What's Sitting On Your Shelf?

Okay–here was an interesting article by Christopher Schoppa in the Washington Post.

Avid readers know all too well how easy it is to acquire books — it’s the letting go that’s the difficult part. … During the past 20 years, in which books have played a significant role in both my personal and professional lives, I’ve certainly had my fair share of them (and some might say several others’ shares) in my library. Many were read and saved for posterity, others eventually, but still reluctantly, sent back out into the world.

But there is also a category of titles that I’ve clung to for years, as they survived numerous purges, frequent library donations and countless changes of residence. I’ve yet to read them, but am absolutely certain I will. And should. When, I’m not sure, as I’m constantly distracted by the recent, just published and soon to be published works.

So, the question is his: "What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?"

Till now I do not know how many unread books I have in my shelves (and in our storage room as well), but I know some of them have been with me for quite a number of years.

One of my co-workers ever said this to me: "I don't buy books until I've finished reading them. I don't like them taking up my space." Well, for me (and I am sure for all of you booklovers too), it is completely the opposite. Not surprisingly, the books pile up as the years pass by. Actually I am quite proud of my acquisitions throughout these years. I treat them as a collection; it is the same like some people collect limited edition toys or antiques (just that the values are different!).

I wish I can go through all the piles and list out the books which have been waiting patiently for my reading all these years, but I think the following list will have to do:

• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• Persuasion by Jane Austen
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
• The Villa by Nora Roberts [2002]
• Hot Ice by Nora Roberts [1987]
• Ritual Sins by Anne Stuart [1997]
• Alphabet Series by Sue Grafton [1983-present]

What about you? What books are sitting on your shelves?