As the title says: What is a book that you read this year that you’ve been wanting to read for a long time or that has been on your TBR shelf for whatever reason? How was it in the end?

I just had to post this question right now, because there’s a trending post about the beauty of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. For me, it was this exact book. I’m not proud of it but it’s been the better half of a decade since my friend gifted it to me. I’m actually surprised how well it delivered. The storytelling was so vivid and actually made me feel like I was part of it (one of the rêveurs!) I loved everything from the grand magic shows and the way the magicians were holding the circus together to the small hidden tricks. The many layers that neatly came together in the end.

I’m so glad I read it, but wow was I missing out for many years! I should stop postponing books for that long… I say and nervously glance at my shelf 💀

So, what book would that be for you?

  • icarusrising9@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    So many, but the one that sticks out the most to me is Nabokov’s Lolita. I’m glad I held off until I was in the mood, because it was not an easy read, but my god what a great book. Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read.

    • bebetterturnip@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I hope to read Lolita next year! I have it here since I was a relatively young teen but the language was too difficult for me (it’s in English and that isn’t my native language, I do prefer English but that one was just too hard for young me). I just looked inside again and I think that wouldn’t be a problem anymore.
      However, the subject of this book gets so much worse when you get older so I’m scared to read it now. As a medium edgy teen I didn’t mind any type of messed up/dark topics as much as adult-me, now that I’ve actually seen some shit…

      • Dumbledick6@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I’m probably in the minority who hates the book. It’s not graphic persay it’s just the descriptions and justifications that Humbert brings to the table that drive me insane as with how he is characterized near the end as well as Lolita

      • ReporterOk4531@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I read it in my late twenties and I think that was a good idea. As an adult it’s indeed more disgusting to read but at the same time it’s better because you can read between the lines of the unreliable narrator which might not always be that easy for a teenager with not as much life experience.

        But it’s written beautifully (English isn’t my first language either) and the author does a stunning job of writing a horrific character.

    • EebilKitteh@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Lolita is amazing. The writing is so good and so at odds with the disgusting protagonist.