Liz's Dusty Bookshelf Challenge

[Liz, Moderator]

This will be my thread for the 'Dusty Book Shelf Challenge 2020'. I will be aiming to knock off ten titles from my to-read list.

All these books were added back in 2009 (when I first joined Goodreads) !!!! They're mostly authors I really enjoy, so I'm really not sure why they are unread. I guess they just got forgotten.

Please would someone nominate the first book I should tackle. Many thanks :)

1. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - can't think for the life of me why I haven't read this one yet ;)
2. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
3. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
4. The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood
5. Bliss by Peter Carey
6. Saturday by Ian McEwan
7. Sea of Poppies by Amitav Gosh
8. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
9. Life Class by Pat Barker
10. Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

What a brilliant challenge, I might have to steal it! I’ve too many books been in the dusty corner!
Good Luck! How about The Gargoyle?

[Liz, Moderator]

Thanks Lyn, The Gargoyle will be my first to tackle. Please join in and set up your list too :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Oops, me and my spelling *Lynne - apologies.

[Veronica]

I recommend "A Thousand Splendid Suns." An amazing and emotional read.

[Liz, Moderator]

Oh good, Veronica. Well I enjoyed The Kite Runner, so I am looking forward to that one.

[Bill]

I read The Edible Woman back in my university days if I recall. A nice intro to Margaret Atwood.

[Liz, Moderator]

I've started The Gargoyle, although it might take a while, as I'm also trying to finish my nonfiction book for the genre challenge.

[Liz, Moderator]

I've finished The Gargoyle which was fine overall, but didn't really live up to my expectations or the hype. (I should have learnt by now: never to believe the hype!) ... It was an entertaining read struggling to be something more profound.

[Liz, Moderator]

As both Nicola & Bill mentioned The Edible Woman, I have put in a request for it at the library. I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood and it's one of the few I have yet to read...

And Veronica, if I finish my current book before that one comes in, I will read A Thousand Splendid Suns, as I have it on Kindle. Oh I love the anticipation of a good book, or two... :)

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "As both Nicola & Bill mentioned The Edible Woman, I have put in a request for it at the library. I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood and it's one of the few I have yet to read...

And Ve..."

I hope you enjoy, Liz.

[Liz, Moderator]

The Edible Woman still hasn't arrived at the library, so I am starting A Thousand Splendid Suns instead...

[Liz, Moderator]

A Thousand Splendid Suns was good, but didn't surprise me, so narrowly missed 4 stars. With lockdown, my library copy of The Edible Woman is in limbo for the foreseeable future, so I may be forced to cough up and buy the Kindle version...

[Liz, Moderator]

You'd think being stuck at home would give you more time to read... but I still haven't made any more progress with my dusty volumes. I'll see if I can squeeze another one into May...

[Liz, Moderator]

I have just started Sea of Poppies and I am sucked in already. I think I am going to love this...

[Liz, Moderator]

Yes, I will seek out the other two volumes... I have just finished Sea of Poppies and really enjoyed it - great cast of characters, excellent description, fascinating scenario, interesting background (Chinese Opium Wars, colonial India, early 19thC seafaring). Favourite book of the year so far. Recommended for all who love historical fiction. I can't think why it had languished on my shelves for so long!

[Liz, Moderator]

Well I'm sure it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea - you have to get used to the pidgin/creole spoken by some of the characters, which can be baffling at times (it needed a glossary... ), but it's a rollicking good yarn!

[Liz, Moderator]

Just starting my next dusty tome: Saturday by Ian McEwan....

[Liz, Moderator]

I have read a few. I find him quite varied. Atonement is my favourite and imho well deserving of its Booker prize. I also really enjoyed Enduring Love, although Sweet Toothwas a little disappointing - I wasn't convinced by the female protagonist.

So far, so good with Saturday...

[Liz, Moderator]

Appropriately enough, I just finished Saturday on Saturday. I thought it was very good - it's a book in which while not a lot happens, a lot is going on.

