Shop My Shelves Summer Reading Challenge

Something I discovered in trying to purge my bookshelves before our move is that I have a lot of books that I really want to read, but have never read. This summer, I'm challenging myself to read those books. This stack is not an exhaustive collection, unfortunately; nevertheless, it is a good starting point for me to "shop" my own bookshelves for my summer reading list.

From bottom:

The Name of The Rose: I love semiotics, I love Italy, and I love a good nod to Sherlock Holmes; there is no excuse for me not to have read this classic that combines all three. I've been putting this one off, though; in part because it's not an easy read, and in part because I've already seen the horrible movie based on this novel, and I fear it may have ruined the mystery side of the story.

Rainbows for a Fallen World: This book about the role of art in the Christian life has been recommended to me many, many times. I finally bought it this winter, but got caught up in the semester and never had a chance to read it.

The Ground Beneath Her Feet: I've been wanting to read more Salman Rushdie for a while, and this book, centered around the 60s rock scene, seemed right up my alley. That was at least four years ago.

Ship of Fools: I started this one in the Spring for Mad Men book club and never finished. Summer is the perfect time for a cruise, right?

A Circle of Quiet: I love Madeleine L'Engle's fiction and non-fiction. I'm sure I will love this memoir, which I bought last summer and never read.

Prep: I know nothing about this except that it was on clearance at Half Price Books last summer when I was looking for some fun, "easy" books. But it sat on my nightstand all year, unread.

I discussed Prudence on Friday.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookshop is the newest purchase on the pile. It's one of the books on Modern Mrs. Darcy's Summer Reading List. (Love her!)

Not to make it sound too much like homework, but I may "reward" myself for reading each of these by reading the next of the Outlander books. (I'll be writing about the first book in that series next week). I prefer to tear my way through a book series in a succession of sleepless nights and zombie-eyed days, but it might be healthier for all if I pace myself. This booklist can help me with that pacing.