Books I Want to Read in 2019

As I mentioned in my resolutions and goals post last week, I want to be able to spend more time reading over the course of this year. One of the major reasons for this is because I have several books I want to read this year, some of which are part of series or extended book universes. So, I thought I would take some time today to share with you all the primary books I hope to read. I'm sure there are some I will forget (and ones that I'll find later on), but for now, this is what I have:

1) The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

The Shadowhunter Chronicles is quite a big universe to read and explore. The universe is centralized around this group of superpowered humans called Shadowhunters, who hunt demons and protect the mundane human world from creatures like vampires, werewolves, and warlocks. The Shadowhunter Chronicles spreads across three major series currently, with a fourth on the way later this year, as well as some side novels and novellas. I personally am not concerned with the side works as much as I am with the main works in the universe, but perhaps I'll read those eventually.

Up first in this universe is The Mortal Instruments series. The Mortal Instruments is probably the most well known in the universe as it is the longest, consisting of six books, and has spawned a movie adaptation and a television series. It follows Clary Fray as she is introduced to and subsequently involved in the Shadowhunter world and a potentially world-devastating conflict. I have read the first three books in The Mortal Instruments, I'm currently reading the fourth book, and will have too more to finish. The series goes as follows (the ones I need to read are bolded).

• City of Bones

• City of Ashes

• City of Glass

• City of Fallen Angels

• City of Lost Souls

• City of Heavenly Fire

Next in The Shadowhunter Chronicles is The Infernal Devices trilogy. The Infernal Devices is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series set in the 19th Century. I don't know much about this trilogy, or the third series in the universe, but this is intentional. I don't want to give myself spoilers as to what is coming.

The Infernal Devices consists of:

• Clockwork Angel

• Clockwork Prince

• Clockwork Princess

Finally, the third series is also a trilogy called The Dark Artifaces. This trilogy is a sequel to The Mortal Instruments. Unfortunately, I know even less about this series than I do The Infernal Devices, but I've only learned about it in the last year.

The Dark Artifaces consists of:

• Lady Midnight

• Lord of Shadows

• Queen of Air and Darkness

Finally, the fourth series in the universe is The Last Hours. It is supposed to be a sequel to The Infernal Devices trilogy. The first book, Chain of Gold, is being released this year in November.

2) The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle follows a young man named Eragon who discovers a mysterious stone while hunting in the mountains near his home village. However, the stone turns out to be a dragon egg and he is thrust into a world of magic and war and the legendary Dragon Riders, a world that now relies on the choices he makes.

For the most part, The Inheritance Cycle is a reread for me. The first book in the series, Eragon, came out when I was in elementary school, and I then read the following two books, Eldest and Brisingr, when they were released. However, the fourth and final book, Inheritance, released when I was in college and I didn't have time to read such a large book.

Now that I have graduated, I would love to read Inheritance, but I need a refresher on what happened in the first three books. I read Eragon towards the end of last year, so I'm hoping to be able to read Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance this year.

3) Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

Muse of Nightmares is the sequel to Strange the Dreamer. I read Strange the Dreamer last year in about a week and I absolutely loved it. I was so excited to find out it was getting a sequel, so I had to get Muse of Nightmares with my Christmas money. I have a feeling I will blast through it just as fast as I did Strange the Dreamer. And I have a feeling it will hurt my emotions just as much as well.

4) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Blood and Bone is Tomi Adeyemi's debut novel (and I believe the sequel will release this year). This book is a fantasy based in a world where magic and magical people have been eradicated by the rulers. It is up to Zelle to restore magic to this world. Beyond that, I don't know much of the plot, but I feel like I'll enjoy it because I love fantasy novels and I've heard great things about this book.

5) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic is the first book in a trilogy of the same name. It focuses on four parallel Londons and magicians who have the ability to travel between these parallel worlds. This is another series that I have heard lots of good things about, and I almost bought the full series at Barnes and Noble because they have a boxed set. But I didn't because I wanted to make sure I would enjoy the first book first.

6) Last Shot by Daniel Jose Older

Last Shot is one of the newest Star Wars novels (and therefore in the Star Wars canon). It's a new Han Solo and Lando Calrissian adventure taking place sometime between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens (I believe closer to the former rather than the latter). I'm definitely excited to read Last Shot as I thoroughly enjoyed Leia: Princess of Alderaan when I read it last year. However, I'm not going to rush into this one as I need to take the time to sit down and watch Solo first. I don't want to risk getting spoilers for the film, or have things go over my head in the book, and I have no idea how many references are going to be in the novel.

7) Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Okay, honesty hour...I have no idea what this book is about and I can't remember the synopsis at the moment (I'm also too lazy to look it up right now). This was a whim buy a few months ago during Barnes & Noble's book haul sale. It was maybe seven bucks, it was Star Wars, it was by Claudia Gray (who authored Leia: Princess of Alderaan), and it looked interesting. So I impulse bought it. I will read it. I will probably like it. But, it was an impulse. And evidence that I have a book problem (is there such a thing as a book problem?).

8) Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns is another start to a series that I have heard good things about. What's appealing to me about this book is the plot concept. It's about this fantasy world in which every generation, a set of triplet princesses are born, each with a certain magical abilities. The princesses are then separated and raised individually. When the come of age, the sisters must then fight to the death for there can only be one queen. It's something that seems very fascinating, but also darker and more sinister than how some fantasy is written. It's something I really like because dark stories can be super interesting and fun to read.

9) Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation is kind of a mix of genres. It's zombies meets the American Civil War meets alternate timelines. In this book (or prior to the main plot) the zombie apocalypse breaks out in the middle of the Civil War, stopping it cold. The focus is now on defense against the hordes. Schools exist to train people (primarily slaves or former slaves) to fight against the zombies. Who doesn't like alternative history fiction mixed with zombies?

10) IT by Stephen King

The last item on my list is for sure my most ambitious one. First, I don't even own IT (yet). Second, IT is an absolute mammoth of a book. I admit, I'm a bit intimidated by it. But I really want to read the book because I also want to see the new movie(s). (I wouldn't mind seeing the old movie/miniseries either, but baby steps.) Thankfully, I'm not scared of clowns (thank you Donna), so I don't think I'll have a problem with it. I also want to get into reading some horror/thriller novels and some Stephen King so, go big or go home I suppose.

With that, that brings my grand total of books I want to read to 20 (or 19 and a half since I've started City of Fallen Angels already). Is it ambitious? Yes. Can I do it? Also yes. Will I be able to? No idea. But now I've laid it out, so I can see what on this list I do read this year and what I don't. Then I'll know this time next year what I need and want to read and what I don't.

Let's get reading!