Veruca Salt Syndrome
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/Top Ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists!
I love this week's topic because it's about something I like to call "Veruca Salt Syndrome." This lovely (bratty, snotty, spoiled) character from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is famous for her insistence - "Give it to me NOW."
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We're friends, right? So let's be honest here for a second. A new book out by a favorite author? I want it NOW. Finishing the first in series and don't have book two on hand? I want it NOW. See a shiny, pretty cover on display at the bookstore? I want it NOW.
This is a safe place. It's okay to admit that this has happened to you before, too. Want to know what's worse? I've done this so many times... only to let the book just sit on my shelves all neglected and sad. I can literally feel the book's judgment from across the room. It knows that I pitched a fit about buying it AND THEN DIDN'T EVEN READ IT.
So, here are the books I feel the most judged by that I bought because of my Veruca Salt Syndrome.
Top Ten Books I Just HAD to Buy...
But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread
1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Yes, I know you are laughing at the thought that this would be a book that I just HAD to buy. So, I read and love Anna Karenina in high school and got really excited when I saw that this edition of War and Peace was translate by the same two people, which meant I obviously had to get it. And then not read it.
2. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - When I decided to participate in The Classics Club (which I've since dropped out of because it was stressing me out), I went on the hunt for a few classics from my list that I needed to immediately own because I was ready to get started. And then I clearly stalled out after buying a number of books off my list, including this one.
3. Looking for Anne of Green Gables by Irene Gammel - I remember browsing in a bookstore with my mom when she came to visit me at college (like three years ago, y'all). I found this that day, and she was kind enough to get it for me since I "LOVE Anne of Green Gables and am DYING to read this book." Exaggerate much on how badly I wanted to read it?
4. The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - I put this on the top of the Christmas wish list I sent to a friend, and she was kind enough to buy it for me. Over a year later, those lips still look pissed at me for not opening this book.
5. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks - Embarrassingly, I remember calling my husband from the bookstore and asking him if it was terrible to buy this book EVEN THOUGH I'd already gone over budget that month. He didn't care, so I ran to the checkout. Shopping success followed by reading fail! The worst part about this story is that the guy who rang up my purchase that day always asks me what I thought of this one since I've bought numerous other books at that store since then. Oh, struggle!
6. Queen of America by Luis Alberto Urrea - I spotted this a bookstore in San Francisco, and I just had to take it home with me. And now I look at it on my shelves, admire the pretty, take a moment to think about reading it, and then move on to newer and shinier things.
7. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore - As soon as I finished reading Fire last year, I knew that I had to buy Bitterblue. I couldn't wait to find out more about what was going on with her and how she was dealing with the aftermath of who Leck was and what he had done. Well, clearly "couldn't wait" could wait because that's what this book has been doing - waiting.
8. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta - After Jellicoe Road, I bought all of Marchetta's other books. I read Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son pretty soon after buying them, but I still haven't picked this one up. In this case, I think to think it's because I'm saving my last Marchetta (I'm reading her Lumatere series now) for a time when I need it most.
9. Harry Potter Page to Screen by Bob McCabe - I researched like crazy to find the cheapest way to buy this book, and then convinced my husband that we HAD to buy it while it was on sale. Veruca Salt strikes again because guess who read this book? My husband. Guess who didn't? Moi.
10. Design*Sponge At Home by Grace Bonney - "Oh, this one just came out! I really want it - look at all these good decorating ideas!" Cue handing over dollars and sticking book on shelf to collect dust.
11. The Meghan Method by Meghan Carter - When we first got married, we were on a really tight budget because I didn't have a job yet. I still remember venturing into Barnes & Noble one day with my husband and asking if I could just get this one book, pretty please I love you so much. Y'all, I'm legit ashamed that I never did read this book.
12. The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman - Two Christmases ago, I gave my husband a list of books I realllyyyyy wanted him to get me and told him that this one was at the tip top. Surprise: still haven't read it. Even worse, I haven't even flipped through it to look at all the pictures.
Eeeep Harry Potter!!! Solid choice even if you haven't read it, it just looks pretty! Bitterblue is good but honestly, it felt like the same storyline as Graceling and Fire with different names inserted to an extent. AND if you're going to do a similar story, nothing is better than the orginial, i.e. Graceling. :)
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that about Bitterblue! I have heard similar complaints about it before, which is probably why I'm not jumping to read it.
DeleteOh Bitterblue I adored it! I hope you get to it soon because I really love Bitterblue's story.
ReplyDeleteMarissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings
Glad to hear from someone who loved it! I've heard more mixed reviews of it, so this makes me really happy.
DeleteGreat list! War & Peace and One Hundred Years of Solitude were <3 and I enjoyed Birdsong as well. Hope you enjoy those titles when you get to them! =)
ReplyDeleteQueen of America looks interesting, I'm going to have to check that one out xD
My TTT
Love that you recommend both of the classics on here :) I have a feeling I'll really like Birdsong, too, I just need to prioritize it.
DeleteDefinitely check it out! The book is gorgeous in person (which is pretty much why I bought it).
Ha! I did exactly the same with The Perfectly Imperfect Home! In fact, forgot I even had it until I saw it on this list... oops.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Oh that's too funny! Glad I reminded you :)
DeleteI read about half of Bitterblue, and I stopped, because it wasn't really grabbing me, which is a shame since I loved both Graceling and Fire. I'd really like to start Jennifer Donnelly's adult historical fiction series - I love her YA stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh sad! I know I'll have to finish it once I start, but I'm scared I won't really love it which is why I still haven't started it.
