Liz's Dusty Bookshelf Challenge

[Kate, Moderator]

Congratulations on finishing your challenge Liz and I can't believe you've already sorted out a list for 2021! I don't envy you Moby Dick though. I struggled through it and awarded it 1 star. Hope you enjoy it more than I did!

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, Kate, Moby-Dick or, the Whale is daunting. I have been determined to include at least one biggie every year for some time now. As a result, I've discovered a love for Dickens, Dumas and Tolstoy, which I didn't expect. Others are harder to love...

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "So my list for the 2021 Dusty Bookshelf Challenge will be:


1). Disgrace by JM Coetzee
2). I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
3). [book:A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush|..."

Good luck, Liz.
I quite enjoyed Dune, Her Fearful Symmetry and Schindler's List (well, not sure enjoy is the right word for Schindler... but great book)

[Liz, Moderator]

Thanks Bill, I feel if I get Moby-Dick; or, the Whale out of the way early on, the rest should be plain sailing (bad pun intended...)

[Liz, Moderator]

First one done! I have bitten the bullet and read Moby-Dick; or, the Whale I really think I deserve a medal or something ;)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "First one done! I have bitten the bullet and read 'Moby Dick'. I really think I deserve a medal or something ;)"

You definitely deserve a medal.. I've never managed to get past 'Call Me Ishmael'... Will a digestive biscuit and cuppa tea do?

[Liz, Moderator]

Might need something stronger, Bill. A tot of rum, perhaps?

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Might need something stronger, Bill. A tot of rum, perhaps?"

A good old slug of Captain Morgan's...

[Liz, Moderator]

I got a message from the library that Her Fearful Symmetry has just come in.... Another book that's been on my to read list since 2009! I will collect it tomorrow and get started.

[Liz, Moderator]

Another one down. Just finished Her Fearful Symmetry- I really enjoyed it until about three-quarters of the way through and then Valentina proposed 'the plan' (avoiding spoilers) and it felt so problematic that it pulled me straight out of the story. I gave it 3 stars as Audrey Niffenegger writes beautifully and I like a book that doesn't conform to the usual expectations, but it was almost only a 2 star because of that stupid plan.

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Another one down. Just finished 'Her Fearful Symmetry' - I really enjoyed it until about three-quarters of the way through and then Valentina proposed 'the plan' (avoiding spoilers) and it felt so ..."

lol.. I can't remember the plan as it's been awhile since I read it. I do like Niffenneggers writing style and story-telling..

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, it's her excellent writing that makes it worth a read. You're already suspending your disbelief with the ghost (not a spoiler it's in the blurb and at the beginning), but 'the plan' is so extreme and unlikely, it really is jumping the shark!

[Liz, Moderator]

I finished River of Smoke last night. I am loving this trilogy and look forward to the final volume, although it will be a while before I get around to it as I have so much to read!
Three dusty books down and it's only February - making good progress :)

[Liz, Moderator]

While I wait for my next book to be ready at the library. I'm going to to start They Were Found Wanting which is on my Kindle. It's the second book in a trilogy, so I hope I have remembered all the characters...

[Liz, Moderator]

I just finished They Were Found Wanting the second part of The Transylvania Trilogy, which set against the decay of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as conditions develop for the First World War. Most of the characters are aristocrats 'fiddling while Rome burns'. It's beautifully written, although quite dense and reminds me a lot of Tolstoy.

I am always impressed how books written by authors living 100 years ago (and longer) still resonate with us today. This is a quote:

'... the political unawareness of all those in Hungary whose self-indulgence, preoccupation only with such internal issues as affected themselves, and whose self-centred conviction that only such trivial matters were of the smallest significance, was leading his country to isolation and ruin.'

Sound familiar? Plus ca change.

[Liz, Moderator]

I just had a message to say Disgrace is awaiting me at the library! I am a little concerned.... ;)

Should be starting it soon...

[Liz, Moderator]

I raced through Disgrace - very good, but I wouldn't recommended it if you need something uplifting and escapist!