Everything takes place on one day and some actions are decribed in incredible detail - I think I could easily make the fish stew Henry prepares for the family's dinner (it certainly made me hungry!) This could put some people off and if you haven't read Ian McEwan before I perhaps wouldn't start here (try Enduring Love or Atonement instead). On to the next dusty tome...

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Appropriately enough, I just finished 'Saturday' on Saturday. I thought it was very good - it's a book in which while not a lot happens, a lot is going on.

Everything takes place on one day and s..."

You're doing very well cleaning off your dusty bookshelf.

[Liz, Moderator]

Thanks, Bill. 4 down, 6 still to go.

If I can start Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal before the end of the month, I can also count it for the Time Traveller challenge....

[Liz, Moderator]

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal was well worth reading. It caused a stir when it came out (must be about 15 years ago), but sadly many of the issues that it highlights are still with us (and not just in the US). It's very readable and becomes increasingly shocking as you progress through the book.

I found it particularly prescient with a current president focused on further deregulation of industry and with a Britain willing to reduce its own food standards, as it looks outside Europe for alternative trading partners.

Still relevant and powerful after 15 years.

[Liz, Moderator]

Just seeing if I can squeeze in The Edible Woman, - Margaret Atwood's first novel - before the end of the month....

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Just seeing if I can squeeze in 'The Edible Woman', - Margaret Atwood's first novel - before the end of the month...."

I look forward to your thoughts on it. I read back during my university years, mid - late 70s

[Liz, Moderator]

I can't believe that Margaret Atwood was only 23 when she wrote The Edible Woman - her writing is already so assured, although the subject matter is certainly the experience of a younger woman. I keep wanting to shout out loud at the protagonist, Marion, sleepwalking through her life!

[Liz, Moderator]

I've been putting it off, but it's time to tackle Les Misérables! I usually read one meaty classic a year and this one has been lingering on my to read list, since I joined Goodreads, over ten years ago. Luckily, I have it on Kindle, so it won't be a problem lugging it around! Wish me luck....

[Kate, Moderator]

Oh wow! Good luck with that Liz! Have you seen the musical?

[Liz, Moderator]

Kate wrote: "Oh wow! Good luck with that Liz! Have you seen the musical?"

I am not a big fan of musicals, but I did see Les Miserables when I was a student and, as a set designer, I was blown away by the staging. (I have also seen the Tom Hooper film) Not sure it's going to help much though ;)

The book starts in not the best way - by telling the reader that the character they are just being introduced to has nothing to do with the story they're about to read!! This not-always-interesting-character is then followed for over 60 pages, before the story actually begins! Luckily things have settled down a bit now and I've finally been introduced to Jean Valjean...

[Kate, Moderator]

Ha ha I think you'll find that a lot. Mum read it a year or so ago and found that she spent ages reading pages and pages about someone who was never going to feature again!
I've got a copy of War and Peace and wondering if it should be an ambition to read it or not...

[Liz, Moderator]

Kate wrote: "Ha ha I think you'll find that a lot. Mum read it a year or so ago and found that she spent ages reading pages and pages about someone who was never going to feature again!
I've got a copy of War a..."

I read War and Peace last year and really enjoyed it (except for the odd meandering chapter on Napoleon's strategy). Go on, give it a go!

[Liz, Moderator]

Kate wrote: "Ha ha I think you'll find that a lot. Mum read it a year or so ago and found that she spent ages reading pages and pages about someone who was never going to feature again!
I've got a copy of War a..."

I'm about a third of the way through Les Misérables now. There was another long dull patch where Victor Hugo describes in great detail the Battle of Waterloo (besides the fact that it happens 15 years before the main action of the story and none of the characters actually take part!) Luckily I'm back in the main story again and things are moving along nicely (for a while at least...)

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Liz wrote: "Kate wrote: "Ha ha I think you'll find that a lot. Mum read it a year or so ago and found that she spent ages reading pages and pages about someone who was never going to feature again!
I've got a ..."

I’ve read War & Peace twice and watched the tv program and loved it!

