Friday Top 5: Books in the Queue

I find myself having so many conversations with people from all over who also happen to be readers. And one of the first things I get asked when they find out that I’m also a reader is, “So, what are you reading?” And I usually have to go through the entire list (of four books I’m reading at the same time right now) before telling them, “But there are about 30 in the queue right now.” I’m not joking either.

I have a huge list of books that I want to read when I get the chance. But as every lifelong reader knows, no matter how many books you end up reading from the list, the list doesn’t get smaller. Instead, it grows exponentially. Why is that? Quite simply because the next thing you say explaining the books you’re reading is to say to the other person, “So, what are YOU reading?”

Here are the top 5 books in my queue at this exact moment:

5. Senlin Ascends: Volume One in the Books of Babel Series, by Josiah Bancroft

This book was recommended to me by my sister, who is usually spot on with her recommendations. I’m reminded of how intense she was when she talked to me about The Time Traveler’s Wife, and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time, so when she told me how good this book was, I listened. In fact, it vaulted into my top 5 the second she told me about it. It’s supposed to be about the biblical Tower of Babel, where the language of the people was confused while they were trying to build a tower to reach heaven.

4. The House of Hades, by Rick Riordan

I know. I know. It’s another series book. But it’s a big one in this series as many troubling things happened at the end of the previous book, sort of like Cassandra Clare’s City of Fallen Angels, which makes me want to read the next books in each series all the more. How do these authors know that will hook me in? This one fits into the YA genre, but honestly most of those books these days aren’t just for young adults. Some of the themes are quite mature (don’t worry, no sex), but interesting nonetheless. The real beauty of this Heroes of Olympus series is that there are so many characters from Greek and Roman mythology within its pages, and I love mythology.

3. Silver Linings Playbook, by Matthew Quick

I told you I take my recommendations from fellow readers seriously. My wife, who is an amazing librarian, constantly suggests books for me to read, and because she knows me so well she usually hits the mark with each and every one. So I listen, and I add them to my queue. For example, we watched the movie based on this book a few months ago and we both enjoyed it immensely. However, I had heard too much negative talk about the book so it wasn’t on my short list. Then she checked out the audiobook and has been telling me some very interesting differences. Now I have an immense desire to read the book. I have ordered it in actual paperback format from the library and I am just waiting for them to let me know it’s in.

2. The Silent Wife, by A.S.A. Harrison

These types of books I love, if they’re done well. Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, was such a book, done expertly well, so the bar has been set high. Many, many people I’ve talked to, and the reviews I’ve read, say that this book is just as good. I hope it’s not a letdown, but I moved it high enough up on my queue because I know to get it through the library will take some time. There is quite a waiting list, but I’ve been surprised before. I was able to get The Cuckoo’s Calling relatively fast, considering it also had a long waiting list. My fingers are crossed. Interesting how we know what’s going to happen at the end just by the inside flap of the book, but it’s the journey that’s most important here.

1. The Size of Thoughts, by Nicholson Baker

Ever since his novel, The Fermata, I have been a huge fan of Nicholson Baker. However, while that was a novel about stopping time, he has gone so many different directions since then, even though he’s by no means prolific. He has written quite a few books of non-fiction, and The Size of Thoughts is just such a book. I have had it in my collection for a while now, but it has been one book I’ve been keeping on the shelf without reading so that I will always have a new Nicholson Baker book to read. Luckily for me, he just put out a new novel last year, so I’ll read this one now and save that one as I have been saving this one. I know. I’m strange.

Sam

**These books are the top 5 at the moment because as you, my fellow readers, know, I am introduced to so many more new books every single day, and the list changes. I hope I’m able to read all five of these before it changes, though. You’ll be amazed at how long it took me to read The Help, even though it was on my list for about 10 weeks.

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