Delta Queen's Shrinking Her Shelves

This sounds like the perfect challenge for me. A compulsive book buyer, my shelves are threatening to collapse under the weight of all my TBR's. I have been using the Alphabet Challenge to help work on this, but I am nearing the end of my ABC's. I will start this challenge in January, 2010. My goal will be at least four books a month to come from my TBR shelves.

Goal = 48 books




1. The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie
2. Death Of A Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong
3. Lights Out Liverpool by Maureen Lee
4. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
5. Dear Irene by Jan Burke
6. Lands Beyond the Sea by Tamara McKinley
7. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie
8. The White Raven by Robert Low
9. The Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher
10. Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer
11. Poet In The Gutter by John Baker
12. Glamour by Lousie Bagshawe
13. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
14. The Singapore Grip by J.G. Farrell
15. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
16. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey
17. The Dead Hour by Denise Mina
18. Down The Common: A Year In The Life Of A Medieval Woman by Ann Baer
19. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
20. Ride The Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson
21. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
22. Ragtime In Simla by Barbara Cleverly
23. This Year's Model by Carol Alt
24. Flesh House by Stuart MacBride
25. Broken Trail by Alan Geoffrion
26. Blue Heaven by C.J. Box
27. Put Out The Fires by Maureen Lee
28. Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White
29. Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie
30. Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham
31. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance by Dorothy M. Johnson
32. A Quiet Belief In Angels by R.J. Ellory
33. Kisscut by Karin Slaughter
34. Crow Killer by R. W. Thorp and R. Bunker
35. The Likeness by Tana French
36. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
37. This Charming Man by Marian Keyes
38. Red Gold by Alan Furst
39. Seeking The Dead by Kate Ellis
40. Eternal by Craig Russell
41. Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
42. Charity by Lesley Pearse
43. Hard Frost by R.D. Wingfield
44. A Light In The Forest by Conrad Richter
45. A Good Day To Die by Simon Kernick
46. Many A River by Elmer Kelton
47. Through The Storm by Maureen Lee
48. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

An ambitious challenge! Welcome to the group. You're in very good company.

Good luck! I would be very interested to know what you reading.....

Did you read your ABC books in order or just cross the letter off as you read a random book? What was the hardest letter to find starting a title?

Hello everyone and thanks for the welcome.

I will be listing the books I read from my TBR pile here and also will be keeping a running tab and comentary on my 1010 Challenge.

#4 - Mamzel, for my ABC Challenge, I am reading 52 books total. One for each author and one for each title. I didn't read them in order, just skipped around the alphabet as I choose the books. Of course now I am nearing the end, I have to choose more carefully. The hardest letter was X. I found an author easily enough, and I even found a title that I wanted to read but had trouble locating a copy of the book. I finally received the book this week.

Looking forward to starting and catching up with everyone's threads.

We are leaving shortly for Christmas at my Mothers, so of course the first thing I think of is "What books should I take?". I decided to pack a couple for my Alphabet Challenge and a couple for my 1010 Challenge. Luckily some of these books are right off my TBR shelves so I will starting on this challenge as well.

Should be back sometime during the first week of January.

Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Christmas! I hope you get in some excellent reading time as well as excellent family time. We'll look forward to hearing about your progress.

Have a lovely trip, and enjoy your reading!

1. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

This book has been sitting on my shelves since July 2007. Published in 1920, this was Agatha Christie's first book and also the introduction of Hercule Poirot. I thought it was appropriate to be both my first book in my 2010 Challenge and of my Books Off The Shelf Challenge.

It must feel good to have such a momentous book completed. It seems like an excellent choice to kick off the year.

Did you figure out whodunnit? :P

I love Agatha Christie and own many of her books (which, like most of my books, remain unread). I don't think I've ever figured out the correct culprit :(

#11 RebeccaAnn, I didn't even try to figure it out. I just read and enjoyed, there's something about her writing that I just find so comforting. I went through a period years ago where I read one after another of her books, I intend to read them more slowly and savor them this time round.

>12 DeltaQueen50:
That's what I am planning to do in the next few years also - replace my old copies with matching hardcovers and slowly read all of her books in the process. :)

Hey there!
I've been wanting to start reading Agatha Christie's books for a little while now and ironically enough today I bought my first book by her- Taken at the Flood which technically is the 25th Poirot book but it was cheap and bargains should never be sniffed at eh?
*sneaks back into lurkdom*

Book bargains are the best bargains (IMHO)

2. Death Of A Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong

I have had this book since October, 2009. I bought it because the author's name fit my Alphabet Challenge though it was on my wish list before that as I am expanding my mystery reading to other countries.

