I am about to embark upon a journey that may very well kill me. On the flip side, I might free up some space, save some money, and mark off a few books from my list of “must reads.” I’ll explain.
Over the weekend I went through the house and gathered up all the books I have purchased over the years and haven’t read, or started and never finished. I think I have most of them together. I think. There are some more at my parents’ house, but I’m sticking to what I have here for now. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Unread Library.
I have committed to reading each of these books before I allow myself to buy another book. It sounds crazy, but it has to be done. The books are everywhere, and I can’t justify spending more time or space on new books when I have unread books sitting at home. The thing is, most of these books are ones I really do want to read (barring a few whackadoos) so while resisting a new book will be difficult, it won’t be impossible. In order to make this work, I’m going to have to stop visiting the bookstore and reading book reviews because it’s not so much the number of books in my unread library that may kill me as it is the thought of knowing what new and irresistible book I am missing.
Take, for instance, Alicia Paulson. There I was, minding my own business, playing library with all my new friends. Organizing, dusting the jackets, alphabetizing–it was Dewey Decimal porn and I was loving every minute of it. One can handle only so much excitement, so I decided to take a break and read a few blogs. That’s when, out of nowhere, Alicia Paulson had the moxie to post a Summer Reading List of mostly classic children’s literature. After I committed to no more new books. Sad face.
I explained to The Mister in detail the travesty that was upon me. Then I thought about my options. I reviewed my piles and consulted my two favorite book lists. Finally, after an hour of rifling through lists, cross-referencing titles, and open-ending every single hiding place I have for books, I pulled myself up to my 5’3.75″ and proudly reported my findings.
“I’ve checked everything, and there are a few books that are on all three lists–or at least one plus the children’s literature list–so I will start with those, this way I don’t feel like I am missing anything.”
[pauses for applause]
To which The Mister responded, “Sounds good.� Does this have anything to do with the pile of books on the table?”
You can access the list of titles in my Unread Library any time by clicking the Unread Library menu tab on the homepage.� I’ll cross books off as I make my way through the list.� Please let me know if you decide to create your own Unread Library.� I would love to check out what you’re [not yet] reading! In the meantime, here is the list:
- A Course in Miracles
- A New Earth | Eckhart, Tolle
- The Annotated Alice | Carroll, Lewis
- All Together Dead | Harris, Charlaine
- Bloodroot | Greene, Amy
- Catch-22 | Heller, Joseph
- Chronicle of a Death Foretold | Garcia Marquez, Gabriel
- Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Daughter of Fortune | Allende, Isabel
- Dead and Gone | Harris, Charlaine
- Dead as a Doornail | Harris, Charlaine
- Definitely Dead | Harris, Charlaine
- Don Quixote | Cervantes, Miguel de
- Everything is Illuminated | Safran Foer, Jonathan
- From Dead to Worse | Harris, Charlaine
- Great Expectations | Dickens, Charles
- If I Stay | Forman, Gayle
- Inlandia: A literary Journey through California’s Inland Empire
- Invisible Cities | Calvino, Italo
- Laughable Loves | Kundera, Milan
- Mary Modern | DeAngelis, Mary
- Night | Wiesel, Elie
- The Odyssey | Homer
- Old School | Wolff, Tobias
- Poe: Major Tales and Poems | Poe, Edgar Allen
- Romeo and Juliet | Shakespeare, William
- Saturday | McEwan, Ian
- Serendipities | Eco, Umberto
- Spunk & Bite | Plotnik, Arthur
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Doyle, Arthur Conan
- The Age of Innocence | Wharton, Edith
- The Burning Plain and Other Stories | Rulfo, Juan
- The Inferno of Dante: Bilingual Edition | Pinsky, Robert translation
- The Merchant of Venice | Shakespeare, William
- The Shack | Young, Wm. Paul
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle | Wroblewski, David
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Stevenson, Robert Louis
- The Tempest | Shakespeare, William
- To the Lighthouse | Woolf, Virginia
- True Story | Finkel, Michael
- Villette | Bronte, Charlotte
- Water for Elephants | Gruen, Sara
- Your Aura & Your Chakras | McLaren, Karla
- The Witch of Portobello | Coelho, Paulo
OH! Oh no! Look what you’ve done!
So, I turned 31 today and was thinking about what to put on my “31 at 31” list. Strangely, I’d also been thinking about how I don’t want to move the bookshelves from my office to the guest area because there are so. many. books. in it… books I haven’t read. They stare at me with their sad faces and make me feel bad.
