Elizabethanne80's Book off the Shelf Challenge

Okay, I'm throwing my hat in the ring too.

This sounds like the ideal challenge for me. I have roughly 1000 books on my TBR pile/mountain (actually, it's pratically one whole room in my house). I'm setting a goal for myself of at least 5 books per month for a total of 60.

I won't start until January 1st since I have about 20 books from the library sitting on my desk. It's weird, everytime I go to the library with a specific book in mind, a dozen others jump off the shelves and follow me home.

I'll be counting any books I own prior to 1/1/10, including rereads.

Welcome and good luck.

I know what you mean about those pesky library books. That's one reason why I love requesting the books online. I put in my request, wait for the book to come in then go straight to the Requested Books shelf and straight to check out. It keeps me out of the stacks and out of trouble. (Or at least out of more trouble since I frequently pick up 2-3 reserved books at a time. Darn LT!) Welcome to the group!

I do that too, Lois, but I think my library has me figured out. Between the front door and the check-out are TONS of new releases, recently returned, check these out...many's the time I've checked out, seen an interesting book on my way to the door, and had to go back to the checkout! I'm fairly certain it's intentional.

Wow, your TBR is about 3 times the size of my whole library! Good luck on whittling down your list in this challenge.

Okay, so I'm off to a slow start but I finally finished my first book for this challenge. (Feel free to applaud)

Book #1 Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters

This is the third book in the Jacqueline Kirby mystery series. This one has been my favorite so far! It's set in New York at a Historical Romance Writers convention, and I'm sure you can begin to imagine the abundance of quirky characters that comprise the cast. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended (although of course you should start with the first one The Seventh Sinner).

Wow! I'd forgotten about Jacqueline Kirby. And I loved Naked Once More.

Yes, Naked Once More will show up on this list soon. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Okay, time to catch up.

Books #2 and 3 Lord Foulgrin's Letters and The Ishbane Conspiracy by Randy Alcorn

Written in the style of C. S. Lewis, these books are a series of letters from a demon to his trainee. Entertaining, but doesn't compare to The Screwtape Letters.

Book #4 When I Don't Desire God by John Piper

John Piper is one of my favorite authors and if you enjoy reading theology I highly recommend anything by him. This book is about fighting for joy even while struggling with depression.

Book #5 Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

A beautiful story set in Holland, following a painting through several generations. I loved this book!!

Books #6 and 7 When God Writes Your Love Story and When Dreams Come True by Eric Ludy

Books about an alternative to traditional dating. Interesting.

There have been so many new books coming out recently that I am having trouble sticking to books i already own!

9 & 10> Have you read Safely Home by Randy Alcorn? I read it with my book club...it was VERY good. I had a hard time with The Screwtape Letters, maybe I'll give the Randy Alcorn books you mentioned a try.

I also loved Girl in Hyacinth Blue!!! I have some of Susan Vreeland's other books on my shelf passed on to me from my mom (I introduced my mom to Susan Vreeland through Girl in Hyacinth Blue). I plan on pulling down at least one for this challenge.

Yes, I have read Safely Home and I loved it. I really enjoy most things by Randy Alcorn. My favorite, to date, is Heaven. I've read it three times ;)

I am definitely going to seek out some more Susan Vreeland, but I don't have any on my shelves so I may have to wait until next year...

Book #8 - Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters

I LOVE this book! I think Elizabeth Peters writes some of the best characters. Her heroines crack me up! This is the fourth and final instalment in the Jacqueline Kirby series (although I'm holding out hope for a fifth), it's also my favorite from the series even though I thought Die for Love would be hard to top. I highly recommend this book/series/author.

Oooh. You are tempting me with your enthusiasm for the Jacqueline Kirby series! I do like funny/quirky heroines! I've requested "The Seventh Sinner" from the library.

Book #9 - Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

This one has been sitting on my shelf for several years so I feel especially proud of myself for finally reading it. I enjoyed this story of two sisters surviving in a drastically changed world.

16> I just snagged Into the Forest on bookmooch. I very much look forward to reading it.

17> Haha...yeah...you snagged it from me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

LOL Here I was thinking "Wow, what a coincidence!" Hehehe Well, thanks for the mooch!

WooHoo...3 more books read!!!

Book #10 Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery is a reread but I haven't read it since probably junior high (15+ years) so it's kind of like reading a new book...

Book #11 Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser - This was an easy read, it was interesting to see things from her perspective but overall I didn't love it.

Book #12 The Disapparation of James by Anne Ursu - Another book that has been on my shelves for several years. Very interesting story about a little boy who just "POOF" disappears (not kidnapped or taken, he just disappears) and how his family deals with the loss.

Book #13 Just Jane by Nancy Moser - Another light, easy read that was okay but not great.

Book #14 Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn - I liked this book. It was a very quick read. It was beautifully written and highly entartaining.

21> I absolutely LOVED Ella Minnow Pea...very clever and fun to read. I also felt it had a political theme running through it that I found interesting.

I've also read Mozart's Sister and Just Jane. I'm currently reading Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) for my book club. I enjoy the historical aspect of the books, Nancy Moser seems to do her homework in that respect. The books are light and good but not what I would consider great reads.

Two more books accomplished!

#15 - The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl - An interesting book. I liked the plot and the characters and it held my attention. However, I probably wouldn't read it again.

#16 - The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan - Quick read, very entertaining. Still undecided if I will read more in the series or not.

Book #17 - Help! I'm a Prisoner in the Library by Eth Clifford - a trip down memory lane. I loved this book as a child and had completely forgotten about it. I stumbled across a copy of it a while back and picked it up. I still love it!

#18 - The Underneath by Kathi Appelt - I thought this book was very beautifully written, but also slightly dark and depressing. I enjoyed the experience of reading it but probably would not read it again and would not recommend it to a young reader.

#19 - To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - What can I say? One of the greatest books of all time. I read this in high school, but that was a while ago. It was time for a reread and it was even better than I remembered.