Hello Bookworms. It’s Tuesday again, so you know what that means! I’m playing Top Ten Tuesday with The Broke and The Bookish! This week’s topic is the Top Ten books we’re anticipating in 2013. This is a super tough topic. I mean, I feel like I’m forever playing catchup because there are so many amazing books already in existence. Since the release of the final Harry Potter book, I haven’t really been super excited about continuing series… except…
1. Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon. It is the latest in the Jamie and Claire Outlander saga, and the only new release I didn’t have to google, because I’ve been DYING for the next installment. An Echo in the Bone left us with some serious cliffhangers! I’ve been on edge for YEARS as a result. I’m far too neurotic to read series as they come out. I should only read things that are already completed. I absolutely cannot wait. I freaking LOVE these books!
2. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris will be released in May. It’s apparently the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and given the latest twists (or lack thereof) the series has taken, I’m interested to see how everything ties together. Anybody else think Sookie deserves a normalish boyfriend? I was always kind of rooting for her and Sam. Maybe that’ll happen, and they’ll have telepathic shapeshifting babies or something nice like that.
Sookie + Sam = Supernatural love that can reproduce and lives only the length of a normal human life!
3. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier comes out in January. I’ve liked everything of hers I’ve ever read, so I’ll probably give this a whirl. It’s touted as historical fiction based on the underground railroad. I wonder if it’ll have a significant tie to period art like her other works…
4. Benediction by Kent Haruf is due out in 2013. My awesome neighbors and I read two of his novels Plainsong and Eventide earlier this year and they were both fantastic. This is about an old man dying of cancer. Frankly it sounds like a downer, but the other two books could have gone some very dark places but ended up heartwarming, so I may trust Haruf with my fragile psyche once more.
5. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. Alright, I don’t know just HOW MUCH I want to read this, but I’ve liked the majority of what I’ve read by her, so I might give it a shot. Why am I unsure? It’s about a man who confesses to being a Nazi SS guard. Reading Holocaust novels is like taking a cheese grater to my heart. It’s so important to tell those stories, but they’re SO PAINFUL to read. This one is fiction at least. It’s the survivors’ tales that are the hardest to take. Still, I can’t imagine this book being a walk in the park.
I’m sure there will be tons and tons of amazing books released in 2013, but I’m prevented from knowing ALL THE THINGS. Since I could only come up with 5 books, I’m going to list 5 books made into movies that are coming out in 2013 that may or may not interest me. I mean, the odds that I’ll see these movies is pretty slim. I’ll likely just whine about how books are always better and blah blah blah because I just don’t watch a lot of movies.
1. The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst is being made into a movie? This was an odd little gem of a book I read what feels like forever ago that centered on a distraught man trying to teach his dog to talk after his wife’s death so he could uncover the circumstances. Steve Carell is supposed to be in it. I’m intrigued.
2. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card will be released in 2013 as well. I read this in the aftermath of the Hunger Games because Amazon told me it was similar. It wasn’t really similar, but it was definitely interesting in its own way. I’m not great at being spacial or visual though, so reading about some of the training exercises they went through hurt my brain a little. I’m interested to see how they translate that to the big screen.
3. World War Z by Max Brooks. Honestly, I’ve already heard bad things about this adaptation. I don’t know how you could make a successful movie out of this book because it’s all a bunch of vignettes of the zombie apocalypse. The only thing that ties the story together is the journalist taking down the stories, and it would take some serious creative license to make that work. But who knows? Brad Pitt is starring, and even though he’s not young and sometimes wears gross facial hair, he’s still pretty dreamy. We’ll just have to wait and see if this is a complete dud.
4. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is about to be immortalized thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio. He’s playing the serial killer, so he’ll probably win like 15 Oscars or something. It’s been a while since I read this, but I recall there being a LOT of conversation on landscaping… My guess is Hollywood will gloss over the controversy of using native grasses as opposed to sculptured gardens… Because, well, that was kind of boring.
5. Catching Fire is coming out. Y’all know I’ll break my “I almost never go to the movies” rule to see more of the Hunger Games. I don’t care that it won’t live up to the book. I really liked the first movie, even though there were a couple of times I wanted to yell at the screen. (I mean, HELLO, Prim did NOT give Katniss the mockingjay pin. I was able to enjoy the movie despite such things.)
So Bookworms, what about you? Any bookish things you’re amped for in the new year?
Shana London
OMG, thank you for this post, because now I know that the last of the Sookie Stackhouse novels will be coming soon. I am ADDICTED. Like, go out and spend retail price for the book in hardback rather than wait for it to hit my favorite buy/sell/trade bookstore addicted. So excited.
