Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Top 10 Tuesday: Dear Santa...


Top 10 Tuesday is hosted over at The Broke and The Bookish.

This week: 10 books I wouldn't mind santa leaving under the tree.




Guys, I love Christmas. There's a growing malaise amongst my friends where it just isn't cool to be over excited about gifts and biscuits and roast dinner and santa hats and tacky Christmas music.


Me too Doctor, me too!

Bah Humbug, I say!! Christmas is wonderful, and while I love giving gifts (finding that perfect gift is one of the best feelings) I don't mind receiving a  present or two either! So here's my list - mum, dad, Tom -- are you guys paying attention?


1. Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel
A month or so ago I read the huuuuuge Wolf Hall which proceeds this new release and loved it. This one isn't quite as terrifying in size, so I highly doubt it'll take me a full year to get to this one if I am lucky enough to be gifted it.

2. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The conceit of a book spanning multiple generations and centuries and intersecting stories is right up my alley.

3. Animal Farm - George Orwell
Hi, my name is Kayleigh, I'm a book blogger and I've never read Animal Farm. *Hi Kayleigh* It's about time I rectify this issue right?

4. The Casual Vacancy - J.K Rowling
Because duh, J.K Rowling!

5. Book of Lost Things - John Connolly
I was captured by the cover of this book at the bookstore a year or so ago, but I've never gotten around to buying myself a copy. Santa, please?

6. The Sea is my Brother - Jack Kerouac
As a Kerouac fan it's a real embarrassment that I never picked this one up, no time like the present though right? (see what a did there, heyyy hey!!)

7. Big Fish - Daniel Wallace
I fell in love with the film adaptation (hello Ewan McGregor!!) and didn't discover it was based off of a book until a couple of years ago. I can't wait to read the magic that the film produced.

8. Skag Boys - Irvine Welsh
I've read Trainspotting, I've read Porno, and I loved them both. It's time to round out the trilogy.

9. Pnin - Vladimir Nabokov
I've always wanted to read more Nabokov, and Pnin always caught my eye. A beautiful old edition would be a welcome addition until my Christmas tree.

10. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula Le Guin
I've always loved science fiction and fantasy, but I've never really explored the genres at length. Le Guin seems to be almost a god amongst fans, so I think it's remiss of me to not have read her so far.

And if I can get in a sneaky number 11, I'd ask Santa for a slightly larger, non-book present under my Christmas tree...

Because...why not?!

22 comments:

  1. Hi Kayleigh, I've never read Animal Farm either.

    I'm holding out for the Bring Up the Bodies paperback (gotta match my Wolf Hall), but otherwise, I'm with you there.

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    Replies
    1. Good to know there are a few of us in this particular support group.

      I hadn't even thought about the hard/soft cover issue with Bring Up the Bodies!! If I do happen to get it I'll probably end up buying a paperback edition when it comes out too!

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  2. Hi Kayleigh, I'm Belle and I've never read Animal Farm either! Eek. There's a lot of classics I haven't read, actually. I did intend to get to some this year but... failed.

    I usually loooove Christmas but this year I'm not too excited, mainly because I'm freaking out at how quick the year has gone. I'm not ready!

    I wouldn't mind a bit of Hiddles under the tree though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one! I think this one is the one I'm most embarrassed about though because people are always surprised since apparently it's quite a "me" sort of book.

      It's definitely snuck up this year, and despite the scorching heat (I seriously think it's hotter than the last 4 summers combined!)I'm still pretty excited. We're having our own Christmas dinner for friends this year, so I'm feeling pretty grown-up haha.

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  3. Well, I HAVE read Animal Farm, but there's plenty of other contemporary classics I haven't got round to, in fact, I've decided to set myself a challenge to fill some of the glaring gaps in my reading list in 2013. So don't worry; you're not the only one. Cloud Atlas is definitely on I feel I should have read by now.
    http://annabelsmith.tumblr.com/post/37136353542/christmas-books

    ReplyDelete
  4. There are definitely a fair few holes in my contemporary book collection, and I slowly seem to be closing it each year. Maybe next year I'll concentrate on classics (old and contemporary) and catch myself up.

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  5. Duuuuuude, Animal Farm is pretty good. And it's SO short. We need to get you on this immediately if not sooner! Also, Pnin is alright. And probably even better when you don't *have* to read it. :)

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    1. Yes ma'am! I do really want to read it, it's probably top of my list of older books that I've never read. Maybe I should organise a read-along?

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  6. Loved The Left Hand of Darkness. Great list!

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    1. Thanks :) I keep hearing great things about The Left Hand of Darkness, so I'm really hoping I get the chance to read it soon.

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  7. I loved TCV! And I'd also like to get Animal Farm and Big Fish.
    Also, Tom... mmmmmmmm...

    My TTT

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    Replies
    1. He's a little bit amazing right?! That gif is my absolute favourite!

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  8. I'm also holding out for the Mantel in paperback even though I STILL haven't read Wolf Hall! It's sad...I know. (I also have a copy of Cloud Atlas waiting for me on a shelf. I'm a little scared of it though!)

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    Replies
    1. Well I thought Wolf Hall was amazing so waiting for the sequel in paperback will just mean twice the awesome!

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  9. Skag Boys is on my list too, I loved the first two, but haven't picked up this one yet. I love Christmas too, I really get over the top excited, but I can't help it.

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    Replies
    1. A fellow Christmas fan! So glad I'm not the only one to get completely wrapped up in everything this time of year!

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  10. Love this list! There are some I haven't heard of before but they sound amazing. :D

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    1. Since I haven't read them I can't recommend them per say, but I've heard such good things about all of them I really doubt they'll be anything less than great.

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  11. The Book of Lost Things, if you don't buy any other book on your list. I swear I should get a commission. It is one of my all time favorites. A fairy tale which is darkly sweet and complex and grown up.

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    1. I feel the same way about recommending Game of Thrones (the tv show and the books), if I got $10 for each person who I recommended them to who then loved them, I'd be doing pretty well for myself!

      If I don't get The Book of Lost Things for Christmas, I'll be buying it for myself, definitely.

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  12. Cloud Atlas sounds so interesting. Nice list. Thanks for stopping by today. Happy reading!

    Top 10 @Libby Blog

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