I have placed a review but the short version is I really liked the book and gave it 4 stars.

Indeed, the name Qiu Xiaolong would be very useful in an alphabetical challenge!

3. Lights Out Liverpool by Maureen Lee

This one has been on my shelves since August 2008. In fact it was taking me so long to get to this trilogy that my Mom borrowed and read them last summer. Now that I have read the first one, I can't wait to read the next two.

I have placed a review, I loved the book and gave it 4 stars.

4. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

I was introduced to this author last year and knew that I would want to read at least one of her books for my Fantasy Category in the 1010 Challenge. I ordered the book and it arrived in December. So it hasn't been on my shelves all that long. Now that I have read it, I may have to go an order the next two! It was fantastic. I gave it 5 stars.

I have reached my goal of 4 books for the month. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, I will probably be able to add a couple of extras. This extra space is good since I have a Chapter's Gift Card from Christmas still to use.

Congratulations!!! 4 books off the shelf in January is awesome...

Thanks ca-dmv, and the best part was they were all good reads!

5. Dear Irene by Jan Burke

I've had this book on my shelves since summer 2008. This is the third book in a mystery series and I picked up both the second and the third one at the same time. I read the second one in August of 2008, but it's taken me this long to get to the third one. It was a good read, but now I have to go and pick up the next one or two ...

Whoops, my shelves got expanded today. I went out with my daughter and came home with five books. I only had to buy one, the others were pushed on me by my daughter. All my reading in January and I am back to where I started.

Just imagine where you'd be if you hadn't done all that reading this month! :)

You're right Coppers, at least I had shelf space for these new ones!

Excellent! It is particularly impressive how much you enjoyed the books you read off your shelf. And, coppers is right--just keeping even is an accomplishment.

6. Lands Beyond the Sea by Tamara McKinley

This book has been with me since last spring. I ordered it at a really low price from BookCloseOuts. I realized as I read it that this is the first book in a trilogy. It was an ok read, used it for my Historical Fiction Category of my 1010 Challenge, and I have decided to pass this one along to my library as they have only have the second book of the series. Hopefully someone will supply the 3rd book!

January Summary

I started this Challenge with 237 books on my TBR shelves. Today I have a total of 247, so I am going a little backward.

However my goal of 4 books read off my shelves was reached and surpassed. I was able take 6 books off my TBR shelves.

We count the good, we ignore the bad, we celebrate everything.

Yay, You!

Thanks, Mary

>29 DeltaQueen50: - Your key word there was "little". You're only going a little backward. Not bad, not bad at all!

I love your philosophy, Mary! I may have to frame it!

I'll have to do it in cross-stitch.

7. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie

I picked this one up last summer from the local second hand bookstore. It will count towards my 1010 Challenge - Agatha Christie Category. I think this is destined to be one of my favorites of hers. I gave it 5 stars and posted a review on the book page.

8. The White Raven by Robert Low

This one has been sitting on my shelves since last November. It is the third book of a trilogy about Vikings and both my sister and brother are eagerly awaiting their turn with this book.

I thought it was a good read and wrapped up the series appropriately. I gave it 3 1/2 stars and have posted a review.

9. The Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher

In the back of my mind was a book about fur trappers that I had read a long time ago and would love to read again if I could find it. Imagine my joyful surprise when I opened this book and here it was.

I have had this book on my shelves for a couple of years, it was one of the main reasons I chose an American West Category for my 1010 Challenge. I knew it was considered to be an American Classic of it's type.

It was also a 4 1/2 star read. I have posted my review in my 1010 Challenge.

10. Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer

I discovered Georgette Heyer (through LT) about a year ago, so of course I promptly went out and bought a few of her books. Now I am slowly working my way through them. This was a very good one, full of humorous situations. With her trademark well-drawn characters and delightful dialogue, I enjoyed every page!

I gave this one 4 stars.

Oh, I just re-purchased that! I know I had one of the copies published in the 1970s, but I think I read the words off the page... My faves are still Venetia, A Lady of Quality, The Grand Sophy and Frederica. Sigh... They're great fun, without being soppy, pretentious, mannered or artificial, as so many mimics are.

