"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!


22 comments:

  1. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  9. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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.

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

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

    Good luck with eliminating the list

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 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. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have read 1 long time ago. Liked it!

    Here is my Top Ten Picks post!

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

    ReplyDelete

I look forward to your comments and interactions! Join in the conversation.