Posted on by Cathy

Reading Down the House

Reading An Exacting Liife the other day I saw that Dar was setting herself a challenge – to read a certain amount of all the unread books she had in her house by the end of next year (2014)  I wondered how anyone could have that many unread books in their house and then took a look at one of our bookcases 😦

First, I must tell you that a few years ago we would go to a discount book warehouse in the city – it was fun to pop in and see what they had to offer and all the books were so cheap as well.  Nothing over $5 which at the time certainly suited our pockets.

To begin with we’d be quite cautious with our spending, the thrill was finding something to read, then it changed and it wasn’t unusual for us to take the train in and come home with at least $50 worth (10 books) to read.  In all fairness I will say lots of them were bought with the idea of taking them to Queensland to read while we spent time up there in the winter.

Then I discovered we could use the library in Bowen – which meant I didn’t have to haul a ton of books in the car; then The Golfer got an ipad which meant he downloaded and read ebooks rather than actual books.  With thoughts of more overseas travel coming up and the need to save we had also got into the habit of using our local (free) library more and more which meant there was still quite a few books sitting on the bookshelfs in the back bedroom lol

Dar’s challenge called Reading Down the House has come at the right time because it was going to be a case of read them or rehome them!!  So I’m showing you the books I hope to read between now and the end of 2014.  There are just 9 in the pile, none of them ‘heavyweight’ – however after looking them up on Fantastic Fiction ( a marvellous site for book lovers) I’ve discovered unbeknown to me some are part of series so I’ll check the library to see what they have that I can read before those ones.  Can see this going into 2015 before I’m finished lol

Books for 2014
Books for 2014

In no particular order:

The Betrayers
Blood Royal both by Harold Robbins (with Junius Podrug)
One Sunday by Joy Dettman
I still dream of you by Fannie Flagg
Blue Earth by Jules Hardy

and these I have discovered are part of series.
Lifeless by Mark Billingham (Tom Thorne)
Odd Socks by Ilsa Evans (Laundry)
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry (Cotton Malone)
Dead Run by P.J.Tracy (Monkeywrench)

I’ve also got others sitting on the shelf that I know are definitely part of series but they can wait for another time (year lol)

Do you have things in your home that could be the basis of a challenge of any sort?

23 Replies to “Reading Down the House”

  1. G’day Cathy. Good on you for going to read those books. I have so many unfinished sewing projects that I keep saying I will finish. I will make a pledge to get most of them finished next year.I have also been proscrastinating about finishing our front garden, that too will be done before 2014 is over. Take care. Liz….

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    1. I’m sure you’ll be more aware than I was Dar. Checking the library online this evening – never know what I might come up with.

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  3. No book goes on the shelves before it has been read…but by one of us, not necessarily both. So we’re contimually pulling out a book saying…but I haven’t read this…

    And that’s only the books we have since moving here…the rest made the move from France to Spain this year, but I have to say that I had read everything I came across while unpacking the books that now fill one huge cupboard and all available shelves…

    I did come across something surprising though…Ron L. Hubbard of Scientology fame,wrote a series of sci fi books which were extremely funny, set in Turkey – ideal light reading after a day unpacking.

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    1. So are you saying the only books you have on the bookshelves are the ones you’ve read – where do you keep the ones to be read?
      Just for the fun of it I might check our library catalogue to see if Hubbard’s book are there.
      Cathy

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  4. My filled bookcases sit fairly untouched since I discovered audio books and can download them on my Kindle. I listen while I work…and can whistle too if I want:)

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    1. I haven’t ‘listened’ to a book for a while now Annie, must see what’s around to download. A long cold winter might see you checking out the bookshelves for something to do lol
      Cathy

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  5. Challenge..oh yes..books galore. I gave hundreds to Goodwill (charities) but then bought hundreds more for my Kindle. The only thing I have more of is yarn and plants. Plenty of challenge I think. Dianne

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    1. I’m still not ‘comfortable’ reading on my ipad Dianne – old fogey that I am I do have a lot on there but prefer the printed versions
      Cathy

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  7. I’m still trying to read all the novels in my house but the number is not going down as friends keep passing me their books when they have finished them!
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  8. I could read a lot more if I wasn’t writing. Characters seem to be waiting in the wings bidding for my time.

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  9. These days, the only books I read are those about near death experiences, the most recent being the bestseller, “Proof of Heaven” by a neurologist. As for unfinished projects, I guess I should file my old photos either into albums or on a thumb drive.

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    1. Did you enjoy reading it Gigi – I remember there was some controversy about the book during the year but haven’t heard anything recently
      Cathy

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  11. You’re going to have a great time reading those books Cathy and you’ve set yourself a realistic target. I don’t rush when I read. I prefer to read every word and enjoy it. I haven’t read any of those so would like to know what you think of them as you go along?
    I am currently reading ‘Death comes to Pemberley’ by P.D. James. A lot of the reviews on the Kindle said it was dull, but I am enjoying it very much.

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    1. That’s one author I haven’t tried yet – I believe that’s a fairly recent release of hers. Another one to have a look for
      Cathy

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      1. I wouldn’t start with that one Cathy. It didn’t get very good reviews. I think that was because she was following on from Jane Austen, using her characters. Start with one of the earlier ones.

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  12. I have far too many unread books languishing on my shelves, but the arrival this year of a Kindle, and too many visits to the library, have resulted in a lack of reading what I already have. I think there are around 100 books awaiting my attention. Ooh dear!

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  13. Pingback: Happenings…………. | Cathy @ Still Waters

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