Summer Reading List

Memorial day is upon us! Which can only mean one thing... 

A NEW BOOK LIST, OF COURSE! 

We're both looking forward to accomplishing some reading goals this summer. So without further ado... 

Charlotte's Summer Reading List

My summer reading list looks more ambitious than it is. Yes, it’s 16 books. But if we say summer consists of June, July, and August that shakes out to just about five books a month. Which is good, because I planned on reading 60 books this year. (Actually – I am behind! I’m only at 23 right now. But I’ll catch up.) I didn't go with any particular summery theme. I've actually read a lot of "junk" books lately, so.. I should use the summer to make up for it. Plus I'm not going to be on the beach this summer! I'm going to be in the mountains. I don't know why that makes a difference in my mind when it come to what genre to read, but it does!! Nonsensical. I imagine Les Mis will take at least a week and a half, and that’s if I’m really devoted to it. But a lot of the others should be easy reads to make up for it. At least five of these books are kids’ books, and a few are rereads for me, so that makes it go a bit faster. 

1. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

This is on my list of books to read in my twenties. I’ve decided I’d like to read it this summer because… well because I keep watching and loving the movie. It’s time. Also, I was reading a bit about John Brown today and I came across this quote from author Victor Hugo: 

“Politically speaking, the murder of John Brown would be an uncorrectable sin. It would create in the Union a latent fissure that would in the long run dislocate it. Brown's agony might perhaps consolidate slavery in Virginia, but it would certainly shake the whole American democracy. You save your shame, but you kill your glory. Morally speaking, it seems a part of the human light would put itself out, that the very notion of justice and injustice would hide itself in darkness, on that day where one would see the assassination of Emancipation by Liberty itself.” 

So it’s another reason to love Victor Hugo, and it’s pushed me to read his book sooner rather than later. 

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

One of my general life goals is to read more classics. Jane Eyre is a classic! Not only that, but Liz challenged me to read three of her favorite books of 2015, and this is one of them. Two birds, one stone. Of the books Liz challenged me to read, I initially chose this one to be first since “I have it already!” Well I took a look through my books today. It turns out I do not in fact own it. BUT tis easy to retrieve from the library. 

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I know I’ve mentioned this about 500 times on here, but man. I can’t finish this book! WHY? It’s a mystery. It’s not even as though I don’t like it – so far, I do!! But I just haven’t finished despite reading it for over a year now. What’s wrong with me? I’m vowing to finish it this summer. If I don’t, I’ll have disappointed myself and all of you. 

4. Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown

I’m about half way through this book and I am mostly enjoying it, though sometimes it irks me. I’ll explain more when I finish it and write a review. But I most definitely intend to finish it this summer. 

5. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien 

This will be the first time I’m reading The Silmarillion. I’ve loved each book I’ve read of Tolkien’s, so I’m excited about this one. And I found it nice and cheap at a used book store. ;) 

6. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

7. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

8. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

Rereads for me. Very excited. May have to have a movie marathon, too. 

9. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

10. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

I already own The DaVinci Code and have read some of it. I loved both of the movies. I’m constantly telling myself to read these two, and yet, I never do. WHY? It’s time. 

11. The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke by Suze Orman 

Because help. 

12. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: 

The Lightning Thief

The Sea of Monsters

The Titan’s Curse

The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Last Olympian

This series has been on my list since a kid I worked with told me I “NEED TO READ THEM.” The kid also loved Harry Potter and LOTR so I’m going to go ahead and give this series a try.

Liz's Summer Reading List

So, my list is significantly shorter than Charlotte's because: 1) I am easily distracted and 2) my work life is nuts, but slightly less nuts in the summer. That being said, I can probably manage two books a month from June through August, maybe more if I am lucky and/or learn how to manage my time better. This will keep me in line with my reading goal for this year.

I have a tendency to read lighter reads in the summer, like YA novels. But this summer, I really just need to continue to make a dent in all of these books I have literally piled up throughout my apartment that I have yet to read. That being said, the books that have made my list are books I definitely want to have read this summer. If I can get to more books, awesome, but these are the one's that I'm prioritizing.

1. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

This is the book I am currently reading, and I am getting a lot out of it so far! I'm a decent way through the book, but it's unlikely I will finish this before June (this time of year is literally the busiest time of year for me at work), so this will be my first summer-read to complete. It's already making me think differently about how to be happier and what lifestyle changes I should aim to make. It could lead to some productive self-development projects this summer...

2. After Dark by Haruki Murakami

Y'all should be proud at how long I've held off from reading another Murakami novel. Anyway, I read somewhere that May is short story month, so I intended to start reading this short stories collection by Murakami two weeks ago. Naturally, I've had essentially no time to add another book to read for this month, so chances are I won't get my start on this until next week in June. I've heard excellent things about After Dark - I think it'll be a great first read for summer 2016! #cantstopwontstopreadingMurakami

3. Ada by Vladimir Nabokov

I love Nabokov's writing - he's easily one of my favorite authors of all time. This has been written  by others time and time again about Nabokov, but his writing style is so beautiful. I've also said this before, but I love a book that forces you to think critically, and Nabokov's novels never fail to do this. I'd even say his novels are actually what constitutes a perfect novel. The plots are always captivating, his themes always reveal something meaningful about society and human nature, and the writing is sophisticated while still being accessible. I read Lolita for the first time a few summers ago; Ada should make for an excellent summer read as well.

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

The whole series would be god damn ambitious for me to finish in one summer (though it would be possible if I didn't want to read as many other things). BUT, I want to start reading the books this summer along with my other reads. It'll be nice to have something easy and pleasant to alternate reading with my other books. I'd also like to be able to stretch the series out through the fall, because what better time of year to read HP than the fall?? Lastly, and most importantly, Charlotte would actually kill me if I didn't start reading them this summer.

5. At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

It has been a hot minute since I read Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, but I remember how much I had absolutely loved it. Water for Elephants was definitely one of my summer reads when I had read it, and At the Water's Edge is right up my alley for a traditional summer read. It has romance, some historical fiction, and fantastical elements (it features the Loch Ness monster! I'm sold).

6. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

I have been waiting to read this since it was announced that it was finally going to be published. Earlier this month I was able to get my hands on a really cheap copy, so now it is finally time to get my eyes on those pages! To Kill a Mockingbird is, obviously, a classic, and it has also always been one of my favorite go-to summer reads. This summer, I finally will get to learn about Scout as an adult, and also get to see her father, Atticus, in a new light.

Let's talk about how sexy Atticus was in the To Kill a Mockingbird movie adaptation. So sexy.

7. Farewell Summer by Ray Bradbury

I plan to make Farewell Summer my very last book to read this summer. I know you're probably rolling your eyes and thinking, "wow how corny!" But hear me out first. Farewell Summer is Ray Bradbury's long awaited sequel to his novel, Dandelion Wine. Dandelion Wine is meant to be read in the summer. It's a collection of short stories that take place during the summer in a small midwestern town, and the stories center around two young brothers and the people in their community. Ray Bradbury's writing makes you feel summer. Bradbury's descriptive writing style is so perfect, it's as if you can feel the summer breeze in your living room, and can smell the dirt on your hands. In Dandelion Wine, he captured the essence of childhood summers. SO, with that said, Farewell Summer will likely encapture the transition of summer into fall and winter in a beautiful way to conclude my own summer.

Our Favorite Reads of 2015

After seeing a slew of articles circulating the interwebs titled "The Best Books of 2015," etc., we knew that we needed to do our own. We've had quite a productive reading year! Charlotte read over 30 books, and Liz read 16! We've read some really crap books, but, more importantly, we've read some truly excellent books that will stay with us for years to come. Here's each of our top five for 2015!

Charlotte's Top 5 Books of 2015

5. The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

Okay, okay. This is technically five books. I’ve reviewed three of them so far: one, two, and three. They weren’t the most spectacular books I’ve ever read, but they left a mark. I can always dig a book about rebellion, about ending oppression, about equal rights. I enjoyed this myself, and I know it’s something I can share with the tiny humans in my life: siblings, nieces and nephews, my own kids one day. Books that teach kids about these things make me happy. 