[Liz, Moderator]

It's time to knock another one off the dusty bookshelf. I'm just starting I Capture the Castle, a YA classic by Dodie Smith (of The Hundred and One Dalmatians fame). Very good so far, I would have loved it as a 12/13 year old...

[Liz, Moderator]

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush got me one from my dusty bookshelf and travel/exploration for the genre challenge. It was just the book I needed, as we're stuck at home for the summer, here in Singapore.

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "'A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush' got me one from my dusty bookshelf and travel/exploration for the genre challenge. It was just the book I needed, as we're stuck at home for the summer, here in Sin..."

Perfect on many counts. Good stuff.

[Liz, Moderator]

I have just started my next dusty bookshelf novel: The Inheritance of Loss and I'm enjoying it already. It should be a good one - I don't know why it's taken so long for me to pick it up!

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "I have just started my next dusty bookshelf novel: 'The Inheritance of Loss' and I'm enjoying it already. It should be a good one - I don't know why it's taken so long for me to pick it up!"

It's turned out to be a good challenge, eh? Nice to finally read some of those dusty books.. :0)

[Liz, Moderator]

Still reading The Inheritance of Loss still very good....

[Liz, Moderator]

Dune. Done & Dusted. Recommended.

Only one more to go: Schindler's List, and my dusty bookshelf will be cleared for this year :)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Dune. Done & Dusted. Recommended.

Only one more to go: Schindler's List, and my dusty bookshelf will be cleared for this year :)

[bookcove..."

I read the original Dune trilogy and enjoyed. Schindler's List was a book I felt I had to read and was glad that I did, but I don't think I could read again.. Congrats on almost finishing with your dusting. Will you do more next year?

[Liz, Moderator]

Bill, Ithink that's the main reason 'Schindler' s List' has hung around so long. Yes, I still have plenty of dusty titles waiting to be read, so I can easily dig out another ten for next year!

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Bill, Ithink that's the main reason 'Schindler' s List' has hung around so long. Yes, I still have plenty of dusty titles waiting to be read, so I can easily dig out another ten for next year!"

Me too.. it's been a good challenge.

[Liz, Moderator]

Just picked up Schindler's List from the library. Will start it tonight...

[Liz, Moderator]

Schindler's List (or Schindler's Ark in my copy) is very, very good. Probably the best book I have read this year. Still haven't quite finished it...

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Schindler's List (or Schindler's Ark in my copy) is very, very good. Probably the best book I have read this year. Still haven't quite finished it..."

I've read it once and it was fantastic. Don't know if I could read it again though.

[Liz, Moderator]

It's taken a while, but now I'm ready to set out my dusty bookshelf for 2022:

1). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - I have to do this one soon, as we're watching all the films through in order at the moment - one film each weekend.
2). Germinal by Emile Zola - my big classic for this year and one of the oldest books on my to read list.
3). Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire - This weighty biography is on my physical bookshelves and has been gathering dust for years. I had been meaning to read it last year...
4). Flood of Fire by Amitav Ghosh - final book in the Ibis trilogy, looking forward to this one.
5). The Cement Garden - early Ian McEwan. Again, this one's been on my to read list for ages.
6). They Were Divided - another trilogy to complete this year.
7). The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch
8). The Siege of Krishnapur by J G Farrell
9). Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
10). The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by the appropriately named Michael Pollan (just change that a to an e...)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "It's taken a while, but now I'm ready to set out my dusty bookshelf for 2022:

1). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - I have to do this one soon, as we're watching all the films t..."

Good reading, Liz

[Liz, Moderator]

So I finished 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' last week. It was sad to finally say goodbye to Harry, Ron & Hermione, but all good things must come to an end.

I have just started Germinal, a big contrast after the potterverse! I hope it's not too arduous...

[Kate, Moderator]

Well done Liz. I re-read them all recently too and was pleased that I stuck to my original star rating. Have you read Harry Potter and The Cursed Child?

[Liz, Moderator]

No, I haven't read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two.... yet!

