Buying Books But Not Reading Them

As I was clicking through the internet the other day, a headline caught my eye called Books Bought but Rarely Read.

Now that's just silly, I thought. Who would buy a book and not read bother to read it?

Apparently, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is one of the most popular books bought but never read. Whoa! What a mistake for those unfortunate book-buyers! I read that book and loved it! They don't know what they're missing! 

Welll....

Considering I have over 1000 books on my TBR shelf (note: I said shelf, not TBR list, meaning I bought these books and that doesn't include the ones I have on my Kindle!), then I am guilty, too. Now, it's not that I have no intention of ever reading these books, it's just that for some reason or another, I've just never got around to it. Yet, there they sit, looking so majestic and beautiful on my shelf. I know there must be an adventure in there waiting for me!

The article I read specified that the books in the list were ones that readers started but never finished. However, I'm not that kind of reader. I'm not sure what compels me, but when I start a book I must finish it even if its terrible to the bitter end. Perhaps its my constant optimism. The book might have a fantastic ending! Very few readers feel the same way which I understand.

I glanced through my shelf to find some books that have been sitting there for quite some time, patiently waiting their turn to be read. Here's my list of 5 books that I bought but haven't read (yet!):

The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons: I bought this during my time working at the bookstore because my customers were saying it's like a Russian version of Gone With the Wind which I adore! Others compared it to Dr. Zhivago. Yet, for some reason or other I just haven't picked it up to read. Yet!

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry: My mom read this book and loved it! When the television
mini-series aired in the 1980's starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones as the two main characters, I watched alongside my mom, completely absorbed in the plot and characters. I loved it, too! The reason I haven't read the book yet...have you seen how many pages are in that thing? Close to 1000! Considering I read about 50 pages an hour, that'll take me...quick math, oh, about 20 hours to read. And I just know that this will be a book that I won't want to put down. But, I'm still trying to find 20 hours of free time. Yeah, I know. That's a lame excuse.

Anything written by Nicholas Sparks: This man must be some sort of romantic, tragic genius. While working at the bookstore, I sold so many of his books to customers that it almost became a joke. Along with the Harry Potter books, I just kind of got sick of hearing about him. Unfortunately, my annoyance built a wall in my mind. I just can't bring myself to read his books. Yet, I bought quite a few. Rather tragic in itself. Add that to the fact that I know I'll cry while reading... Well, I don't want to cry while I'm reading. My eyes get puffy and red and people look at me funny. How to explain? So sadly, I encourage others to read Nicholas Sparks because I have it from reliable sources that his books are excellent, but just maybe not for me.

Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small: Every romance reader has read Bertrice Small's books. They often

talk about her characters like they're real people. So much so that before I knew better, I thought Skye O'Malley was the author! I learned a lot while working at the bookstore. Knowing that I'll probably be hooked on her books, I decided to wait until I had them all before I started reading.

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King: I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King (and J.K. Rowling, but that's another story). I love King's writing. It really sucks the reader into the story so much that the rest of the world fades away. Why do I hate him? Because his writing sucks the reader into the story so much that the rest of the world fades away. Mr. King, I have writing of my own

to do and a lot of housework. Why must you write such addicting stories?

So there's my list. It's rather short. But, I don't usually have a reason NOT to read a book.

What books have you bought and not read yet?

 

Witchy Book Recommendations

The last post I wrote was about the 2012 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge I'm participating in for this year. Since reading and writing about witches is a favorite hobby of mine, I thought I'd list a few of my favorite titles that I've read in the past.

Eternity by Maggie Shayne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:
Three hundred years ago, Raven St. James was accused of witchcraft. Only one man tried to free her from the hangman's noose, Duncan, the town minister, who died trying to save her. Three hundred years later, the accused witch still lives and longs for her love. At last, after centuries of loneliness, Raven has found her precious Duncan. But as he awakens to the passion of his past life, so too does the evil that tore them apart. Now Raven and Duncan must prove their love for all eternity.

This is the first of The Immortal Witches series. The book's following this are: Infinity, Destiny, and Immortality.


Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb:
Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge- an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil... and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder- and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

This is #3 in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, though this is the first book told about Paige. This series is a fantastic blend of paranormal creatures such as werewolves, vampires, ghosts, demons, sorcerors and witches. 




Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party...and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining - and it's Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead...or undead.

The first book in Kim Harrison's The Hollow's series, also known to some as the Rachel Morgan series. Another great series to lose yourself to, involving witches, vampires, demons, werewolves, and even pixies! 



Those are a few to get started. I love them to pieces! Next week, I'll post some Witchy non-fiction book recommendations. I've got quite a few favorites there, too!

What are some of your favorite fiction books about witches and witchcraft? I'd love to hear your recommendations. I'm always looking for more books to add to my TBR!
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To add a side note: Today I'm guest blogging at The Vampire Book Realm's V-Spot blog. Yes, I know, its a site about vampires, and here I'm talking today about witches. But, I'm chatting about my book The Witch and the Vampire (see that witch connection there??) and my love of the 1960's TV series Dark Shadows (again about vampires AND witches). Stop by to comment for a chance to win an exclusive VBR wallpaper for your computer. 

2012 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

During my browsing of the groups I've joined on GoodReads, I found a challenge that I feel is just right for me; The Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge. Yes, I read a lot of books and I must admit that within the last two years I've become quite a reading challenge addict. But this is the first challenge that I've joined that is hosted by a book reviewer's blog, so I hope I get this right. For some reason, I seem to complicate matters when I read the instructions when I'm sure they're quite simple.

This challenge runs from January 1, 2012 (yes, I'm joining a little late, but I'm sure I'll catch up!) thru December 31, 2012. You must read books that include a witch as the main character or that contain any major witchcraft elements. They may be fiction or non-fiction. There are four levels to choose from: 

Initiate:  Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden:  Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother:  Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone:  Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

I'm going to pick Maiden, but I might upgrade to another level later in the year. First, I'll see how far I get. I admit, I tend to overfill my plate of goals each year and come December I'm scrambling around for the books with the smallest page counts to complete the leftover challenges. Oh, but what fun reading is! I really can't say no! :)

Now, for the complete list of rules and how to join this challenge, please visit Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf. She even gives you a list a book titles to get you started. 

Looking through my bookshelf, I find a few titles I've read that I'd like to recommend to readers, too. Reading some of these books have inspired my own witchy writings, so I'll compile a list of titles and share them sometime next week. 

As for now, if you're a fan of witchy books (and I hope you like The Merriweather Witches!), then hop over to Melissa's blog and sign up! I look forward to seeing what other readers have chosen for the challenge!