Booking Through Thursday presents an idea from 'The Toddled Dredge':
So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’
I wish I could cover my ears and say "No! I can't finish the ones I have." However, me and books is like moths to flames, or, bees to honey. I just can't say no! My stack isn't too bad right now (umm, it's been worse).
So, from left to right, you have:
- Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Angel's Game. I absolutely loved Shadow of the Wind, so when I saw his new book was out, and Waterstones was selling the hardback for half price, I had to buy it. I just couldn't say NO.
- Nancy Huston - Fault Lines This was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2008, and it's part of my self-imposed challenge to read all major prize-winners and nominations.
- James Ellroy - LA Confidential Ok, I can see the eyes rolling, but, sometimes, all you need is a good fast-paced easy read.
- Linda Grant - When I Lived In Modern Times About three people have recommended this book to me, so I ended up borrowing it from a friend. Is it wrong that because of the cover and the print, I don't really want to read it?
- Wally Lamb - The Hour I First Believed I've never read a Wally Lamb novel before. Time I started to?
- John le Carre - A Most Wanted Man I really enjoyed A Murder Of Quality, which I read last month. Also, The Constant Gardener was great. So, when Waterstones was selling this for £3.49, how could I walk away?
- Angela Carter - The Magic Toyshop I loved the cover, and I loved the name of the book. How often do you see a book with that kind of a title in the 'adult' section of a bookstore?
- Jeffrey Eugenides - The Virgin Suicides I'm actually reading this right now. Loads of people rave about Middlesex, so, I thought I'd introduce myself to his writing with the debut novel.
- Orhan Pamuk - My Name Is Red This has been lying on my book shelf since early March. I quite liked The White Castle, so it made sense to get this book. I really don't know why I haven't started reading it yet.
- Catherine O'Flynn - What Was Lost I started reading this, and forgot it at a friend's place. By the time I met him next, I was already well into another book, and it just kind-of slipped lower in the list.
How about you? Is your stack within the 10 book mark, or, is it way beyond? Or, are you more pragmatic, and have only books you can finish?
Also, have you read any of the books above? Any you recommend I bump up the list?