I started thinking about what books I might like to try and read in 2012 over a month ago. The list grew and grew. When I sat down to really start thinking about it last week I realized how incredibly ridiculous it had become so I tossed it out the metaphorical window and tried again. I’ve reached a more reasonable plan now that is actually achievable instead of merely aspirational.
- Persuasion by Jane Austen. It seems I have begun rereading an Austen book every year. Over the last three years I’ve done Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Sense and Sensibility. At first I thought I might read Emma but I wasn’t feeling it, I kept thinking I’d rather read Persuasion so that’s what made it to the plan. I think it will be the third time I’ve read it.
- Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. I have these listed together because they are connected. Both books are the only ones in Nabokov’s Lectures on Literature that I have not read or read recently enough to remember well. I read Madame Bovary about six years ago. I got a copy of the newer Lydia Davis translation for super cheap when Borders went out of business so I will be reading that edition. I’ve not read Metamorphosis before though I feel as though I know all about it. Still, I expect to be surprised by it since I felt the same way about The Trial when I read that earlier in 2011.
- Since the above two books are because of Nabokov and I am enjoying his lectures so very much and I had Lolita on my 2011 reading list but didn’t manage it, I thought I’d try again this year.
- I also had Virginia Woolf’s The Voyage Out on my reading list last year and I thought I would put that on this year’s list again but I’m feeling like I might want to give To the Lighthouse a reread since it has been 20 years since I zipped through it because I thought I should and I was not in love with Woolf’s work at the time. So I’m just going to have “Virginia Woolf” on my list and read one of her novels.
- Charles Dickens. I enjoyed Bleak House so much that it seemed another Dickens was in order for 2012. Not sure which one though. Oliver Twist? David Copperfield? Pickwick Papers? Depends on my mood when the urge to read Dickens strikes.
- I like the naming of authors to read without having to decide what book. Gives the illusion of flexibility and reading at whim. These are the authors I want to read: George Eliot, Henry James, a Bronte, and China Mieville. Hmm. Which one of those authors is not like the others?
- But I also really want to read The Professor’s House by Willa Cather. I like Cather, have read a couple of her books a number of years ago. It seems like this one is much beloved by many and I am looking forward to loving it too.
- Euripides. He’s got 14 plays I haven’t read yet. Actually 13 because I’ve read Trojan Women before but it was awhile ago so it deserves a reread. There was far too much of Heracles in 2011. For 2012 there will be Orestes and Elektra and Medea and who knows what other tragedy? I’d be very surprised if I made it through all of the 14 remaining plays in 2012, but you never know. If I manage it then this time next year I will be planning on reading my way through Aristophanes. But I am getting ahead of myself.
- Finally, I plan to read from the list of science books by women you all helped me put together. I am very much looking forward to that.
What other reading will 2012 bring? I’ve got seven books with hold requests at my library that I am waiting for, among them Moby Dick in Pictures, Just My Type: a Book About Fonts, and The Swerve. I’ve got books in progress that will carry over. And I’ve got shelves of TBR books including the second book in the Game of Thrones series that Bookman is pestering me to get to. Lots of good reading to look forward to.
Thank you all for sharing 2011 with me. It was a pretty good year. I wish you excellent reading and much joy in 2012!
What a great list! I cannot say I have read many books connected to your plans, but I am looking forward to seeing how it will work out,
Happy 2012!
My mental list for next year became a little unwieldy, too (much like my vacation plans…), so I also tried to pare things down. I like your list of books and for once I have actually even read a few of them (loved The Professor’s House–good choice!) and the Lydia Davis translation of Madame B is very good. Though he’s not part of my ‘plans’ after noting how much you’ve enjoyed Kafka’s work I might try something by him, too. And I’m all for flexibility! Whichever books you read I’m already looking forward to hearing what you have to say about them.
Have a very Happy New Year!
