"Outside a dog a book is man's best friend, inside a dog it is too dark to read!" -Groucho Marx========="The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen========="I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book."-JK Rowling========"I spend a lot of time reading." -Bill Gates=========“Ahhh. Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” -Jacqueline Kelly=========

Monday, February 28, 2011

Ten books I just had to buy...and haven't read. Ugh!

Broke and Bookish
What are ten books you just HAD to buy and you still haven't read?

I actually buy very few books for myself. I am a big user of public libraries and, of course, my own library, so I didn't think I'd find ten books that I have purchased for myself that I haven't read just lying around the house. But as I started looking through bookshelves and perusing the various book piles around the house, low and behold, I found more than ten. Here's a few of the books I just had to buy and I haven't read yet!

1.  Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- I bought this paperback edition of the Russian classic when I was in junior high.  I have carted it around with me for years, longer than any of book on this list.

2.  Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs by Wallace Stegner- I purchased this after reading two phenomenal books by Stegner: Crossing to Safety and The Angle of Repose.  That was over ten years ago.  Hmm...

3.  A Fine Balance by Ohinton Mistry- I've had this highly recommended book around for years...will there ever be time to read it?

4.  The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz- I bought this at a bookstore at O'Hare Airport in Chicago where my husband and I were on a forced layover for over 24 hours.  I think it has too many negative feelings associated with it because of that experience for me to want to finish it.

5.  Speaking with the Angel edited by Nick Hornby- a collection of short stories that I purchased used specifically to read the short story by Hornby entitled "NippleJesus."  I did read that story but want to read more. (Yes, that story is funny, by the way.)

6.  How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster- I don't have a clue how to read literature like a professor, I haven't read the book!

7.  Plan of Attack by Bob Woodward- I bought this book at the height of my "I'm mad at George Bush" phase.  I'm over it and I never read the book.

8.  Bowerman and the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore- Hmmm...maybe this book just isn't my cup of tea. I typically don't read sports books.  What was I thinking when I bought it?

9.  Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver and
10. Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver- I'm a huge Kingsolver fan so I have no idea why I haven't set aside time to read these two by her but they are hanging around waiting for that time.

And this one may not count because I am currently reading it and I'm sure I'll finish it...

Lady Susan, The Watsons, and Sanditon by Jane Austen- I still have the store receipt in the book: September 10, 2010.  Not bad. Six months and I'll have it done!  Ha!


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22 comments:

  1. IngridLolaFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    gotta read Anna K! :)

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  2. JenFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    I started reading Anna Karenina last summer and got through about 350 pages before I set it aside for a lighter read...and I still haven't picked it back up. One day I'll finish it!

    Thanks for sharing your list!

    Jen at The Broke and the Bookish

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  3. RonnicaFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Anna Karenina is one of my faves! I like all the various storylines.

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  4. StephenFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I bought "Grendel" for lit class in high school many years ago and STILL haven't read it -- the teacher had to leave before term ended, and the substitute teacher had no interest in teaching Beowulf.

    I like the sound of that "How to Read Literature Like a Professor", though. :) Related is "Great Books" by Daniel Denby (I think)...he attends western lit class as an educated adult, and his perspective is MUCH different from that of the average freshman.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Anna! I haven't read that either, it should be on my list. I've actually glanced at it the past few times i've been in a bookstore. arg!

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  6. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaMarch 1, 2011 at 3:49 AM

    Just (10)??? LOL I am really bad at having to have a book and then letting it sit unread for that "perfect" day.

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  7. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzMarch 1, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    I loved Fine Balance, but the rest---toss them! Pass them on. Not worth the time. Other, better reads out there.

    I've decided, after reading all of these lists, to set a new rule for myself: two years. That's it and then the book is out of here.

    Here is my Top Ten: http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-ten-books-i-just-had-to-buybut-are.html

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  8. Christina / Book AddictMarch 1, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Great list! I haven't read any of these as well. I've been meaning to pick up Anna K, but never got around to it either!

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  9. Helen's Book BlogMarch 1, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    I am also a huge Kingsolver fan, bought Lacuna and it sat. Then I gave it away...

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  10. Robyn RyleMarch 1, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Lacuna is on my list, too. I agree with you that once you buy a book, there's no urgency to read it. I'm a big local library patron. I couldn't find ten! Only two.

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  11. Two BibliomaniacsMarch 1, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Great list! I suffered through Anna K (actually it wasn't too bad), but really enjoyed A Fine Balance. Have a great week!

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  12. Bev HankinsMarch 1, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I'm not sure I can pinpoint the book that has sat on my TBR (owned) list the longest...but several of mine have been on there twenty years or more.

    Here's my list: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-ten-tuesday-is-weekly-meme-created.html

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  13. SuzanneMarch 1, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    I have The Lacuna on my shelf too, despite the fact that I've been less than impressed with the Barbara Kingsolver novels I've read.

    I hope you find time for A Fine Balance. It's one of my all-time favorites.

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  14. AnonymousMarch 1, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    here's mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-ten-tuesday.html

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  15. BirdieMarch 1, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    When you find out how to read lit like a professor, let me know!

    Good luck with eliminating the list

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  16. Annette MillsMarch 1, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    I'm a Kingsolver fan too. I really loved the lacuna ( I listened to the audio, which was read by her - some people were annoyed by her voice, but I learned to appreciate it.) Anyway, it's long, but recommended.

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  17. Jenni ElyseMarch 1, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    The only book I've heard of on your list is Anna Karenina. I'd love to read it some time. I'll have to make it one of my classics.

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  18. DJLMarch 1, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Actually, Anna Karenina is on my TBR list for this year, so I'll have to check that one out from the library. I do own a copy of The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, and though I attempted to read it, I just couldn't do it. It's just so hard to read the Russians!

    I agree though, the library books do give us more of a deadline than those we already have on our shelves. :)

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  19. LBCMarch 1, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Lacuna is on my list too. I love that Oscar Wao is an airport book. I always buy books at the airport even though I've brought my own. It seems justifiable. I have a copy of the Elegance of the Hedgehog that I got at SFO.

    Check out my list here: http://hawthornescarlet.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-ten-tuesday-tbr.html

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  20. UnknownMarch 1, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    I really enjoyed The Lacuna. It has a different feel from her other books, but it was very engaging. I loved all of the historical detail about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and Trotsky.

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  21. gautami tripathyMarch 1, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    I have read 1 long time ago. Liked it!

    Here is my Top Ten Picks post!

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  22. Lindsay Cummings authorMarch 1, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    lol. your blog header cracks me up!! new follower! follow me?! http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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