The TBR pile

Since I began this blog back in January I haven't really devoted much attention to my TBR pile; mainly, I think, because the mere thought of just how many books I have yet to read; particularly many classics I should have already read and certain genres (crime, for example) that I simply pay much attention to, is just too worrying for words. I have trawled my bookshelves and made a note of the surprising amount on them that I have never picked up. Hopefully this will help to direct my reading when I am in a mood for something in particular and embarrass me into making more time for my most favourite of pastimes. Over the next couple of months I hope to make a note on this blog of some of these neglected books and address the reasons why I simply MUST get around to reading them.....

Mini-list number one **Breathe deeply**

Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry - readers coming to this book in the last week or so may have noticed this classic in the 'Now reading' section.  A dizzy, bewildering tale of one man's last day on earth, set against the macabre backdrop of the Mexican Day of the Dead. The first couple of chapters were exciting enough to tell me that this will be an enthralling read, just a little too much like hard work at the moment. 

Nana by Émile Zola - gay Pareee and coquettish prostituées, what more could you want?

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey - This book is another one that I started and never finished.  I bought it from the aladdin's cave that is Scriveners in Buxton, Derbyshire and carried it home with excitement.  Peter Carey does an amazing job of building this exotic world full to the brim with quirky characters and goings-on. It does take some doing to get into this and I will pick it up again.

Labyrinth by Kate Mosse - The first offering in Mosse's trilogy.  I have been told sooooo many times that I need to read this by my Mum after loving Sepulchre and her side project The Winter Ghosts, reviewed a couple of months back. I hear that the third book is due to be released very soon and we are very excited. The sense of history intertwined so naturally into her narrative is something that I absolutely adore, especially since she focuses on French history.    

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - recommended by my Dad when he saw me reading Kafka on the shore. Grotesque and obscure, this is the tale of a young man who wakes up to find he has transformed into a giant insect. This book sounds utterly bizarre, and completely wonderful.