As an avid reader and general book enthusiast, I find that I don’t read as much as I want to – whether because I’m busy or just because it’s easier to watch a movie. I decided that 2017 is the year to change that. So, I made a list of the ten books, from my long to-read list, that I strive to read before 2018.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This is a book that I was expected to read in high school. I admit that I did not. Now, as a college student – who has many English major friends – I have been told over and over that I need to read it. Now, that’s exactly what I am going to do.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

After watching the movie that was derived from this book, I knew that I had to read it. The books are always better than the movies, at least from my experience. It’s been a while since I watched the movie, so now is the perfect time to read the book.

1984 by George Orwell

One book that I did read in school was Animal Farm by Orwell. While I wasn’t a fan of the history lesson that came along with reading the book, I did enjoy the writing itself. I believe it’s time that I read his, arguably, best known work.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Like with Life of Pi, I have watched the movie that was inspired by this book. I am a few years late to the party, but 2017 will be the year that I finally read this book – and maybe re-watch the movie.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

It seems like a cardinal sin to have never read this book. It is a classic that everyone and their parents have read multiple times. Everyone, it seems, except me. I have recently purchased a copy and plan to read the story with my young nieces this summer, which I think makes waiting this long to read it worth it.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

I have a confession to make: I have never even seen this movie. I know, I’m a disgrace to emotional teenage girls everywhere. It’s not that I’m against sappy love stories – I really like them, actually. I just never got around to seeing it. Now, I’m excited to read the book and fully immerse myself in the story.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This is a sappy love story that I have watched. It’s the reason that I cried like a baby on a plane for any stranger to see. Now this book will be the reason that I ugly cry in the privacy of my dorm room.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Another movie that everyone saw except me, this book will be a completely new experience for me. I am excited to see how this story plays out.

We’ll Always Have Paris by Ray Bradbury

Having recently returned from a trip to Paris, I believe that is fitting to read this collection of short stories. I am, also, a fan of Bradbury’s writing – which I discovered after reading Fahrenheit 451.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is the author with a tragic story that everyone talks about; though, no one talks about her works. This is the only work of hers that I am familiar with and I can’t wait to finally read it.

While I have listed ten books that I want to read before the year ends, there are a ton more that I am excited to pick up. These are just the ones that I chose to begin with and I will have read before 2018.