Hello, hello!!

Bookworms, the biggest problem we might have in our reading life is the books we are unable to read and the never-ending urge to keep buying more books. Well, if you, like me, are suffering through this and want to make this part of your life a little bit better then you finally have a good solution for your problem!

#StartOnYourShelfathon is a 2020 star-themed readathon hosted and run by  CW from The Quiet Pond. The aim of #StartOnYourShelfathon is to read as many unread books on your bookshelf as you can between December 13th 2019 and December 31st 2020.

#StartOnYourShelfathon isn’t an ordinary readathon too! The mascot of #StartOnYourShelfathon is Castor the Star Collector, a sloth friend of The Quiet Pond who has lost all the stars he has collected over the years. And he needs your help to find them again!

For every book that you read as part of #StartOnYourShelfathon, you collect a star that you can add the star to your ‘star map’. Read books, collect stars, give yourself an amateur star-collector name, and create constellations! You can read Castor’s story and find information about and resources for the readathon here.

(All of the information above is directly taken from The Quiet Pond! For more information, you can go there because there’s no point in me posting it all over again and be in danger of plagiarism.)

My #StartOnYourShelfathon Goals

So, if I was too optimistic I would say that I would read all the books that are unread, sitting on my shelves and I won’t be buying any more books till all the books are read on my shelves.

Yeah. That’s not gonna happen anytime soon because there are always new exciting books that are coming out and me being a reader, I don’t want to lose the chance to read those books. So, here are the goals I have set for myself at their more basic level:-

1. I will try to read as many books as I can from my unread pile.
2. I will also only buy books for every three books I read from the unread pile.
3. I will limit the number of ARCs that I request on NetGalley and I have already started doing it and I am managing it without feeling bad about it.
4. I will definitely try to give away some books that I know I am not going to read/re-read. I know there are a few that I know I am never gonna read again.

My #StartOnYourShelfathon TBR

Because my physical unread TBR is almost if not more than fifty books, I am only going to list the books I desperately need to read already. I know. What’s the point of not listing them all in the same post but trust me, you don’t want to me list fifty books (I can see you nodding, I know, right?!).

So these are the books I am really, really hoping to read during the readathon period. They are not a lot of books and I did buy those books hoping to read them so it should not be hard to conquer the challenge.

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Yes, it’s Ursula K. Le Guin and yes, that’s mostly the first and foremost appeal for this one but upon reading the summary again, I have become excited all over again for this one because it sounds that good, okay? Also, it’s something I should read given the current political climate globally.

Maybe during this December and if not, then there’s a whole year left for me read this one.

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R. M. Romero

This book has all the elements I love in a book, it’s historical fiction, it has magic or at least some version of it and it has brilliant cover/art. I should have read this already but somehow I haven’t which is a pity but fear not for I am determined to read this one as soon as possible.

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

If you have been here a while then you know I started to read this one back in 2018 and failed quite majestically at it. So, I am hoping that I will start and finish this trilogy by the end of the 2020 so that I can get on with the next series in this world.

To tempt me further, there’s already a mini series adaptation of it that I want to see but I am saving it so that I can watch it after reading the book. So, that’s one more reason I should be reading it.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I am ashamed to say that I haven’t even begin reading this one and it’s been over a year and a half now. For someone who claims to love all things books and libraries, I sure don’t prove it, do I? Well, here’s to me actually reading it this year.

The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst

This book has been on my shelf for probably the same amount of time that Shadow of the Wind has been and it’s a shame that I haven’t read this one either. It sounds most intriguing and for the love of me, I can’t imagine why I haven’t gotten around to it. (Actually, I know the reason. Moody reading.)

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill

This book came in a book box last July. Do you understand? Last July! I know why I have been hesitant to read this one though because it’s a retelling and it has abuse and I am always a little bit afraid to see such matters handled. So I am going to do my best to get over the reluctance and read it. Maybe when the Monsoon comes? To go with the water theme?

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

A drama happening in a small town/village setting is the best read for winter especially when the place it’s situated in is snowy as well. So I am hoping to read this one over the course of winter, I can’t say exactly when though. This winter is all I can promise myself.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A big book with heartbreak and heartache written all over it, you can imagine why I haven’t jumped at the chance to pick this one up. However I am really hoping to. Whenever I actually get the chance to and whenever my moody mind lets me because I am super curious about it.

The Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin

Before I read the Broken Earth trilogy, I want to read this one because this one is actually in my possession. Also the summary is super intriguing and I have also heard great things about this one too. Also it’s a trilogy in one bundle, so I don’t have to wait for the next books to come in the mail. Always the best feeling in the world.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Another great book that nobody has really disliked. I have yet to pick this one up but it sounds like something I would thoroughly enjoy. It’s also been on my shelf for a while now so it’s high time it got chosen. From what I know, there’s no high stakes but there’s a lot to learn? I could be wrong.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

So, the only reason I haven’t read this one is because I am afraid I will sob like I was dying. That’s it. That’s the only reason. I might pick this one up when I am feeling low and feel the need to cry because I will most definitely be crying over this one. I just know it, okay?

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

I finally have this one in my possession and I mean to read it as soon as I am able. It’s also a standalone so it should be easy enough to read. There’s a lot that was left out of the show for practical reasons, I am guessing. I want to know what was left out and I want to just enjoy the duo that is the angel and the demon. I love me some Aziraphale and Crowley, okay?

Join #StartOnYourShelfathon!

I mean, doesn’t it sound just amazing? Isn’t it gonna help you with your unread pile in the end? Aren’t you enthusiastic about it?

If you want to join #StartOnYourShelfathon, you can read more information in the readathon information post at The Quiet Pond.

• Are you participating in #StartOnYourShelfathon?
• What book are you most excited to read?