Right now I’m still trying to read as many of the Canada Reads 2018 contenders as I can before the debates that start March 26th (for more info on the 2018 picks, go here, for more info on Canada Reads, go here), so those are top of my list. Swiftly followed by the books that made the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist that was announced last week (I’m not planning to read all of them, but several were on my TBR already and the longlist has revived my enthusiasm). Then there are a few other books that are jumping off my shelves just waiting for me to get to them. So here are my most urgent TBR picks, in that order.
Canada Reads contenders I haven’t finished yet:
I’m having trouble picking which of these three books I want to dive into next. I’ve read a chapter or so of American War, and while it’s very well written and easy to get into, I’m not sure it suits my current headspace. If you have thoughts on which one I should start with, let me know in the comments!
Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist top picks:
There are so many books on the longlist I’m anywhere from vaguely interested in to completely dying to read. These are closer to the latter end of the scale. Oddly I started Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and put it down as it didn’t grab me, but everyone (and I mean everyone) is so in love with it and with Eleanor that I have become convinced I was just having an off day and that when I do finally read the whole thing, I’m going to love it. I’ve only read A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel) and while I got the hype, I didn’t totally buy into it. But I am completely intrigued by the premise of Manhattan Beach – it’s about the first female diver working in a navy yard mending war ships during WWII. That’s really all I need to know. Badass. I’m in.
The other two I am more predictably excited for. I read Joanna Cannon’s first book, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, and though I don’t think it’s perfect, I absolutely loved her writing, and her ability to create a whole community that felt so real it practically came to life around me as I read. And Jesmyn Ward is an author I am mortified not to have ready anything by yet – she’s one of those authors I am so convinced I will love that I’ve got multiple of her works on my shelf in preparation. I’m also curious to see how I feel about the magical element to Sing, Unburied, Sing because so many people seem to feel like it was superfluous and didn’t do anything for the plot. We shall see!
Other books I can’t wait to get to:
These are all books that came out only recently, but I feel like I’ve been waiting to read forever. They’re all to do with women’s experiences, something I’m feeling drawn to lately.
That’s it for my spring reading TBR – and I can guarantee you I won’t stick to it! I’d love to hear from anyone who’s read any of these, or wants to. And, of course, let me know which books you’re dying to get to!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
I like your theme this week 🙂 I am definitely intrigued to see what you think of some of them.
I love that you’re reading the Canada Reads list. I’m trying to work my way through the Stella Longlist from 2017 and 2018 (Australian prize for women’s fiction/non-fiction) and not having too much luck cramming things in. I have not read any of these, but several are on my list, including American War and Eleanor. I’ve had friends rave about Eleanor and was excited to read it, but I started it one day and it was immediately evident it was going to be a tough read (emotionally) and I was not in the right space. On the waiting list for the audiobook, which I think might be a better format for me on that one. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on these.
Nice list! Eleanor and SIng Unburied are on my probable TBR too. I have heard so many good things about these. And good luck with your Canada reads 🙂
My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/03/fifteen-diverse-ya-contemporary-books-written-by-diverse-female-authors-on-my-spring-tbr/
Definitely a different list of books than I have seen so far! I hope you get to read them this spring!!
http://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/top-ten-tuesday-2018-spring-tbr.html
Ask Me About My Uterus sounds like a good read. I want to read it, too, now.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Let me add my big yes to Eleanor. I’ve passed (for now) on Manhattan Beach, even though I heard the author speak and loved hearing her thoughts about writing.
American War is new to me, and I think I need to read more about it; I’m not sure I can bear to read it, as I actually live in this mess of country right now.
https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/03/eleven-books-i-hope-to-read-this-spring.html
You`re right, everyone has been raving about Eleanor Oliphant. I haven`t picked it up yet because I`m afraid of the hype, but I definitely want to read it this year.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is one I read a while back and I liked it. Although I did struggle with it at first and Eleanor got on my nerves, haha. I discovered I really had to be in the right mindset to read and enjoy this story. 🙂 Hope you like it!
Three Things About Elsie intrigues me. I’ve seen that book around a lot. I hope that you enjoy these books when you get around to them.