Book Rants: To Be Read Shelf

Below is a list of books on my "To-Be-Read-Before-I-Leave-This-Earth" Shelf or TBR for short. Titles are not listed in any particular order. Leave me a note in the comments if you're looking forward to a particular title too, or if you think my list is blasphemously missing something.

1. Level 26: Book 2: Dark Prophecy by Anthony E. Zuiker
I really enjoyed the first book! Loved the complimentary online video clips for each chapter. So, I'll get to this one eventually for sure.

2. House Rules by Jodi Picoult

3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I've been meaning to read this one forever. Problem is I tend to avoid weepy books. I'm such a sap and I know this one will get to me. So, I need to be in the right frame of mind. Same reason, I have yet to read the 5-6 books by Jodi Picoult that are on my list!

4. The Absolutely True Story of Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Have only heard great things about this book. Also, I feel as if I should read something by Sherman Alexie. He seems to be considered the prominent literary voice for Native Americans.

5. A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle, Madeleine
Not even sure what this is about. But it's a classic and I should read it, no?

6. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Everyone is always gushing about the play and the musical based on this book, so I decided I should begin with the original.

7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Another classic, I feel I should read for some reason. Also, doesn't everyone love a good dramatic love story including extramarital affairs? But the length of this scares me. Just a little, I assure you, I'm not that much of a wuss.

8. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The professor for my introductory literature course during my freshman year recommended this book. I'm now a senior and it's still on my list! I'll get to it, Dr. K, I will.

9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
With all of the hype about this serious, I feel I should read it too and come to my own verdict. Though, I started reading it and at the moment I don't feel compelled to finish. Maybe one day. Until then it'll remain on my list.

10. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Another classic that I feel I should read to be considered an "acceptable" English major.

11. Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

The movie by the same title has pretty good reviews and I'd planned on watching it, but then decided not to until I had read the original book.

12. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Love her poetry. Decided to read her novel, which I've heard only good things about.

13. Sister of my Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

14. Best Kept Secret by Amy Hatvany

15. The Perfect World by Kate Gould

16. Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life by Sandra Beasley

I have a thing for weird titles...

17. Girl Gone by Gillian Flynn

Title and cover were interesting in their simplicity. Though I'm not too intrigued by the blurb, I decided to eventually give it a try.

18. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

Another book where the title drew me in most. Sounds philosophical.... Plus, cover is of a floating hat!

19. Distant View of the Minaret and Other Stories by Alifa Rifaat

There aren't too many Muslim writers (at least of contemporary fiction in the Western world as far as I know). As a Muslim American, I'm always interested in reading the works of the ones who are out there.

20. The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood

Weird title (sounds kinky) + weird blurb = Instant addition to Must-Read List!

21. Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

A brand new Picoult! Though, I have a bunch of her books that I've been pushing aside because her works are always so sad and I don't want to cry!

22. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

23. The Pact by Jodi Picoult

24. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

25. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

26. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Have always been fascinated by the Amish.

27. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

A professor recommended this book for one. At the time, I wasn't sure whether or not to be offended that she believed me to be an introvert. But I guess I sort of am. Maybe?


*28. Song of Solomon* by Toni Morrison** Some Toni Morrison I have yet to read

29. Jazz by Toni Morrison

30. A Little Yellow Dog by Walter Mosley

I'm a Mosley fan and haven't read this one yet. So, I must.

31. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

~~32. The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates~~

~~Been meaning to read some Oates and picked this up for super cheap at $1.~~

33. Wideacre by Philippa Gregory

A bit of historical fiction never hurt anyone.

34. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini Loved his first two works--The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Think he's brilliant.