The 2010 Reading Resolutions ChallengeWhen we moved into the new house, I swore to myself (and the husband) that my new, Ikea-bookshelf-lined office would be enough for my book collection. I would make sure that I never owned more books than could fit onto the five Billy shelves (plus top extension shelves) in my office.
We've only lived in the house for five and a half months and I've already violated that rule. Granted, it's partly because my parents keep bringing me boxes of books from their house, but still.
My resolution for 2010 is to not buy any new books in 2010 (even on my Kindle, since the number of unread books I have on that is ridiculous). Of course there are exceptions, which are as follows:
-I can buy books on the New Year's trip we're taking, since we are visiting a city we haven't visited in ages and it is home to some awesome independent bookstores.
-I can buy books at Powell's in Portland if we get there this year.
-I can use any giftcards I get at Christmas to buy books.
-I can use credits at used bookstores (this will work fine because I never get enough credit to replace the same number of books that I trade in).
I have so many books on the shelves--and on my Kindle--that I've been wanting to read and haven't because I keep buying new ones. Also, since I'm participating in the Support Your Local Library challenge, I'm not cutting myself off from the library. I wouldn't anyway, because that would be completely unrealistic. Visiting the library and taking out a stack of new-to-me books gives me almost as much of a rush as buying books.
I'm also doing the Original TBR Challenge. However, I'm modifying the rules for myself so that I can't cross over any books from other challenges (I told you I have a massive number of unread books). Here's my list:
1. Greenlanders by Jane Smiley. Smiley taught at the university where I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees, and I've heard several people say this is one of her best books. It certainly looks engrossing and should go well with my Chunkster reading of Kristin Lavransdatter.
2. Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher. I think this one has been on my TBR list since high school, and it's been sitting on my shelf since at least my undergrad days. That means I've moved it at least five times without reading it. I think it's about time.
3. Blue Angel by Francine Prose. I suppose I should have a few more slender books on this list as well so I don't get too far behind right off the bat. I've had this one on the shelf since grad school. I heard Prose speak at the National Book Festival a few years back, but I've never read any of her fiction.
4. The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I have a non-Persephone, unabridged edition of this one. I've read most of her children's books as well as The Making of a Marchioness and can't wait to dive into this one.
5. The House at Riverton and
6. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I'm pretty sure these have been on the shelf for more than six months. They both look wonderful, I just haven't had a chance to read them.
7. In This House of Brede and
8. Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Rumer Godden. I got these from my in-laws for Christmas a couple years ago and I feel like I should read them already.
9. The Sunne in Splendor by Sharon Kay Penman. I've been struggling through The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. I think I'll prefer this retelling of the story of the Princes in the Tower.
10. The Ten Year Nap by Meg Wollitzer. I bought this one when we still lived in DC.
11. Party Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. I need to have at least one children's book on this list! This is a lovely Oxford Children's Classics edition that I got at a children's bookstore in Alexandria, Virginia, and I don't think this would quite qualify as a YA book for the YA reading challenge.
12. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. Ok, I suppose I should have a nonfiction book on the list as well. I've heard several interviews with Pollan and look forward to reading more about his philosophy.
Although I don't usually do the New Year's resolution thing, I do enjoy going into the new year with goals and these reading challenges will help me do that.
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