Setting a reading challenge was not something I did until last year. I set a goal to read 25 books in 2018. Did I succeed? Unfortunately, no. I read 24 out of 25 books, so I was really close, but I could not find time to finish that last book because school and life came first. Typically, I set aside one hour every night to read before I go to sleep. Most nights I'm successful. Other nights I look like this bull dog, asleep on the book with my reading glasses askew.
Since I did not complete my reading challenge last year, I have set the same challenge for this year (and I am bound and determined to fulfill it because I was only ONE book away). Here's a look at the 25 books I want to read this year.
1. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
2. The Devil's Thief by Lisa Maxwell
I really wanted to read the Last Magician series because the story sounded interesting. I'm glad I picked up the first book because not only is it a fantastic story, but also it helped me think about my writing craft, which I will explain in another post once I finish the second book.
3. The Light of Paris by Eleanor Brown
I originally brought this book because I liked the cover and book description. I did not realize, though, that Eleanor Brown is a local author who lives in Colorado. She will be attending the Colorado Book and Arts Festival in March, which I plan to go to. I want to read this book before then, that way I can meet her and have her sign my book. I will also be posting about this event in the future, so stay tuned.
4. Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
I was not familiar with Markus Zusak until he came to Denver last October. I went to the event because I was excited about his upcoming book, Bridge of Clay. That night, I realized what a wonderful writer and person Markus Zusak is. My mom attended the event with me, so she brought a copy of Bridge of Clay as well. She had the chance to read it already, and completely fell in love with it, stating that it was like no other book she has read before. Now, I must read it as soon as possible so we can talk about it.
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
6. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
7. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
8. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
9. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
10. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Something you may not know about me is that I like to binge read a series all at once. I really don't like starting a series and then having to wait for the next book to finish it. Instead, I just wait until all the books in the series are published. There are rare occasions when I won't follow this pattern, but it's very unlikely. Cassandra Clare's books are one of those cases where I waited. I initially picked up City of Bones in high school, but for some reason I never finished the series. I would really like to read this series (and finish it) because it deals with similar themes to ones in my own writing.
11. The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
This book is one that my mom has wanted me to read for years, mainly because of the historical perspective and the author's writing style. I also like to diversify my reading interests by reading books outside the normal genres I gravitate toward, and I think this one will be a good fit for that.
12. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
13. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
14. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
I did say that I like to binge read a series, and because of that, I am behind on Clare's books. These three are a prequel trilogy to the others listed above. I am inspired by Clare since she is able to build off her world and her characters by writing spin-off books. I would love to have a writing career like hers since she is able to reinvent her stories in so many different formats, genres, and mediums.
15. The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier
This book counts as another one to diversify my reading interests. It also is one that I randomly stumbled upon in the bookstore and just had to buy. Books like these are great because they are surprises for me since they are outside of what I normally read, yet usually turn out to be intriguing.
16. The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
17. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare
18. The Shadowhunter's Codex by Cassandra Clare
These three titles are also set in the same world as Clare's other books. These will probably finish up my binge reading of her work for now. There are even more books she has written in the same series, which I plan to read, but with so many books, I will probably need a little break before diving back in.
19. The Gilded Years by Karin Tanabe
Outside of fantasy and young adult, I also enjoy reading historical fiction and literary fiction, which is why I try to mix them in every now and then. I was interested in this book because of the time period, and the story that the author sets out to tell.
20. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
I have heard so much about this literary classic that it's a must read. I am a big fan of Arthurian myth and literature, too, which is why I am interested to read this.
21. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
22. One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
23. Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake
24. Queens of Fennbirn by Kendare Blake
25. Five Dark Fates by Kendare Blake (Coming September 2019)
Another binge read! I have been waiting for years to read Kendare Blake's books. I actually met her in 2017, where she gave a fabulous talk about her writing, and signed my books. At the time, only the first two books in the series were out. Slowly, I have kept buying them for my collection, but in September I can actually get the last one and read the entire series. I am so excited for this I can't wait!
If you would like to follow me along my reading journey, I will be posting my Goodreads feed on my blog so you can see how my 2019 challenge is going. Fingers crossed I can make it this year!