Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is:
Top Ten Series I’d Like To Start But Haven’t Yet
This week’s topic is a bit problematic for me for two reasons:
1) One of my chief resolutions for 2013 was a NO NEW SERIES rule. Basically, I vowed not to start any more new series unless a) the series is by one of my “auto-buy” authors, b) the series is already completed written, or c) the series is still underway but the final volume has a release date.
2) Putting aside my issues from #1, how can I possibly narrow my list down to just ten choices? If I were to start naming series that I’d like to read, I could go on all day! (See, that’s why I made my resolution which — dammit it all — I’m doing my best to keep.) As you’ll see below, this is such a substantial problem that… I went all the way to 20 (and there are still more I could add). There’s just no stopping me now!
Here we go: A whole bunch of series (definitely more than 10) that I’d like to read — but haven’t started yet:
1) The Beka Cooper series by Tamora Pierce: This trilogy — Terrier, Bloodhound, and Mastiff — is set in the land of Tortall about 200 years before the events in the excellent girl-power Song of the Lioness quartet. I’ve enjoyed the Tamora Pierce books that I’ve read, but my daughter is a huge fan, and has been after me to read the Beka Cooper books for a while now. This trilogy is complete, so I could read this and still keep my reading resolution. Very tempting!
2) Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery: I was a total bookworm as a child (okay, not just as a child), but somehow, I managed to completely miss out on these books. I know a lot about them, but I’ve never actually read a single one. Maybe I’ll stock up and take the first few volumes with me on my next vacation. I feel like I should read these books in a beautiful setting.
3) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons: I only recently heard of this series via my online book group, but it seems as though everyone loves it. Historical fiction set in Russia, before, during, and after World War II; it sounds intense, long, romantic, and quite engrossing.
4) Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde: I realize that I am totally remiss in never having read these books. The first, The Eyre Affair, is one of my choices for my 2013 TBR Pile Challenge, so I swear I’ll get to it this year!
5) The Colonial Trilogy by Kate Grenville: The three books in this trilogy — The Secret River, The Lieutenant, and Sarah Thornhill — are historical novels that chronicle early generations of white settlers in Australia. I love reading about Australia’s history, and I’ve heard such great things about these books and this author. I really hope to get to these soon!
6) The Dark Tower series by Stephen King: I’m including this series even though I have, in fact, started it. Last year, I finally picked up The Gunslinger, devoured it, and immediately read books 2 and 3. I loved what I’d read and yet — despite having a copy of the 4th book, Wizard and Glass, on my shelf and ready to go — for some reason I just wasn’t in the mood. And still haven’t gotten into the mood. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why I’ve stalled out on this series, but I do intend to get back to it and see it through. I suppose I’m including it on this list as a reminder to myself that starting a series isn’t enough — must finish reading!
7) The Eden Moore series by Cherie Priest: Comprised of three books — Four and Twenty Blackbirds, Wings to the Kingdom, and Not Flesh Nor Feathers, this trilogy sounds ghostly and spooky and overall terrific, with a Southern gothic atmosophere and simply amazing covers. I actually own these books! Just haven’t read them yet…
8) The Frontier Magic trilogy by Patricia Wrede: From what I understand, this is a series set in a magical world that has a wild west flavor to it. I’ve heard good things, and the final book came out in 2012, so it fits my series-reading requirements.
And moving on, a whole bunch of science fiction/fantasy series that I’m either dying to read… or feel like I really ought to read:
9) The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss: Everybody — and I do mean everybody — insists that I need to read this amazing series NOW. To which I reply, tell me when book three has a release date, and then we’ll talk. Seriously, I know this is supposed to be outstanding, but I just can’t start one more series without knowing when it’ll wrap up.
10) The Oxford Time Travel series by Connie Willis: Four novels and a short story. Lots of awards and accolades. I know I must read these! Plus, this series includes one of my favorite book titles, To Say Nothing of the Dog.
11) The Promethean Age by Elizabeth Bear: Fantastic premise, in which our world and the world of Faerie exist side by side, with historical settings and figures mixed in with the magical realms.
12) Riverworld by Philip José Farmer: I have a certain friend who pretty much yells at me every time I admit that I still haven’t read these books, despite his constant reminders that this series is the be-all and end-all. Don’t tell him I haven’t started yet.
13) The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan: Now that the final book has been published, I’m out of excuses.
14) Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card: No excuses, must read.
15) The Company series by Kage Baker: I’ve heard so many wonderful things about these books. Gotta get ’em, gotta read ’em.
16) The Earthsea Quartet by Ursula Le Guin: See my comments about Ender’s Game. Same applies here.
17) Narnia by C. S. Lewis: I’ve read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but have never gone farther in the series.
18) Lilith’s Brood by Octavia Butler: I’ve read and loved several Octavia Butler books, but so far haven’t read any of her science fiction works. She’s an amazing writer, but her subject matter is usually pretty harsh, so I may need to gear up for this series.
