As an avid reader, there are always more books on my to-read list than I could possibly have time for. However, there are certain books that have been lingering on my list for far too long – books that I keep avoiding for one reason or another. Here are the top ten books that I know I should read, but just haven’t been able to bring myself to pick up yet:

1. “Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace – This book is widely regarded as a modern classic, but its length and complexity have always intimidated me. I know I should read it, but I keep putting it off.

2. “Ulysses” by James Joyce – Another famously difficult book, “Ulysses” has been on my to-read list for years. I know it will be a challenging read, which is why I keep avoiding it.

3. “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville – This classic novel about a man’s obsessive quest to hunt down a giant whale is a book that I know I should read, but the dense prose and lengthy descriptions have kept me from starting it.

4. “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy – This epic novel is one of the longest books ever written, and the thought of tackling it is daunting. I know I should read it for its historical and literary significance, but I keep finding other, shorter books to read instead.

5. “Gravity’s Rainbow” by Thomas Pynchon – Another challenging and complex novel, “Gravity’s Rainbow” has been on my to-read list for a while. I know it will require a lot of focus and attention, which is why I have been avoiding it.

6. “Middlemarch” by George Eliot – This classic novel is considered one of the greatest works of English literature, but its length and dense prose have made me hesitant to pick it up.

7. “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner – This novel is known for its experimental narrative structure and stream-of-consciousness style, which can be difficult to follow. I know I should read it for its literary importance, but I keep putting it off.

8. “The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky – This Russian classic is a book that I know I should read, but the philosophical themes and dense prose have kept me from starting it.

9. “In Search of Lost Time” by Marcel Proust – This seven-volume novel is a monumental work of literature, but its length and detailed descriptions have made me hesitant to start it.

10. “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy – Another Russian classic, “Anna Karenina” is a book that I know I should read, but the length and complexity of the story have kept me from picking it up.

In conclusion, while these books may be challenging reads, I know that they are considered classics for a reason and that I should push myself to read them. Perhaps this list will serve as a reminder to finally tackle these daunting works of literature and expand my literary horizons.