I never really make reading resolutions or any of that, but I can't help thinking about things I would love to finally get around to doing. I own the entire
In Death series by J.D. Robb and I have only read like ten of them. I went through my Terry Pratchett collection and I almost own them all. I started Lois McMaster Bujold's books a couple years ago, keep buying them when I see them at the second hand store, and then promptly let them lie around my shelves. Then there is
Dragonlance. I love the books by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I haven't read any books in that series since I read three of them in a row one year for the Once Upon a Time challenge. Another series I collect that just sits on my shelves. And, the thing is, this is just a small selection of the series I am in the midst of that I seem never destined to catch-up in. I have issues.
I am wickedly excited that Robin Hobb is returning to her roots and writing a new book that may come out in 2014. But, why? I haven't read all of her books yet. I consider Patricia Briggs one of my favourite authors out there... I haven't read all of her books yet. I was devastated when Sara Douglass died, but, yet have only read like 3 books by her and own all the rest. I could go on here... It's just getting overwhelming and I think that is why 2013 was so quiet for me. EVERYTHING IS A SERIES! And not a nice, manageable series. They say it will be a standalone or a trilogy or whatever and then next thing you know there are 'companion' books. Susan Carroll supposedly was done her
Cheney Sisters series and then suddenly in 2014 a sixth book was released. So, now one of the few series I was caught-up in... I am behind in...
So, what is this leading up to? I need to catch-up on things in 2014... The problem is I lack the ability to not start a new series. I have tried to be very strict about it and get to the end of a book only to find there is not a conclusive ending. Or companion books are announced. Or I just really want to read a book and forget my rule of not starting a new series... Let's look at December for an example:
Level Two by Lenore Appelhans - Book 1 in a new trilogy.
Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan - Book 1 in a four book series.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett - Part of the
Discworld series, so at least working at it.
The Diviners by Libba Bray - Book 1 in a new trilogy.
Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong - Book 1 in a trilogy.
Currently reading:
A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway - Book 1 in a series. (I think. Could also just be a trilogy...)
The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells - Book 1 in a trilogy.
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold - At least part of the
Vorksogian series so working on an on-going series.
See... No wonder I can't finish anything. It would be so nice to do something productive in 2014. I have been toying with catching-up in Terry Pratchett, but I take breaks between series books and then something new and shiny comes along and I never seem to get back to them... I know I am not alone with this, but I also know there are bloggers that actually read all the books in a row and then don't have to be behind all the time.
This all leads up to one thing I would really like to do in 2014... Reread, and read for the first time, as much of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books as possible. Here is the list of what I consider my goal for 2014:
Anne of Green Gables (1908) (Reread.) - Own
Anne of Avonlea (1909) (Reread.) - Own
Kilmeny of the Orchard (1910) (New read.)
The Story Girl (1911) (New read.)
Chronicles of Avonlea (1912) (New Read)
The Golden Road (1913) (New read.)
Anne of the Island (1915) (Reread) - Own
Anne's House of Dreams (1917) (Reread) - Own
Rainbow Valley (1919) (Reread) - Own
Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920) (New Read)
Rilla of Ingleside (1921) (Reread) - Own
Emily of New Moon (1923) (Reread)
Emily Climbs (1925) (New read) - Own
The Blue Castle (1926) (New Read) - Own
Emily's Quest (1927) (New Read) - Own
Magic for Marigold (1929) (New Read)
A Tangled Web (1931) (New Read) - Own
Pat of Silver Bush (1933) (New Read) - Own
Mistress Pat (1935) (New Read)
Anne of Windy Poplars (1936) (Reread) - Own
Jane of Lantern Hill (1937) (New Read) - Own
Anne of Ingleside (1939) (Reread) - Own
The Road to Yesterday (1974) (New Read) - Own
Firstly, I used to own both Avonlea books and I know I had
Emily of New Moon. I wonder where they wandered off to... Anyway, if I can read these 23 books in 2014 I get to get Lucy Maud Montgomery's collected journals at the end of the year... They were released separately, but last year and the year before the Collected Editions started appearing. I also might do audio for some of them... Maybe the rereads? What lead to this entirely was listening to
Stiff by Mary Roach on audio. The narrator was awesome and that lead me to see what else she narrates... Lucy Maud Montgomery, apparently. (Sadly just the first two Anne books, so I will return to reading after listening to those two.)
So, what are your thoughts on series? Do you feel overwhelmed at times like me? Do you have any projects for 2014?