Let's see, of the ones you listed I have only read Frederica so I have lots of Georgette Heyer's to go! I have liked all the ones I've read but, I think, April Lady and These Old Shades are my favorites so far.

#38 & 39> So, what would you recommend as a first Georgette Heyer book to read? I just might give her a try.

Well, I remember when I first started to read her, others here on LT recommended These Old Shades, The Grand Sophy and Sprig Muslin as good place to start. But I am still a newbie when it comes to GH, so perhaps Chatterbox has a better idea.

I remember vividly that I started with Regency Buck and moved onto Arabella. Both of those are good, but not her best. I'd suggest The Grand Sophy, which has a great mix of classic Heyer characters. from the ingenue to the "Miss Bingley" character and the heroine with personality and wit to add to beauty.

11. Poet In The Gutter by John Baker

Wow, another great read from my shelves. This one is the first in the series and I can't wait to read the next one. A British Detective story peopled with great characters, lots of humor and wit, with a fast-paced plot. This is the most exciting series I have started since Brookmyre's Quite Ugly One Morning.
I have posted a review and gave it 4 1/2 stars.

This one is going in the book bag to pass along to brother.

# 42 & 43> thanks for the suggestions!!!

12. Glamour by Louise Bagshawe

This was an ok read, very predictable. I am counting this one for my "Pretty In Pink" Category on my 1010 Challenge. It's been sitting on my shelves for at least two years, I think I will pass this one along to Good Will Charity.

13. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I know exactly where I got this book - at my library's book sale. I think it was last spring. A wonderful read, I recommend it highly. My copy isn't in the best of shape but I am going to pass it along to my brother.

I enjoyed this book immensely also. If you read YA books, Marcelo in the Real World is another good book featuring a boy with autism.

Thanks Mamzel, I've added Marcelo In The Real World to my wishlist.

14. The Singapore Grip by J.G. Farrell

I managed to squeeze one more book off the shelves in February. Sometime last spring I was reading a thread on books written about war in the Historical Fiction Section and I found a reference to J.G. Farrell. I promptly ordered two of his books and this is the first one I have read. It's going towards my War & Homefront Category in my 1010 Challenge. It was a fairly good read and I am going to pass this along to my brother.

February Summary

TBR shelves at end of January had 247 books, and today they stand at 248.

I read 8 books off my shelves during the month, for a total of 14 Year-to-date.

I added 9 new books, and I know I will have more to add this month as I have already placed an order.

My year's goal of 48 books off my shelves look to be easily reachable, so I might have to increase my goal.

I'm happy today and a couple of the reasons for this is that I have finally moved along my first book of the month, I am also happy because I have not bought any books so far this month (I know it's early days yet). The impulse I am trying to control is the need to purchase a book the minute I hear about it. Usually once I get the book in my hands I put it on the shelf and forget about it. Possession appears to be my motivation

15. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

I have this one on my shelves since last summer. It fit into my YA category of my 1010 Challenge and I was happy to see it proposed for a Group Read.

I liked this book very much, gave it 4 stars. I thought the author did a wonderful job of taking a well-known fairy tale and combining it with a holocaust story, the end result was a touching, engrossing story.

I have been away for about a week and a half visiting my mother. Of course I made sure to pack a few books, and they were all off my shelves.

16. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey. This was for another group read, and I have had it on my shelves since last year sometime. I found it an engrossing story and my brother could hardly wait to claim it when I was finished.

17. The Dead Hour by Denise Mina. This is the second book in a series revolving around Paddy Meehan, a Scottish newpaper reporter. This was one of the oldest books on my shelf so I am happy to have finally gotten around to it, I will now be on lookout for the third book.

The other book I read while away doesn't count for this challenge as my daughter just lent it to me in February.

Not only did I bring a bag full of books home with me, I arrived in time to be notified that my library is having a book sale this week. My Tbr shelves are about to take a hit!

That's okay. They need a good home and you are around to provide it. And they always say, charity begins at home right?

You are such an enabler! And I thank you for it.

Heh, well, I went to the museum today to see the Cartier exhibit, and their bookshop is a truly wicked and evil place. I've just finished entering the four books that came home with me. :-)

Isn't it amazing how no matter where we go - there always seems to be a place to buy books!

Thank Goodness!