[Liz, Moderator]

Still wading through Les Misérables. I just wish Victor Hugo would stick to the story. He goes veering off course at any, and every, opportunity! I just want it all to stop, but as I'm now over 70% of the way, I am determined to finish the damn book....

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Liz wrote: "Still wading through Les Misérables. I just wish Victor Hugo would stick to the story. He goes veering off course at any, and every, opportunity! I just want it all to stop, but as I'm..."

Know what you mean! I’ve lost the plot several times and I’m listening to it! Poor Alexa get fed up of me asking her to go back xx mins!

[Liz, Moderator]

80% they're on the barricade. The end is in sight....

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "80% they're on the barricade. The end is in sight...."

I feel a song coming on. I'm on my deck waving my flag proudly...

[Liz, Moderator]

Ha ha! Yes, absolutely. I can't help thinking about the songs as I read particular sections. I've only seen the stage show once and the film once, but they stick in your mind!!!

I'm currently very concerned for little Gavroche - he's one of the best characters in the book.

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Ha ha! Yes, absolutely. I can't help thinking about the songs as I read particular sections. I've only seen the stage show once and the film once, but they stick in your mind!!!

I'm currently very..."

My wife took me to the stage show in London when we were over there a few years back. So good.

[Liz, Moderator]

Put out the flags. Sound the trumpets. I have finally finished Les Misérables. It's only taken me two whole months!

It would have been a solid four stars if not for Victor Hugo's constant meanderings down narrative dead ends. (It would have made for a book half the size too...). The extra info' (several chapters) about the Paris sewer system was fascinating, but other ramblings, less so...

I do wonder if my concentration isn't so great either - given the current state of world events - I found my mind continually wandering from the page.

I have to say, I'm glad I've read it, but I never want to read it again! Well, unless I get stuck on a desert island and it's the only book available...

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "Put out the flags. Sound the trumpts. I have finally finished Les Miserables. It's only taken we two whole months!

It would have been a solid four stars if not for Victor Hugo's constant meanderi..."

*Applause* Huzzah!

[Kate, Moderator]

Hooray! Well done Liz!

[Liz, Moderator]

Kate wrote: "Hooray! Well done Liz!"

Thanks Kate & Bill. That novel was an uphill climb. I haven't taken so long over a book in years!

The other good news: only three more books on my dusty shelf for this year :)

[Liz, Moderator]

Making a start on Earthly Powers The opening line is quite arresting...

[Liz, Moderator]

Finally finished Earthly Powers. I can't recommend it - not my cup of tea. Slogged through 600 pages trying to work out why his fans love it. Disappointing.

[Liz, Moderator]

I've made good progress on my dusty bookshelf, however I still have two more books to read, to complete this year's challenge. I might just do it, as Bliss and Life Class are both quite short (under 300 pages) and by a couple of my favourite authors (Peter Carey & Pat Barker).

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "I've made good progress on my dusty bookshelf, however I still have two more books to read, to complete this year's challenge. I might just do it, as Bliss and [book:Life Class|13426..."

I've read a few from my Dusty shelves but I haven't been all that successful. Next year I'm making a specific challenge to read the 1st 16 books on my goodreads shelf and have set them aside.

[Liz, Moderator]

I finished Bliss on Friday. Although Peter Carey always writes well, I don't think this was one of his best. I just didn't warm to any of the characters. As I didn't care about them, I wasn't drawn into the story.

One final book from the dusty end of my to read list - I've just ordered Life Class from the library. I hope it comes soon, so I can complete the challenge before the end of the year....

[Liz, Moderator]

I am so glad to be finishing the challenge on a high. Life Class lives up to Pat Barker's usual high standard (I thought The Regeneration Trilogy was brilliant).

This challenge was harder to complete than I had expected, but I definitely want to do it again next year. I will just carry on my thread, adding the new titles for 2021 below....

[Liz, Moderator]

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). A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby.
4). Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
5). Dune by Frank Herbert
6). Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
7). They Were Found Wanting by Miklos Banffy
8). The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
9). River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh
10). Moby-Dick; or, the Whale by Herman Melville. Not surprised this last one has been languishing on my to-read list since 2009!

I am excited all ready :)