I read a good bit of Kafka a couple of years ago–I bet you’ll have fun with Metamorphosis. I’d recommend Oliver Twist or David Copperfield over Pickwick Papers. Pickwick isn’t really a novel in the usual sense of the term. It’s more like a loosely-connected series of absurd adventures that befall a group of very silly gentlemen. Each story appeared individually, and the book is very, very long. (If you haven’t read it, as an alternative, I suggested Diary of a Nobody– much shorter, episodic, and very funny). I know you’re not afraid of long books, but IMO, Pickwick Papers doesn’t repay the investment. Other recommendations–George Eliot: Middlemarch (very long, but worth it); Charlotte Bronte: Villette.
Another note: if you missed, it I read Shades of Grey because of your review, and it was one of my favorites for 2011.
That’s a very good list! I don’t have any specific books I’m planning to read this year, other than the ones Jenny is putting on my swap list for the year. I have been thinking it’s time to read Dickens again, and several people have suggested Our Mutual Friend as the one to read.
Happy Happy New Year, dear Stefanie! I love your plans – they are so cool. You know I’m a fan of both Kafka and Cather, and I loved Lolita when I got into it (and it did take a while). I’m hoping to read Pnin and Pale Fire, too, and I’ve fallen into the same habit (encouraged by you, I’m sure) to read an Austen a year. Mansfield Park for me in 2012. Well, whatever you read, I will be here agog to know what you thought!
What a great list! You make me want to read an Austen this year, and Persuasion is probably the one I’d pick up. We’ll see if the mood stays with me long enough to actually get to it! Hobgoblin just got a copy of Moby Dick in Pictures, and it looks great — how much work must have gone into it!
I hope to read more classics in 2012. Your list is impressive Stephanie. Wishing you and everyone close to you, good health and happiness in the New Year. I am so happy i discovered your blog when I did.
Dear Stefanie, happy new year and best wishes! Your list is impressive. I might join you for Euripides as I recently read an analysis of his work and am keen on discovering more. I was a bit startled that you joined Kafka and Bovary but both are of course good and always worth a re-read!
Very nice list…though I never feel afraid of a merely aspirational list
Good solid choices here ,though — I would say a good Dickens would be Our Mutual Friend (but have you read that?) It was one of my favourites and seems to rest alongside Bleak House in my recollections. Your reading always inspires me to pick up those Important Books that I haven’t yet read, as your reviews make them actually sound accessible — ie: Ulysses!
I hope you do read Persuasion,, as I’d love to hear your thoughts! And I look forward to plenty of science by women recommendations by you in 2012. Happy New Year!
What a great list! I would like to read a Dickens this year too. And maybe I’ll try Kafka. I like the idea of adding more classics to my reading this year. I adore Austen — maybe I’ll read Persuasion with you!
I can’t remember a thing about Kafka’s The Castle, but strangely, I think of Metamorphosis fairly often. I like reading about Dickens’ life, but the only one of his novels I really loved was Bleak House. When I read Quincunx by Palliser, I loved it for the same reasons–it was so Bleak House.
I enjoyed reading critical essays on Madame Bovary better than the book itself. I taught the novel for several years and looked forward to the class discussions. The novel arouses strong opinions and disagreements, and therefore, provided me with much entertainment as I listened to students voice their sympathy (or lack, thereof) for the various characters!
Like you, I also have A Clash of Kings on my TBR pile for 2012.
As for Lolita, if you’ve liked other Nabokov, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t enjoy it. It’s so…hmmm…what’s the word?…deep, with layers upon layers to try to unearth. I don’t think I even came close when I read it.
Excellent list! I have a few books on hold at my library – Habibi, Ready Player One, and Don DeLillo’s newest book (a collection of short stories). Beyond that, I don’t know what 2012 holds for my reading list. I’ve gained several recommendations from your great blog, so I’m sure I’ll find more to read after reading about them here. Have a fun reading-year!
What a terrific list of potential reads for 2012.
For what it’s worth, I hope you get to Lolita and David Copperfield. Both of them among my favorite books, ever.
I still think of your book-blog as the most interesting and relevant on the ‘ol Internet thingie, Stefanie.
Wishing you a terrific year of reading, reading, reading.
