Top Ten Winter TBRs

The Broke and the Bookish, a brilliant book blog, 

hosts a weekly top ten list meme.

I like this meme because I like lists. I like this meme because it reminds me of the Top 5 lists from High Fidelity (by Nick Hornby as a book, starring John Cusak as a movie). And I like this meme because it causes me to think long and hard about book-related topics. So here goes:

Top Ten Winter TBRs (to be read books)

1. I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black

It's the new ultimate Christmas comedy written by a grumpy Jew. What's not to love? AND, I have him reading it on audio. I love listening to comedians read their own work. It's like 200+ pages of stand-up. Or so I'm assuming. You can watch a little preview below.

2. Bossypants by Tina Fey

Also on audio, also read by the author. This has been recommended to me several times by several people, and again fits the category of comedienne reading her own work. It's been a while since I've read something laugh-out-loud funny, and I love to listen to audio books while I travel. This Chanukah/Christmas season, I'll be flying from Boston to New Jersey, driving to Boston, driving to Syracuse, driving to NYC, driving to New Jersey, flying from Philly to Boston. So you can see, I've got a lot of listening time on my hands.

3. Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

A re-read for me, but a seasonal must. You're probably getting tired of this, but another example of author reading his own jokes. I love to listen to David Sedaris read. That's a man who makes proper use of tone and inflection.

Now, I just spent a bit of time trawling through my Goodreads TBR list, and these are the books I would like to get my hands on this winter:

4. Saints Astray (Santa Olivia #2) by Jacqueline Carey

Carey's created a pretty neat alternate, not-quite-dystopian universe that's populated by some super-beings that are the result of a government project to breed werewolf-like strength and agility and other physical abilities into humans. In book 1, we meet Santa Olivia who not only avenges her brother's death but manages to escape the compound where she's being held. In book 2, she's on her way to the U.S. from the borderlands between the States & Mexico. Having never been away from the city/compound before, this will truly be a whole new world for her, and one that I'm looking forward to exploring, too.

5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

With all the buzz about this book, I really don't think I need to put a description or a why here. Suffice it to say, I am counting the days until I receive a package in the mail, as a friend has kindly taken pity on me and sent me her copy (I'm currently #147 in the library queue for it!). Thank you, Cyd!



6. The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles #1) by John Flanagan

As a huge supporter of the Ranger's Apprentice series of novels by this author, I can hardly wait to get a copy of the first book in his new series. Not sure yet how, the BPL doesn't have it yet, but keep your fingers crossed they buy it soon.

7. When She Woke by Hilary Jordan

I know, I know, I have a signed hardcover first edition of this. In my room. RIGHT NOW. I just have to finish reading those overdue library books first. But this is next, I swear!

8. Beauvallet by Georgette Hayer

A departure from my usual taste, this is a historical romance involving pirates. And yet it's not a bodice-ripper! It's a true Regency Romance. Set in the Elizabethan Era, this is supposed to be a well-written novel with character development, a driven plot, and touching historical accuracies. That, and I promised a friend I'd tell her what I thought once I read it, so I kinda have to read it now.

9. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1) by Catherynne M. Valente, illustrated by Ana Juan

Does a title like that really need an explanation? This not only sounds completely enthralling, but I'm told the illustrations are equally engaging.

10. Every You, Every Me by David Levithan

He makes my top 10 favorite authors list, so obviously I have to read his new book. I will most likely buy this from a local independent and savor the moment when I have an entire afternoon to devote to its reading. Can hardly wait.