Top Ten Books I’ve Added To My (massive) TBR
I can’t remember what life was like before Book Blogging, when I bought books to read them right away, and when I only owned a handful of unread books. When I didn’t know about loads of the latest releases, and wasn’t getting tons of recommendations from awesome bookish people. Now that I am involved in this community, I’m consistently adding to my TBR pile. So here are 10 books I’ve recently added to my TBR, which sound pretty awesome.
1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood: I feel like one of the only people left on the planet to have not read this. It’s often referred to as a brilliant dystopian and feminist text, which sounds right up my street. When I saw this gorgeous cover, I couldn’t say no.
2. Nina Is Not OK by Shappi Khorsandi: This is supposed to be a fantastic contemporary novel, and I’ve seen it around a lot in the community. I won a copy of this through Goodreads First Reads.
3. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson: Now and again I love to sink my teeth into a great non-fiction book. I’ve started a few with high expectations over the past few months, and none of them have blown me away. I read a couple of pages of this in the bookshop and instantly fell in love with Bryson’s witty writing. Expecting great things from this.
4. The Selection by Kiera Cass: This series seems to be marmite; you either love it or hate it. My perception is that it’s quite a light, easy-to-read series, and sometimes that’s just what you need. I picked up the five book series for just £7.99 at The Book People.
5. The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis: I originally saw this book on Jen Campbell’s YouTube channel, and subsequently saw an interview with the author, Janet Ellis, which made me super interested in this book. I picked up the beautiful hardback for £4.99 from The Book People.
6. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari: Not only do I love a good non-fiction read every now and then, but I’m also fascinated by the idea of dating – modern dating versus older traditions, the role of a relationship in modern life, if there is a place for traditional relationships anymore, and how the dawn of the digital age has deeply impacted all of the above. Really hoping this book sheds some light on the topic.
7. Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes: This is the sequel to You, which I read and reviewed last year. I really enjoyed the first novel – it was a very creepy and well written debut, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue with the series. This book was part of a 6 for £10 deal at The Works, so I thought it was worth picking up. Does anyone know if there are more books planned in this series?
8. The Lives of Stella Bain by Anita Shreve: This sounds like a fascinating historical novel, set around WW1, about a woman suffering from severe shell-shock that has resulted in amnesia.
9. The Protector by Jodi Ellen Malpas: It’s been a long time since I’ve read a straight-up adult romance novel, and sometimes that’s all I want to get lost in. As cheesy as this one looks, I’ve heard really good things about it.
10. The Establishment by Owen Jones: I heard about this book through Jean @ Jean’s Bookish Thoughts, and even though it’s a heavier read that will take me a bit of time to get through, and I’ll have to keep my brain in while I’m reading it, I’m looking forward to it. Even if it will anger me through hypocrisy and inappropriate use of power in the process.
I feel like I’ve picked up a really good mixture of reading material lately. Now all I need is to win the lottery and live a leisurely life with unlimited time to read them!
What books have you added to your TBR pile lately? Are there any of these you think I should get to immediately? Let me know in the comments!
Confessions of a Book Geek 
Modern Romance is fantastic! I listened to the audio book version over the summer and really enjoyed it, particularly because Aziz Ansari is the narrator. He draws some really interesting and eye-opening conclusions about the way we date in our modern society, both in the United States and around the world. Though he does add in some of his own personal anecdotes, it was refreshing to read a book by a celebrity that wasn’t just about their own life. I hope you enjoy it whenever you get around to reading it! 🙂
LikeLike
Yay! I love hearing good feedback about my potential new reads! I’ve just read a couple of non-fiction (and a couple of non-inspiring reads!) so I’m going to read a couple of lighter books before I tackle it. R xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Anita Shreve. I have a few of her books but the one I enjoyed the most was The Pilot’s Wife. I’m not familiar with this new one, though. Oh, The Protector. I’m so bad. I’ve started that one weeks ago but stopped because: LIFE. Sigh.
Happy reading, Rachel!