And finally, two graphic novel series that I absolutely want to read, but which are so vast that I find the idea of starting them completely daunting:
19) The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman
20) The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Okay, so I definitely went a bit overboard with this week’s theme. Have you read any of the series on my top 10 (20) list? Where do you think I should start? And which series are you just dying to read?
The Walking Dead – is that like the TV Series? If so I think I will add it to my TBR…I haven’t read any of those posted on your list. And there are quite a few I haven’t heard of. This is the beauty of Meme’ing. New books for my list!
Yes, the TV show (which I haven’t seen! Must catch up!) is based on the graphic novels. I know what you mean – every time I visit another blogger’s list or meme post, I end up with more that I want to read!
I am not much of a zombie apocalypse fan – but even I found it hard not to watch The Walking Dead. Although I must admit, due to the graphic nature I couldn’t actually sit in front of the TV to watch it – I would sit with a book and just peek over the edges every now and then while my fiance watched it.
Yes yes I am a wimp
Gosh, there’s so many series to choose from! I read most of The Sandman graphic novels last year by taking it slowly, one volume at a time. Made it seem a lot less daunting and a bit of a treat. The Thursday Next books are a lot of fun and a little nuts!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Sandman series. I know it’s supposed to be terrific — I guess I should try your approach and do it bit by bit. Thanks for stopping by!
Several of the books here made it to my list as well. Though honestly the last thing I need to do is start yet another series or two or three before I finish some of the ones I have on the go.
Check out my TTT.
Hear, hear! So much to read, and yet I keep adding more to my TBR list! Thanks for stopping by.
Fantastic list! I hope you enjoy The Bronze Horseman,it really was intense and intriguing. The Thursday Next series also made my list this week, I hope to get around to it soon =) *high fives*
I only got through the first novel in the Ender series as well as The Wheel of Time. Might get around to the other Ender books one of these days 🙂
I only read the first volume of Sandman but it was wonderful and interesting, I hope to continue it at some point *crosses fingers*
My TTT
Let’s make a pact — we’ll both start the Thursday Next series and compare notes… really soon! Now that I’ve picked up a copy of The Bronze Horseman, I keep procrastinating… it’s just so big (whine, whine) and I have so much else to read!
Sounds like a plan! 😀
lol I know what you mean, that’s me whenever I get a hold of a chunky book: you want to read it but the size is just xP
I know exactly what you mean! I don’t mind starting YA series so much when the last book isn’t out yet, because they can be pretty quick to get books out, but fantasy? It can take YEARS between books. I’m also holding off on the Kingkiller Chronicles, and have only just started Trudi Canavan’s Traitor Spy series for the same reason.
Ooh you have to read Anne of Green Gables! Such a lovely book 🙂 And I really want to start the Oxford Time Travel series too. Great list!
Thanks, Vicky! I’ll have to check out Traitor Spy as well.
I have heard good things about the Enders Game but I can’t bring myself to read because of Orson Scott Card’s recent controversy.
I guess I’m out of the loop — now I have to go Google Orson Scott Card to see what the controversy is!
What a list, Lisa! I’d have to agree on Orson Scott Card’s Enders Game series and Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. Both have come highly recommended. I read C.S. Lewis’ books when I was much younger and unfortunately, I don’t remember many of the latter books. I did really enjoy the first three though.
I never realized The Eyre Affair was part of a series. Dammit. That’s another one on my TBR list with more books to be added! I gotta say, there is something to stand-alones that is really looking appealing right now, haha.
Totally agree re stand-alones. They’re like a breath of fresh air! Starting a series just feels like such a commitment…
I need to finish the Chronicles of Narnia too. I’ve only read The Magicians Nephew and then I just never picked up the series again.
Great list 🙂
hahaha… I totally could’ve gone over my 10 too so I don’t blame you in the least. How on earth did I forget King’s Tower series. That’s definitely on my series-need-to-read list too! New follower.
Good luck getting some of these knocked out! My Top Ten Tuesday!
Great list… and I am so happy to hear I’m not the only one who hasn’t read Narnia! lol 😉 Thanks for visiting my TTT
B
Oh my word, it’s like being pleasantly punched in the stomach. SUCH a great list.
First, please read Beka Cooper. It’s my favorite Pierce series.
Second, also read Anne. The entire series is gorgeous, and the final book never fails to make me cry.
Third, READ NARNIA. The movies don’t do them justice. Magician’s Nephew is freaking fantastic with The Wood Between the Worlds and the dying land, and the movies BUTCHERED my favorite book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Whenever you do make your foray into these series, enjoy yourself. 🙂 I know they won’t let you down.
My TTT: http://shelversanon.blogspot.com/2013/03/top-10-tuesday-series-id-like-to-start.html
Thanks for the great comment — you make me want to run out right this very second and read Beka Cooper and Anne at the very same time!
Ive read Anne of Green Gables and enjoyed it really well until the 4th book. Then it got boring …
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