We haven’t done a book review in a long time but we’re big readers over here on LDB! Our book interests range from sci-fi to memoirs to historical fiction to fantasy (although no fantasy book will ever top Harry Potter…). So in the spirit of New Years Resolutions, we have both compiled a list of books we hope to read in the coming year. The intention was to follow Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2016 Reading Challenge, but we continually have an ongoing list of books to read so we decided to tackle those! Here are just a few from the list we hope to read!

Kelly’s List
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (and the entire Ender Series)- Ender’s Game is one of my all-time favorite books. Hands down, I love it! I first read it freshman year of high school and then I read it again when I graduated and now I re-read it every four years. Recently, someone asked me if I’ve read the books that follow Ender’s Game and I was so afraid that it would ruin Ender’s Game for me that I haven’t read them.. until now. It’s my goal this year to read the Ender Series. I’ve already started Speaker for the Dead and I can’t put it down. I have a feeling these books won’t disappoint!

In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri– Jhumpa Lahiri is one of my favorite authors. Her book, The Namesake, is probably tied for my favorite book (with Ender’s Game of course!) and I loved The Lowland. I have a thing for Indian novels. I am fascinated with the culture and history of India and I love her writing style! This book comes out in February 2016 and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy– One of the books to read on Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Reading a Challenge is a book you have been meaning to read. This is that book for me. I’ve been wanting to read this book for years, and even started once, but I always put it off. This is the year I actually read it! Also, I’ve been meaning to read Les Miserables (the best play ever!) for years so I might add it to the list as well… Or I might save it for next year!

Her: A Memoir by Christa Parravani– Did you know that when an identical twin dies, regardless of the cause, 50% of the time the surviving twin dies within two years? This is a memoir about Christa and her twin sister Cara (weird because my twin sister is also named Kara- different spelling though) and their life leading up to Cara’s addiction and depression issues and ultimate death. Here is a line from the synopsis on Amazon: “Beautifully written, mesmerizingly rich and true, Christa Parravani’s account of being left, one half of a whole, and of her desperate, ultimately triumphant struggle for survival is informative, heart-wrenching and unforgettably beautiful.” I’m crying already and want to hug my twin sister right now! I think I’ll need to buy tissues, chocolate and wine to get through this…

Steph’s List
Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist – Shauna is one of our favorite authors (we both loved Cold Tangerines) and Kelly loaned me this book years ago! I’m ashamed I haven’t finished it yet.

The Art of Eating In by Cathy Erway – This memoir follows Cathy’s two year long adventure in New York City of only cooking for herself, avoiding all restaurants. As a twenty-something myself who is constantly trying to save money, I can relate!

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo – Ok, I know this is so 2015. But as someone who loves organizing and the satisfaction of throwing things away, I am so excited to read this book.

Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling – I try to read a couple classic books every year and it seems only fitting to put these on the list since they are making movies of them both! I also have a big thing about reading books before I will watch the movies, so I need to start these ASAP.

Now it’s your turn! What books are you planning to read in 2016?