Regina's trying to save her house in 2011

As I've collected too many books in my house and it is in danger of falling in, I need to set a goal to move some of these books OFF the SHELVES! My goal for this year will be 15. I'm trying to be realistic for a change. Good luck to everyone in meeting their goal.

Good luck to you too, Regina!

Thanks Terri. I've got my first one off the shelf today. Lysistrata was written in 411 B.C. And is still very funny. I wrote more about it on my 75 challenge thread. It is a very quick read and highly recommended. ****

#2 off the shelf is Real Sex by Lauren Winner. Discussed on my 75 group thread. Highly Recommended for those interested in a biblical view of chastity.

#3 Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer. Just a light romance after a heavy academic type book. Heyer's characters steal the story. It's fun just keeping up with their follies.

#4 Purple Cane Road by James Lee Burke

#5 and #6. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult and The Joys of Reading by Burton Rascoe. Both of these books will find a new home. Not keepers.

#7. Once There was a War by JohnSteinbeck
This was an excellent book. Small in size and easy reading. Heartwarming stories from World War ll.

#8. Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser Interesting mystery involving a death at a convent.

I'm always surprised that there are so many Steinbeck books that I've never heard of.

Terri,
I am anxious to read more of his writing after having read this one.

#9. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall Children's book that was enjoyable but I won't be saving; so that's another one off the shelf!

#10. Cecile by Mary Casanova. Part of the American Girls 'Girls of Many Lands' series. Very enjoyable although sad historical fiction. Recommended.

#11. Say Yes by Audrey Couloumbis
A 12 yr old girl tries to fend for herself in the city after she is abandoned by her step-mother. She is faced with a moral dilemma that is beyond her capacity to discern. A wonderful book about second chances in life. Highly recommend.

#12. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
India's mom left her and her father before she is even old enough to remember her. When she moves to a new town in Florida and comes across a stray dog it stirs up questions and longing in her about her mother. Two excellent children's books in a row! I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend time reading this, as I had seen the movie, but this was well worth the time, especially as it is a very quick read. Highly recommended.

#13. Moffats by Eleanor Estes
Wonderful, old-fashioned story. Highly recommended.

#14. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman Compelling, yet humorous coming of age story that takes place in the 1960s south. Highly recommended.

#15. Money Hungry by Sharon Flake
Excellent children's/ya novel of a young girl trying to ensure that she and her mom are never homeless again. While others see her as greedy, cheap and mean, Raspberry is doing all she can to protect the life that she has and create a better future for herself. A wonderful cast of characters in this insightful story of young urban life.

#16. Bearstone by Will Hobbs All I have to say for this one is "another one bites the dust". More room on my shelves!

#17. Gadget War by Betsy Duffey Disappointingly dull.

#18. Perilous Road by William O. Steele
Excellent children's historical fiction. Even though this is leaving the shelf I'm putting it in a storage box for any future grandchildren.

#19. The Starplace by Vicki Grove
I enjoyed the book, especially as it was set in the 1960s, which spanned most of my childhood. I was very moved by the story ,but I would have to agree with a reviewer on Amazon that it wasn't realistic in how the black character was so readily accepted by the kids at her school and the fact that she was portrayed as having no faults. It was a good story, but not great. ***

#20. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman
as the goal is to make more room on my shelves, this one didn't make too much of a dent, being all of 63 pages. However, they are probably the most powerful and well-written 63 pages exclusively. *****

The Yellow Wallpaper is such a powerful story. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I agree with you both. The Yellow Wallpaper was fabulous.

Your post strikes a cord with me! I've been wondering what the load-bearing limit of my high-rise apartment is in pounds per square foot and trying to locate my bookcases along the main structural walls.

When we started renovating this house (including converting the attic), my husband told the structural engineer to be "extremely generous" with his calculations as there would be thousands of books moving in.

Felicity and Susan, thanks for your posts. I found them both amusing. I'm still struggling to lighten the load on this house! But the main reason I try to reduce my collection is there is just too much to dust and then the books become ruined if I don't get to them soon enough. Hope your houses are holding up well!