18. Down The Common: A Year In The Life Of A Medieval Woman by Ann Baer

When I first joined LT about two years ago, someone on the Historical Fiction Thread recommended this book. I promptly bought it, placed it on my TBR shelf and forgot about it. I recently dug it out and decided to read it for my 1010 Challenge. What a great read. It's more like a series of sketches, beautifully and descriptively written. I've posted a review and gave it 4 1/2 stars.

No fair, Delta! I'm trying to reduce my TBR list as well as the shelves. You're not helping one bit. ;)

Heh! Heh! But it's really good ....

Oh, like that's any excuse . . .

19. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

I am very pleased to be moving this one off my shelf as I borrowed it from my daughter more than a year and a half ago. This is the third book of the series, and my personal favorite so far, I gave it a four star rating. If I'm lucky my daughter will be ready to lend me the next two in the series.

March Summary

My TBR Shelves at the end of February had 248 books

My TBR Shelves at the end of March have 256 books

I read 5 books off the shelves in March

I added 13 books to my shelves during March

YTD I have read 38 books

YTD I have read 19 books from my shelves

Percentage of books I have read from my shelves = 50%

20. Ride The Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson

My first book off the shelves for April was the 5 star story about Cynthia Ann Parker, kidnapped and raised by Comanches in Texas. I loved this book, it is that rare combination of adventure, romance and historical accuracy.

I remember when I got the book, I was visiting my family last December and we went to a second hand bookstore. I picked this one because I knew it would fit my American West category, and I had read this author before and knew she wrote extraordinary books.

21. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This one has been sitting on my shelves since about last summer. A interesting look at Nigeria in the Sixties, the Biafra civil war and the politics of a country emerging from colonial rule. Not my favorite read of the year, but very worthwhile in terms of education, I gave it 3 1/2 stars. I will pass this one along to my brother who, I think, will enjoy it.

22. Ragtime In Simla by Barbara Cleverly

The second book in the Historical Mystery Series, set in India during the 1920's. I've had this one on my shelf for some time. I remember buying it and the first book in the series at the same time. It was sometime in 2003 I believe, so this one would qualify as one of the oldest books from my shelf. I don't know why it took me so long to read it, it was a really good mystery that I have rated 4 stars.

Oh dear - 2003? I have that one, the first one, one from the other series, and there are 6 more in the first series and 2 more in the second. I might have to move a couple of those up in the pile. Especially if it's a 4-star book.

edited: Oh and step up my reading.

#70 - Dudes22 - These books are worth a little bump up on the TBR pile. They're pretty good.

23. This Year's Model by Carol Alt

This one has been on my TBR shelf since last June. I picked it up and have been saving it for a time when I wanted something light and girly to read. A ok story, I gave it three stars and have posted a review. This one goes in the bag to take to the second hand bookstore for credit.

Sounds like a plan - I'll have to see how I can fit one or more into the 1010 Challenge - this is my first year of trying any of the challenges and I thought I'd try to keep the books the same for each. I'm a read-from-the-first-one kind of person so I'll probably try the first one. Glad to see your endorsement.

24. Flesh House by Stuart MacBride

This is the fourth in the series. I love these books and I can't explain why it took me over two years to get to this one! A 5 star read for me but it comes with the warning that this book has some very grisly scenes and is loaded with gore. Lots of black humor to offset the violence. I have posted a review and will now pass this book along to my brother.

Thanks for the recommendation of the Barbara Cleverly books. Just finished The Last Kasmiri Rose and really enjoyed it. Wanted to go right on to the next one, but decided to wait a while. Maybe later this year. Depends on how my 1010 challenge is going. And now I'll need to go put some of the others on my wishlist on BM.

*touchstone not working*

You're welcome dudes, glad you enjoyed. I waited so long to read the second one, now I need to get my hands on the rest!

25. Broken Trail by Alan Geoffrion

I gave this western 4 stars. I loved the straightforward story of two cowboys moving a herd of horses across the west encountering adventures and many different characters along the way. Robert Duvall played the part of the older, crusty one and I read the book totally picturing him in the part.

I've had this one on my shelves for about three years, my husband's already read it and so now I will pass it along to my brother.

April Summary

My TBR Shelves at the end of March = 256 books
My TBR shelves at the end of April = 270 books

I read 6 books from my shelves during April
Therefore, I added 20 books to my shelves during this past month

YTD - Total books read = 51
YTD - Books from my shelf = 25
Percentage of books I have read from my shelves = 50%

Ok, I have to rein myself in on the buying of books!!

