Books: my to-read list for #readwomen2014

I always have a large pile of books on my to-read list, and this month is no exception. I'm currently making a conscious effort to read books written by women as part of #readwomen2014, so here's the ladies on my to-read list at the moment. The Blind Assassin will probably be the first of these I finish, as I have a newly acquired physical copy which I have marked for reading after I finish The Three Musketeers (Luke Pasqualino told me to!). I've also read several of Atwood's novels before and thought they were excellent (particularly Cat's Eye).

Shockingly, for a former literature student and classics lover, I haven't read Little Women or Jane Eyre. This fact remained a secret until now, as it's often amusing what conversations you can bluff your way through when people assume you have knowledge of [insert classic book here. As long as it's not James Joyce's Ulysees. No-one's read that.]. I have seen the 2006 BBC mini series adaption of Jane Eyre, but that doesn't make up for my lack of having read it. Little Women is the classic I'm most looking forward to reading, though. Joey's experience of reading it in Friends always makes me laugh.

The next book on my list is Evelina, or the history of a young lady's entrance into the world. I hadn't heard of this novel until recently, and decided I had to give it a read. I've already read the preface and really enjoyed it. Fanny Burney is extremely funny and clever in a very British way, much like Jane Austen. I also decided I had to read it as I share the same name as the character of the title - Eve.

If you've read any of these I'd love to know what you thought of them, and which you would recommend. You can also see the books I've already read as part of #readwomen2014 here.

Books: my to-read list

In already hitting my Goodreads target of books to read this year (24) I realised that I vastly underestimated my love of reading. I've currently got 4 on the go; The Two Towers- for the umpteenth time, The Grapes of Wrath, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Robinson Crusoe, but I'm always looking for more. This is a list of just some of the books I'd love to read this year.

 

 
Looking for Alaska by John Green

I thought I'd better get caught up on my John Green this year, as I'm a huge fan of his & Hank's Crash Course (I actually learnt some Chemistry!). I downloaded the first chapters of this, Paper Towns and The Fault in our Stars (an amazing title), and I liked the start of Looking for Alaska the best. I'm a bit wary of reading John Green for two reasons; 1- the hype, and 2- I'm generally not a fan of YA, as I often find the writing style incredibly dumbed down, when there's absolutely no need for it.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

I'm a huge fan of the film- particularly Hugh Jackman- wow!- but I'm also a lover of Paris (it's where I got engaged) and a lover of history. After the film came out I wanted to read All The Things about the French revolution, and I think it's really interesting to see the pivotal role of the middle classes in the success/failure of the revolution. I'm also looking forward to the writing style- I know, I must be mad- but I read that Hugo saw one of his main characters as God, and in that way he justified his long tangents.

Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh

Again, a great book title. Quite a few years ago I watched the Stephen Fry directed film Bright Young Things, based on Vile Bodies, and loved it. I love fiction set in a past that I haven't quite got to grips with yet, and at that time the late 20s/early 30s was one of them (until Gatsby, of course). Where Gatsby shows us the USA, Waugh shows us England, and there are similar stories of fabulous parties, wealth, irresponsibility and finally tragedy.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

I really enjoyed this film. It's now on so often on Film 4 I am starting to become weary of it, but it's such a feel good, chick flick. I've heard that the book deviates a little from the film, particularly the end, so I'd like to read more of that. I'd also like to see what Andy's character is like in the book.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Having read and reviewed Gone with the Wind, I thought I'd better catch up on this famous tale of the harsh life of slavery. It is an urban legend that Lincoln said to Stowe, "So this is the little lady that started this great war" (the American civil war) and the effect of Stowe's novel on the abolitionist movement is not to be underestimated.

 
I've also been on a book-to-movie kick since January, with The Great Gatsby, Life of Pi and Gone with the Wind under my belt, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Robinson Crusoe on the go. I'd love to hear your book-to-movie recommendations- no matter how old the film is. In fact, the older the better.