Amarie uses the Force if necessary to be done with 'unread'

A few years ago, there was no such thing as a "to be read" pile. When I got a book, it was read right then. But bargain books beckoned and of course there was always something new at the library. When I moved six months ago I even just brought the unread books and left all the rest with kind family members. I still did not make much progress! Perhaps 2010 will be the year...

My personal challenge will be all unread novels already owned (looks to be about 19 of them) plus a reasonable number of non-fiction books that I have always been slower on. However, I must read Shakespeare: The Biography since I bought that over 2 years ago!

Also, I will be continuing last year's 75 book challenge which I did not finish...so extended to include 2010. As it turns out, the remaining number exactly equal the optimistically-planned number of "To Read" that I already own!

List alphabetical by author:
Shakespeare : the biography
Russian fairy tales - February 9
Little Women
Harry, a history
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey
Wuthering Heights
Jane Austen's The History of England - May 26
The Secret Garden
Burning bright - July 27
Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury - June 20
Measuring the Universe: Our Historic Quest to Chart the Horizons of Space and Time - March 30
Shades of Grey - January 19
The man of property
The Deathly Hallows Lectures: The Hogwarts Professor Explains the Final Harry Potter Adventure - June 4
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - April 19
The Unicorn - January 4
The plants of Middle-earth - March 29
The harsh cry of the heron
Defining the world : the extraordinary story of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary
The Book of Guinevere - July 14
An acceptable time
Many waters - April 17
A swiftly tilting planet - February 24
A wind in the door - February 10
A wrinkle in time - February 1
Medieval folklore : a guide to myths, legends, tales, beliefs, and customs
A Conspiracy of Paper - January 11
Making of the English Nation: From the Anglo-Saxons to Edward I
Slow Reading - March 24
Edgar Allan Poe : An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories - July 16
J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator
Longitude : the true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time - August 3

Oh, you have some great reading ahead of you! Welcome to the group.

The Unicorn by Nancy Hathaway

This reprint from 1980 contains beautiful illustrations and paintings, but did lack somewhat in the text. The stories and history were fascinating and provide a worldwide view of the mythical creature (well, as we now consider it...), however some chapters or sections did not tie together or flow well within the book. I also would have liked if the layout was better. As it is, the pictures rarely if ever had anything to do with the text on any one page. So I either had to keep reading the text to keep the thread of ideas, or stop and take in the unrelated pictures and break the flow.

Overall, a good introduction to all the multiple stories and sources of the unicorn throughout the world. (***)

(#44)

A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss

An intricate mystery set in the hectic world of stock-jobbing in early 18th century London. It made sense that upon reading the historical note the author had drawn upon doctrinal research to formulate an excellent look of finances during a time when they were becoming more abstract, from solid gold to little pieces of paper (stocks, bonds, paper money), hence the title. It took me a little time to get going properly, but once I decided to focus (thanks largely to this reading challenge) I was greatly rewarded as the possible means and participants in the central mystery kept growing in size and complexity. Also an enlightening look at Jewish life in England; often I do not even realize that Jews were in other places other than where historical atrocities took place. Finally, finishing this up dove-tailed rather well with seeing the new film for Sherlock Holmes as I was ready to gather the clues, among other surprising similarities.

Why I bought this book: When I first heard about it, I put it on my wishlist--even though I do not really keep an extensive one--as I knew I wanted to remember it. Last year when visiting the only used book shop I really ever buy from*, I spotted the title and the book was in good enough condition to justify $6.

*I can be picky about my possessions and never got in the habit of say reading and passing along, so used books are few and far between for me, except for this one shop where I vacation every year that stocks top quality books

(#45)

P.S. Looks like a "Happy Birthday" to Jasper Fforde today, especially as his new book Shades of Grey arrives on my doorstop today (and will probably take priority for reading :)

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

This is a grand departure from Jasper Fforde's usual wordplay, books-within-books and celebrations of genre fiction (not to mention humor too). Edward Russett literally sees an amount of red just right for succeeding in a collective society based upon a chromatic scale. Jane is just a Grey, but may have some important information for Edward when/if she stops punching, insulting or trying to kill him (ah, love!). Edward's first-person narrative allows us as readers to take in a very unique world--that naturally reminded me of 1984--without too much effort. All the pieces and parts of this world (which came about after Something That Happened) are quite creative, from Nightloss to Leapbacks. Rules abound and cover everything (except spoons) but may also hide some terrible secrets--to be explored in the nicely set-up sequels.

Why I bought this book: 'Cause it's Jasper Fforde and I need no other reason!

(#46)

oooh--envy, envy! I'm trying to resist adding to the TBR shelves, but I can feel my resolution weakening.

I felt like I doing so well, but I keep starting books instead of finishing them! As such, I am currently reading at least 4 books. I was supposed to be reading The Sound of Blue but it is not really pulling me in so I went ahead with the old favorite (but shiny new edition) Wrinkle in Time--likely to be finished today.

I watched parts 1 & 2 of the new PBS "Emma" which reminded me how good that book is, so therefore I should finally read the remaining Austen books I have not yet read (on the current list).

A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle

Nice to read something so familiar and comforting. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, especially since I somehow missed the final book.

Why I bought this book: Spotted the set for a good price for Christmas and admired the cover art. Previously owned (and still have) cheap paperbacks from the 80s.