Hey now, the whole point is to go down, not up!

#79 - I know, I know. And yet here I was today adding three more books! My goal in May is not to add anymore books to my shelves. Talk about an addiction.

If it makes you feel any better, I have read 103 this year but have added 169 to Mt TBR. And, we are going to Chicago in a week to go used book hunting so I am afraid to see what the 'NEW' pile will look like when I return...

That does make me feel better. We went away for two get-away weekends last month, I think that's how I came to buy 20 books. Wishing you happy book hunting in Chicago.

You could try living in poverty...I don't buy books except about once a year, but the library sure knows my name!

I was lucky. During my 'leaner' years, I would splurge every June, pay my $50 and go to BookExpo. For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure, it's free books for as far as the eye could see. Basically, publishers would bring copies of their newest offerings and give samples to us eager booksellers who in turn would flog the title to anyone who would listen. Now that BookExpo has abandoned us Canadians (damn them!), I need to pay more for my fix.

Umm...what is this magic that is BookExpo, and how do I get in on it?

I, for one, apologize for the ignorance of this world, Judy, and am deeply sorry that it decided to manifest itself on your thread.

Oh dear... what's that all about???

BookExpo was in Canada but they decided last year to pull out due to lack of attendance. There is a BookExpo US though... http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/. You should be a bookseller but the Canadian version wasn't very picky about who came. No idea if that is the case with the US version.

Wow, that was strange...

I had to abandon a book yesterday. I just couldn't get into The Ring of the Slave Prince and after struggling through five chapters decided not to force myself to read something I wasn't enjoying.

I'm not going to count it for this challenge, just pass it along to the second hand book store on my next trip there.

26. Blue Heaven by C.J. Box

A solid suspense thriller that I have had on my shelves since June 2009. I loved the setting and the premise, but found the characters a little one dimensional and I thought the author had trouble tying all the ends together for a realistic storyline. I gave it three stars.

This one will go to the second hand bookstore.

Hey Delta...I should be getting books off of my shelf. They all get on there alright but difficult to get them off. I really do need to read the books I have before I buy any more. It would give my office a whole lot more room.

Hi Jacqueline. How are you?

This seems to be the universal problem here on LT, we can fill our shelves easily, but getting the books off the shelves seems to be much harder. There's always a newer book to grab our attention.

Don't tell anyone but I bought 3 new books yesterday. I hardly ever buy new but it was my son's birthday so I bought him one and there were two that I just had to get. shhhh remember not a word to anyone.

Silly me...it just occured to me that you just finished Blue Heaven. I remember reading that not too long ago. Don't ask me what it was about but I think I enjoyed it. Hmmm you only gave it 3 stars huh? I will have to check and find out what I gave it.

I checked..I haven't read it yet. I swore that I did

#97 - don't let me put you off Blue Heaven - it gets rated pretty highly by most people. I think I have a dark and twisted mind, so I prefer my mysteries that way as well.

27. Put Out The Fires by Maureen Lee

On my shelves since August 2008, this is the second in a trilogy about the women of Pearl Street in Liverpool coping with the trials and tribulations of daily life during World War II. I loved the first book and so had high expectations for this second volume. Luckily these expectations were more than met, this series just keeps getting better!

I sure hope my library has the Maureen Lee books.
They really sound interesting.

Hi Cindy, I've read quite a lot of Maureen Lee and she has never disappointed me.

Well, I checked the libraries in two counties. In all they only have one of Maureen Lee's books Queen of the Mersey. What a disappointment. I've noticed that the libraries around here are lacks in carrying foreign authors.

I guess that's one advantage we Canadians have, our libraries and bookstores carry a lot of British books. I sometimes have more trouble tracking down an obscure American writer.

28. Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White

This YA futuristic book was a pretty good read. It's been on my shelves just over a year. I have given it a 3 1/2 star rating and would certainly read this author again. This book is going into the bag destined for the second hand bookstore.

Sounds like a good book, Surviving Antarctica does! I think some of my students could really get into that.

Sometimes a book becomes more attractive after another has become a hit. I will recommend this book to kids who like Hunger Games since it has a similar theme. I had forgotten about it.

edited to add - It was also published under the name No Child's Game.

I believe someone here on LT recommended Surviving Antaractica to me because I loved Hunger Games so much. A word of caution, this book is no Hunger Games - but then few books do measure up as far as I am concerned.

