This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
We at Novelicious do love to read. Obviously. In fact, we are trying, really, really trying, to read All The Books In The World. But with more and more books being published every day, it's no easy feat and sometimes a few titles are overlooked without intention.
This week, I asked the team which books they would really like to read (or have been meaning to read), but have yet to do so. Some of these might shock you, book nerds, because they're big 'uns. Don't worry. We're feeling suitably ashamed, and 2014 will be the year we put things right.
1. Any Agatha Christie books – Personally, I get very excited when a new adaptation of Miss Marple or Poirot appears on ITV. I love the time in which they are set, the beautiful locations, the houses, the cosiness of it all – despite there being a grisly murder. I was ashamed, however, to say I hadn't read any of the books. This Christmas I read Hercule Poirot's Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found myself missing it after I'd turned the last page. Next on my list is The Murder at the Vicarage, a Miss Marple. One benefit of starting the books late is having a huge backlist to get though. Absolute joy.
2. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee – This is on Susan's always meant to read list and is one of Amanda's all-time favourites. Over fifty years old, To Kill a Mockingbird is a modern classic. Told from the child's perspective of Scout and Jem Finch, this is a story about race and class in the Deep South during the 1930s.
3. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck – When I asked the Novelicious team which books made them cry for last week's Novelicious Picks, Of Mice and Men was a recurring favourite. Which reminded me I'd yet to read this rather emotional, classic book. George and the childlike Lennie are friends and drifters searching for work in California in the hope that they will have a place of their own one day.
4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – Jennifer keeps meaning to finish reading this classic novel from Charles Dickens. We all know the story. Scrooge, a miserable, bitter old man is taken on a journey of his past, present and future by three ghosts.
5. I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron – I have this book. It sits on my shelf and stares at me in an accusing way. Many writers I know rave about Nora Ephron. I enjoyed lots of her films including When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and the big favourite (for me, it's about food after all) Julie and Julia. This book is a series of short essays based on her life and I really must get around to reading it.
6.The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Kerry and Susan have always meant to to read this iconic novel based in the glittery world that was Long Island during the Roaring Twenties, but haven't. Perhaps the new film adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio will spur them on?
7. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller – World War Two is coming to an end and Yossarian is convinced everyone he has never met is trying to kill him. But this enemy is not the problem. It is his own army who keep increasing the number of missions he must fly. If he tries to excuse himself, he is caught in a Catch-22. To want to fly, he must be crazy so doesn't have to. To not want to fly, he must be sane so has to. This is on Kelly's to be read list.
8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – Never read by Kirsty, this is a wild and passionate story about the love between Catherine and brooding Heathcliff played out against the dramatic backdrop of the Yorkshire Moors.
9. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – Set far into the future where the World Controllers have created an ideal society, this is another one on Kelly's list.
10. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – I am embarrassed by this one. Started it, but never finished it. The heroine of this novel is working as a lady's companion when she meets Maxim de Winter and is surprised by his marriage proposal, but accepts nonetheless. She is whisked off to her new home, the country house Manderley, where Max is suddenly a very changed man …
Phew, we feel better getting that off our chests. Is there a book you've always meant to read, but haven't? Share in the comments. We won't judge, promise.