Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
The Left Behind Ones
This week’s theme is: Top 10 Books I Loved but Didn’t Review
Technically speaking, I have “reviewed” pretty much every book I have read; however, as you can see by looking on my “Reviews” page, many of these reviews are actually just brief thoughts. The reason for this is, I only started book blogging/reviewing a couple of years ago, so anything I read before then … well, wasn’t reviewed. I tried to go back and at least provide a sentence or two about what I thought/felt about each book, but I do need to write actual reviews for many. Of the many, these are ten books I hope to go back and re-read someday, so I can provide a formal review for books I love but haven’t had the chance to review:
1. All works by J.D. Salinger. (The Catcher in the Rye, Nine Stories, Franny & Zooey, Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction).
I have read all of these books multiple times, but none of them since I started book blogging. I know, without a doubt, that I will go back and read them all, to review them all (especially since I recently bought the complete works in a hardcover set).
2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Another one of my all-time favorite books. As a book lover, it’s almost impossible not to cherish this novel. I do own a copy, though it’s in storage. Hopefully, someday, I can get all of my books out of storage and into a little library of my own; then, I can find books like Fahrenheit 451 which deserve a re-read & review!
3. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
My introduction to Burroughs, the Beats, and subversive/counter-culture literature. I owe this book so much and I have already read it twice, but both were previous to graduate school (at which point I started to really keep track of what I was reading). I have read and reviewed numerous Burroughs novels since – but I definitely need to get back to the beginning.
4. Ender’s Game & Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card
My two favorite science-fiction novels of all-time. I have reviewed a couple of the books which come later in the Shadow series, but never had the chance to re-read or review these two originals. They are the starting point to an incredibly well-crafted universe, one which I hope to revisit (and complete) someday soon.
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
It actually pains me to admit that I have not reviewed this book, considering it is likely my favorite book in the world. I have read it four times (that I can recall), and I quote it or reference it all the time. When I began book blogging, I had every intention of re-reading and reviewing this book right away, but I always feel guilty for re-reading books I love, when there are so many out there left un-read.
6. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
This is another book I think about all the time. It’s just one that stays with you forever. I’m not ashamed to admit that it made me cry! I read this book when I was just out of high school, I think. So, ten years later, I think it’s about time for another read. It definitely deserves a proper review.
7. The Giver by Lois Lowry
One of the most profound books I have ever read – and it’s Young Adult! As a literature and classics lover, I am always tickled when a young adult or sub-genre book can move me or speak to me, as much as this (and the previous three mentioned) book did. I have read this one twice – first in 7th grade and again in college, and it would be hard to imagine never reading it again. I will absolutely provide a real review for this book sometime in the near future.
8. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I may have written more on my blog about this book than any other – so how can I not have a formal review of it?! I have read this one three times – in college and in graduate school, then again about two years ago. The first time, I wasn’t such a fan. The second time, I gained serious respect for it (and for Twain). The third time, I fell head-over-heels in love with it. Hopefully, the fourth read will be the one which finally comes with a proper review.
9. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Readers of my blog will find quite a few Vonnegut reviews here – and will likely see me mention or reference Vonnegut fairly regularly. Unfortunately, the two books which introduced me to Vonnegut (Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five) came before my book blog was established. While I may not re-read Slaughterhouse-Five, I will definitely re-read Cat’s Cradle. It was my first Vonnegut and still, in my opinion, Vonnegut’s best.
10. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Here is another one I have read more than once. For some reason, the advent of my book blog has actually deterred me from re-reading books I really enjoy. I re-read the entire Harry Potter series last year, because I had never reviewed any of the books, but that was an exception to the rule. I loved Dorian Gray and now own Wilde’s complete works (including a “lost” text which was published anonymously but is purported to have been written by him). I do plan on re-reading this book some day; hopefully soon, I can provide a review.
Maybe some day I will remember to re-read the books I love and not just focus on the number of “new” books I finish each year. I think those of us who feel guilty or anxious about re-reading books might be suffering from a similar ‘book blog numbers’ syndrome.
Roof Beam Reader 
Lots of classics here Adam. Which is your favorite Salinger? I love Franny and Zooey, but whenever I read the short stories, I remember how much I like them as well.
Come check out my list for the week at The Scarlet Letter.
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My favorite Salinger is definitely Franny and Zooey but, like you, whenever I read his short stories (particularly the Nine Stories collection), it’s hard not to say “favorite! favorite!” with each story finished.
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Fahrenheit 451 and Ender’s Game could have made my list. Both great books that I don’t have proper reviews for either. I did reread Dorian Gray last year so I managed to get a review up for that one.
Here’s what did make my list: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/08/top-ten-tuesday-beloved-but-never.html
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Yay for Kurt Vonnegut! So I worked at a bookstore once a long time ago, and I picked up Naked Lunch and flipped through it … I can’t even remember what part I read but I just know it disgusted me. Haha.
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Hahaha… Yes, Burroughs certainly has a knack for the disturbing.
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Where the Red Fern Grows is one of my all time favs! I also loved Enders Game and Enders Shadow. I want to read Speakers for the Dead and those related books.
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I loved Salinger’s works, and I remember back in high school when I fell in love with Holden :))
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I had to give Fahrenheit 451 a second chance. I Hated it in high school, but after reading it again years later. I cant believe how much I enjoyed it.
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Ah – so glad to hear that you gave it a second chance!
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Adam – I have Where the Red Fern grows on my TBR list and I read it in grade school and several times after. When you are ready, I’d read it with you. 🙂
I love that book. Even thinking about it, tears me up.
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