LikeLike
I thought I’d read her before, but when I checked out her other books I didn’t recognise them. I may have one on my TBR that has escaped my Goodreads shelf. I have new bookshelves coming soon, and I can’t wait! And when I get them, I’m going to have to go through my physical books and make sure my Goodreads want-to-read shelf is up-to-date. I’m afraid to see what the actual number of books is on my TBR…
Is The Protector good? Does it have potential!?
Thanks, Joy! 😀 R xx
LikeLike
I love the Selection series!! I hope you do too 🙃🙃
LikeLike
Thanks! I hear good things about the first lot, apparently some people were annoyed by the final 1/2, but I’m really in the mood for a light hearted and quick read! R xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely preferred America’s story to Eadlyn’s, but I like the character growth in Eady’story 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve now read all 5 (?) books and can comment! I prefer America’s story too. I struggled with Eady’s initially thinking it was going to be quite repetitive, but by the end I thought it was a good job. I have to say, it’s not award winning fiction, but it’s addictive and does what it says on the tin! I FLEW through them! R xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, 5 books 🙂 I struggled with Eadlyns story because I detested her right at the beginning and only began to like her toward the end. I just think that Americas story was done a lot better than hers. But they were definitely addictive and what you saw is what you got 🙂
LikeLike
I want to read The Selection too. I’m expecting it to be a bit light and fluffy but I still think I’ll enjoy. Plus the covers are fab!
I really enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale but I listened to the audiobook narrated by Claire Danes, and just made it come alive. Your cover is amazing though.
I wasn’t mad about You, I didn’t hate it but I’ve no interest in reading on.
LikeLike
You can’t beat that price, Trish! You should definitely get them.. *ignore me pushing books all over you*.
Did you like The Handmaid’s Tale? I didn’t know it’s considered a children’s classic?! My cover is the children’s vintage edition, though I bought it in the normal “adult” fiction section of Waterstones.
I typically give mystery/crime/thrillers 3.5/5. I don’t know what it is, but 90% of them end up being that for me, the odd one blows me away. You was a 3.5 I think for me, and by the end I was so ready to say goodbye to Joe. BUT because the sequel was in the 6 for £10 deal, I thought I’d give it a go. Really don’t get excited by thriller series. A one book impactful punch is much more preferred. R xx
LikeLike
I’ve been reading Bill Bryson’s book on and off for a while now. Hopefully I’ll finish it this year hehe 😀 http://www.curious-daisy.com/top-ten-tuesday/9-books-ive-recently-added-to-my-tbr/
LikeLike
I started it last week, and while it is very good, it’s heavy going! I never read 2 books at once usually, but I’ve made an exception in this case. It’s going to take me a little while to get through it, so I’m reading some lighter fiction in between so I don’t fry my brain! R xx
LikeLike
I adore The Handmaid’s Tale; it’s my favorite Atwood! And Modern Romance! I love Aziz Ansari!
LikeLike
Thanks for commenting! 🙂 I just finished The Handmaid’s Tale for the first time – initially I felt a little underwhelmed by it (due to the writing style), but by the end it has stayed with me, I’ve chewed it all over, and I want to read it again because it seems like one of those books you’ll get something new out of each time you read it! Also, want to see the TV show now, but I’m a little afraid to!! I haven’t read Modern Romance yet, but it’s on the top of my list to get to soon! R xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I can’t remember what life was like before Book Blogging.” I don’t think a truer sentences has ever been written. I can’t believe there was a time where I didn’t engage with others when it came to reading, when my TBR wasn’t influenced by other book bloggers. I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale either. I have another book by her on my shelf that I really want to read though.
LikeLike
Haha! I know! Since I’ve come back from my little unplanned and unexpected break, I’ve had so many bloggers leave comments and tell me they noticed my absence, which has been really lovely, as sometimes you’re not sure if you’re making a noise in the void! I especially love when “regulars” pop up – those people I’ve been engaging with for a couple of years or more. I mean, some relationships don’t even last that long! Oh, if only we could all meet up in one room someday. That would be immense! R xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Sometimes you do feel like you’re in it alone, but then you get a really thoughtful comment or someone wishing you well and it just really picks you up. I know! I’d love to meet all my blogging friends one day.
LikeLike