Monday, October 4, 2010

October's Theme: Hardcovers

I've decided to spend the rest of 2010 doing theme months: rather than pick books out at random I'm going to try organized chaos and provide myself with a little structure.

Here's the schedule, subject to change:
  • October: Hardcover books
  • November: Russian books
  • December: 2010 releases I've not yet read
My list for October:
  • The Finkler Question, by Howard Jacobson
  • To the End of the Land, by David Grossman
  • The Bells, by Richard Harvell
  • The Fifth Servant, by Kenneth Wishnia
  • The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, by Aimee Bender
  • Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English, by Natasha Solomons
That's in no particular order. The idea is to make an effort to dig into my hardcover stash; most of these I actually went out and bought, so I really should read them, and those that I didn't, I requested specifically, so I really should read them. And they've all gotten raves from people I respect and whose taste I share, so I really should read them.

I'll review them as I finish them but I'll continue reviewing other books, too.

If by some miracle I finish them all, there are more in the piles...

11 comments:

Mystica said...

The last two I really would like to get my hands on!!!

Zibilee said...

So interested in The Bells, and can't wait to hear what you think! I have heard such amazing things about it!

bermudaonion said...

Sounds like a great plan. I can't tell you how many books I buy in hardcover and then don't read until they're out in paperback.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great way to make sure you get certain things read without actually setting an order to read in. I might have to try it! I especially like the December theme. That'll be a nice way to finish out the year.

Kathleen said...

Sounds like you have a great theme going for October. I think October is going to be my read from my shelves month. I'm going to skip the library and just read what I already have.

Anonymous said...

You have a nice listing for October. Happy reading!

Alayne said...

This is a fun idea. I saw The Bells in store the other day and almost grabbed it, but stayed away. Looking forward to your thoughts!

Esme said...

What a fun weekend-

Maybe we can be neighbors in Paris, I found Yunker's writing to be so whiny. It seemed like she expected to have confrontations with everyone she encountered -she went to get her hair cut-which can be dangerous when you do not have a fluent command of the language-while she got a good cut-I could not take her attitude. Lighten up a little.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm happy for you that you have made this plan. Because it seems that not reading your hardcovers is really bothering you ;) Looking forward to your reviews. Best of Luck!

Amy said...

I like your plan! I'm doing to ton of Russian novels lately, maybe we can read one at the same time in November and discuss it? Let me know what titles you have in mind and I'll see if they are in my ARC piles. I'm hosting an Eastern European Challenge in 2011 so I'd like to have numerous titles to recommend and discuss.

Athira said...

I find that when I theme my months, I fare better. Esp when I try to tackle all those HCs and books I bought and left on my shelves and boxes. Great idea!