29. Appointment With Death by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie never fails to entertain me. This was an interesting look at a extremely disfunctional family. Set in Palestine in the 1930's, Hercule Poirot once again successfully unmasks a murderer.

On my shelves since I picked it up at the second hand bookstore sometime last summer, this one now gets put in the Good Will Donation bag.

30. Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham

I have had this one on my shelves for quite some time. It is the second in a police procedural series set in London. Nothing earth-shattering about this book about serial killers that work in tandem, but overall, a good solid read that I enjoyed. I have posted a review and gave it 3 1/2 stars.

I will now pass this book along to my brother, who shares my morbid interest in serial killers.

#108 - "Hercule Poirot once again successfully unmasks a murderer"

LOL! But the true challenge is to figure out whodunnit before him, right?

Exactly, and this time I actually had a pretty good idea. Of course, even though I don't remember for sure, this could have been one of the Agatha Christies' that I read way back in the 1970's.

31. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: And A Man Called Horse, The Hanging Tree and Lost Sister by Dorothy M. Johnson

This collection of western stories has been on my shelf for about a year. I enjoyed the stories, but The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one of my favorite western movies and the film is very different from the original story. I can see why as neither the John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart character were very sympathetic in the original story. I gave the book 3 1/2 stars and have posted a review.

This one gets passed along to my brother.

32. A Quiet Belief In Angels by R.J. Ellory

Talk about finding a gem! This was an extraordinary book and I can't believe that I left it sitting there unattended for so long. I think I have had it for over two years. This book is definitely being passed on to family (mother, sister, brother) as I know they will love it as much as I did. I gave it 5 stars and have posted a review.

May Summary

TBR Shelves at end of April = 270
TBR Shelves at end of May = 266

Books read off my shelves = 7

Books added to my shelves = 3

YTD - Total Books read = 67
YTD - Books read from my shelves = 32

Percentage of books I have read from my shelves = 48%

Curtailed my book buying in May, but I have already fallen off the wagon so far in June and I am planning on falling again!

33. Kisscut by Karin Slaughter

This is the second book in a series and was an ok mystery read, I didn't care for the subject matter of child pornography but I will continue to read this series. I have had this book on my shelves for about a year, and will now move it along to family members.

34. Crow Killer by Raymond W. Thorp

This is the non-fiction account of Mountainman John Johnson, made famous in the novel Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher and the movie "Jerimah Johnson" starring Robert Redford. A incredible story of one man's revenge spree against the Crow Indian Nation. As to how factual this book is I cannot say as most of the information was gathered by word-of-mouth. It certainly makes for interesting reading however. Another book to pass along to my brother.

35. The Likeness by Tana French.

I'm not exactly sure how long I have had this book on my shelves. I loved her first book, In The Woods, so I imagine I purchased this one shortly after it came out. I thought this book was every bit as good as her first one, perhaps even better and I gave it 4 1/2 stars. Although you have to stretch your belief quite a bit, I gave the author the benefit of the doubt and was treated to a gripping and involving story. Can't wait to see what this author delivers next!

36. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

On my shelf for the better part of two years, constantly being picked up and put down again, finally took with me and read while on a road trip. What a great book, I loved it and couldn't hardly put it down. I actually enjoyed the hour wait at the border crossing, more time to spend lost in this engrossing historical novel of Victorian England. I know my family will enjoy this book and will pass it along.

I've been heavy into fantasy and I want to try and swing back to historical fiction. Thanks for this title.

118 - Cool! I have a copy of that kicking around but have been a little put off by the length (I hate having to stop and start a book too many times so I tend to wait until I have a weekend to devote to the longer ones). And it would definitely count for this challenge because the copy I have is a brand new hardcover :)

#119 & 120, mamzel and Bucketyell - I think Fingersmith is well worth investing a little time in, I think you will enjoy the story.

37. This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

The removal of this book from my shelves is well worth celebrating. At over 700 pages, it's a big one, and it's been sitting there for some time. Having seen very mixed reviews about this book I was a little hesitant to pick it up. But I should have had more faith in Marian Keyes, one of my favorite authors, she didn't disappoint, and I was happy to give it 4 stars. I really enjoyed this book and have now set it aside for my younger daughter who also enjoys Chick-Lit every once in awhile.

