The Book Wench

So, I am currently working on my Masters degree in Literature, which means I don’t really have all that much time for reading my own personal TBR. While I do manage to sneak in a book here and there, it’s very rare and very difficult to get any reading done. I have, however, already created a bookshelf beside my bed that is my post-Masters TBR for when I graduate this May (2026). From that shelf I have selected 20 of the books I am most looking forward to reading to share with you here.

I have provided them below, in no particular order or anticipation nor plan of order to read them (I’m a whim reader and will read them however I fancy day-to-day – I may even read multiple at a time).

I am looking for to the dark academia aspect and the academic tone over all for this one. Plus R. F. Kuang is an ace writer.

I have heard a lot of excellent things about this book. It’s about the five women that were murdered by Jack the Ripper. It apparently actually humanizes the women instead of making them victims of scandal and intrigue as well as murder.

I have been wanting to read this monster for ages. I’ve heard it’s absolutely a gorgeous story and romance. It’s super intimidating though, which is why I’m waiting until after my Masters is over.

Another R. F. Kuang! I am equally excited to read this one and, like Babel, I plan on hand annotating the book.

I happened to find this by chance at the store and snatched it up. I love van Gogh and have loved him long before Doctor Who humanized him (still, see the episode Vincent and the Doctor if you love van Gogh too – you’ll probably cry like I did).

One of my favorite genres is Latin American Literature Magical Realism and how can I love it without having read one of the most famous examples? I don’t know but I intend to fix that asap!

This is one of those books I have only heard good things about which makes me really excited to check it out! Plus, I love fantasy and fantastical elements.

I am not going to lie, this is one of those books I picked up because of how gorgeous the cover is. The premise sounds so good but my god look at that cover.

Another book with a beautiful cover. I love books that are about books (I’m probably biased as one of the books I’m writing features three magical books very heavily).

Once again, grabbed by the cover, kept by the title, and won by the premise. I can’t wait to give this one a read!

Okay, so this is going to be one of those times that I mention something adjacent to She Who Must Not Be Named. I was a huge Dramione fan growing up. I never read the fanfiction this was based on (I read a bunch of other ones though) but I still wanted to give this a go because of the nostalgia. I know it’s dark and heavy and I am prepared.

This book came highly praised and recommended by a friend. By my best friend, in fact. He also recommended Dungeon Crawler Carl to me, so I fear I have to trust his judgement.

The same best friend also recommends literally anything by Rachel Harrison. I saw this at my local indie bookstore and grabbed it so I can give her a try.

Look, you can’t have a book about Medusa with a cover like this. It’s not fair. People like me are going to be forced to buy it.

I’ve heard mixed reviews but honestly I’m all about women in STEM (even though I’m a Literature girly). Girl power all the way!

I was a little leery about the cover but when I read the premise I was hooked and have been chomping at the bit to read this for almost a year.

I have heard too many good reviews not to give this big boy a try. I have it on audible but I wanted the sprayed edges.

I’m on book 6 of Dungeon Crawler Carl but I bought this as soon as I could and I MADE SURE to preorder a signed copy. I can’t wait to give it a go. Matt Dinniman could write about shampoo and I’d read it.

Confession #2034875 I actually started this one last year. I read the first chapter and was so drawn in….then school started back in the fall and I never got a chance to finish. So it was actually the first book I put on my Post-Masters TBR shelf.

This book has a dual purpose. One, I love reading about crazy historical people. Two, I actually have a character in my fantasy novel based on the Countess of Bathory, so this is also research. I cannot wait.

I wanna say that’s it so far but I actually have about twenty other books on that shelf….but don’t worry, I won’t make you look at all of them at once. Instead, you’ll be able to see them as I review them here on The Book Wench.

I hope you enjoyed checking out my current TBR thus far. I’m sure many more will be added as time passes…there’s still a month and a half to go until graduation day. Besides, I plan on reading at least a hundred books this year and even with schoolbooks I’m only 20% of the way through my challenge.

Have you read any of these? What did you think? Or are any of these on your own TBR? Which ones are you most looking forward to. Be sure to comment below. I love talking about books (obvi).

xTheBookWench