Great list. I liked Pickwick Papers very much. Very light and funny. But then I love everything Dickens wrote. I think the only ones I haven’t read are Little Dorrit (although I did start it) and Our Mutual Friend. So, I’ll try to get around to those. I think you will like Persuasion; it’s one of my favorites but I am interested to hear your take on it. Happy reading.
Iris, thanks! It’d be no fun if we all read the same books, variety and spice and all that
Danielle, heh we both are so similar in our reading habits it never fails to amaze and comfort me. I remember when you read Madame B and Professor’s House and because of that I have very high hopes for both of them. I bet you’d like Kafka. The Trial was easy to read but so deliciously weird.
UKrakovianka, I am very much expecting to enjoy Kafka. Thanks for the tip about Pickwick Papers and the suggestions!
Teresa, thanks! Making a note of Our Mutual Friend. I don’t even know what that one is about so I will definitely look into it.
Litlove, yay for an Austen a year! I look forward to what you think of Mansfield Park. You and Danielle both likeing Professor’s House so much made me decide it had to go on the list. I expect to like the Kafka very much and I looke forward to finally reading Nabokov’s fiction. I expect he won’t disappoint.
Rebecca, I’ll send “read Persuasion” vibes your way
Glad to know Moby Dick in Pictures looks good. I’ve only seen the cover of the book and haven’t even read a reivew. I think I’m number 5 in line for it now so hopefully I’ll be getting it soon.
Diane, thanks for your nice comment! Good luck reading more classics and I hope you have a wonderful 2012!
Smithereens, it would be great fun if you end up reading Euripides this year too. Kafka and Flaubert are joined because of Nabokov’s lectures but who knows what other connections might turn up between them? Happy New Year!
Melwyk, I still have an aspirational list, it’s just in my head
Thanks for the Our Mutual Friend suggestion, you are the second one to recommend it so I will have to give it extras consideration when the Dickens mood strikes. And thanks for your kind words. Should you decide to give Ulysses a go I will be an enthusiastic cheerleader!
Nymeth, you can count on me reading Persuasion, probably in the spring or early summer. It’s been a very long time since I read it last and the details are fuzzy but I do remember liking it very much so I am looking forward to it. And looking forward to the science by women books too!
wherethereisjoy, yay for Dickens! It would be great to read Persuasion together. And I also think you would like Kafka.
Jenclair, Making a note of Quincunx, I don’t know about that book and if it reminds you of Bleak House I must look into it. Thus far Great Expectations is my favorite Dickens novel but I haven’t read many of his books so it could be displaced sometime. That you still think of the Metamorphosis is a sign of a good book. I wish I could start it right now. And how interesting that you like the Madame B criticism better than the book!
unfinishedperson, I like your description of Lolita! It sounds delicious.
Justin, I hope you like Ready Player One, I thought it was geeky fun. I’ll be interested in what you think about Habibi. Wherever your reading takes you in 2012, I hope it is good!
Cipriano, aw shucks, thanks! Everyone seems to have a different favorite Dickens which is going to make it hard for me to decide when the time comes. I’m not complaining though, I’ll never complain about having too many good books to read. A happy 2012 to you too!
Grad, it does seem like it is hard to go terribly wrong with anything Dickens wrote which makes choosing harder and easier. Persuasion will be a reread, I loved it the first two times I read it and I am certain I will love it still. It also makes the anticipation of it that much more pleasant.
I love this list, it sounds very extensive yet manageable at the same time! Just discovered your blog, and I am thrilled with your posts! It looks like I will have many archives to read to get all caught up, which is no problem because I adore your writing style.
Happy 2012, I can’t wait to see what you read and write this year
Emily
Emily, thanks! I hope your 2012 is off to a good start!
aw, great list! So excited to see which you end up reading. I’ve read Oliver Twist and Pickwick, both are good, although I have a soft spot in my heart for Oliver thanks to the musical I watched growing up. And I can’t wait to hear about the Euripides you’ll choose. Pretty much, all you have on this list sounds fantastic
Happy reading.
Rebecca, thanks! There is so much Dickens to choose from that I haven’t read that it is hard to decide. I’ve got some good Euripides plays to look forward to. Hope your reading year is off to a good start!