38. Red Gold by Alan Furst

I have had Red Gold on my shelves since November, 2008. It is the sequel to The World At Night and both books tell the story of Jean-Claude Casson, a Parisian film producer in the early years of World War II. Both books are very, very good and I would recommend them to anyone wishing to read about the war. I gave the book 4 stars and am passing it along to my bother who has been patiently waiting for it.

Is your bother older or younger? Mine (younger) was a bother when we were kids, but he's fairly human now.

(Sorry - made me laugh, and I thought I'd just tweak you a little!)

Someday, I will learn to think as fast as I keyboard! He used to be my "bother', he's younger than me and thankfully over the years he has become mostly human. :)

And very lucky to get a lot of your read books.

It works both ways, when I go to visit my family I take a bag of books, and I usually return with the same bag full of new (to me) books.

My daughter and I are sharing a suitcase on our trip so we tried to choose books we both wanted to read. I brought The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest to read on the plane and packed the first two of the trilogy to leave all three for my dad to read. We really packed too many books. After all, it's not like there aren't books to buy here!

I always pack too many books! I have a secret fear of being somewhere and not having anything to read.

When I am going on a trip, the first thing I think about is what books I am going to take.

Hmmm... maybe I need some therapy!

I think you're perfectly normal, DeltaQueen. I buy purses based on their book-carrying ability.

>130 MerryMary:: It's nice to know that isn't just me! I've taken to carrying a messenger bag as a purse. I can fit a 1000-plus-page hardback in there and still have room to spare. I consider this very important.

And I don't know if any of us are perfectly normal, but count me as another one who starts thinking about the books first thing on planning a trip.

I'm right there with you. A girlfriend & I take an annual bus trip to Tunica. We'll go into a casino, gamble with $10-20, then go sit on a bench with a book, waiting for the bus to come back. The trip is more about what books we've brought!

June Summary

Books on TBR Shelves at end of May = 270
Books on TBR Shelves at end of June = 278

Books read off my shelves in June = 6

Books added to my shelves in June = 14

YTD Total Books Read = 78
YTD Total Books Read From My Shelves = 38

Percentage of books I have read from my shelves = 49% YTD

10 more books from my shelves and I will have reached my goal. But I am not stopping there. Once that goal is reached, I intend to start a new thread, set a new goal and keep reading. I know this challenge is helping me to actually read books that are on my shelves. The numbers don't always show that, but I know they would be a lot worse if I didn't have this challenge.

I, too, carry a lot of books when I travel, and still sometimes run out en route. Not a big problem if I'm in a large airport, but I sometimes am in fairly small places and have read literally (good pun) everything they have! It has me musing about a kindle, but I just can't bring myself to abandon "real" books.

As I pack, I sometimes hear this small voice say "don't worry...you can always watch the in-flight movie". Who is that strange person????

The whole Kindle, I-Pad thing intrigues me, but I am the same, I just couldn't give up "real books".

39. Seeking The Dead by Kate Ellis

This book just barely made being counted for this challenge as I bought it in December, 2009. An excellent start to a British crime series, featuring DI Joe Plantagenet, I rated it 4 1/2 stars. I have posted a review and as usual I will pass this along to a family member (probably not my brother this time, as he is still in mourning over the end of Ian Rankins' Rebus series and has sworn off British Crime Series for now.)

It looks like you are not the only one to rave about this new series. I am adding it to my wish list. Thanks!

40. Eternal by Craig Russell

This is the third in a police procedural series about the Murder Commission in Hamburg, Germany. I really liked this book until right at the very end when I had some issues with how the case was solved. As I have been following these people from the first book, I will continue to read this series, as it is mostly very well done. I rated this one 3 1/2 stars.

I am having a slow month for reading from my shelves, I think this is only the second book. I am being tempted away by library books that I am finding to close out my 1010 Challenge.

41. Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

This is the first in the Tess Monaghan detective series set in Baltimore, and it was good. I've had this one on my TBR shelves since June, 2009. Of course since I liked this first book so much, I will have to be on the lookout for the rest of the series now. I picked this copy up at a second hand book store and it's not in the best shape so I will donate it to Good Will.

I have found most of my library at second hand stores. I am always amazed how good they end up being for so little money.

