Lost in Pages

Hello, everyone! One of my reading goals for 2020 is to get to some of my backlisted titles. I have basically five bookcases filled with titles – some of which I’ve had for YEARS. It’s completely unacceptable that I haven’t touched them, and frankly unfair to those books because I know some are such highly rated stories. So, I’m making a list of twenty books I’ve had for a while that I’m definitely getting around to this year. When that’ll happen, who’s to say? I don’t like timing or scheduling myself because then I just sabotage everything, and nothing gets accomplished.

With any further ado, here are the titles I want to get to this year! These are in no particular order.

1. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

I’m kind of mad at myself for never having read this. I’ve owned it for actually years, and I have multiple editions of it. Why? Who’s to say, but I say it will get read this year. I’m tired of being left out of the fandom, and I want to finally understand the artwork and quotes I always see. Plus, Schwab creates beautiful stories, so I know I’ll love it.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

It makes me ashamed to say I’ve never read any of Tolkien’s books. Being a massive fan of the Lord of the Rings movies, I need to read this series. I feel like a poser if I never do, I can’t be a real fan.

3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik

I’ve been saying that I’ll read this for years, and yet here I am, 2020 and still haven’t. I even spent $100 on a deluxe illustrated, signed leather edition of this book. That’s how sure I am that I’m going to love it. Why haven’t I read it yet? I honestly don’t know.

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Morgenstern’s writing, and this story has been on everyone’s list of favorite books of all time. I need to see what all the fuss is about.

5. Night Film by Marisha Pessl

2019 was my year of true crime. I started listening to multiple murder podcasts, and I watched a bunch of documentaries. Night Film has always been on my radar because a lot of people mentioned how eery and great the story was, so I feel like now is as good a time as any to finally take a crack at it.

6. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I can’t tell you how many times I started this book and started the show, only to put them both down for no real reason. I really love the characters and the plot is highly entertaining, but for some reason I just can’t seem to finish either of these. This year will be the year I read at least the first novel, and I will definitely get caught up on the show. Mark my words.

7. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Like I said earlier, I became a true crime fiend in 2019. It’s only right that I read a true crime staple, and I’ve had this one on my shelf for quite some time. A lot of people had to read this in high school or college, but I never was required to, so now’s the time for me.

8. The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I’ve been saying for years that my favorite movie of all time is The Princess Bride. It has every genre you could want all wrapped into one – adventure, action, romance, comedy…I could go on. So if I love the movie so much, why haven’t I read the source material? Your guess is as good as mine.

9. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I truly loved the Strange the Dreamer duology, mostly for the beautiful writing of Laini Taylor. I hope one of the OG Taylor series can hold up compared to my love of Lazlo and everything in Strange. But there’s only one way to find out – read the dang thing.

10. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Everyone and their mother loves this dang series, and I feel left out. I feel like I’ll definitely like it if I give it a chance. Hell, I own the whole trilogy, so I’m obligated to at least try out the first one, right?

11. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Yeah, yeah, I know. I haven’t read a Leigh Bardugo book. Do I own every single one of them, plus special editions of a couple? You bet your ass. Will I read this in time for the Netflix show? You bet your ass twice.

12. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

I have my whole Truthwitch series signed by Susan Dennard, but have I cracked one open and started to read it? Nope. Will I this year? That’s the plan. I love magic and fantasy, and Sam from ThoughtsonTomes loves this series. I have high expectations.

13. Renegades by Marissa Meyer

I read about 75 pages of this at YallFest in 2017. I haven’t touched it since then, so what’s wrong with me? Superheroes and supervillains and action packed fight scenes? Count me in.

14. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Everyone also loves this series, and Kayla from Booksandlala always recommends it. I can’t not take one of her recommendations, so it’s been on my list for a while now. It’s also incredibly short compared to most things I read, so I have no excuse.

15. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

I really love Jack the Ripper stories, and this one has a badass girl in it too. What’s not to love? I own this whole series, so I’m ready to love it and binge the whole thing.

16. The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

I’ve owned this one for a couple years, and I even sought out the UK cover because I liked it better. That amount of effort deserves a read, so I owe it that at least. Plus, this gives me Aladdin vibes, and that was my favorite Disney movie of all time. I can’t say no.

17. Scythe by Neal Shusterman

I saw this series pop up on everyone’s favorites of 2019 lists, so I decided to bump it up on my TBR. It deals with death and competitions, so I know I’ll enjoy it.

18. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

I heard more buzz about this book a few years back, but with the upcoming release of Mandel’s The Glass Hotel in just a couple of months, I feel like it’s finally time to give it a go. It’s post-apocalyptic with a theater troupe – what more could you want?

19. Finale by Stephanie Garber

This one hasn’t been on my list for terribly long, but seeing as it’s the finale to one of my favorite series, I’m not sure why I haven’t picked it up. Am I afraid it will disappoint? Maybe. But I think I’m ready to dive back into this world and see how it wraps up.

20. The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Just like with Finale, The Queen of Nothing hasn’t been on my TBR for very long. I’m just disappointed with myself for not picking it up sooner. I really loved the first two books, and Wicked King left off with such a cliffhanger, I’m not sure how I’ve waited this long to see what comes next. I think I’m just scared for Jude and Cardan, and I don’t want to see them in pain. I’ll just have to suck it up and read it.

What are some backlist titles you have that you want to get around to this year? Let me know your TBR plans in the comments below!

Until next time,