4. The Martian by Andy Weir

Now, this was a damn good book. An astronaut gets stranded on Mars after his crew mistakenly thought he was dead. It’s a story of survival and resilience and the worth of human life. Without giving much away, I’ll say that our protagonist must try and stay alive and his team, as well as hundreds or thousands of people on earth, need to figure out if there’s any way to save him.

I loved this book a lot. It was thrilling yet smart. There are some books I just devour, but they don’t make me think much. This book is jam packed with science and logic but is written in such a way that those of us without degrees in rocket science can still understand it. It’s a real adventure. It’s one of my favorites for the year because it kept my adrenaline pumping; I couldn’t put it down.

3. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a crucial book, but if you’re looking for something from a female role model who doesn’t fuck around, this is a great place to start. I loved it because it was hilarious, but I also gleaned some insight from Kaling’s experiences. Her first book was also terrific, but this offered a more grown up attitude while maintaining fast paced humor. I’ve been a fan of Mindy Kaling for a while, and I hope she never stops writing books. This book is top five for the many, many laughs as well as the insights. Highly recommend. (And I reviewed it here.)

2. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

I haven’t reviewed this book yet, but I did write a few things about it in this post.

Gretchen Rubin is my favorite author for this genre. She combines research, history, and experience to form really great advice to change habits. This book left me feeling more optimistic about my chances to actually improve and gave advice that was actually possible to implement.

And finally, my best book of the year:

1. The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra

Just, let’s not get me started on this book again. It’s phenomenal. The writing is unbelievably good, the stories are terrific. I couldn’t put it down. The writing will just blow you away. I reviewed it here and I talked about it a bit more on my personal blog right here.

Liz's Top 5 Books of 2015

When Charlotte and I were discussing this post the first thing she said to me was “so your entire list will be Murakami.” HAHA, CHAR. VERY FUNNY. While she’s spot on, 2015 became the year I discovered Murakami and he became one of my favorite authors, my top 5 is not all Murakami. This list is compiled of the books I read this year that will be the books that stick with me for years to come- the ones I’ll bring up in conversation (and constantly recommend), the ones I’ll think of when I’m reading a different book that shares a similar element, and the ones that drew intense feelings and thoughts from within me.

5) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre was a pleasant surprise (I was wary given my bad history with other novels of the same period). While I haven’t seen any film depictions of the novel, I assume they focus almost wholly on Jane’s relationship with Rochester, but Jane Eyre is not a romance novel. Jane Eyre is a survivor, a woman that bucks the norms of her time, strong willed, intelligent, and honest. Jane Eyre is entitled after the main character because it’s about her life, and her life is more than just the man she ends up falling in love with. It is about the abusive household she was raised in and survived through, how she came into her own at a strict and unforgiving boarding school and the important relationships she built while there, how she questioned women’s preordained roles in society and challenged them on the basis that women have the same wants and skills as men, and finally, how she found true love despite trying circumstances that would ordinarily keep two people apart.

From the beautiful writing to the themes that still hold true today, Jane Eyre as a novel, and as a character, will stick with me for years to come.

4) 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

I was torn between including 1Q84 and Kafka on the Shore for this list. As I’ve written before, Kafka on the Shore is the Murakami novel that pieced together the puzzle for me- it’s the novel that made me finally feel like I was starting to truly understand what Murakami is all about. But it’s 1Q84 that has made my list because it’s the first Murakami novel I read. As I’ve continued to read Murakami novels, and even works by others, 1Q84 frequently comes to mind. 1Q84 was, in some ways, a challenging novel as an introduction to Murakami’s works, but as I’ve continued to read his novels, I gain a better understanding of 1Q84 as I reflect on it.

1Q84 is a combination of a dystopian, sci-fi, fantasy, and love story all wrapped into one novel. The story follows Aomame and Tengo as they navigate some kind of parallel universe, which Aomame calls 1Q84. As they try to figure out this strange new world, Aomame’s and Tengo’s paths eventually come closer and closer together. Aomame has become one of my favorite female literary characters, and as I’ve read more of Murakami’s novels, I would argue that Aomame is the strongest female character he has ever written.

