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Smiling Shelves

Armchair BEA Friday

5/30/2014

12 Comments

 
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Topic of Choice - Reading Off My Own Shelves vs. Library Books

I am a load-up-at-used-book-sales kind of book buyer. I don't often buy brand new books, and if I do, I use a gift card. And I very rarely pay full price for them. So suffice it to say that I own a lot of books. Many of them are spontaneously bought books - ones that I had never heard of before but looked as if I could be interested in reading them someday. And they only cost a quarter, so why wouldn't I pick them up?

On top of that bad habit, I love library books. There's just something about entering a huge building full of free books that I can't resist. There's nothing wrong with loving libraries. But when I am constantly filling my own bookshelves, but hardly ever reading anything from them? That's not so good.

So I entered the Mount TBR Reading Challenge this year, hoping to read 36 books that I own. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a plenty high goal for me. I'm not quite two-thirds of the way through, and I'm discovering something strange. Rather than feeling "forced" to read off my own shelves, I want to. I'm avoiding libraries. I like the feeling of accomplishment I get when a book on my shelf is no longer unloved. I'm sure I'll finish my reading challenge this year. But more importantly, I may have found a solution for my overflowing yet neglected bookshelves. I'll just keep chipping away, one book at a time.

Middle Grade/Young Adult Books

I love middle grade books. I teach fourth grade, so I'm kept fairly in the loop about what is popular in middle grade fiction. Right now (at least for the boys in my class), it's the Origami Yoda books. And while I haven't read any of these myself, I love the concept. Origami and Star Wars and puns galore! I also love introducing my students to some classics during our daily read-aloud time. We start in September with The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, and the kids still remember Chester and Tucker by the end of the school year. We read our way through The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary and enter the crazy world of Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School. I love hearing their reactions to the funny and serious moments. These characters are real and living to them. There are some stories that never get old, no matter how many times you read them.
12 Comments
wesley @library educated link
5/30/2014 03:14:41 am

I have the my books v library books too. Its a hard thing to balance!

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
5/30/2014 10:35:48 am

Very much so! At least I'm finally tipping the scales in the right direction (I think :).

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Joy Weese Moll link
5/30/2014 03:15:34 am

I'm more and more a library user because I've run out of space for books. I should try the Mount TBR Reading Challenge to clear out my shelves.

My brother didn't read until fourth grade, when his teacher read the Little House books. He couldn't wait for more of the story, so he borrowed my copies. Before then, everyone thought that he couldn't read. He just hadn't found anything interesting enough. So, good for you for reading to your class!

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
5/30/2014 10:36:44 am

It's fun to see the non-enthusiastic readers get so involved in the read aloud stories. Just got to find the book that hooks them, like with your brother! :)

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Joyful Reaer link
5/30/2014 08:53:07 am

Considering my goal for the year is 50, 36 for one challenge is huge! I know what you mean about a library. I would just love to go into a big city library. Our little town library is kind of sad... Hope you have a great weekend of reading!

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
5/30/2014 10:39:40 am

Hopefully I'll make it to 36. I'm a little worried, because it's almost summer - which means I have time to drive to the big city and visit its library. I know exactly what you mean about little town libraries! :)

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Ms. Yingling link
5/30/2014 12:23:45 pm

I rarely buy books, and then only if i have already read the. I'm a middle school librarian and read in excess of 700 MG fiction and nonfiction books a year, so if you want suggestions, please visit my blog! I have wondered if the Origami Yoda books, like Wimpy Kid, aren't a bit old for 4th grade. Not inappropriate, but there's a fair amount of romance and personal relationships that probably are not the same in 4th and 7th grade. You should see if you can get copies from Netgalley if getting new physical books is difficult.

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
6/1/2014 09:28:43 am

I haven't actually read any of the Origami Yoda books, so I hadn't realized they meant not be good for fourth graders. Thanks for the heads up! I'll be sure to check out your blog for other suggestions!

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Jennifer Hartling link
5/30/2014 04:03:20 pm

Good luck with Mt TBR. I feel your pain ;) I'm wild about the library as well and I can't walk in there without walking back out with a ginormous stack

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
6/1/2014 09:29:21 am

Yup, that happens to me, too. Pretty much every time.

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bookertalk link
5/30/2014 09:14:09 pm

I'm a lover of libraries too. Sadly here in the uk they seem to be under threat with more and more smaller branches being closed.as for the TBR issue, I am slowly making my way through mine also with the aid of a restriction on buying anything new until I can clear space

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Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
6/1/2014 09:32:04 am

I wonder here in the States, too, about how long the small town branches can last. . . Good for you for working through that TBR pile. I don't think I would have enough self-control to not buy anything new for that long. :)

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    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

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