I’m going to have to do this and I blame you. Completely. This hadn’t even occurred to me as a Thing with a Name, but now it’s a Project: The Unread Library. (Which makes me think of the “undead,” oddly.) I may even add a little page to my blog, making this the ultimate Bloggabee project (blogger + wannabe).
{I’m secretly very excited.}
Happy Birthday! Please do add a page to your blog and let us know when it is up. I love looking in people’s bookshelves. ~Jules
I have a couple on my list that match up with yours. My sister just read Water for Elephants and said it was really good and my mother in law just dropped off The Shack. Plus I have like 10 other books I have to read. I’ll be busy.
I’m excited for Water for Elephants, especially now that they are making the movie. It motivates more than having in on my bookshelf the last year has. ~Jules
What a completely fabulous and daunting idea. I was just looking at my overflowing shelves the other day, contemplating purchasing another bookcase to accomodate my ridiculous collection (obsession?). I still may have to do that, but maybe it’s time to for me to embark on my own Unread Library. The thought’s a little scary (so many books I want to read… and really, what’s better than the smell of a newly purchased book?), but you just might convince me…
There is nothing better than the smell of a new book.
Big day for Charlaine Harris! What a beautiful stack! I did this a few years back and placed them right next to my bed. It was great to see them first thing in the morning & debate which I would pick up next. Are you allowing yourself to re-read any old favourites you find along the way?
I have to be able to reread some old favorites, especially since I must read every night before I fall asleep, and sometimes I am too tired to read something new. (Don’t ask why I just don’t go to bed. I tried. I can’t.) That’s when I like to reread some of my favorite passages from whatever book I currently love. ~ Jules
I really need to follow in your footsteps. So, question: Can you visit the library? hee-hee…
I haven’t decided. I want to say YES! but I know myself. I’ll be knee deep in books and my Unread Library will remain unread! ~ Jules
good golly!
i hope you have terrific lighting in your home because there will be a overwhelming amount of reading going on.
i too have books that i have not read taking up precious space, however at the same time i receive a hellacious amount of e-mail’s from borders telling me i have received a 40% off coupon. how can i resist?!?! and i can’t even think about unsubscribing!! oh well, cursed are the book lovers of the world.
happy travels,
xoxoxxo
�Books to the ceiling, books to the sky.
My piles of books are a mile high.
How I love them!
How I need them!
I�ll have a long beard by the time I read them.�
Borders coupons are the death of me. Every time, without fail. ~ Jules
Love Charlaine Harris! If you have room after finishing the Sookie series (and everything else on your list), she has another series about a woman who finds dead bodies (Grave Sight), which are pretty good too.
I started Harris last summer after I began watching True Blood. I got into it, bought a bunch, and then one day (okay, after reading three in a row) got totally sick of her! That’s the only problem with easy reads. They’re like candy, and if you don’t pace yourself you can get sick of them fast. I’m going to try and behave myself this time and read at a responsible speed. :) ~ Jules
Ugh. Chronicle of a Death Foretold. I read it. I hated it. I read it AGAIN, just in case I was wrong the first time….nope, still hated it. I honestly thought it was the worst “serious” book I’d ever read (the distinction is important because Bodice-Rippers are truly terrible books– but that is what makes them so awesome. The fact that you can plow through 600 pages in a day by the pool is a nice added ego boost!). Anyway- “Chronicle” was tops on my list for Worst Book Ever…..and then I read One Hundred Years of Solitude, and realized there was a whole ‘nother level of suckatude.
It truly shocked me that I disliked both of those books, yet LOVED “Love in the time of Cholera”.
I couldn’t agree more with you on the bodice rippers. They’re so bad, they’re good. (Within reason–some are just awful.) I first read 100 Years in high school and was just stunned. I LOVED it. I read Love in the Time of Cholera and LOVED it. Then, years later, tried to reread both and couldn’t get into them! I’m afraid the same will happen with Death. ~ Jules
love this idea! not fair though that you are apparently the fastest reader ever and will make me feel bad for not plowing through my own Unread Library (copyright that phrase!). loving the Millenium Trilogy right now. Great Expectations took me a whole month in high school but it was wonderful. had a Poe phase during the books on tape era. nothing like hearing A Premature Burial read aloud when you’re 15. yikes!
I read fast and late at night. Sometimes it’s good, other times it’s very, very bad. I also read at swim lessons, in line to pick up Mikey at school, any time I’m a passenger in a car, you name it. I keep books in the car, too, because you never know when you’ll have a quick minute to read. :) ~Jules
What a juicy, juicy list! I’ve actually read several of those�including Villette�and I think you’re in for some good reading my friend.