1Q84 is complex, fantastical, confusing, and both heartbreaking and beautiful, which is why it makes my top five of 2015.

3) The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

If I could only choose one word to describe The Handmaid’s Tale it would be “terrifying.” Published in 1985, this dystopian novel is frighteningly relevant to today. In the future, a supposed terrorist attack takes place (blamed on Islamic extremists) that ends up killing the President of the United States and most of congress. This gives the opportunity for a religious extremist group, the “Sons of Jacob,” to put forth a revolution and take over the government. This new world strips women of all human rights and creates new class divisions. The story is shared by the protagonist, Offred, a handmaid that was assigned to the household of Fred (thus her name, Offred). Due to declining birth rates, Handmaids are assigned to upper class households for  reproductive purposes.

Through flashbacks of Offred’s life prior to and after the revolution, we are introduced to a world of rampant pollution, sexism, and religious extremism. This book is one of my favorite reads of 2015 because, especially given the dialogue that has taken place during this presidential election season, it’s themes of environmental degradation, the desire of men to control women’s lives and bodies, and class warfare are more important to understand than ever. Atwood’s novel is not a cautionary tale about our future- it’s a warning about the present.

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Don’t let the bastards bring you down.

2) A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

For those of you who are familiar with Doctor Who, you probably will recall one of the Doctor’s famous lines about the nature of time: “Time isn’t a straight line...time is more like wibbly wobbly...stuff.” A Tale for the Time Being is a superb novel that will make you question the nature of time and how we are all connected.

This novel is told through the narrative of Nao, a teenager who was born in California that is forced to move to Japan, where her family is originally from, when her father loses his job, and Ruth, a Japanese-American writer who lives on a small island off the coast of British Columbia. Nao’s story is told through her diary, and Ruth’s story is told as she is reading Nao’s diary, which she finds one day on the beach. As an American, Nao is treated by her peers as a foreigner, and consequently she is relentlessly bullied while she is in Japan. Her father struggles to find a job and is thrown into a deep depression. After he tries to commit suicide numerous times, Nao’s own mental health is greatly impacted. Ruth finds Nao’s diary while she is in the middle of severe writer’s block. Nao's diary takes Ruth on a crucial journey to possibly save Nao, while also saving herself. While Ruth and Nao's stories are on different timelines, the two are connected both literally and figuratively in ways that, at times, will boggle your mind.

Thrilling, thought-provoking, and emotional- this novel will stand the test of time for me.

1) Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

Norwegian Wood, which I recently reviewed at length, is my favorite book of the year. Beautifully written, touching, and relatable, I could hardly put this book down. Murakami’s insightful words on death and the importance of love leave a lasting impression. As someone who has experienced death, when I read Toru’s thoughts as he was trying to understand death himself, I thought “yes, exactly, this is precisely what this is like.” This book is not only a favorite for this year, but possibly one of my all-time favorites because when I recall this novel, all the feelings it gave me come flooding back.

Liz & Char

Books to Read in Your Twenties

Hey, ya'll. We stumbled across this terrific list written by another blogger. Check this out: 

I realized that I have 2,843 days left of being in my twenties; I began to consider, in what ways would I like to have grown by age 30? 

"Books" is what immediately came to mind. I want to know my classics, discover the best novels of our decade, and fall in love with new authors. In what other time of our lives will we have so much freedom to indulge in 500-1000 page novels, or actually spend time appreciating those books we “read” in high school?

How great! We were inspired by the list and decided to make our own. Such fun! These are books we've been dying to read, or we've been too intimidated to read (hellllo, Les Miserables!), or we feel should be read in order to be socially literate. We've got just over 2,000 days left in our twenties - enough time to check each and every book off this bucket list, hopefully.

Let's start with the books that appear on both of our bucket lists: 

1. The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Liz: Malcolm X’s words and philosophy are just as relevant today as they ever were. In light of the persistent police violence and institutional racism that exists in the U.S., this book is an important read. 

Char: Agreed. I've started it, but kept putting it off. But this is an important book, and it's especially relevant today.

