I absolutely adore modern classics, it is for sure one of my favourite genres. Having so many fabulous-sounding books makes choosing a list of only five difficult, but realistically I probably won’t have time to read any more with my other lists and required reading for university taking up a large proportion of my time.

I do feel with modern classics that it can be difficult to know when a book fits into this genre / category. Obviously having a lot of the ‘Penguin Modern Classics’ editions does make it a little easier to distinguish, however if you disagree and this that any of my choices do not fit this category, then please let me know, though it’s how I categorise them personally!

• A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines – This story looks so beautiful and heartbreaking, and I really would like to get to it very soon. If I wasn’t finishing up a lot of books that I’ve started but haven’t yet finished this month, then I’d probably have picked this up already.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey -I’ve heard so much about this and it’s probably time for me to get around to picking it up.
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – As a fan of dystopians, particularly those written years ago and for an adult audience (e.g. 1984 and Fahrenheit 451), I really should have read this by now. I’m so ready to read it and immerse myself in another dystopian world that has proved its popularity.
• Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf – I’ve been wanting to pick up something by Virginia Woolf for so long now, but I was never motivated enough to read one of her books (despite the fact they’re really short).
• Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka – This is a very recent purchase, but I read the first paragraph of metamorphosis and fell in love with the writing style, so I can’t wait to read it all.

Are there any modern classics you’d like to get to soon, or have you read any of these? There are so many others I could add to this list (The Bell Jar, A Clockwork Orange, The Virgin Suicides, anything by Vonnegut etc) but it would just be very unrealistic of me to do so.

I remember once going through a phase where I read so many classics one after the other, and I loved it. It’s sad though, as I haven’t picked one up in such a long time; the last one I remember finishing (this doesn’t include modern classics – I read quite a few of those) was back in December. I think it’s partly to do with setting myself a fairly high (but realistic) Goodreads goal – and there will be a post towards the end of the year as to why next year I’ll be setting a very low goal, if one at all.

Later this month I am moving to uni; I know, I’ve mentioned it loads of times. As I’m studying English Literature I feel as though I should read more classics in preparation, though realistically I’m not going to finish anything before I go (unless I sit for three days and read solidly, but with all the packing I have that won’t happen). Instead, I’ve decided to make a list of five classics that I want to have read before the 1st January, 2017.

• Something by Jane Austen – Okay, I realise this is very vague, but I’m undecided between Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. I’ll probably be on my way back from holiday when this post goes up, and I’m hoping to read one whilst I’m there, and I’m leaning towards Sense and Sensibility, though I don’t know why.
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens – Expect to see this on my December TBR as I love to read Dickens around christmas. His stories are so perfect for that time of year and I knew when I purchased this novel I would be saving it for then.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – This one is haunting me. I’m halfway through and I can’t even remember when I started it. I just can’t get into it for some reason, though it’s perfectly good and I cannot pinpoint why this is. Wilde’s writing is fabulous and I really need to finish it.
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – I’ve heard so much about this book and I loved the film (the one in which Johnny Depp plays the Hatter) but have never picked it up. It’s super short and has illustrations in and I’m really looking forward to getting to it.
• Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy – Opinions on this have been very, very mixed, though I want to pick it up anyway and decide for myself. I picked it up on an open day before the summer holidays in 2015, so it’s about time I read it.

I’ve actually really enjoyed writing this post (and it’s also helping me narrow down the books that I want to take with me to uni, as the list is way too long at the moment). I think, therefore, that I’ll do lists for modern classics, other fiction, and poetry. Sorry about the absence as well; I fell into a slump (reading / blogging / life in general) and I was lacking ideas for posts. I’m hoping to get back to it with reviews (there may be some up by the time this is posted) and with my schedule (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). Are there any classics you want to get to before the end of the year?

