BOOKS TO READ IN 2016

When others look back on their year they probably think about the memories made and check to see what resolutions they kept. I, however, put a lot of thought into what I've read and what I have failed to. 

This year I have been particularly reflective. For the past three years I have set my reading goal to around 50-52 books, so around one a week. An easy task for a reader, really. Although this year I have failed spectacularly. Whenever I've been at university I've hardly ever read a book for pleasure, this year was no different. Usually the summer is catch up time, where I end up reading at least one a week and read about 7 in the annual "BookTube-A-Thon" - well not this year! I spent my summer working in America and didn't finish a single book! And so we come to the end of the year with only 34 books read (as of 23rd December). 34, a good number for some, an appalling number for someone whose target was 50. 

Anyway, before I engulf myself with disappointment whilst skimming through Agatha Christie books in a desperate attempt to get nearer to my goal, here is my list of books I really want to read in the new year.




Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

I adored The Silkworm, the second outing for JK Rowling's crime-solving Cormoran Strike, and so I eagerly bought this in hardback when it was released last year. Here's hoping I read it soon.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara 

I bought this with the intent to read it before the Man Booker winner was announced - however, the size of this book was always going to conquer me due to buying it only a few days before the announcement. I gave up before trying as to not disappoint myself.

What Remains by Tim Weaver

The sixth book in one of my favourite crime/thriller series. I got this for free at my work placement at Penguin (after asking for it for christmas and then letting my mum know I didn't need it due to free books in publishing!), and I'm so excited to carry on with this fantastic series.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 

It's getting ridiculous now. Must. Read. Soon.

The Missing Hours by Emma Kavanagh

Another book I received for free whilst interning. It comes out in April 2016, so I really want to read and review it before it comes out.

Pretty Is by Maggie Mitchell 

A proof I was sent by Orion, and it has been described as perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh's  I Let You Go - which I was certainly a fan of. Excited to get stuck in! 

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

It's time to use my kindle more this year, and I bought this as one of amazon's deals, so no excuses. Besides, it's historical fiction and I also need to read more of that!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you've gained some suggestions. Don't forget to leave me some in the comments or on twitter! 

Friday Reads | 16th August 2013

Earlier in the week I was faced with the daunting task (for me) of reading three books at the same time, two were the same genre and it made it quite difficult. My tiny brain isn't used to such torment and confusion. Luckily, this Friday, I'm only currently reading two books and they are as follows:

GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn

'Gone Girl', as seen on the cover is hailed as 'thriller of the year' by The Observer, as has since lived up to this claim. 

I've been reading this with my friend, Emily, and I'm just over half way through it. 

It's premise is that Nick Dunne's wife, Amy has suddenly vanished on their fifth wedding anniversary, and the novel is from his current point of view, inter-spliced with diary extracts of Amy's from over the course of the couple's relationship. 

So far it's incredibly well-written but as I'm finding out more and more, it's lexis is not for one who is easily offended. The characters so far are awful, as in, they seem like incredibly arrogant people, but that is what makes this novel and at the moment I'm becoming incredibly invested, I can't wait to see what other twists await in the last third of this thriller.

THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner

I have a feeling this is going to develop into your run of the mill dystopian novel. 

The book follows Thomas, who wakes up in a maze, with no memories or clue as to where he may be. The beginning was rather slow and has the most infuriating opening to a YA novel I think I've ever read. It is slowly developing however, and I find myself getting more and more invested into this strange world that these teenage boys have found themselves thrust into. 

I'm hoping to finish 'Gone Girl' soon, and then I shall continue on with 'The Maze Runner'.

Let me know what you're reading this Friday, and leave your blog in the comments so I can find more bloggers.

Happy reading,

Robert.