(#47)

Russian Fairy Tales

I am going to count this as read, since it is more for reference than reading every word straight through. I enjoyed several stories and learned much from the commentary included.

Why I bought this book: I have a long and abiding interest in Russian history and culture. More specifically, I wanted to read some original "Baba Yaga" stories since first reading one version in Orson Scott Card's Enchantment.


A Wind in the Door

Continuing the excellent series...

A Swiftly Tilting Planet

Slow Reading by John Miedema
a long-overdue ER book...

(#51/8)

I have to share a chuckle with you that I read on a different thread. May 4 is considered Star Wars Day - May the fourth be with you! (Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

The Plants of Middle-Earth: Botany And Sub-creation by Dinah Hazell

Plants of Middle-earth is a beautiful book both in an illustrative sense and textual. The original paintings of several plants, trees and flowers that are specifically mentioned by Tolkien in his works are gorgeous. The material presented is well-researched by someone obviously familiar with the literary legacy of Tolkien, whether it is the published works in Middle-earth or his letters and other papers that are available.

(#52/9)

Measuring the universe : our historic quest to chart the horizons of space and time by Kitty Ferguson

Finally finishing some books! This one was right up my alley for general science how-did-they-do-that and enjoyable to read too, especially quotes like "When I started, cosmology was very much like philosophy. There was very little chance of measuring something precisely..." (Alexander Szalay).

(#53/10)

Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle

As I started, I became worried that my memory of reading it from the library long ago too rosy, but in the end the world created and concepts introduced were just as fascinating as they were then. I would not mind having some seraphim in my own life!

(#55/11)

#54 was the library book Ender in Exile

Jane Austen's The History of England

Nice edition of a short, enjoyable example of young Jane's work.

(#57/12)

#58 is the more recently acquired (so doesn't count) The History of Witchcraft by Lois Martin, while #56/#13 was re-reading The Deathly Hallows.

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

I discovered the blog 1000awesomethings.com late last year (2009) and felt blessed to find something with so much heart and positive thinking. The resulting book has some of the same entries but most importantly the same warm and witty writing style that keeps me reading and checking the blog everyday.

(#59)

The Deathly Hallows Lectures by John Granger

Ultimately disappointing based on expectations after reading his Harry Potter's Bookshelf.

(#60/14)

(#61 This book is overdue by Marilyn Johnson, from the library.)

Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury by Rebecca Dickson

A treasure indeed, I enjoyed the text more than I expected and the included letter and draft reproductions were interesting, plus beautiful paintings and illustrations throughout.

(#62/15)

Harry, a history by Melissa Anelli

This is a personal story of the Harry Potter phenomenon with a little extra background thrown in. I started reading The Leaky Cauldron before Melissa Anelli even became involved, and it still remains one of my favored sources of news. As I read of her immersion in the world of Harry Potter (on a surprisingly similar timeline as my own--well except for being in charge of a fan site!), I relived key points with delight: midnight parties, costumes, reading feverishly through the night.

(#63/16)

The Book of Guinevere by Andrea Hopkins

Beautifully illustrated with historical images of King Arthur's queen, with often insightful captions. The text is a study of original sources of the Arthurian legends particular to Guinevere, by an expert of the literature of that time.

(#64/17)

That last one looks very interesting. I may have to see about getting hold of a copy, as I'm a big fan of Arthuriana.

Edgar Allan Poe : An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories by Harry Lee Poe

From this book I discovered that Edgar Poe (the "Allan" part was not added until after he died, by the way) was not as dark and depressing as one might think based on the standard works exposed to students in English class. He wrote a wide variety of materials, yet was so often ahead of the time that he was never really financially successful and gained more than a few literary rivals. One of which, in the most devastating part of the story to me, stole his estate after his premature death and wrote all kinds of lies along with his published works for decades. Text written by a distant cousin and past president of the Poe Foundation. I enjoyed learning that most mystery writers include a "hat tip" to Poe or his character Dupin in their detective stories.

(#66/18)

Burning bright by Tracy Chevalier

I prepared for this by re-reading a childhood favorite, A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers (by Nancy Willard). So far, this had been by only exposure to William Blake and now I realize there is much, much more to discover. Burning Bright is a story of where the notable people make a passing but vital appearance in the lives of some regular folk. It takes place over 1792-93 when William Blake lived with his wife in Lambeth part of the London, near the fascinating Astley Circus. A country family from Dorset moves in next door and finds out just how different London can be, both for the better and for the worse. Blake's life and poetic works are woven throughout, especially on the theme of opposites like Innocence and Experience from the well-known work.

(#68/19, #67 was the library book The Lightning Thief)

Longitude : the true story of a lone genius who solved the greatest… by Dava Sobel

This is a good overview of the conundrum of finding longitude (worth £20,000 to solve in 1714) in a time before the wonderful navigational tools available today. Focuses on personalities, especially of one John Harrison who spent a lifetime truly creating a timepiece perfect enough for the oft harsh conditions of sea voyages.

(#69/20)

Either I guessed amazingly well at how many I would read this year, or keeping closer track has kept me focused as it appears that I have a good chance of finishing this challenge. Okay, the Shakespeare biography is still looming in the future, but perhaps it will work in and around when I see several of his plays later this month on vacation.

>28 amarie:
Er, just spent six weeks re-reading Mists of Avalon. Oh well. On to the next book!

(#70)

That's dedication!