If I try to take 'Books You Must Read Before You Die' list, I would probably fail. I've finally come to terms though that I will just never be able to read all the books I want to read in my lifetime, and I think that's truly okay. However, there are some specific books that I haven't read and still feel embarrassed that I haven't. For today, I will just name a few out of a handful.
1. Lolita byVladimir Nabokov
This is in my immediate tbr list. I have always wanted to read this one, and I really think 2014 is the year for this.
2. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
I have owned a copy of this book for years now, but never picked it up.
3. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
I have read a few of John Steinbeck's books, and loved them. I also want to visit his house in Salinas, CA since I don't live that far. Sadly, I've never read this classic.
4. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
I am actually currently reading this one, so I am slowly trying to fix not having read anything from Jon Krakauer. I am thinking Into Thin Air is next.
5.
Thanks to Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon, I finally read this one. For the longest time though, I've always been so embarrassed that I've never read this classic. Oh but now that I finally have... I can definitely say how happy I am that I finally went for it. It was a lovely read, and might do an actual review on it soon.
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So there we go! I have to say, it feels strangely satisfying to admit my book guilt. I might just make this a regular thing on the blog, where I will be talking about books I haven't read, but know that I should have already. Let me know what books you are most ashamed of that you haven't read, or if you ever feel book guilt at all!
I used to feel guilt over not reading any classics because I honestly haven't read any of them - unless I was forced to read them in school. I just have no interest and if I tried, I would be bored to tears. Maybe as I get older and my tastes change, I'll be able to try more of them. Right now I just focus on books that I know will keep my attention because my reading time is so limited. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to cross one off of your list!
Love this post. I have lots of book guilt as well. I've never read Twilight!
ReplyDeleteI think we all have guilt lists like this! Lolita is a very good book, if I can say that without coming across as weird....
ReplyDeleteRead the audio version of Lolita read by Jeremy Irons, just incredible! I've never read Leaves of Grass either, but it's high on my list!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Lolita, either. Or A Christmas Carol by Dickens...but that one I feel like I've read because I've seen so many versions of it. As for guilt? I don't let it bother me. If I haven't read a book it's probably because I just don't want to; and why feel guilty about that?
ReplyDeleteI think I feel guilt about classics, if at all, whether they be literary classics, or fantasy classics, or sci-fi classics. Right off the bat, the first book that comes to mind is War and Peace, which I have staring at me from shelf and which I was supposed to start this spring. I really liked Lolita and Dorian Gray, but especially Grapes of Wrath - such a good book.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI feel book guilt only when I've owned a book for a long time and haven't read it. I'm more likely to feel book shame for putting off even buying or borrowing a classic for many years! LOL!
Congratulations for getting to scratch one classic off your list at last! =)
I don't have book guilt and feel I have a good 'expectation goal' but this can always change. I have considered Lolita, but the others are not on my radar to try. Good luck and I hope you enjoy them when you get to them.
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