July Summary

Books on TBR shelves at end of June = 278
Books on TBR shelves at end of July = 287

Books read off my shelves in July = 3

Books added to my shelf during July = 12

YTD Total Books Read = 95
YTD Total Books From
My Shelf = 41

Percentage of books I have read from my shelves YTD = 47%

July was a slow month for reading from my shelves. I only managed to read three. The rest of my reading came either from the library or newer books which I don't count for this challenge.

August promises to be a better month for reading from my shelves as I am going away for about three weeks. I will be packing my own books to read and will try to pick the older ones!

A perfect vacation would be on the beach with the sun shining down and a pile of books beside you with no interuptions.

Where are you going away for three weeks? Will you be able to come on LT?

During the second week of August I will be going to Victoria to spend some time with my Mom and other family. Might manage a day trip or two to the beach. No computer access there unless I sweet talk my hubby into letting me take his laptop.

42. Charity by Lesley Pearse

This page-turner has been sitting on my shelves since sometime in 2007, so it's a good thing to move it along. A pot-boiler about a young girl who overcomes much adversity to end up wealthy, accomplished and, of course, in love. I enjoyed this light read and will pass it on to my Mom (even though there is couple of fairly explicit sex scenes!!)

43. Hard Frost by R.D. Wingfield

A four star police procedural that I have had on my shelf since January, 2009. This is the fourth in the series, and I usually try to read one a year as the plots tend to be rather similar. Yet I always enjoy my trip into Denton and following D.I. Frost around as he successfully solves his cases while upseting his boss with his foul-mouth, sloppy ways and rule breaking. This one gets handed along to first my husband and then my brother.

44. A Light In The Forest by Conrad Richter

After sitting on my shelves for about a year and a half it was nice to find this a very good YA story about a young white boy who has been raised by Indians and now must be returned to his white family due to a treaty. His struggles to find where he fits into the world, along with descriptions of the beauty of the Pennsylvanian frontier made this an enjoyable read. I gave this story 3 1/2 stars.

45. A Good Day To Die by Simon Kernick

A great read, a gritty, exciting revenge thriller that follows the same character as in his first book, The Business of Dying. This one was on my shelves for at least two years and I don't know why I waited so long to read it. I gave this book 4 stars and have passed it along to family members.

46. Many A River by Elmer Kelton

Elmer Kelton is the real deal when it comes to historical westerns. Many A River is set in West Texas and tells the story of two brothers separated when Comanches attack, kill the parents and carry off the younger brother. The story also deals with the Civil War as it affected West Texas and New Mexico and gives a detailed account of Confederate General Sibley's failed march into New Mexico. This was a 4 star read and I know both my husband and my brother will want to read this one.

You are really making a lot of progress!

#149 - Thanks Lynn, just got back from two weeks at my Mom's, and she seems to think I need lots of pampering, so I had lots of time for reading!

47. Through the Storm by Maureen Lee

This is the third book in the Pearl Street Trilogy about the women of a street in Liverpool during World War II. All three books were excellent and I learned a lot about the conditions people had to endure on a day-to-day basis during the war. Due to the sinking of so many cargo ships, the food shortages were pretty severe. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Americans enter the war, and the American servicemen in Britain bring a whole set of new problems along with them.

I am passing these three books along to my daughter as she has expressed an interest in them.

48. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Well, here it is, I have reached my goal of 48 books off my shelves!! Having this classic chunkster off my shelves certainly gives me more room, but I have decided to put it right back up there. This book is a keeper. I loved it when I first read it way back in the 1960's and I still love it today. Flawed in many ways, but all in all, a great story and who knows, I may read it again someday.

My goal of reading 4 books from my shelves over the year has turned out quite easy to reach. I think I will set a another goal for the 4 months remaining in the year. Since 4 was pretty easy to do, I will up it to 5 books each month for a total of 20 more books off my shelves.

August Summary

Books on my TBR shelves at end of July = 287
Books on my TBR shelves at end of August = 293

Books read from my shelves in August = 7

Books added to my shelves in August = 13

YTD Total Books Read = 105
YTD Total Books From Shelf = 48

Percentage of books I have read from my shelves YTD = 45.7%

New Thread Here

Congratulations!

Thanks.

Congrats! Several of us seem to be reaching our goals from the year at about this point. It's nice to see!

Congratulations on reaching your goal! And congratulations on setting another one! Your shelves will be empty in no time! (just kidding--i know better!)

Good for you! I'll probably be dragging in Dec 31, 11:59 pm

My goodness...you'll have a whole minute to spare! And that's good enough.