There aren’t any books I am looking forward to yet(besides the above-mentioned), but I will certainly keep my eye out! Also, I just wanted to tell you that I am the same way with having to read series that are already complete, or very near to it. I simpy CANNOT wait for each book to make it from the author’s mind, to pages, to the publisher, to the shelves. Can’t do it. In fact, my friend Kristin is usually the one that always turns me on to awesome books and series, but she reads them from the get-go. I always have to tell her not to lend them to me until there are at least three or four already out.
Words for Worms
LOL Shana, you crack me up. Seriously, the series thing is bad. I started HP when there were 4 books, so I have 4 in a nice paperback set and the final 3 in ginormous hardcover. Same with the Outlander books. The Twilight books (though I’m a little embarassed to admit it) I chewed through so fast that the friend I’d borrowed from hadn’t finished Breaking Dawn yet. I bought that sucker in hardcover. I’m a junkie.
Shana London
I did also. The moment I found myself in a bathroom stall reading Eclipse at a work party, I knew I had a problem. Now who’s embarassed?
Words for Worms
Hahahha! I read Breaking Dawn at a wedding reception!
Kelly
Have you seen the movie trailer for World War Z? It makes me mad that they were even allowed to use the title. It looks absolutely NOTHING like the book. Really disappointing.
My Top 10
Words for Worms
Okay, first, I love your top 10 and I’m now really excited about the new Joyce Carol Oates. Second, I fear what they’ve done to WWZ. Why? Just why, Hollywood?!
Liesel Hill
Great list! Catching Fire is great. (Possibly my fave of the trilogy.) Ender’s Game and World War Z are on my list too! 😀
Words for Worms
Seriously, I want to see the zero gravity space training laser scenes. I bet they’re cooler than what my spacially challenged brain imagined!
Quirky Chrissy
I think that Catching Fire will be better than the book. But I liked the first book the best, and I think that the movie did a pretty good set up job for the next two movies. That is all.
I lied… Sookie Stackhouse novels…I need to catch up–I think I’m like 2 or 3 behind! And I can’t remember what I’ve read and what I haven’t because they all kind of meld together in my brain. *sigh*
Words for Worms
The Sookie books mush together in my brain too. Still rooting for Sookie and Sam. I know you want Sookie to find a human, but I just don’t see that happening.
Lisa G.
Hooray for Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. I. Can. Not. WAIT!!!!!!!! (Sorry to get shouty, but the things she did to Roger and Jem in the last book get me all worked up). Do you ever read the Lord John books or her other short stories? I can not get enough of this woman’s writing. LOL. Also? Your blog pretty much rocks. Thanks for making my day!
Words for Worms
Seriously!!!!!! Roger and Jem!!!!! Jem in the tunnel! Roger lost in time! Ahhhh!!!!!!! The only Lord John book I read was The Scottish Prisoner, because, well, Jamie. I enjoyed it, but I haven’t read her short stories either. She’s been tweeting about one that stars Michael (I think?) and Marsali’s sister. I’ll probably tackle those after I chew through the new book and am dying for more. You can get shouty with me any time. Thanks for liking my blog! YOU just made MY day! 🙂
Jayne
I didn’t know they were turning Devil in the White City into a movie. It’s not a book I would’ve thought would make a good movie because it is kinda slow most of the time, so it’ll be interesting to see how they do it. I was actually a bit disappointed when I read that book, because the synopsis talks about the chilling, gruesome murders so I expected more blood and gore and suspense, but the actual murder part was pretty short and tame. That probably makes me sound twisted, but I think because I expected more it ended up falling short for me. Maybe the movie will spend more time on the murders to make it a little more exciting? But I did think it was interesting learning about the making of the World’s Fair.
There are several series that are continuing with new books in 2013 that I’m excited about, but they’re all mysteries because that’s what I typically read so you’re probably not familiar with most of them since that’s not your preferred genre.
Words for Worms
Yeah, they’re really going to have to play up the serial killer aspect to make Devil work. There was SO MUCH discussion of landscaping! And the process behind the plastering and such. It’s really more an architecture book than a suspense thriller. You’re right, I’m typically not a crime fiction sort of gal, but if you find one that’s super amazing, I’d love to hear about it. I like to branch out from time to time :).
Ashley F
I gave up on Sookie. She started to piss me off but OMG am I counting down for the Diana Gabaldon book. I could totally go for a re-read of that whole series. It’s been quiet a few years since I read the early books.
Words for Worms
I can see where you got frustrated with Sookie. I almost threw in the towel after the were-tiger incident. I seriously might have to like throw a blog party for the Outlander release. I don’t know what it would entail. Maybe I’ll piece together a Claire costume or something embarrassing like that. I cannot get enough!