2. On the Road by Jack Kerouac 

Liz: Coming of age novels are my jam. 

Char: I just want to be socially literate, bebe. When books are referenced so often, I feel the need to read them. I want to know what everyone is talking about. I may or may not also like the way "Kerouac" rolls off the tongue. (A completely legitimate reason to read a book, dammit.)

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Liz: I picked it up when I was in High School, read the first 30 pages and hated it. As an adult person, I think I might enjoy it more, so it’s worth giving another shot. It’s also referenced so often in other books, in society, in life, I might as well try to understand what the F folks are on about.

Char: Why can’t I finish this? It’s taking me so long, but I like it and I really need to just finish it already.

4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 

Char: Because Mark told me to.

5. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird is beloved by all and Lee finally had another book published. We’ve got to read it. 

That's all for the books we both want to read before the big 3-0. But don't fret, there's so much more where that came from. 

Charlotte: At the risk of sounding exceptionally corny, when I was coming up with this list, I tried to think about what kind of woman I want to be. (One answer: Not the kind of grown ass woman who hasn't read Pride and Prejudice.) I want to be someone who reads often and who reads critically and thoughtfully. I also want to be the kind of woman who never finds herself without a witty comeback. I'm already pretty good with that, but I can stand to up my literary humor game. 

I want to know more about the world, I want to understand the struggles of other people, and I want to be able to talk about the classics. I also do not - do not - want to be the kind of person who doesn't pick up a book because reading it feels like a daunting task. Do that too many times and suddenly my reading habits will become a metaphor for my life, and that's not the kind of life I want to make. 

You'll also find a few heavy Catholic books on here, because I've really started to love being a Catholic. It's already made me a better person, and I've been devouring saints' stories left and right. Your twenties are supposed to be a wonderful time to solidify habits, and I'd love to start incorporating more of the Catholic customs into my life. No time like the present! 

Lastly, I've got a few kids books on here. Maybe I'll have kids before my thirtieth birthday, maybe I won't - but I really like the idea of having a few kids books under my belt before I'm a parent. Is that weird? Probably. But again, I tried to keep in mind what kind of woman I want to be while writing this - and a good parent is definitely part of the answer.

I own a lot of these, plus most are classics or at least very old, meaning they're nearly free for the kindle. I officially have no excuses to not finish this list.  

Sorry for the novella! Here we go:

6. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Honestly, I just loved the movie so much that I’ve got to read the book. The story is a beautiful one.  

7. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri 

We read Dante’s Inferno in high school, and I’ve wanted to read the other two ever since. 

8. The Diary of Anne Frank

I’ve read this before, but I think I should reread it. 

9. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

Again, because I’d like to be socially literate. 

10. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 

Numerous people have suggested this, but they’ve also told me it’s very depressing. At some point I’d like to read it, though.

11. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 

Similar to Pride and Prejudice in that I’ve been reading this forever. I love it, so it’s weird that I haven’t finished it. I think it’s mainly due to putting it down and picking up Harry Potter instead. 

12. Mr. Toppit by Charles Elton

Because I bought it a few years ago and never even opened it. For shame, Charlotte.

13. Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman by Sarah Bradford 

This was the first substantial book about Tubman, and I’d really like to delve into it. 

14. Something by Stephen King

Because I feel like it’s wrong to have never read anything by Stephen King.

15. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 

Another one of those books that people love and talk about, and that I really ought to read. Plus, Mark told me to read it.

16. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I loved the movies and I generally love anything by C.S. Lewis. I love LOTR and Harry Potter, so I will likely enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia, as well. 

17. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Literally because another blogger said it was great and that it fell right behind HP on her list of favorites. 

18. On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard

Kind of self-explanatory? And I’m starting to really love books about the Faith. 

19. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Because one of my favorite kids from work told me I “absolutely have to read this!” Will do, Samson.

20. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Again, it’s a classic I feel like I should read. I’ve started it before, but… HP strikes again.

21. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler 

I love Amy Poehler and I like books by funny women, so.

22. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut 

I’ve wanted to read this for a long, long time. Must take the plunge, Char. 

23. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Because several friends have told me to. 

24. The Confessions of Saint Augustine 

Like I said, love these kind of books. I enjoy learning more about the saints, too. 

25. Cities and the Wealth of Nations by Jane Jacobs

Because I have it. And I hear it’s terrific.

26. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Another classic! I started reading this before, and enjoyed it, but stopped. 

27. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 

This book is America’s second favorite book (right behind the Bible), so I figure I need to see what all the fuss is about. 

28. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Another classic. 

29. In Search of Lost Time by Proust 

Not going to lie, my main reason for wanting to read this is just because it was featured in an episode of Gilmore Girls. (But also I just googled it and it’s so highly revered that I really want to read it.)

30. Catechism of the Catholic Church

I’m already reading this, but it’s been slow going. If I can’t finish it in 5.5 years, I’m a major slacker.

31. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky 

What’s that? Classic. (Plus, from everything I’ve read/heard, I think I’ll like the story.)

32. The Epistles of St. Clement of Rome and St. Ignatius of Antioch 

Church classics. 

33. Beloved by Toni Morrison 

One of those books, again, that everyone should read. Of all the people I know who have read it, none disliked it. 

34. The Waves by Virginia Woolf

I’ve heard this described as Woolf’s “strangest” novel and “most experimental” novel, and I’m intrigued. 

35. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 

I know it’s a difficult and long read, but it’s world renowned and I need to just get over the intimidation and read it.

36. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

It’s a classic and it’s in that movie, Definitely Maybe. 

37. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Haters gonna hate but I mainly want to read this book because it briefly appeared on an episode of The Daily Show. 

38. Narrative of Sojourner Truth

Another one everyone should read. 

39. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset 

Numerous bloggers I read have mentioned it so I figure it’s got to be good. 

40. Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn 

As I’m getting better at the whole being a Catholic thing, I’d like to read this.

41. Peter Pan by JM Barrie

I’ve heard that the book is amazing. 

42. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

This will be a reread for me, but I think it's such a helpful book. 

43. My own book. 

Really, I have 5.5 years. I should be able to finish writing it. 

And now, Liz's bucket list! 

Before I turn thirty I want to read:

44. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A classic. I like that the Bronte sisters write moody stories. I loved Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, so Wuthering Heights sounds like a natural fit for me.

45. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I read the first three when I was young, and then I just stopped reading them. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy them- I guess I just lost patience for them to come out. I obviously need to correct this and read the series ASAP. 

46. The Millennium Series by Stieg Larsson

Lisbeth Salander is a god damn role model. As a young woman, I’m drawn to a series with an admirable female lead. 

47. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I read The Kite Runner last winter and loved it! It brought tears to my eyes, so I can’t wait to read Hosseini’s other novels

48. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Same as above.

49. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

I’ve read and loved so many Murakami novels. This is one that is constantly hyped up by Murakami fans, so I want to read it myself. 

50. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

It’s a classic dystopian novel that I have yet to read- it’s time.

51. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

A classic. It's been on my reading list for years. 

52. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
A lesser-known classic. It's applauded for its feminist themes.

53. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Adichie has written excellent essays on feminism, and this novel by her sounds like it'll be a fantastic exploration of young love, the experience of being a black woman in America, and the experience of being undocumented.  

54. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton is another writer applauded for her feminism. 

55. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Another expertly written classic. 

56. This Changes Everything Capitalism vs the Climate by Naomi Klein

Clearly this book is relevant to our time. The topic is crucially important to the future of our planet as we know it.

57. The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Fuck suburbia, that’s why.

58. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

A classic. Sounds depressing, and who doesn’t like to read depressing shit? 

59. 1984 by George Orwell

Shamefully, I read a good chunk of this in Highschool, but never finished it.

60. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Another one I started to read, but never finished. I really liked it too! It's renown for being expertly written, and it's definitely apparent when you're reading it. I hope by reading this book I'll become a better writer myself, through osmosis of course. 

There it is! Our twenties bucket list!

Did we do a good job? Do you all think we missed any essential reading? Here's to many nights reading away and completing this list!  

xoxo

Liz & Char