Category Archives: books

If you’re wondering where I’ve been hiding the answer is: under a pile of books. A little over two months ago, I made it my mission to read all the unread books on my bookshelf before buying anymore. I started with 32 books. So how much progress have I made? See for yourself:

• I got rid of two books. Cleaving by Julie Powell and Retromania by Simon Reynolds. After reading the back covers/online reviews I decided I wasn’t that interested in reading them. (When you’re dealing with more than two dozen books, you don’t have time for ones that don’t catch your fancy.
• Which makes my new total 30.
• Since I started the challenge, I’ve ready five books. Here they are:

L-R: Jane’s Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered The World; Lots Of Candles, Plenty Of Cake; Saga Of The Swamp Thing; Miniature Sulk; The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time

• I’m currently reading Hillary Clinton’s autobiography, Living History.

So now that the numbers are out of the way, let’s talk books.

I was surprised by how much I liked the two comic books I read. Miniature Sulk was so weird and trippy, but the drawings were great. I read Saga Of The Swamp Thing in one sitting, and it tweaked my interest in the genre. I’m gonna hit up  Carol and John’s this week and see what other books catch my interest. (Thinking Batman or The Walking Dead. Suggestions?) (And it doesn’t count if I buy comic books. I just said I couldn’t buy books. That’s my theory, and I’m sticking to it.)

Jane Austen wasn’t nearly as exciting or popular as her books. Let me rephrase: I’m sure Ms. Austen had a quite nice life and was very content, but that’s just it: It was pretty normal. We’d like to believe she experienced great love and found her own Mr. Darcy, but in reality, she was just a single lady with an amazing talent.

I love Anna Quindlen, and I’ve read all her novels and several of her nonfiction books. Her memoir, Lots Of Candles, Plenty Of Cake offered insight into one of my favorite writers, along with her thoughts on marriage, friends, growing older and raising kids. I plan to revisit the book when I’m a bit older, and I have a feeling I’ll appreciate it even more then.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time: If you like Room by Emma Donoghue, I suggest you read this book. It’s a quick read, and after you read it you’ll realize just how how powerful it is. It’s one of those books that just sneaks up on you.

I’ve got 25 more to go. So until my next update, happy reading.

Okay, maybe the word “great” is a bit of an overstatement, but it is definitely an overdue challenge. I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just come out with it: I have a book problem. What is a book problem, you may ask? Well, simply put, I buy too many books, and I buy them too often. I’m a voracious reader, and there’s always a book on my nightstand, but even I can’t keep up with my habit. Last summer, I looked at my bookshelf and realized just how many books I had bought but not read. It was like an intervention, except I intervened into my own life and there was no camera crew around to document the pivotal moment.

As you might recall, last May, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish before summer ended. One of the things on the list was “Read the 38 unread books on my bookshelf.” I read quite a few books, but not quite 38 (actually nowhere near 38). Since then, I’ve bought more books, borrowed some from two local libraries and basically ignored the unread books I already own.

But this year, that changes.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but this year I decided to finish all the unread books on my bookshelf. I also decided not to buy any more books or check any out from the library until I accomplish my goal. It’s a pretty lofty goal, but I think I can handle it. (Plus, I need the room on my bookshelf.) So what exactly am I dealing with in the Great Book Challenge?

• 32 books: 19 nonfiction + 13 fiction 
• The first book on the list (not pictured): Jane’s Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered The World by Claire Harman
  
• one of the books is a comic book and another is a tiny graphic novel (or maybe a mini comic book? I don’t know.)
• The book I’ve had the longest: The Rolling Stone Interviews which my best friend bought me one Christmas… six years ago.
• The books I can’t wait to read: Grace: A Memoir; Lots Of Candles, Plenty Of Cake; and my last Jane Austen book

Once I finish the monumental task in front of me, I already know what I’m going to make book #33: Beautiful Creatures. What can I say? I really like books.