Ashley F
God help us if they go through with the TV/Miniseries idea. If they ruin it, I will CRY. I love love love that whole series. Have you read the Lord John books? You HAVE to read the Scottish Prisoner!!
Words for Worms
Haha! The ONLY Lord John book I’ve read is The Scottish Prisoner. For obvious reasons.
Cindy
Can.Not.Wait for the new Sookie Stackhouse! And I’m sad to see it end. I can’t decide who I want her to end up with. I’m leaning towards Sam as well. I may have to change my decision to not re-read the whole series before the new one comes out.
I’m also excited for the Catching Fire movie. I loved the whole series. Thank goodness I didn’t start reading them until they were all out – I hate waiting.
The other book I’m waiting for is the next book in the Divergent series. I don’t know if that is 2013 or not – I sure hope so. I need to know what happens next!
Words for Worms
I have heard a lot of good things about the Divergent series. I think I’m going to wait till the last one is released and read them all together!
Ashley F
Divergent was great. Insurgent…..not so much. I’m a sucker for teen fiction.
Words for Worms
I’m a sucker for dystopias. I’ll probably become obsessed. Which is why I must wait until the trilogy is complete to start it!
Heather
I totally understand your feeling towards book series. I either need the whole series to be written before I start reading, or else I need publishers to get me my “fix” a lot quicker than they do. 🙂
I started reading Outlander based off my college roommate’s recommendation and quickly fell in love with the stories. We used to read them together, but she’s given them up now because of the 2-3 year wait period between books. I can’t wait till Written in My Own Heart’s Blood comes out next year…. I am just so impatient to find out what happens to Lord John and Jamie. I mean, how much more can these people go through!?! Ah. I’m all excited just thinking about it. Okay – need to calm down and go back to work…
Words for Worms
Seriously! And Jamie’s illegitimate son! I’ve gathered from the previews that William and Ian may be doing battle for the little quaker girl. And for the love of god someone get Jemmy out of the tunnel! Sigh. I might die of anticipation.
Heather
I know – I am so worried about Jem!!! I keep reading her daily lines that she posts on Twitter, hoping that she give some clue as to who will get Jem out of the tunnel!!! And yet, nothing. Sigh. I think I might actually cry when this series is over – I love it almost as much as Harry Potter.
Words for Worms
I’ll probably be a blubbering mess when the series ends too! Is book 8 the last one? I’m not really sure. I know there’s a prequel in the works, so I’m curious. I mean, I love this book so much the old people sex doesn’t even weird me out. Let’s face it, Jamie and Claire are getting up there. I’m not sure what the life expectancy was in the 1700s but I’m thinking it wasn’t too old. They cannot live forever, and yet, I really want them to!
Heather
She says that the story will be done around the time Jamie and Claire reach the year 1800. So hopefully, we’ve got a couple more books in between now and then.
Words for Worms
That is such a relief! I was going to go into pre-emptive withdrawl!
Heather
Oh – but only the main Outlander story will be done then. She’s supposed to do a series of novella’s about Jamie’s parents…. and then she’s going to start a series on Master Raymond. I am super looking forward to seeing about Master Raymond. I love him. He’s creepy, but in a good way :). Plus, we get Lord John, but I’m not sure how much further she’s going (which reminds me… I need to pack The Scottish Prisoner for my weekend trip….).
JoulesDellinger
A big thank you from me too about the Sookie Stackhouse book. I’m pretty sure I’ve read the whole series (borrowed from the library), so I think that’s the only one I’m missing. Of course, now I feel like I need to buy them all on paperback or download them all to my kindle… As for Catching Fire, I was totally that dorky person who was explaining to my friend about the mockingjay pin. So annoyed!!
Words for Worms
I’m actually a lot more excited about the new Sookie book than usual since it should bring some closure (hopefully). I went to see the Hunger Games with people who’d read the book and as soon as it was over we were all like WTF was with the PIN, yo?!
didibooksenglish
I’ll have to keep reading through theSookie series. I only read the first three. Interested to see what the will do withCatching Fire although I wasn’t happy with The Hunger Games in film. I too heard bad things about the movie World War Z. I think I’ll just read the book. It seems lots of books are being adapted to movies. Here’s what I heard so far: Beautiful Creatures, Les Miserables, The Hobbit, The Great Gatsby, This Is Where I Leave You, Life of Pi, Great Expectations, City of Bones, and The Host. Whew! A lot of these are YA and I fear they’ll probably mess a few of these up. Will you go to see any of these?
