Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist

I'm participating in today's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's prompt is:


January 21: Top Ten Things On My Reading Wishlist (if you could make authors write about these things you would. Could be a specific type of character, an issue tackled, a time period, a certain plot, etc.)



Oh man.  As soon as I saw this week's prompt, the old wheels immediately started turning and my imagination started racing in a thousand different directions and I knew I had to participate.  Here's what I came up with:



1. I would like someone to re-write Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  There, I said it.  Of course, it would be best if Collins re-wrote it herself, but I'm not picky.  That book made me so angry.  We also need it to be completed in time for the filmmakers to base their screenplays on the new re-write, instead of the current version.  Let's get on it, shall we?

 2. I would like the last two books in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin on my nightstand by 8:00pm, please and thank you.  Bonus points if Arya rules the world in the end.

 3. I would like for the Next Big Trilogy to be based somewhere in Asia.  I love reading in that setting.

 4. I would like for more YA books in general to feature more friendship, less romance.

 5. I would like for the covers of the YA books to not be photoshopped.   Or whitewashed.  Or feature over-sexualized images.  If it's too hard, world, just stick to illustration and graphic design.  Those types of covers are my favorites, anyway.  

 6. I would like for J.K. Rowling to write a new, non-Potter-related, high-fantasy fictional series that features themes of friendship, loyalty, bravery, compassion, and love.  (But I don't mind if she also keeps up with her Cormoran Strike writing as well.)

 7.  I would like to read a suspenseful, tightly-written murder mystery that takes place on a pirate ship.  (Not joking.)  (Stop laughing.  You know it would be awesome.)

 8. I would like Sharon Shinn to write whatever she's currently writing FASTER.

 9. I would like for Agatha Christie to come back from the dead and write another mystery set in modern times.  So curious what she would have made from the material of the modern era.

 10. I would like Fred and George Weasley to make an appearance in every single YA book from now until the end of time.  I don't ask for much, people.

 What do you want to read?
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22 comments:

  1. LaShelJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:55 AM

    Yes! Especially 4. And 10. And 7. And 6. Ok, so I basically second all of these, and will go ahead and ask for some Dickens fantasy novels while I'm at it (Christmas Carol doesn't quite count).

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 8:50 AM

      Yes! A Dickens fantasy novel would be epic. Great idea!

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  • UnknownJanuary 21, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    I really enjoyed reading your choices this week, Melissa! I particularly agree with number four - I would love to see a larger emphasis on friendship as opposed to romance, particularly female friendship. While I have experienced a handful of positive examples in the past (i.e. Robin Benway's Audrey, Wait!, Jessi Kirby's Golden, etc) I find this is the exception rather than the rule.

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 8:58 AM

      Hi Jen! I agree, female friendship is present but not nearly as profuse as romance across YA. More depictions of friendship in YA would be fab.

      Delete
  • Amy M.January 21, 2014 at 1:17 PM

    Your list actually made me Laugh Out Loud. It's awesome! I totally agree with #3. I'd love to read a book set in Asia. & I'm not sure how #10 would work, but it'd be so hilarious for sure. Thanks for your list! :D

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks, Amy! I was thinking it could be like a Where's Waldo thing, where the protagonist randomly passes two red headed twins on the street and then proceeds with the rest of the story. You wouldn't know it was Fred and George unless you were already on the lookout, you know?

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  • UnknownJanuary 21, 2014 at 3:06 PM

    I love this list. Yep to the whole YA cover thing--and yes I'm a fan of covers that feature graphic designs too. Yes to more Potter-esque fantasy. Yes to George and Fred making cameo's everywhere until the end of time...and YES to anything pirate related. Anything. With lots and lots of rogueish Captain Jack Sparrow figures saving the world and wooing women. Not necessarily in that order. Super list. Probably the best I have read today :)

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:36 PM

      Thanks Heather! Glad you enjoyed it! I sure had a good time writing it. And thanks for the Twitter shout out - you're the best!

