The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.3. Best Review Contest - Catie's Task: Moving House

In the last few weeks of the summer challenge, I found myself moving house. This is possibly my least favourite thing to do - not least because of the enormous number of books I seem to have acquired since the last time I moved. Despite only having a small fraction of my books with me (the rest are stored with my parents), by the time I'd moved all of them down one flight of stairs, and then back up another two flights, I was almost ready to throw them all out. I've since promised myself to read as many of the books I already own as possible, and not buy any new ones until at least half of the ones I own are read. Pick one of these options, and help me make my way through the pile.

1. Read any of the 121 books that I have with me in my current house. These can be found on my bookshelf here. Normal SRC rules apply to omnibus editions, and books published in multiple volumes. Please keep in mind that this applies to books that are divided into separate parts for publication - all parts must be read.

You do not need to read the specific edition that is on my shelf.

2. Despite my promise, I couldn't resist picking up a copy of one of the Virago Modern Classics in a second-hand shop the other day. Virago are one of my favourite publishing houses, and I've rarely been disappointed in any novel published by them. Read any book that has been published by Virago.
Hint: Margaret Atwood and Sarah Waters have both had most of their books published by Virago.
This list of Virago Modern Classics might also be useful.

You may read any edition, but you must also include a link to the edition that indicates Virago published the book at one time. So, for example, if you read the kindle edition of The Group:, which was published by Open Road Media, you would also need to include a link to the paperback edition of The Group, which was published by Virago Press (UK) when you post. The word "Virago" MUST appear in the Goodreads metadata under "Published by."

3. Read a (non-fiction) book about hoarding, collecting or decluttering. This should be obvious from the Goodreads description.

Approved books

Option 3

Not approved books

This thread is now open!

For Option 3:

Is this a one book task or a two book task?

One book. It says "pick one of the options..." in the task description.

Elizabeth wrote: "One book. It says "pick one of the options..." in the task description."

Thought so, but I wanted to make double-sure. Thanks!

Pia wrote: "For Option 3:

"

Yep, that one is fine

Just wanted to comment that your TBR pile is awesome Catie - so many good books to choose from :)

Option 1: Affinity

The very first book on the list is one I own and have been meaning to read FOREVER.

Also, I don't think I could ever pick 121 of my books to keep. That'd be like having to choose which limb to chop off!

Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It! for option 3 (yay for my library)

and like Megan - only 121 books - couldn't be done! but then the last time the military moved me (2010), more than half my allowable weight was books

Dee wrote: "Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It! for option 3 (yay for my library)"

That one works!

I'm glad everyone is finding books they like from my shelf!

I definitely couldn't cope with only 121 books in my life... but the ones that I have with me in my current place (the ones on that shelf) are really only "books I haven't read and books I might want to reread before I next see my parents" - the other 500+ books in my collection live two hours drive away with my parents, so they're still pretty accessible, and I swap books over every couple of months when I'm there.

(I'm also lucky to have a very well-stocked local library!)

Just to be sure ... re option 1 ... can we read ANY edition of the title on your shelf? (You specify this for books published by Virago, but this isn't outlined for option 1.)

Book Concierge wrote: "Just to be sure ... re option 1 ... can we read ANY edition of the title on your shelf? (You specify this for books published by Virago, but this isn't outlined for option 1.)"


Oh yes, any edition is fine. I'll get the task edited to confirm!

Pro-tip: If you go to Catie's profile and say "Compare Books" (near adding her as a friend button and/or send message link)

Once you are on the compare page, on the right hand side you can limit which shelves it looks at.

Choose Catie's "owned-in-bedford" and your "to-read" shelf to easily see books that fit this task that are already on your TBR :) Or if you have an owned shelf like Catie and I do, limit it to books you already own! I was able to quickly narrow it down to 7 books.

Option 1: Ash by Malinda Lo

Claire wrote: "Option 1: Ash by Malinda Lo"

Good choice! Let me know what you thought of it!

Deana wrote: "Pro-tip: If you go to Catie's profile and say "Compare Books" (near adding her as a friend button and/or send message link)

Once you are on the compare page, on the right hand side you can limit w..."

Good tip, Deana!

I wanted to check that Option 2 applies to all Virago and not just Virago Modern Classics. I've had The Life and Times of a Respectable Rebel: Selina Cooper on my TBR shelf for a while since picking it up at a used book sale.

Yep, all books ever published by Virago are fine! (as long as they meet normal src rules)

(the VMC list is only there to give people a place to look for ideas)

From my own task description: I've since promised myself to read as many of the books I already own as possible, and not buy any new ones until at least half of the ones I own are read.

Would anybody like to guess how many books I have actually bought since I wrote the task description?