I love this idea, and I’ll see if I can work up the courage to do it as well. One hiccup: This year’s mother’s day prez was a Nook.
What’s a Nook? Is it like a Kindle or Kimmel or whatever those things are called? The Mr. keeps wanting to buy me one, but I refuse. I’m afraid of the damage I will do with instant access to books. ~ Jules
What a brilliant idea. N0. 37 and 39 re two I adore. Personally, I’d start with 37 as it really was a shape shifter in the concept of the modern novel. Stream of consciousness writing seems somewhat apropos during a lazy summer day (if you find yourself w one). Are you on GoodReads?
Yes, I’m on GoodReads. You can friend me right here. I’ve started and stopped To the Lighthouse 20 thousand times. I think I discovered a way to read the classics, though. I’ll try it with that book and will report back if it works. ~Jules
What a beautiful reading list! I love the mix of modern literary fiction and the classics. Loved b0th The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and Water for Elephants as light reads. And The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice…gah. So good.
I really want that Annotated Alice book. I just read both Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and I loved them just as much as when I was a kid. Still, I know that I’m missing so much from the story since I don’t live in 19th century England. But I have an “Unread Library” of my own, and I certainly shouldn’t be adding to it!
I’m almost done with Sawtelle (finally!) and am excited about Alice, Water for Elephants, and The Merchant of Venice. I actually think I read (and loved) the last one in high school, but since I can’t remember I’m rereading it. ~Jules
This reminds me of what I did with my closet’s contents in order to avoid buying new clothing. The exception is that unused clothes go out of style, and that I bought clothes anyway :-(
That’s a great reading list…
Yeah, it doesn’t work as well with stuff like clothes. I, too, speak from experience, by the way… ~Jules
Just read Water for Elephants and loved it! Cronica de una muerte anunciada is an easy read too. I woudn’t say it’s one of my favorite boks but I’ve been to the Caribbean Colombian coast and it’s pretty accurate.
I think we are all reading Water for Elephants in preparation for the movie, yes? By the way, am I the only one who wants to call it Like Water for Elephants? I have to consciously type out the title. It’s been 10 years and I still can’t get that Esquival novel out of my head! I loved that one. Oh, crap. That reminds me…I think I have another book to add to the list. One by Allende. ~Jules
This is a fantastic list. There are some great classics on it. Great Expectations is one of my all time favorite books. I will forever be a huge geek. Please do a review of Water for Elephants when you are done with it. I have been thinking of reading that, but never actually pick it up when I’m at the store.
That Alicia Paulson list scares me. I have no self control when it comes to books. I’m going to start buying the books on there so that I can build up a library for my future children. (That’s how I’m justifying this, please don’t rock my boat!) But, I’ve told myself I can only buy them at Half Priced Books and I can’t pay over 5 bucks for any one book. We’ll see how well that goes. I might have to move so I have more room for my books!
Your rationalization for buying the Alicia Paulson books (building a library for your future children) was option #2 for me during my brainstorming session. I’m telling you, I can’t be trusted. ~Jules
Okay, I had so much to say that I didn’t want a huge, long embarrassing comment and I didn’t want to add multiple comments to my own blog, which is even worse. SO! I went into each of your comments (I didn’t touch a thing, I promise!) and added my own thoughts in italics. Thanks for all the lovely comments, everyone! :)
Damn, I was right. An Allende book and Everything is Illuminated. I’ll update the list.
OMG, I also buy books at a rate faster than I can read them, so my unread list would be similar. I started Water for Elephants and was loving it, but animal cruelty freaks me out, so I had to stop halfway through.
And BTW, I’m also 5’3.75″. I so envy people who can reach things and never have to have their pants shortened!
I’ve gotta do this myself…too many titles and not enough time.
Old School is a quick read…I read it last year in grad class and it took about three nights to read. Chronicle is pretty quick too, but you know how you can sometimes get lost in Marquez’s words, so it can take some time the first time.
You go girl!
Fantastic list! I’ve read a bunch of them, and another bunch are also on my Unread Library list (I just typo’d “Unready” Library, which also applies). I’ve actually been reading a lot of my Unread Library this summer. See, when my husband and I started trying to sell our condo I cleared all the books I had already read off of my shelves and into storage. Now I just have the unreads up there, and seeing how many there are is inspiring (and disturbing!). I read in alphabetical order (by author name), unless there’s something I really, really want to read, or something I have to read. I do this in tribute to my grandmother – her daughters made fun of her, but I love that she had such a methodical way of working through her books. It helps, too, with those books that have come highly recommended, and yet you just kinda don’t want to pick them up for some reason. I haven’t stopped buying new, but I have cut way, way back.
