautiful.

A lot of Shakespeare. I'm teaching a Shakespeare class this year! This is the first time it's been taught in about 9 years, so I'm starting from scratch. I'm still deciding what titles to teach, but The Tempest, The Taming of the Shrew, and Twelfth Night are all definite (I have 2 sections-1 each semester, so I might mix up the plays a bit!). I'm also considering Macbeth as one of our tragedies (I can't teach Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, or Julius Caesar as they are taught in other classes). Any suggestions?

Series

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson: I finished Mistborn a week or two ago, and I need to settle in with the next two books! I'm excited to see where the series goes, so this is a definite for me!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Laini Taylor: I read the first one last summer in one sitting and LOVED it, but for whatever ridiculous reason, I didn't finish the series. This is going to be a reread for me, but I want to read these!

Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo: I can't remember who recommended these to me, but I bought them all at once and they've been sitting on my shelf for quite some time. I love the covers and from what I remember...from that person who told me to read these, is that these are quite good. :)

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: I'm actually in the middle of A Storm of Swords, so I'm halfway done! HUZZAH! I'm a huge fan of the show, so I know I can jump right back into these and fly through them. Yep, they're big, but these are the kind of books where I can read 100-150 pages in a sitting.

Fables by Bill Willingham: I already read 1-4, but I have 5-8 sitting on my nightstand. These are great, quick reads, so I'm hoping to fly through them in between longer reads. I really love this series!

Random Books and Recommendations

Serena by Ron Rash: A friend at work read this and recommended it, and after flipping through it, I knew it was meant for me. I know little about it except that Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper were in the movie. And it's good. So, we shall see.

Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League by Jonathan ODell: This was another recommendation from a friend at work, and again, I know little about it. However, she really loved it and told me the history nerd part of me would love it.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith: I LOVE SMITH. And I am slowly getting around to all of his books. I just got this one in a book swap, and I am very excited to read more by him. After this one, I think there are only 2 I haven't read (Marbury Lens and Passenger....but I could be wrong). FABULOUS writer.

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami: This is a beast of a book, but one that I have wanted to read for a really long time. I feel like this is one I'm going to wait to read until the end of the summer, but I know it's going to be a fast-paced read.



Well, there you have it-a hopeful reading list for this summer. I think it's diverse enough to keep me plenty occupied, and while I know I won't get to everything, I think I can make a pretty good dent and read some fabulous books.

Let me know what you think I should move to the top of the pile as well as your plans for reading this summer!