Words for Worms
I can’t WAIT for Les Mis! The movie is based on the musical which is based on the book, but I looooooooooove the musical even though there are parts that aren’t completely faithful to the book. The Hobbit should be good, all the LOTR movies were fab, not that I’ve read the books. I worry for Gatsby, but I think DiCaprio is attached to that and his recent work has been pretty high brow so I’ll trust him. I don’t think anyone could butcher Great Expectations any more than the late 90s Gwyneth Paltrow version did, so whatever they come up with will be an improvement. However, the soundtrack to the 90s Great Expectations movie is the soundtrack to my teenage years and I love it a ridiculous amount! That’s a long way of saying I’ll probably see Les Mis, maybe The Hobbit, and probably nothing else in the theaters.
didibooksenglish
Yeah I agree. They seem like accidents waiting to happen. That’s what movie adaptation from books are to me in most cases. Did love the Lord of the Rings but I haven’t read it yet.
It's A Dome Life
The Dogs of Babel was so creepy. The movie is going to be too! I think I may have missed a book or two toward the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I will need to look into that.
Words for Worms
It was such a crazy book. I wonder how they’ll do the masks!
CorrieP
Don’t know how you feel about memoirs but have you ever read Jen Lancaster? HILARIOUS!!! She has a new one coming out in the spring called The Tao of Martha where she lives a whole year influenced by Martha Stewart. Her writing style is hilarious since she writes like I think, why can’t I do that?! Anywho, just thought I’d throw it out there!!!
Words for Worms
I LOVE a good memoir! Especially a funny memoir! I’ve never read Jen Lancaster- I’m going to have to look into it. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
Lyssapants
Ender’s Game!!! World War Z (I have yet to read this, but I will before the movie. They had me at Brad Pitt)!!! CATCHING FIRE!!!
The end.
Words for Worms
I hope Brad Pitt can save World War Z, I’ve heard disconcerting things about the alteration of the plotline.
Lyssapants
Oh dear. Time will tell.
Rhian
Ender’s Game is one of my favourite books Of All Time so I’m torn about seeing the movie. There is always the risk of total suckitude (a la Tomorrow When the War Began) or the total joy of bringing the book to life (Harry Potter).
My dislike of hardcover books is greater than my desire to read “the next book” so I always wait until at least trade paperback, if not mass market paperback size. I suspect if my “to be read” pile wasn’t so big (it usually hovers around 40) I might not be so patient.
My “to buy” list is at home (I’m on holiday) so I’m not deliberately not answering your question. I might try and recreate it between reading and napping :-).
Words for Worms
Oh my gosh. I love the phrase “on holiday.” It sounds so much classier than “on vacation.” And you spelled “favourite” with a u! I hope you’re having a lovely time on a beach with a huge stack of books!
Rhian
Huh, I’ve never really noticed the holiday/vacation difference before. Not as snicker-inducing as rooting.
It’s a little windy for the beach today, but I can see the beach out the window. I just finished a lovely holiday read called “The Tapestry of Love” that I bought at the local second-hand bookshop, and now have to decide what to read next. It’s a hard life!
West Virginia Red (@wvredreads)
I really need to get caught up in the Outlander series. But she takes sooooo long between books. I used to read the ones before to get back up to speed but now I could never do that.
Words for Worms
I’m pretty lucky in that my only talent in life is the ability to recall book plotlines years later with surprising accuracy. As much as I’d love to revisit all the Outlander books, doing so for every new release is a big commitment!
Sarah Says Read
Wooooo Outlander!!! I’m re-reading An Echo in the Bone right now. I didn’t handle all of those events near the end well last time I read it… hopefully this time around I’ll be like “Ohhhh, okay, that wasn’t stupid at all!” I really can’t wait for the 8th book to fix everything.
And YES for the Ender’s Game movie, I cannot wait for that! I hope they stay really true to the book, in terms of how Ender handles the bullies. Ender is so awesome. And I’m psyched for the Catching Fire movie!
Too much awesome in this post for my brain to handle right now 🙂
Words for Worms
The Mayans better frickin be wrong about the world ending because I’m going to be PISSED if the world ends before Written in my Heart’s Own Blood comes out. Just saying. 🙂
Enchanted Seashells
Oh, I love me some Diana Gabaldon. After a steady diet of Sophie Kinsella and other chick lit books, it’s good to tuck into a huge complex well written novel.
Words for Worms
I’m rather fond of referring to chic lit as “word nachos.” While it’s delicious, sometimes you just want something a little more substantial. Diana Gabaldon is like red meat. Probably not the healthiest thing in your diet, but filling and full of iron. And by iron, I mean pumping iron. As in, Jamie is a hottie in my head. Welcome to my crazy train!
Enchanted Seashells
Glad to board your crazy train. I don’t eat meat, but Gabaldon is a nice thick slice of miso ginger marinated tofu. And I think I’d love to see a film of DG but only if they did great casting. Oh Jamie, all ginger-y. I’d lift my skirts for him!