And now some comments on your comments:
I feel the same way about the Sookie Stackhouse books. I can read one or two, then I need a break. A big one. I’m that way with Jodi Picoult books, too, though those are a bit more substantial, idea-wise.
I call it “Like Water for Elephants”, too! I can’t seem to get it out of my head :-) I just read this and loved it – it was one of those that my mom gave me and highly recommended but I just never made myself read it until it came up alphabetically, and now I’m so happy that I did. It was charming. And now when I see the photos of Robert Pattinson filming it I know exactly what’s happening.
I’m on LibraryThing (and GoodReads, but I don’t like it as well so I don’t update it) so maybe I’ll catalog my unreads there.
I’d love to hear what you think of some of the classics on your list – especially the Shakespeare and the Cervantes, two of my favorites with little hearts around the word favorite. I’m biting my tongue really, really hard to keep from adding other titles to your list :-)
Happy Reading!
I’m in the midst of doing my own purge as we speak. I don’t have a lot of books around I haven’t read but I have a few.
I too have Water for Elephants on my list, just bought it for my Kindle (the iPod app, alas) night before last and I can’t wait to start it!
I just finished (as in 15 minutes ago) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It was really good. I NEED to read more of her work. It was easy to read, yet full of emotion and angst. Good combos.
Now I’m moving on to some of the fluff I’ve acquired. I just started The Nanny Diaries and have a a few others I need to get through before I allow myself to read Elephants. It’s good incentive.
Oh and btw I’m only 5’0″ on a good day, so I’m feeling your pain LOL.
Oooh yes, and I recently added War and Peace to my Kindle as well. It’s been on my to-read list forever and Amazon offers a lot of the classics for free in Kindle form. Which is a double edged sword. It encourages me to read books I normally wouldn’t buy but also makes my stack of unread a lot longer.
I love piles of books. Sigh. I also love your plan. I’ve been mulling over having a page for “Summer Reading” {you think you’re indecisive, I’ve been thinking it over for a good month} on my blog … but seeing how summer’s nearly over and I’ll have to begin again shortly for fall, this may be a better option. Although, I cannot promise I will not buy new ones … ere go why I have collection of said unread books. Those blasted Borders coupons arrive and I lose all hope … I HAVE NO WILL POWER!!!!
I have a stack of books just like this piled up next to my bed! I just got back from Peru, and normally I’m able to finish a minimum of five books on vacation. Given that this one was two weeks, I worried I’d run out. Sadly I barely even had time to sleep, so the list only went down by two! (and a third nearly finished)
I really liked water for Elephants, it got me through a very long flight with awkward stopovers. Everything is Illuminated is next on my list. Or I might read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. But it will definitely be Jonathan Safran Foer.
Oh Jules…this is lovely! I’m a chronic book addict and really do have to stop myself (being an English Lit major didn’t hurt either). From classics to chic lit I love them all. I think positive reviews is the best way to motivate oneself to read, so I’ll give you some on the books I know and maybe it will help you along…(Amendment: I just hit publish and realized how ridiculously long this comment is! Gah! I can’t possibly think what you shouldn’t know about that I could edit out…so I’m going to leave it and go be embarrassed about the length…
Invisible Cities by Calvino…really imaginative and a modern piece of literature. I would recommend finding someone to chat with about this as I read it for a lit class and got so much more out of it from having a discussion. hmmm, maybe I’ll go re-read this one…
Night by Wiesel. Certainly a serious book, but I’m sure you know that. Totally worth the heart breaking read. Maybe less appropriate for reading by the pool, a really beautiful and classic piece of literature to have under your belt.
The Odyssey is just a fantastic story of adventure! There are many movie/miniseries versions of this to if you ever wished to see it brought to life. Think of a good Blackbeard on steroids.
Poe. Full disclosure: I took an entire class on Poe in college and was hooked. I think you should do some internet digging about his background as well. The things he writes become so much deeper once you know about him. Fun fact: He essentially invented the detective genre. And did a great job.
The Inferno: While a journey to and through hell is certainly not a light topic, there is a great sense of tongue in cheek to it at times. Keep an eye out for it.
I love all of Shakespeare, but I doubt you need people to tell you it is good. ;) I have also heard fabulous reviews of Catch-22 and Sherlock Holmes. Alright, I think that’s enough English Lit geek-out happening. Good Luck and I will definitely be following the Unread Library section.