[Kate, Moderator]

Ah ha. Well you won't be saying goodbye to that world yet then! I enjoyed it. Let me know what you think when you get to it.

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm making good progress along my dusty bookshelf, especially as all the books read so far have been over 500 pages! I'm now a third of the way through Flood of Fire, the last part of Amitav Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy. Really enjoying it - a rollicking good read. If historical fiction is your thing, you'll love it. The action is divided between 19th century Calcutta and Canton, with a host of excellent characters. Love, war, trade (exploitation) and seamanship.

[Liz, Moderator]

Another one down: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World - interesting and quick to read.

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm taking another swipe at my dusty bookshelf. Next up is: They Were Divided, the last part of the Transylvania Trilogy, which really should be better known than it is.

[Liz, Moderator]

Really enjoyed They Were Divided - the final part of the Transylvania Trilogy. It has loads of characters, but luckily there's a list at the beginning of each book in case you forget who's who!

[Liz, Moderator]

Two more struck off the dusty bookshelf (both very good, but challenging in different ways): Ian McEwan's The Cement Garden and Iris Murdoch's The Sea, The Sea

[Liz, Moderator]

Finished Carter Beats the Devil - great fun. Now halfway through The Siege of Krishnapur - excellent so far. This year's dusty books have been great. I really don't know why it has taken me so long to get around to them!

[Liz, Moderator]

I only have one dusty tome left to go: Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire. Although non-fiction, the book was turned into a film called 'The Duchess' about ten years ago, with Kiera Knightly as the titular aristocrat (haven't see it myself).

This one is going to be tough. I started it initially last year but gave up, purely on physical grounds... It's a very thick and heavy hardback edition (previously owned by my mum). Even without dragging this back and forth on my commute, it's likely to give me RSI! Wish me luck!

[Liz, Moderator]

Woo-hoo! I have finished the last book for my 2022 Dusty Bookshelf Challenge! No book was under 3 stars, so all good, no disappointments :)

Now I'll have to start digging at the bottom of my to-read list to retrieve the contenders for next year...

[Kate, Moderator]

Well done Liz! I imagine its nice to clear the challenge early! I really must crack on with mine.

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, I feel liberated! I still have the genre and time traveller challenges to juggle, so plenty to keep me busy... Good luck with yours!

[Liz, Moderator]

I'm already getting excited about my reading challenges for next year ( you can tell I really should be sorting out last minute Christmas details...)

I've looked down at the bottom of my to-read list, to see what my 'dustiest' volumes are and now have a list for 2023:

Moon Tiger - Penelope Lively
Heat and Dust - Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Offshore - Penelope Fitzgerald
A Dance to the Music of Time: 2nd Movement - Anthony Powell
Any Human Heart - William Boyd
The Monk- Matthew Gregory Lewis
A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art - Laney Salisbury
The Warden - Anthony Trollope
The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

There are several doorstops on the list which will certainly keep me busy, two classics, luckily neither particularly long and a handful of award-winners.

I read The Shadow of the Wind about ten years ago. I hope I remember enough to make sense of The Angel's Game...

Anyone else fancy tackling their dusty tomes next year?

[Pam]

Liz wrote: "I'm already getting excited about my reading challenges for next year ( you can tell I really should be sorting out last minute Christmas details...)

I've looked down at the bottom of my to-read l..."
ANY HUMAN HEART by William Boyd. I thoroughy recommend this one!

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "I'm already getting excited about my reading challenges for next year ( you can tell I really should be sorting out last minute Christmas details...)

I've looked down at the bottom of my to-read l..."

Good luck with your new list, Liz. I've read The Monk and also Pillars of the Earth. I wasn't all that successful with my Dusty bookshelf list. I did read 10 books that were dusty, not my top ten dusties, but I guess that was ok. I also ashcanned a few that I decided had been there long enough and decided not to read. (By ashcanned, I mean putting them in my Little Free Library. I would never throw a book away. 😀)

[Liz, Moderator]

So A Suitable Boy is finally off my dusty bookshelf and once I've finished my current read, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, I will be tackling The Warden