After failing spectacularly with my August TBR (I mean, I still read a lot so I’m not complaining), I’m keeping this TBR fairly simple. September is also going to be a very busy month; I’m busy for a week and then I’m moving to university on the 24th, which means I’ll probably get very little read later in the month (and the lead up will be spent packing as well). Whilst this list may seem long (it is still ambitious!) I’m halfway through two of the books listed and one is a poetry collection, so hopefully it’s doable.

Harmony – Carolyn Parkhurst

I got sent this very kindly for review and look forward to getting to it, as I don’t think I’ve read a book with a character on the autistic spectrum, or if I have, it was a while ago.

Undying – Michel Faber

I’ve read parts of this and I know I’m going to love it, I just want to read it when I’m in the perfect mood for it. This poetry collection honestly sounds like it is going to break me though…

The Graduate – Charles Webb

I am nearly halfway through and I’m enjoying it, though I wouldn’t say I love it.

Elizabeth is Missing – Emma Healey

I’ve had this for ages, and it’s really short. I am determined to get to it soon.

City of Bones and City of Ashes – Cassandra Clare

I’m halfway through City of Bones and it’s so good – I can’t believe that for ages I said I probably wouldn’t read it. Thank goodness for special offers!

Last month was the first time ever that I actually completed a TBR (normally I change my mind halfway through the month or run out of time)! This month I don’t think I’ll be so successful for the simple reason that I have two TBR piles. I could have made one (that would have been a more sensible and normal idea), but as I like making things difficult for myself I naturally have two. There is a reason, I promise.

The first is a paperback TBR – I’m away for a few days this month with a couple of friends so naturally paperbacks (or ebooks) are easier. I also have more of these. The second is a hardback TBR, as I’m off to uni in September I want to try and read as many of my hardbacks as soon as possible. I have some that look absolutely wonderful but I won’t have the space to take them with me to uni. So, here goes:

Paperback TBR

The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón

I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book, and as I’m going to Barcelona (this book is set there) this month, I figured it’s the perfect time to pick it up.

Elizabeth is Missing – Emma Healey

So in September I will be starting at UEA. Emma Healey was, until recently, their most recent new author (UEA is famous for its creative writing courses and is regularly producing new bestselling, award winning authors). I feel like pretty much everyone that I have spoken to on my course has read this book, and so I want to catch up before I start!

The Glorious Heresies – Lisa McInerney 

Considering I originally picked this up hesitantly, unsure of whether I would like it or not, the premise has definitely grown on me and I’m really looking forward to getting to it soon.

Oryx and Crake – Margaret Atwood

Okay, this is another one that I feel all my uni friends have read! That, and it does look absolutely fantastic and I’ve wanted to get to it for ages, so now is the time.

The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath

This is one I’ve wanted to read for a long time but put off whilst I was at school due to its difficult subject and being in a bad frame of mind anyway due to school. I’ve heard so many amazing things about this novel and I love Plath’s poetry and now I’m in a good frame of mind to read it, I can’t wait to do so.

Hardback TBR

Uprooted – Naomi Novik

This has suddenly recaptured my attention recently, and I really want to get to it. In July I read A Court of Thorns and Roses, and it reminded me of how much I actually enjoy fantasy novels. This one looks like something I’d really enjoy so I look forward to picking it up, as I definitely want to read it soon, but obviously won’t take a book this size to uni as I won’t have enough room!

The Heart Goes Last – Margaret Atwood

I love, love, love Margaret Atwood’s work, and this looks incredible. It is also a signed first edition, which I fangirl over every time I think of it.

The Rose and the Dagger – Renée Ahdieh 

I loved the first one and I cannot wait to find out what happens next! As it’s a duology I want to finish it before September and find out how it ends.

The Rest of us Just Live Here – Patrick Ness

I love the premise of this one, it just looks so unique! Recently I’ve seen it around on instagram and booktube, and I think this has reawakened my interest in this book.

Every Exquisite Thing – Matthew Quick

This is the only hardback for review that I haven’t yet read (I’ve read two others that I have, though I haven’t reviewed them yet…). I need (and want) to read this before uni as I don’t want to be waiting until christmas to review it, as I was kindly sent it a while ago now.

