Full disclosure: I write. I know how long good writing can take.
So I don’t actually mean to rush anyone, but like a little kid waiting in the kitchen for his favorite dinner to be ready, there are three particular books that I want now!
1. Hilary Mantel, The Mirror and the Light (Sequel to Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies)
Previous book published: May 8th, 2012
Time waiting as of this post: 6 years, 11 months
Listen, we all know what happens to Thomas Cromwell. But the first two of these books were just so damn beautifully written, and the flawed Cromwell so wonderfully humanized, that I really want to read the third book.
If nothing else, I can’t wait to see how Mantel handles Cromwell’s final moments, before the axe hits, in that ultra-close third person voice she uses to such great effect.
2. George R.R. Martin, The Winds of Winter (Sequel to… do I really need to explain?)
Previous book published: July 12th, 2011
Time waiting as of this post: 7 years, 9 months
I know, I know, George Martin is not my bitch. But I’ve resisted watching the HBO adaptation out of a combination of spite and thrift. (In other words, I’m too cheap and stubborn to shell out for an HBO subscription. And too honest to watch it pirated). AND I was pitching these books to other people before Martin ever even pitched the show to HBO. AND now a bunch of kids who don’t even know that there are books think I’m just some old fart who doesn’t know about this cool HBO show.
I just want to read The Winds of Winter. I’ve almost given up hope that it will ever come. And don’t even ask me to think about when A Dream of Spring, the planned final book of the series, will follow. It hurts too much to fathom.
Please, George?
3. Patrick Rothfuss, The Doors of Stone
Previous book published: March 1st, 2011
Time waiting as of this post: 8 years, 1 month
I love Pat Rothfuss. He’s a delightful human being who’s honest, funny, smart, and humane, not to mention a badass storyteller. And he has superb taste in collaborators.
I am being a petulant child.
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO KVOTHE.
(Also, I made my wife read the first two books, and she’s mad at me about the third one still not being out.)
Like mom’s baked ziti, I know it will be just SO GOOD when it’s finally done. Is dinner ready yet??