Books I'd Like to Read Before I Die

In addition to playing board games, I also love to read books. A lot of books. I probably read over 100 books every year. But there are three books I'm pining for, books for which my watch has not ended.

1. The Winds of Winter

George R. R. Martin takes his time writing, and he has a lot on his plate right now. I respect that. But it doesn't stop me from wistfully looking at the Game of Thrones series at Barnes & Noble and wishing just one more book were there. I love the HBO Game of Thrones series, but nothing is as good as taking long leisurely hours with a book. Also, I can't wait to find out how the book differs from the show. Rumor has it that we could see The Winds of Winter in early 2017. I hope so. Valar morghulis, but I'd really prefer that to happen to me after I've had a chance to read this book. 

2. The Doors of Stone

Patrick Rothfuss has much in common with George R. R. Martin—he takes his time with his writing, he has a lot of projects going on at one time, and he writes amazing fantasy novels that leave me waiting. And waiting. After The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, I am dying to read the final installment in the Kingkiller Chronicles: The Doors of Stone. How will the story of Kvothe end? I don't know, but I'm starting to worry that I'll have to learn the true names of a few things myself before I find out! Rothfuss's work really is good enough to be worth the wait, though. 

3. The Mirror and the Light

My reading tastes are not limited to fantasy. My most-anticipated book is actually Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light, the third installment in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy. Both Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies were stunningly good books, probably two of the best books I have ever read in my life. But, like Rothfuss and Martin, Mantel is also caught up in creating TV shows and stage productions based on her books. Let's hope I don't go the way of several of Henry VIII's wives before she gets around to concluding her masterpiece.

Although sometimes it feels like all I do is sit around waiting for books, the fact is, I'm just going to have to keep waiting. All of these authors are excellent, and they should take the time they need to do excellent work, no matter how impatient I feel. One day, all of this waiting is going to feel worth it. 

And if you haven't started these addictive, yet unfinished, series yet... do yourself a favor and start. Even if you finish soon and the waiting makes you as crazy as it's making me. 

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