
One of my reading goals I have this year is to reduce the number of unread books on my bookshelf by half. At the time of writing that goal I hadn’t counted the number of unread books I had, but thought it was around a dozen. So here is the official count! Plus a few little tidbits of information on the books thrown in.
1. & 2. & 3. Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen (Abhorsen trilogy) by Garth Nix
Bought: July 2014
On shelf: 2.75 years
This was my only buy the whole series at once before reading it moment I’ve had. I have heard good things about it by good people and started reading the first book and though I found it interesting, it didn’t immediately drag me in and force me to read the rest. I will hopefully attempt to read it again.
4. The Diviner by Melanie Rawn
Bought: ~August 2012
On shelf: 4.5 years
I bought this to be a plane read before my study abroad and I did actually start it but didn’t get too far into it as I’m not really a plane or bus reader, even though I can actually read in moving vehicles (I just prefer to look out the window or sleep). Since then I haven’t attempted it and have lost interest. This book is the most likely one I will donate, but I am also curious to know what it’s about. I bought it because Rawn had another companion book that sounded good but was suggested I read this one first.
5. Brimstone (Pendergast #5) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Gifted by a friend Christmas 2014
On shelf: 2 years
This is a favourite book of a friend. I’m told you don’t need to read them in order and reading the back of the book I realize it does sound interesting. This sounds like an urban fantasy book which I generally don’t reach for but I’ve become more adventurous recently and I have being doing some group creative writing in an urban fantasy setting so now could be a great time to finally pick this book up.
6. The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4) by Cinda Willams Chima
Gifted by a friend Christmas 2014
On shelf: 2 years
I have read most of Chima’s books and have liked or loved them, though I have yet to read the last of Seven Realms books. As it’s my friends favourite series and she knows this, she got me a copy of the last book in the series to finish it off though I haven’t been in a rush to do so.
7. The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood
Gifted by a friend 2016
On shelf: ~1 year
This is a first edition, signed Atwood book. A friend gifted it to me since she already had personally signed copy. Atwood is not normally my cup of tea, but this book does sound good: it’s about a social experiment where pairs of couples switch between life in prison and normal life.
8. Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Stolen/given to me by family member
On shelf: ~8 months
The family member didn’t really like this book and so when I went to borrow it he said I could keep it. It been on my to read list for a few years so I think it was a win-win for all. Though we do generally have similar tastes in books so the fact that he didn’t like it too much has me hesitant but I think it’s more he’s growing out of the genera then anything wrong with the book.
9. Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson
Bought: Summer 2015?
On Shelf: ~1.75 years
I’ve heard excellent things about this book from BookTube and even though it has a love triangle I am curious. I’ve started it once and got about 2 chapters in but wasn’t in the mood to read it at the time. Whenever I travel it’s the book I drag along with me so I think it’s only a matter of time.
10. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J Maas
Christmas Present 2015
On Shelf: 1 year
This is a series that I have up to this point enjoyed. I do expect to enjoy this book but for some reason have yet to get to it, likely because I am strange and liked the first book more then the second and feel like I won’t like this book, even though I’m also sure I will. At the same time, I feel like I will like it and that is why I haven’t read it? It’s a strange situation to be in, but I hope to get to this book soon.
11. Half Bad by Sally Green
Bought: Summer 2015?
On Shelf: ~1.75 years
I have been interested in this book for years and around the time it was really hyped on BookTube I found it for 6$ in the book store (for a hardcover!). Witches are generally not a theme I read about, but this one sounds good and I will likely get to it soon.
12. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Bought: July 2014
On Shelf: 2.75 years
I bought this before learning about BookTube and seeing all the hype about this series. The cover dragged me in and everything I have heard about the book in reviews has only made me want to read it more, yet I haven’t gotten to it yet. For shame! Another one that I will likely get to soon.
Note: Most of these books are part of a series, but unless indicated otherwise, they are the first of the series.
Average wait of time: 2.15 years
Number bought versus number gifted: 8 bought, 4 gifted
Approximate percent of bookshelf that is unread: 10-15% (I forgot to count all my books so this is a rough estimate)
For the record, because there are 12 books and I want to reduce that in half by the end of the year that means I want to have 6 unread books on my shelf by the end of the year. If I buy more books I haven’t read I still want to have 6 or fewer. If I give away books I haven’r read that means I have to read fewer books to hit the 6 unread books.
Oh! and I *do* have copies of the first four Game of Thrones books, but they are currently in the ‘donate’ pile in my room, so I’m not counting them.