
2. “Bitterblue” by Kristin Cashore: I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to finishing fantasy/speculative fiction trilogies. With a few exceptions I get too worried my favorite characters will be doomed and nothing will turn out as I hope. I know “Bitterblue” is NOT a traditional third book, but I still worry that it won’t live up to my expectations, so I’ve never read it.. –Sandie
3. “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray: I know, I know a lot of people are surprised I haven’t read it yet. Every time I pick it up and read the plot summary I end up putting it down. “Maybe next month,” I tell myself. I mean it just sounds crazy, a video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome? I’m just not sure about it, despite the awards that it’s won. –Diana
4. “Hostage Three” by Nick Lake: I have a hard time with captor/captive books, especially since that terrible chapter in “The Lovely Bones.” So yeah, I’m not sure I can read this book, even though I know Lake is a brilliant writer. -Sandie
5. “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey: I’ve heard great things about this book from different people, including Sandie. I’ve picked it up several times, but another dystopian book? Sometimes I just need a break from that genre. I know it’s a great book, but I wonder if I’ll still feel that way if I read it right now when I’m not feeling “dystopian.” -Diana
6. “In the Name of Love and Chocolate” by Gabrielle Zevin: I loved the first two books in the Anya Balanchine trilogy, but at some point before this final installment came out, I read an alarming Tumblr post (can’t find it at the moment) Zevin wrote about the trilogy being about Anya not “Anya and Win,” and how some readers were going to be disappointed. I have to admit the author post really decreased my interest in the book. I’ve been reassured since that time that I’ll enjoy it, but I feel hesitant. – Sandie
7. “The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of the Russian Empire” by Candace Fleming: I know the basic history behind this book and the subject of the Romanovs is fascinating. I’ve come so close to cracking the pages on this one. The thing that holds me back is that it’s just so tragic what happened in Russia during this time period. Even more heartbreaking is what happened to the children in this family who didn’t deserve what they got. –Diana
8. “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon: On the one hand, I have friends who consider this among their very favorite romantic novels of all time, but on the other hand, I just started watching the show on Starz, so part of me wants to remain “unspoiled” and just enjoy the series and not bother with the show. Also, I’m not sure I have time to devote to (what is it NINE?) doorstopper-sized books. But my oh my, Jamie Fraser is swoony! – Sandie
9. “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb: I really do want to read this book, but maybe it’s the setting or maybe it’s all the things going on in the Middle East that keeps me from reading this. I remember reading about Malala in the papers and hearing about her on the news when she was shot. I believe she is such a heroic young lady. Despite that, I’m not sure that I want to read more about the Taliban. –Diana
10. “The Book of Blood and Shadow” by Robin Wasserman: I don’t know why I’ve never opened this book, because I’ve read some amazing reviews of it, but it’s still sitting on my bedside pile two years after I first received it. Actually that’s a lie. I do know why I haven’t read it; the book was compared to “The Da Vinci Code,” and that definitely wasn’t my kind of book. – Sandie
As always, thanks to The Broke and the Bookish for hosting the meme.
Diana, you have to read The 5th Wave!
I’ve only read the first book in the Outlander series and it was fabulous. I loved it. If it wasn’t 800+ pages, I’d reread it. But I don’t know if I have it in me to read the rest of the series.
I agree about Bitterblue. I’m happy leaving these characters as they are. I don’t want to know that something may have happened.
Outlander made my list, too. I haven’t started watching the show, and I am curious about it and the book, but I just don’t know if I would like it.