So that is my August TBR! I’m hoping to maybe get to two or three off each list, especially if I can have as good a reading month as July). Have you read any of these?

My internet is still rather appalling, so apologies for the missed posts and screwed up schedule.

So another readathon. I’m pretty pleased with how my last one went, and though this week is fairly busy too, I think I should (hopefully) have even more time to dedicate to books, so I’m going to aim to finish four in total. Here are the books that I have chosen for the challenges (though obviously, knowing me, these may change):

I’m hoping, now that I have a lot more free time, that I will be able to read 10 books (if not more – at a push) this month. However, as I’m such a mood reader I will only list 5 that I definitely want to get to as if I list 10 I can guarantee my mind will change!

Since You’ve Been Gone – Morgan Matson

If I’m honest, I want to read all three of hers that I haven’t read, but this is the one I’ve had the longest and therefore my desire to read it has grown the most!

Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

I never used to want to read this but apparently it’s nothing like I thought, so I really want to find out for myself.

A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara

Need I explain? Just look at the awards it’s been nominated for and the good reviews it’s had (though I realise there are a fair few negative ones as well, I want to find out for myself).

Moonstone – Sjón

I only received this recently but it’s super short and set in Iceland, which is one of my favourite places, and the story looks so intriguing.

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs

There is a very good chance that I will binge the whole trilogy in probably three days, but there is an equally good chance that I will read the first one and put the rest off.

Honestly, I have no idea how many books I will get to this month as it will be full steam ahead with revision for the last exams I will ever do. (That still hasn’t fully registered with me yet). The same goes for blog posts, so I do apologise if there are more long periods with no posts. After June I can get back to normal, I promise.

Anyway, assuming I can read four, these are the four I hope to get to this month (though I’d love to read more if possible).

Slaughterhouse 5 – Kurt Vonnegut

I’ve read almost half of it within the past couple of days and I am honestly loving it. It’s much easier to read than I expected and I can tell already this is going to be one of my favourites of the year.

Illuminae – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I’m about 100 pages into this and it’s really good so far, though I’m finding it requires more concentration than reading a standard novel. I haven’t fallen in love with this yet as I know many did, but it’s definitely enjoyable and I look forward to reading more.

The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde

The chances of me finishing this are slim, I’m going to be honest. I’m not as invested in it at the moment and the chapters are so long I find it’s not the book I go to pick up if I want to read a chapter. The writing and the story are wonderful though, so I don’t really know why I’m not invested in it.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain

This is wonderful and probably will be finished very soon, as the character of Tom is adorable (I’m about four chapters in) and I can tell the story is going be great and undoubtably entertaining.

I don’t have as many ebooks this month (although there are a couple of others that I’d like to review their publication on 1st March if possible) so I’d like to get around to some more of the books I have on my shelf.

Ebooks

1. Wait Till I’m Dead – Allen Ginsberg (Poetry)
2. Shaler’s Fish – Helen Macdonald (Poetry)
3. Salt to the Sea – Ruta Sepetys (I recently read Between Shades of Grey and it now has me hooked on historical fiction (around that time period) because it was fantastic)
4. Beautiful Broken Things – Sara Barnard
5. The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever – Jeff Strand (Published 1st March)
6. You Were Here – Cori McCarthy (Published 1st March)

Physical Books

1. Prisoner of Night and Fog – Anne Blankman
2. Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke – Anne Blankman
3. The Chimes – Anna Smaill
4. Keep the Aspidistra Flying – George Orwell (I’m currently reading this and it is fantastic!)

These, of course, may (will) change, depending on my mood and so on. I have a week off for half term in the middle of February so hopefully I’ll get some reading done there (I’m hoping for two or three books, especially if they’re ebooks). I can always read ebooks better during holidays as my headaches aren’t so bad!