Devon Book Club discussion

You know that TBR list? The one that keeps growing? Of course you do. I've just been looking at mine on Goodreads and see that the books waiting longest to be read stretch back to 2014. Now that is just rude in my opinion and so I've decided to read one book each month from the longest waiters. Here's where you come in - I would like views on which to choose. So, here are my 5 longest waiting books - which one do you recommend? Americanah The Executioner's Song The Famished Road Under the Net Absalom, Absalom!

And what is the state of your list? Which are your longest waiting books?

I think you should stop being so hard on yourself, Ian... after all, hanging onto an unread book for 8 years is really quite respectable. Given all the books published each year by authors you already adore, plus all new authors - and new books - as well as the 'hits' from all the prize-winning lists ... never mind all the recommendations that tempt us on here... it wouldn't be surprising if you had books left over from childhood. Come to think of it, I never did read 'The Silmarillion'! A quick scan of one shelf revealed a pristine paperback copy of Catch-22 [168668] by Joseph Heller... which I have never read. But I'm not worrired, when the right time comes, it will be there for me ... or I will donate it to a charity shop. Just brazen it out.
However, if you really want to read one of the 5 listed, I would suggest the last one!!

Americanah is well worth a read, I'm in the happy position of discovering that I haven't read one of my Terry Pratchett books, Amazon were offering it cheap and I thought, I don't know that one! found it on my shelf and discovered that it's a personalised signed copy! Must have got it when he was addressing the Tolkien Society AGM, that would have been late 80s. I've been working my way through the many books acquired from the library over the years.

Terry described being invited to that as 'like asking Herod to address the Bethlehem young wives group' by the way.

What a great find. Love Terry Pratchett

thanks, yes, no idea how I got it as it was published too late for it to have been when I thought. Mystery but very happy.

I've found my Kindle reader helps with my 'To Be Read' list. I down-load books when they are suggested to me, or I discover them on the internet. Buying them this way doesn't cost a fortune.
The Kindle reader fits into a handbag or a small suitcase; and I'm able to read them at odd moments - in a waiting room, or on a long journey. When it's holiday time, I always have a few TBR books stacked up to fill relaxing, lazy days.

DrMama wrote: "I think you should stop being so hard on yourself, Ian... after all, hanging onto an unread book for 8 years is really quite respectable. Given all the books published each year by authors you alre..."

I'm not really being hard on myself - just thought it was an interesting thread to open. I decided on The Executioners Song in the end - it called to me as books sometimes do but I shall get to Absalom Absolom at some point. They are all on my TBR for a reason

Ley wrote: "Americanah is well worth a read, I'm in the happy position of discovering that I haven't read one of my Terry Pratchett books, Amazon were offering it cheap and I thought, I don't know that one! fo..."

How wonderful and Americanah will certainly get read at some point

Ley wrote: "Terry described being invited to that as 'like asking Herod to address the Bethlehem young wives group' by the way."

Brilliant

Cynthea wrote: "I've found my Kindle reader helps with my 'To Be Read' list. I down-load books when they are suggested to me, or I discover them on the internet. Buying them this way doesn't cost a fortune.
The K..."

Yes - I have a Kindle too - makes my TBR even longer so I am judicious with what I download

I think I can beat that.
I was given a copy of Anita Shreve’s ‘Body Surfing’ in 2007. I read a couple of pages, wasn’t very happy with the unusual lay-out of the text, and so shelved it.

I resurrected it a couple of weeks ago. This time I read it from beginning to end. I still felt the same about the many tiny paragraphs through the work, but thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the superb description of New England.
After the novel gathering dust on my bookshelves for 15 years, I now feel I can pass it on and highly recommend it.

Cynthea wrote: "I've found my Kindle reader helps with my 'To Be Read' list. I down-load books when they are suggested to me, or I discover them on the internet. Buying them this way doesn't cost a fortune.
The K..."
Hi Cynthea, A quick warning about Kindles. Mine has recently been deemed 'out of date' by the vendors. So, they began sending new purchases to my tablet ... where the books won't open. Despite requests, no help is forthcoming, so I've returned - solely - to good, old books.

Hello Dr Mama,

Thanks for the warning. Despite the fact my Kindle has to be 10 years old now, it's still going strong.

Apart from the fact that my TBR books are not taking up room on a shelf, I enjoy the fact they are all stored in a small space.
When going on holiday, rather than take a pile of books in my suitcase, I prefer to leave room to be able to bring home souvenirs and presents.
Another advantage of reading on a Kindle; if I come across something I want to investigate, I can look up info from the internet on the same appliance.
We all have our preferences, don't we?

I’m with you Cynthia, I read a lot of books and it’s affordable on the kindle. I suddenly lost the central vision in my eye and on the kindle I can make the font darker, blockier and bigger making it easier to read. It is invaluable as I would miss reading it is such a big part of my life.
I write my books on a chrome-book where again I can make the font bigger. I’m grateful for these modern devices.

I had to stop using my old Kindle fire as it stopped accepting a charge. I now have a Lenovo tablet with a kindle app on it.

Ley wrote: "I had to stop using my old Kindle fire as it stopped accepting a charge. I now have a Lenovo tablet with a kindle app on it."

Hi Ley,
That's interesting. Were you able to save and transfer all the books that were on the Kindle Fire? My Kindle is ancient... probably one of the earliest ones they produced, well over 10 years old... and it began 'not accepting' books that I'd purchased... nearly a year ago. I had already started transfering works to my tablet, and buying via that, but more recently works on the tablet will not open. It was always my hope that these devices provided a means to save trees and cut the pollution involved in making paper, but now I'm thinking I should switch back to paper books. I already (and for decades) have used my local library for most reading material and would like to find out more about how much of pollutant kindles, etc. themselves are.

DrMama wrote: "Ley wrote: "I had to stop using my old Kindle fire as it stopped accepting a charge. I now have a Lenovo tablet with a kindle app on it."

Hi Ley,
That's interesting. Were you able to save and tran..."

The books should be in your Amazon account if you have one, otherwise I'm not sure, if you can connect the kindle to a PC using a USB lead that might be a way to do it. If it's just a Kindle rather than a Kindle Fire it may be more difficult as they don't have the same internet connectivity.

DrMama wrote: "Cynthea wrote: "I've found my Kindle reader helps with my 'To Be Read' list. I down-load books when they are suggested to me, or I discover them on the internet. Buying them this way doesn't cost a..."

That's really annoying - doesn't seem right when it is still working. How old is it? I have a Kindle Fire.

So, to my November TBR plea for help; the next 4 longest waiting books on my list - which would you recommend and what's been waiting longest on your list?

Nostromo
Vernon God Little
The Blind Assassin
The Bone People

Nostromo, but then I adore Conrad. Think I gave up on 2nd and 4th.

DrMama wrote: "Nostromo, but then I adore Conrad. Think I gave up on 2nd and 4th."

Thanks Carol - they all look good to me. Over on Twitter The Blind Assassin is nudging ahead

Loving this thread - each month I am at last reading a book that has been long-term on my TBR. For December I want to hear your views about another four - - which would you pick to read?