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  • Lark @ The Bookwyrm's HoardJanuary 21, 2014 at 3:23 PM

    Fun list - some of your picks made me chuckle - especially #7 and #10. (And yes, a mystery set on a pirate ship would be a lot of fun.) YES to #4, #5, #6, and #9. Although I'd also love it if Rowling wrote more books in the wizarding world, but elsewhere and elsewhen. In fact, a novel about the founding of Hogwarts is on my TTT list.

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:42 PM

      Umm... A novel about the founding of Hogwarts is on your TTT list? I'M CLICKING OVER TO YOUR BLOG IMMEDIATELY.

      Delete
  • UnknownJanuary 21, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    Mel - this made me miss you a ton. I need you to come live with me so that we can talk about books all day and I can laugh this hard all the time. You can totally bring Mike and Maddie. (I'm a huge fan of #10 in particular.)

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:44 PM

      Don't tempt me, Thur. Or else you just might find me on your porch, suitcase in hand, ready to move in.

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  • SusanJanuary 21, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    Yes, yes, yes and YES on #6. I don't know why Rowling keeps experimenting with other genres -- just stick to the one you do best, lady! Wonder if she'll ever actually take this advice? Here's hoping ...

    Susan
    www.blogginboutbooks.com

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 21, 2014 at 7:50 PM

      Thanks for your comment Susan! I agree, Rowling's other works aren't quite the caliber of Harry Potter. My hope is that she will miss her time in the Potter world and go back to it someday. We can hope, anyway!

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  • Dragana @ Bookworm DreamsJanuary 22, 2014 at 1:40 AM

    YES to at last getting last two books in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. One of my biggest bookish fears is that Martin is going to die before finishing them.

    And I would love for more ya books to be about some other problems not only romance and to feature strong friendships. My best memories from that period are not about boyfriends, they are about having fun with friends.

    Great list.

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 22, 2014 at 1:17 PM

      I completely agree! Friendships were much more important than crushes in high school, and the friendships are what have carried on since. I'd like more of that depicted in YA.

      Oh my goodness, if Martin dies before finishing I will fall down dead from the agony.

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  • Charnell @ Reviews from a BookwormJanuary 22, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    Great list! I have to admit that I'm still holding out for my HP books, sorry! We definitely need more YA books that concentrate more on friendship than romance, there are more important things in life then romance. Haha, love the idea of Mockingjay being rewritten! Great picks :)

    My TTT :)

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 22, 2014 at 7:13 PM

      Hey, any books by Rowling is fine by me! I'd love a series based around Lily and James' generation. Thanks for your comment! :)

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  • Lizzie JonesJanuary 23, 2014 at 10:39 AM

    I would like to second all of your comments and then I'm going to go ahead and third them too just for the heck of it... even the ones I didn't fully understand (example: I've read nothing from Sharon Shinn, but I trust you.)

    Please let me add the following wishes for the record: I want to read a sappy romance novel from Dostoyevsky. It would be awkward and painful to read and most of all it'd be delightful. I wish I had the ability to forget books so I could read them again and again with the same enthusiasm and excitement as the first time. I would like Neil Gaiman to get a really good idea for a series because I think he'd write brilliantly if he could only find a really good idea (most of his books lack this essential ingredient but the man can write...) I wish Leif Enger and Marcus Zusak would write 12 more books on whatever they'd like so long as they are as good as or better than "Peace Like a River" and "The Book Thief" respectively. I would like CS Lewis to not be dead, please. I would like "The Giver" to not be made into a movie if Taylor Swift is going to be in it. I would like Dan Brown to collaborate with Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde because whatever they'd produce as a team would likely be awful and hilarious. I wish you would name your first son Oscar... but not really because Oscar Wilde was a little wacko, albeit hilar. I wish every child was required to read for one hour every day of their lives until they turn 17. And my biggest wish is that you would read "East of Eden" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" so I can TALK TO YOU ABOUT THEM. Amen.

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    1. Bookmark DragonJanuary 23, 2014 at 8:32 PM

      Okay, the idea of Dan Brown, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde in the same room together just makes me double over with glee. That would be more fabulous than this world could handle, which is probably why they were born in different centuries.
      RE "East of Eden" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" ...I know, I know. They're on my list. And my bookshelf in the other room. They have been for years. I'll get to them eventually, I promise.

      Delete

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