Wickedjr89's Book Blog: 40 books I want to read before I turn 40

The day i'm writing this is February 10th, my 30th birthday. I have achieved level 30. And for some reason that gave me a strange desire to make this list, 40 books I want to read before I turn 40. Giving me 10 years to read these 40 books. Can I do it? Only time will tell.

As this is my list I reserve the right to change it if I want to for some reason but I don't forsee that happening. I've chosen these books because I want to read them, have not read them yet, and should have no trouble getting them. And I only DNF if I can't stand a book anymore. I'm not sure if I DNF a book if i'll replace it with something else, who knows. I'll also mention if I already have the book or not and plan to update this as I acquire the rest of the books. So, onto the list! In no particular order (and not necessarily the cover/edition i'll end up getting).

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

No particular reason other than it's a classic i've heard good things about. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

2. 1984 by George Orwell

I've heard this dystopian nightmare seems all too realistic. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read This: January 2020 (5 stars)

3. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

It's an important piece of history that I haven't read. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read This: November 2020 (5 Stars)

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I can see the people bringing out the pitch forks and coming for my head over the fact I haven't read this yet. I'm sorry ok! I'll fix that...in the...next...decade...promise. Heh *runs from the angry mob* (Do I own it yet: Yes)

5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

From what i've heard another dystopian novel that feels like it can really happen, and I wouldn't even be surprised. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

6. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Maybe it's not a smart idea to have 2 books by the same person on here when I haven't read anything by them, but whatever I guess. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

7. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

I've been told it was my grandmother's favorite novel. I did originally think it'd bore me but i've heard from other people who gave it a shot thinking that it'd bore them too and they turned out to love it! So i've decided I want to give it a shot. (Do I own it yet: No)

8. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Though my husband spoiled the ending for me recently. I almost made it to 30 years old knowing nothing about this book, decided I wanted to read it and get spoiled for the ending right after I buy it and before I manage to read it! How rude. But I do still want to read it. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read this: May 2019 (4.5 stars)

9. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

No reason other than I want to. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read this: April 2020 (DNF at 150 pages, 33%. Unrated)

10. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I know, a lot of these most people have read in school. And unless i've completely blocked them from memory somehow, I haven't. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

11. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

(Do I own it: Yes, sort of, as a kindle book because public domain)

12. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

(Do I own it yet: No)

13. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

It sounds...interesting. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read This: October 2020 (3.5 Stars)

14. Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille

It sounds...bizarre, and I like bizarre. I think. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

15. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

16. The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

17. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

18. Perfect Peace by Daniel Black

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

19. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

20. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin and Ken Liu

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

21. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

I have this and 1Q84 and figured it made more sense to put the smaller one on here. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

22. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

23. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

I've had a desire to read this for awhile. (Do I own it yet: Yes, sort of, kindle via public domain)

24. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

I've read My Sweet Audrina and Heaven by her. I liked My Sweet Audrina and loved Heaven! (Do I own it yet: Yes)

25. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

I didn't realize until making this post that I had 2 books by Ray Bradbury, who, like George Orwell, i've never read anything by. We'll see what happens. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

26. Bambi by Felix Salten

I might have seen the Disney movie growing up? Maybe? I'm not sure. At any rate I haven't read it. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read This: December 2020 (1 Star)

27. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read This: July 2020 (3.5 Stars)

28. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo

(Do I own it yet: Yes, sort of, public domain/kindle book)

29. Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle

(Do I own it yet: Yes)

30. The Monk by Matthew Lewis

(Do I own it yet: Yes, sort of, kindle via public domain)

31. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

I haven't read any Shirley Jackson and this sounds right my alley. (Do I own it yet: Yes)

Read this: July 2019 (5 stars)

32. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson