Books I’ve Meant To Read This Year… But Haven’t | December 2023

[@cindyhaiken5644]

Always so many books I mean to read and then don’t. How lucky are we that books never spoil or go bad. They just wait for us to be ready for them. I have very mixed feelings about short stories in general and even when I read a collection by a much-loved author, I usually only really enjoy a few out of 10 or so. So I read them sparingly. We are having a relaxing holiday weekend here and I am spending it with Barbra Streisand’s epic and very readable memoir. A very Happy Christmas to you and Chris and your families, with love.

[@SavidgeReads]

I believe someone in this house is getting the Barbra book… and it’s not me… and it’s not from me. Ha. I have read the first line and it was a corker. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄

[@cindyhaiken5644]

@@SavidgeReads 🩷

[@wooshell11]

I have so many books I wanted to read this year that I can hopefully get to in 2024. I keep getting my head turned by all the new ones I buy! I hope you and Chris had a lovely Christmas x

[@SavidgeReads]

It has been a lovely quiet Christmas, New Years is looking quite sedate too. I hope you've had and have a lovely one.

[@alphabuild6904]

Highly recommend the audio book for Briefly, a delicious life narrated by Ell Potter. Very sensual ❤‍🔥Twas a five star read for me 🧡

[@SavidgeReads]

I wish I could do fiction on audio. I just switch off. Don’t know why it is but if anything is longer than an episode of The Archers I am out.

[@miaarndt9501]

There are so many books I wish I got to this year but the very top of that list is Pachinko! I’m going to read it soon, I swear.

[@SavidgeReads]

I can’t believe I’ve still not read that book. I literally just typed that on someone’s Instagram post. Hahaha.

[@smittenforfiction]

Happy Christmas!

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very merry Christmas to you too!

[@TKTalksBooks]

Merry Christmas, Simon! Wishing you all the best!

[@SavidgeReads]

Same to you!

[@katrinamuritala3207]

Merry Christmas more books added to my tbr I still need to read little life

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope you had a very merry Christmas too 🎄

[@bethmw28]

Lady MacBeth is my favourite literary character of all time, I had a signed hardback edition of Lady MacBethad...and I STILL didn't get round to it in 2023 🙃🙃 ooh also, Briefly A Delicious Life was lovely...it's really stuck with me

[@SavidgeReads]

I’d like to get to Briefly a Delicious Life and Lady McBethad fairly soon into the new year I think. Fingers crossed.

[@fayegibbons97]

I have 4 that I wanted to read in 2023 and have on my list for early 2024; The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, North Woods, Penance and Kala. HNY 🥂🍸🥳

[@SavidgeReads]

I can highly, highly recommend The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. In fact I will be in my December wrap up later. Ha.

[@spexi513]

Read Let Us Descend recently and Ward can do no wrong imo, but Salvage The Bones remains my favorite of hers. I’ve had my 👁️ on Hungry Ghosts , but haven’t heard much feedback

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve still not read Salvage The Bones. Too many books it enough time. Will probably head to Let Us Descend first, we shall see.

[@janepeacock3704]

Upon your recommendation 😉 I read “Briefly, a delicious life” & really enjoyed it 👍 I then suggested it to a new colleague & she loved it 🤗

[@SavidgeReads]

This always makes me laugh/embarrased when I have discussed a book I am excited about, people delightfully go on and read it and I still haven't. Hahaha. I do really really really want to read that book though.

[@janepeacock3704]

But because of your insightful recommendations we go on to benefit 😌 so thank you 👍 I have sooo many books still waiting 🫣 x

[@janepeacock3704]

Ooh I like the look/sound of Lady Macbethad 🙂 (we’re booked to see Macbeth next month with Ralph Fiennes & Indira Varma 👏🏻👏🏻)

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I almost saw that in Liverpool, you are in for a treat from what I heard about it, especially from Indira's performance. Very much looking forward to meeting her at some point with all the Women's prize shenanigans this year!

[@janepeacock3704]

Macbeth has remained with me since school (had special English teachers 🤗) I was really pleased to see Indira is a judge this year 👏🏻

[@bibliosophie]

I feel this video so much -- every month/season/year is filled with reading paths I didn't take. (oyyy I did *not* get to most of the list of 2023 books I said I was planning to read...) I think it's an excellent idea to keep gentle track of what I "missed," while also rejoicing in the things I did read and enjoy the "director's cut" vibe of this video made me chuckle :)

[@SavidgeReads]

That keeping a gentle track of what we missed, especially with the word gentle, is the perfect description of it. I think I need to temper ‘need to read’ next year and see which gentle ways whim takes me.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I meant to read “Pandora’s Jar” this year so I started the audiobook last week but kept falling asleep. 😴This is not a reflection on the book but on the fact that I’m too tired to give it my full attention at the moment. Will try again in 2024! Merry Christmas to you and to the SavidgeReads community.🎄

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄Here’s to lots of fabulous reading in 2024 after we’ve all had a bit of a break.

[@Strangelove20]

The TBR is an ominous thing! I hope you had a terrific reading year. Thank you for even considering my novel! Best, KJH (author of Hungry Ghosts)

[@SavidgeReads]

I am literally speechless, and jaw being picked up from the floor, that you’ve seen this video and commented. Thank you. I’m very excited for your novel!

[@cecilialau_]

The director’s cuts are brill imo. Just as the black and white tangents are. But then again, I always enjoy your videos immensely so I’m not exactly an objective voice 😅✨ Neon Roses is on my list as well! However, the one I was adamant I would read this year (and very excited about) was Bandit Queens… But it’s not forgotten just postponed. And I’m glad to hear that you won’t be too hard on yourself on the books yet to be read - bc life is life, isn’t it 💜

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww you always say the loveliest things. Bandit Queens is soooo good. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.

[@spexi513]

Really liked Briefly A Delicious Life and actually pulled it of my mom’s shelf at our Christmas dinner today asking if she’d read it yet ( negative) so it’s cool to me you just mentioned it

[@SavidgeReads]

Spooky!

[@Georgesmomsu]

Merry Christmas Simon. Hope you and your family have a lovely holiday season.

[@SavidgeReads]

We did. Hope you did too Su! 🎄💜

[@JardineraAnge]

I must get round to reading Babel next year. I've almost started it umpteen times...🤦🏼‍♀️

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it when you do!

[@dqan7372]

I'm never surprised to find I didn't get to a book. Just pleased that I got started on some good ones this year. Wish my brain would settle down and stick with one though. Anyway, I hope you find your way to the best books on your list as soon as possible. There's always a reason to put them off; don't. (Unless it's work related). Happy 25th to you and yours.

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. Isn’t it funny how our brains work in these weird and wonderful bookish ways. Ha. Happy 25th to you and yours too!

[@gailhewitt1467]

So many books I didn't get round to including Bandit Queens, River Sing Me Home and In Memoriam. Pressure starts when I have to choose my first read for 2024 as it needs to be a goodie. Briefly a Delicious Life was in my top reads for the year. Thank you for all the fabulous content this year and I hope you and Chris have a wonderful Christmas.

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄I need to get to Briefly A Delicious Life soon. I really do.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

What a good point. Last year I re-read Jane Eyre as my first book of the year and my first six months were fabulous reading months. Hmmm. Back to the TBR to make the right choice for 2024.

[@gailhewitt1467]

What a fab idea. If I re-read Rebecca then it'll start 2024 off the right way. Thanks Marjorie. @@marjoriedybec3450

[@karencamer7723]

A very Merry Christmas to you and Chris. Thank you for all the wonderful content you have created over the years. The book I meant to read in 2023 was In Memorium and one I am excited for - following your recommendation (or insistence!) is The Golden Mole which is currently on route to me in Australia!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I hope you love The Golden Mole as much as I did. And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄

[@annnewsome7946]

Wishing you and Chris a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year,lots of love and thanks for your lovely videos,Ann [liverpool]x

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thanks Ann. A very merry Christmas to you and yours too 🎄💜

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’ve loads of books I didn’t get to . The Bandit Queens The Rabbit Hutch In Memorium Study For Obedience Solider, Sailor Happy Christmas & New Year to you and Chris. 🎄🌟🤩💕

[@SavidgeReads]

I can highly recommend The Bandit Queens, I can’t some of the others… some of which I’ve read and some of which I haven’t. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@juneclifford8377]

Happy holidays Simon and the best new year ever

[@SavidgeReads]

And the same to you and yours. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@Nickelini]

Merry Christmas Simon! 🎄

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄

[@katrinaandallthebooks7993]

I have In Memoriam and Cloud Cuckoo Land on 2023 through still, we’ll see if I mange one or both before the end of the year. Have a great Xmas.

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄

[@marjoriedybec3450]

I'm surprised too that you didn't read The Fraud. I haven't read it yet either but I think we may be the only two in the whole world round. I had hoped to get to Circe, Christodoro and Orlando. All three are on my 2024 TBR. This upcoming year, I have broken my TBR into quarters and padded it with about 10% too many books. Thus I can pick any of the books in that quarter's TBR with no expectation that I will finish all of them. The goal is to finish MOST of them, which ever one's I find most appealing at the time. This way I can still mood read AND achieve my goal. Its a game I'm playing with myself. We'll see if it works. Happy Christmas.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. I can think of a few more people who haven’t read The Fraud yet. So we’re not alone 😉 I can’t do specific monthly/quarterly TBR’s. I have a room of TBR and am planning on being MUCH better at reading by whim from the shelves next year. Here’s to mood reading!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

absolutely! And Christmas Pudding. @@SavidgeReads

[@kathleenwalsh3556]

Hi Simon Thanx so much, a pleasure, as always, to hear your thoughts on books. The big seller - one of 'em-, anyway - here (in NZ) is I am Pilgrim author's Terry Hayes Year of the Locust, a thriller set mainly in the Middle East so really topical. Sort of Lee Child on steroids. Hava good one, Simon and family.

[@SavidgeReads]

And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours 💜🎄

[@halfmanhalfbook]

I would like to have seen a bit more of your non-fiction pile! Another time?

[@SavidgeReads]

I shared it in a video in November I think, I did a pick my non fiction November reads and shared all the books that have come in this year.

[@halfmanhalfbook]

I shall give that one a watch then,@@SavidgeReads

[@CharlotteBrown-sx5sp]

This is such a good idea for a video!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Merry Christmas!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

The two books on your list that I’ve read and would recommend Kala All The Little Bird Hearts There’s a past and future readathon in January which might help. Alice and the Giant Bookshelf and Gemma at Gem of books are two of the hosts. 🍀👋☘️📕🇮🇪☕️📚📖

[@SavidgeReads]

One of my plans next year is… to do no readathons. Well that’s not specifically true. I’m only reading by whim (with the exception of Women’s prize reading) in 2024. Very much looking forward to Kala and All The Little Bird Hearts.

[@MB-hc9tk]

Most recent short story collections I’ve read was Antarctica by Claire Keegan and a stroke of the pen Terry Pratchett. On audible I think it was called short stories to make you smile ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Sounds like a nice genre. Ha. Sadly Keegan is just not for me. I wish she was, alas not but that’s ok, we can’t all love the same things.

[@MB-hc9tk]

@@SavidgeReads I can’t make up my mind as to whether she’s for me too, bit overhyped but I did enjoy some of them more than others and I think the other book small things like these did highlight something very important in Irish history to be acknowledged around the world.. i know it sounds like a pretty eclectic mix of genres there but that’s I cant stick to one 😂 Books I didn’t get to this year : on earth we’re briefly gorgeous- ocean vuong Super infinite -Katherine Rundell All the lovers in the night-mieko kawakami The glutton- ak blakemore Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow- Gabrielle zevin The master and margarita - mikhail bulgakov

[@MB-hc9tk]

Oh and I forgot I have the short story collection your mom picked for you I think to get to too The imitation of the rose - Clarice lispector! Ok I’ll stop now 😂 Merry Christmas to all the savidges ! Xx enjoy the break

[@barbaraschmitt85]

I didn't get to Demon Copperhead and the adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty.

[@SavidgeReads]

Demon Copperhead is great. I haven’t heard of the other book I don’t think. Will have to look it up!

[@carolewatson2113]

Desperate to get to Julia, the 1984 retelling. Please Santa!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh I have that on the TBR.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

All the books I mean to read usually are the bigger book or the classics that have a more challenging aspect.

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh interesting. I think all the chunksters that came into the house in 2023 I’ve read. Let’s not talk about all the others from years prior that I haven’t hahaha.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

Your secrets safe with me.