You’ve inspired me while simultaneously making me hate you.
http://leylafolsom.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/unread-library/
After reading all the comments, I’m amending my vow to not buy any more books already though…I forgot that Water for Elephants is coming out and I refuse to see the movie before I read the book. I’ll just add it to the list and pretend I already own it.
I also reserve the right to reread favorites, especially late at night. And to borrow books from my mom.
Hm. I don’t think I’ll ever get to the end of the list.
Well, it’s so good to know that someone else has the same problem that I do. My summer reading “shelf” (which has turned into Ishelves, since we moved and I was able to go through all my texts for real) doesn’t even have a dent in it, even though I’ve done some serious reading this summer. Several of the books in your pile are on my shelf! Like The Odyssey, which I tutor on at school, but haven’t actually read in it’s entirety. I have read Villete, and it’s amazing, but prepare to exercise your French skills! I was fortunate enough to meet Wm. Paul Young this past semester at King (my college), and have a dinner with him, so I read The Shack. It was a hard read, but one I’d advocate. And, for the record, the author is one hilarious man. If you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak in person, do it!
okay first, you are slightly a book nerd, but I think you already knew that ;)
second, I find it interesting that 6 of those books have the word Dead or Death in the title
third, I just checked out the Shack at the Library in addition to “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt and The Art of Racing in the Rain. The librarian seemed intrigued by my choices.
fourth, have you read Pillars of the Earth? I have never heard of this book and suddenly 3 friends have all recommended it and above mentioned librarian was so distraught that both their copies were checked out. She even went on a book finding mission all throughout the library to find it, she wanted me to read it so bad. I guess Starz is soon to be doing a miniseries about it. Anyhow, just curious.
Andrea–
First: yes, I am, and proud of it, too!
Second: To be fair, five of those death/dead books are Charlaine Harris, and ever title in the series has some variation of that word. It’s the series True Blood is based on.
Third: My mother in-law loved The Shack and The Art of Racing in the Rain. I read the latter last month or so (she gave it to me for Christmas). The Shack has been in my pile for at least a year. They are both spiritual, introspective “think about your life” books. Totally my mother in-law. I don’t know why your librarian would think your choices are intriguing. They seem to go together, at least I think so.
Fourth: Of course I’ve read that book. ;) I read it two years ago? I don’t know. I did a blog post on it a LONG time ago. Not a review, just one of my usual “Hey, I just finished this book” kind of posts.
I hear the Shack is pretty heavy though. I hope I make it through the weekend…send in a search team if you don’t hear from me in a few weeks.
I heard the same thing about The Shack via my mother in-law. I just finished Sawtelle, so I’m going to take a break on all things tragedy. Although, looking at my pile of books, I don’t really see how this is possible.
What a brilliant idea! I want to make a reading list of all the classics I never got around to reading (even the ones I “read” in high school and college.) Maybe I’ll make that a “To Have Done by the Time I Turn 30” list.
thanks for this list – i may never leave the house and incur a huge debt to amazon, what with my own foreboding pile of unreads…
Wow Jules… Wow. Thanks for making me think about all the unread books sitting around my house. Now I must spend my day collecting them to create my own list. I can hear them calling to me as I type. I suddenly see myself standing up to proclaim, “My name is Pam, and I have a book addiction.”
{Clap,clap,clap} “Welcome Pam!”
I am committing to chronicling all my titles and I am going to do my best at grabbing from my own bookshelf instead of the bookstore’s.
Thanks for the wake up call on this one.!
after reading #1 the blog post #2 all the comments #3 all responses to comments- I’m happy to know that I’m in good company in my reading addiction. (it’s a joke in my house to introduce myself as such: ‘hi, I’m Phaedra. I’m addicted to books’)
I cannot be trusted with any ‘recommended reading’ lists as I start adding to my own- Literature, children’s books, pop fiction and everything else..
I laughed to myself about your comment on the library- this happened to me… taking my daughter for story/activity times, perusing the shelves while I wait & somehow ending up with stacks to take home and my own Unread Library sits to the side as I plow through my library list. The only good thing about this is that I’m not storing the books and I’ve stopped buying as many because I’ve realized having a set time limit to read actually makes me FINISH THE BOOKS. who knew?
ENJOY your summer & fall & winter reading!
Love this.
Long time P&FF reader, first time poster.
