Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The TBR Dare ends tonight

Though I gave up on this year's TBR Dare, exactly half-way through, in favor of re-reading, I did refrain from reading any of the new books I've acquired since January 1st.  My total of books cleared off the TBR stacks is 45.  But I added 23 more, so it's really only a decrease of 22 books.  Still, the TBR total is the lowest it's been in years, and I'm happy about that.

I have been donating the books cleared off to my branch of the county library system. (I was trading some of them on Paperback Swap, until I realized that the books I wanted were rarely available, so I was pretty much just giving my books away.  Which is fine, but if that's the case, I prefer to give them to the library.)  Last week at the annual library sale, I spotted at least six of my donations on the tables.  And I only bought two this time, so I think the balance is in my favor!

From the 23 new-to-me books, these are the ones I'm most looking forward to:

Bubbly on Your Budget, by Marjorie Hillis - thanks to Claire's review   (My version would be "Books on your budget")

A Thousand Miles up the Nile, by Amelia B. Edwards - while I wait for the last (sob) Amelia Peabody adventure

Cluny Brown, by Margery Sharp - from Jane's birthday party, and Simon's review

Girl in a Green Gown, by Carola Hicks - about one of my favorite painters, Jan van Eyck, and his "Arnolfini Portrait"

Miss Miles, by Mary Taylor - "A Tale of Yorkshire Life Sixty Years Ago," published in 1890

Together Tea, by Marjan Kamali - a mother & daughter, at odds over the mother's match-making, take a trip back to their native Iran

P.G. Wodehouse, by David Jasen - this will be my third attempt at a Wodehouse biography; the first two fell into the "throw across the room" category.

And I just know that someday my copy of the Laura Ingalls Wilder autobiography, originally ordered back in October, will actually arrive.  No thanks to Barnes & Noble, which canceled my order without notice.

14 comments:

  1. Whoa, what? You never find books you want on PaperbackSwap? Even when you employ the wish list feature? I have gotten SO MANY amazing books on PBS.

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    1. I found a few, some of the Patricia Wentworth mysteries, but generally titles sat on my wish list for months unmatched. I currently have 18 points sitting there unused.

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  2. Pioneer Girl was published by South Dakota Historical Society Press, and it's pretty clear the first printing wasn't NEARLY enough copies to meet the demand. I would guess that there will be another this year . . . .

    The Painted Queen, Elizabeth Peters, is currently predicted to be released 2 Feb 2016. Amazon hasn't caught up to this, assuming it isn't vapor.

    And if you want to add it to your list, there is a new Vorkosigan book, Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, scheduled for February 2016 release. NOT vapor.

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    1. I've read about of articles about how overwhelmed the publishers were at the response. More copies were supposed to ship in March, but Amazon is saying April now - and since my original order was cancelled, my new order will be at the bottom of the list.

      I had seen an April 2015 date for the Elizabeth Peters, which I figured wasn't going to be, but it's still on my list. And the Bujold is already on my list :)

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  3. I love Cluny Brown, though I wonder if her Something Light is now my favourite Hmmm. And the Carola Hicks' book is on my wishlist - currently reading her book on the Bayeux tapestry.

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    1. I am trying very hard not to buy more Margery Sharp until I've read some Margery Sharp - but I am noting that title :) And I have the Bayeux tapestry book in mind too.

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  4. Clearing off 45 books from your TBR shelves is awesome. Good for you!! My TBR progress is much slower...but I'm still reading away at it. :) Hope you enjoy all your new books. Happy Reading!

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    1. Yes, but it's 45 minus the new books I bought - that brings the number right down :)

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  5. Managing your TBR shelf is the real goal, and you met that admirably!

    I also have Miss Miles and am eager to read it.

    I haven't yet ordered by LIW Pioneer Girl--I'm waiting for it to show up as actually available on Amazon.

    I am a big fan of paperbackswap.com - did you know that you can donate your book credits if you don't actually use them? I believe they go to schools and other worthy institutions.

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    1. Thank you, Jane - I do feel like I've got a handle on it, at least for now. It could all break down though with a great haul from a bookstore, or a big binge buying online :)

      I did not know that I could donate points, so thank you for that information! I'll be happy to do that.

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  6. Looking forward to your thoughts on Cluny Brown!

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    1. And I'm looking forward to meeting Lady Carmel as well as Cluny!

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  7. I did really poorly on the TBR dare this year. I think I gave up after a week or two. I love Cluny Brown but for some reason haven't moved on to the 3 or 4 other Margery Sharpe books I have on my shelves.

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    1. This was certainly the worst I've ever done, but I couldn't resist the urge to re-read. Sometimes I just want familiar stories and characters.

      I am looking forward to Margery Sharp - and still trying not to buy more until I read something of hers first.

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Thank you for taking the time to read, and to comment. I always enjoy hearing different points of view about the books I am reading, even if we disagree!