DeleteDefinitely check out Donnelly's adult fiction! I really love it.
The Anne of Green Gables one looks interesting as I love Anne of Green Gables too :D I'm yet to read any of Kristin Cashore's books but I heard her books are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMelina Marchetta is one of my all time fave Author so I highly recommend any of her books.
My Top Ten
Have a great week!
Yay for Anne of Green Gables lovers :)
DeleteOh I love every single Marchetta I've read - I'm saving this last unread one for the perfect time.
Bitterblue is on mine too. But, the rest of your list looks a lot like the books I *didn't* put on my list....
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this TTT is going to add to my I HAVE TO HAVE THIS NOW bookshelf...
Haha! Time to start adding books to your TBR/wishlist...
DeleteI love that your list is such a mix.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read One Hundred Years of Solitude in ages but I do remember loving it.
Just shows that I read books that are all over the place :)
DeleteGlad to hear to loved One Hundred Years of Solitude!
I read One Hundred Years of Solitude and hated it! I don't think you're missing out. :) And I think the Harry Potter book is one you could read in small doses, not necessarily from beginning to end in one go.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
You're right on reading it in small doses - I just need to keep it by my bedside so that I can do it!
DeleteHahaha Veruca Salt syndrome!! Totally :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there on the Graceling series! I bought Fire and I loved Graceling........ But still have yet to get to Fire much less Bitterblue!
Good luck with these! :)
Haha glad you like my name for it :)
DeleteAlright, we need to get started on these Cashore books.
Hahaha, Veruca Salt Syndrome. You're spot on with that one, I think! But I also think it's kind of okay, especially when it's a new book from a favorite series/author and you want it NOW. I mean, it helps their initial sales and all that stuff, right? :D
ReplyDeleteHahaha! That's EXACTLY how I justify it to myself :)
DeleteI've checked out Harry Potter Page to Screen a few times for the library, but never made it more than a few chapters through the book. It is something I definitely want to read, but it is just soooooo big, it can be a bit overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I need to just keep it in the basket I have near my bed so that I can read a chapter/few pages here and there. Even if it takes me a year to get through the book!
DeleteBitterblue by Kristin Cashore - Yep- me too. In fact I need to read the whole series. Oh gosh, *sigh* I know they are suppose to be awesome. I NEED more time! :D
ReplyDeleteI feel that way - needing more time - often! I get stressed thinking about all the books I want to read but haven't had the time to get to yet.
DeleteI love the Harry Potter Page to Screen book! I haven't read the entire thing, but I did flip through most of it while it was in my greedy little hands. Anything and everything Harry Potter will always find a way to my bookshelf :)
ReplyDeleteYou're doing better than me - I flipped through it quickly but didn't really sit down and take everything in. I need to make time to do it soon!
DeleteI promise you that I just snorted when I saw the Tolstoy because I doubt I'll be reading that one any time soon. (Although I actually might one of these days in the future. Like, not this year at all and maybe not next year.)
ReplyDeleteDude's a rambler.
And I've been sitting here kind of chuckling at my ridiculousness because I think I might own the Marquez, but I honestly can't remember (telling, isn't it??). I know I want to read it, so that means that there's a good chance it's around here somewhere.
Haha yes! Love that I made you snort :) Honestly, having read Les Mis this year, it will probably be another year before I get to War and Peace. I can't tackle both of these books in the same year! Both dudes are ramblers.
DeleteOh you, I'm cracking up that you can't remember if you own the Marquez or not!
Veruca Salt's song is my favorite part of that movie. I also hope I can make myself read War and Peace one day.
ReplyDeleteI know, one day... That's exactly how I feel about War and Peace!
DeleteLooking for Anne of Green Gables is the type of title I would have bought and not read yet. Huge Anne fan, but no time....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theselftaughtcook.blogspot.com
There really is never enough time for ALL THE BOOKS!
DeleteI totally get sucked into that classic book hoarding as well! No shame in that game, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYay classic hoarding :) And those books are content to just wait to be read, even if it means years on my shelves.
Delete100 Years of Solitude might be worse than Les Mis. Okay, that's probably a lie. But it is so confusing and ridiculous that I had no idea what or whom I was reading about most of the time. It got the Classic courtesy 3 star rating haha.
ReplyDeleteOh, the Classic courtesy 3 star rating. When you're too scared to admit you liked it less and feel like you have to acknowledge it's place in literature with an extra start or two. I don't know anything about that... ;)
DeleteAlso, I just had to create a Google + account to post that comment. You're welcome haha
ReplyDeleteThat's true love!
DeleteHahahaha, this is pretty much the story of my life. I buy a lot of books because omg it just cannot wait, but then it sits on my shelf for FOREVER. Like, The Wild Rose and The Tea Rose, I have both of those - SIGNED and still they sit just waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteI will say, One Hundred Years of Solitude is a legit book. Hope you enjoy it when you finally get to it.
Lady, I LOVE those books so much! I need to re-read them because I have the third book but don't want to start it without going back to the very beginning.
DeleteGlad to hear 100 Years is good! I'll have to chat at you when I read it if I need a pep talk to finish :)