My unread library looks similar. I keep them all in a big basket on our dresser and am required to read the next book in line. No exceptions. I buy new books very rarely, but my mom is constantly handing them down to me, so my pile is always growing.
Plus (don’t mind my neurotic tendancies here), I alternate a book from my unread library with a book from my library queue because there are so many new books that I want to read too!
I shouldn’t be admitting all this.
Just finished The Catcher in the Rye (for the first time) and starting on Anna Karenina. Yikes.
I so need to do this. My unread book pile is huge!
The Harris books won’t even take you a day. Sookie Stackhouse is a great break from “serious” reading.
Ahoy! Best of luck on your venture!
Read the Sherlock Holmes next. I think it’s awesome summer reading. I seem to always stray back to it somewhere in the middle of August when it’s too hot to move and foggy London seems like a great place to be. It also helps that it is episodic and you can easily come and go from it when living people require your attention. And while moderately dark, I think Holmes may qualify as the least melancholy read on your list. The Shakespeare you can knock out, too; they’re pretty quick and dirty once you get going, especially if you’re able to finish a play in one sitting. I will staunchly resist recommending anything new for you to read.
Sorry your July sucks. My June sucked. Guess it goes around.
I see I’m late to the party. And I’d like to join the July sucked it club. Part of the sucking was moving. And the 80 book boxes that were packed, moved, and unpacked also not so fun. So I applaud your efforts here. I’ll be following along and cheering.
We share some books in the unread library, so when you get to Night or To the Lighthouse, I’ll join you. And if you finish your unread pile…I’ll send you a bunch of new titles. How’s that for incentive?
Love this idea! I had already started thinking about this and then read your post, so I decided to do one too! Thanks for the challenge!
http://mymargins.blogspot.com/2010/08/unread-library.html
Hi Jules
It’s funny that I have just come across this post. I got tired of looking at my library shelves and feeling guilt for not having read all the books that I ‘simply must have� from bookshops over the years so I started a blog last week and have committed to getting through them. Given that there are 350-400 books to get through I couldn’t commit to not buying anymore until I have finished them all, but I will say no buying books �for a while�.
http://www.theunreadlibrary.blogspot.com/
Happy reading!
Sara
The only book that is on your list that you havent read and I have is “Everything Is Illuminated” – I really enjoyed the book though at times I found it sad. The movie was decent as well, but definitely read the book first before seeing it!
You have inspired me! Thankfully my list isn’t super long but it will be such a weight lifted when I finish them all!
http://bhpoppycock.tumblr.com/post/2639338867/the-unread-library
I just stumbled across your blog through Make It Lovely and what a fun place! :)
Re: The Unread Library, I did something similar last year. I had piles of books next to my bed, on my dresser, under my nightstand, on my nightstand…..you get the picture. :) I piled them all up in one place (the closet, our house is tiny, so that was the best place.) I made a promise to not check out any other books from the library or buy any new books or borrow any new books until I finished that pile. It’s an endeavor, isn’t it?! My pile has a couple overlaps with yours, but I should have made a list, that’s a good idea. I’m more than halfway through now, started out at about 50-60 books. Getting down to the nitty gritty now, mostly non-fiction left. *sigh*
I LOVE LOVE LOVE “Water for Elephants” and the “Witch of Portobello.” Strangely enough Catch 22 has been on my list for the last 10 years and I can’t get into it. One day. I have also read the Catholic book… its surprisingly informative in a non-boring way… I read it for my adult confirmation class. I suggest reading one chapter a week (Sundays before/after church are good for this) and it is filled with history. The Shack is supposed to be awesome, also in my pile of books to read.
I also made this promise to myself last year. However, I volunteer at a library book sale four times a year! Ugh… I couldn’t say no last year. I am trying again in 2011 to buy no more books until I read through the ones I have. I have some nonfiction, some fiction, some classics, some easy beach reads and a few challenging ones (Catch 22 and Anna Karenina).
Good luck! Happy reading!
My first visit to your site and I am certain it won’t be the last. What a great idea. I posted my list on my blog. Thanks for the idea and the help in the revelation that am an addict too ;0).
http://www.blossomsofmysoul.com/blessings-in-all-forms/2011/05/unread-library.html
YIPPEEEEE!!!!!!! I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!! I get sooo inspired whenever I go to the bookstore that I end up buying all of these wonderful books and I never have time to read them! I have this entire bookshelf of things that I “need” to read but haven’t slowed down to start. Or worse, i’ll start it and not finish, change moods, start another, then not finish that one! I think I need to slow down and have a “do nothing but read” month! Thanks for the post!
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