Today’s question: Series. Do you collect any series? Do you read series books? Fantasy? Mystery? Science fiction? Religious? Other genre? Do you use the series feature in LT to help you find new books or figure out what you might be missing from a series?

My Response:  I collect books on a limited basis…because I read hundreds of books each year…and had wall-to-wall shelves built-in just for books…I realized that once I ran out of space that I needed to do something…and adding more walls was not an option…lol.  So now I only collect books that I want to keep for prosperity.   Actually, I only collect books that are classics (or should be)…but I do read and have read book series to include:

the Nancy Drew Series (when I was a child)

The Left Behind Series (eons ago)

Alex Cross Mystery Series by James Patterson

Harry Potter Series

Vampire Huntress Series by LA Banks

And while these are not a series they should be…because these characters just keep coming back like a bad rash…Basil from E. Lynn Harris, Rev. Curtis Black from Kim Lawson Roby

Okay–here was an interesting article by Christopher Schoppa in the Washington Post.

Avid readers know all too well how easy it is to acquire books — it’s the letting go that’s the difficult part. … During the past 20 years, in which books have played a significant role in both my personal and professional lives, I’ve certainly had my fair share of them (and some might say several others’ shares) in my library. Many were read and saved for posterity, others eventually, but still reluctantly, sent back out into the world.

But there is also a category of titles that I’ve clung to for years, as they survived numerous purges, frequent library donations and countless changes of residence. I’ve yet to read them, but am absolutely certain I will. And should. When, I’m not sure, as I’m constantly distracted by the recent, just published and soon to be published works.

So, the question is this: “What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?“

Hmmm all of those that I haven’t read, about 100 books, are waiting patiently on my shelves.  Hehe.

Okay, I decided to revise this a little…because if you’re an avid reader and you’re anything like me…you probably have TONS OF BOOKS waiting to be read on your book shelves.  For some reason, avid readers not only enjoy reading…but we seem to enjoy buying books just because, collecting them…and always having long arze to-read piles…lol.  So here’s my other questions, that I pose for discussion:

What five books have been sitting on your book shelves or in your to-read pile forever?

What five books are on your nightstand…or the books you hope to read soon…very soon.

If you’re not a book collector, or don’t collect every book, what do you do with books that you no longer want?

Glad it’s Sunday…because you might need to check out your book shelves to answer the questions above.

Okay…my response…these books have been on my book shelves for over a year…I really do have good intentions and plan to read them…I just don’t know when…sigh:

Blues in the Wind by Whitney LeBlanc (CLICK HERE to read Dera’s review)

Ms. Etta’s Fast House by Victor McGlothin (CLICK HERE to read Phyllis’ review.)

Lovestoned by TP Carter (CLICK HERE to read Angelia’s review.)

Walk Through Darkness by David Anthony Durham (CLICK HERE to read Nicole’s review.)

Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens, especially since  I now have two copies…lol. (CLICK HERE to read Jeannette’s review.)

On the Nightstand (Okay I’m Going to Cheat Here…All of These Books are Listed because they’re on my November Reading List and/or review books that I need to read)

Book of Lies by Brad Metzer

God Gave Me Some Bad Advice by Byron Harmon

Matrimony by Joshua Henkin

Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Hood Life by Meesha Mink & DE’Nesha Diamond

The List by Sherri Lewis

Love Child’s Revenge by Nicole Bailey-Williams

Naked Truth by Marvelyn Brown

Rhythms of Grace by Marilyn Griffith

Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin

Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Sweetsmoke by David Fuller

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Whiskey Road by Karen Siplin

Three Manuscript

Books I No Longer Want–I give them to family and friends…yea I know I’m giving a book away…beat me with a wet noodle…at least it’s better than tossing them in the trashcan.   Also, I donate books to Goodwill, the library, and any other good cause that comes along.  In the past, I’ve also sold them and participated in book swaps.  I know not everyone will agree with any of these methods…and some authors might shutter…but honestly once a reader purchases or is given a book…no one can dictate what they do with that book and a reader shouldn’t feel guilty for NOT being a book collector.  I don’t know how many of you have ever had a major move…and used a moving company…but trust me when the moving company starts quoting the fee based on weight…it’s amazing how quickly you can get rid of somethings…including books.   Recently, I’ve seen several bloggers giving away copies of books that they’ve read…hmmm something I might want to consider in the future. 

Another Booking Through Thursday meme…

Monica suggested this one:

Got this idea from Literary Feline during her recent contest:

“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”

My Response:  My all-time favorite literary couple is still Cocoa and George from Mama Day by Gloria Naylor.  Although TeaCake and Janie from Their Eyes are Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston are a close second…from childhood it would be Romeo and Juliet…:)

Share your favorite literary couple(s) and for an added twist…tell me which couple is your favorite from your 2008 reads.  (My 2008 favorite couple thus far is Sara and Khalil from Slow Burn by Ebony Farashuu, CLICK HERE to read APOOO’s review by Angelia.)

 In closing, books I read last week and really enjoyed two of the three…which made my Top 10 list for this year…although with two more months…one of them could fall off…my favorite for last week is pictured below:

37–Cross Country by James Patterson–Highly recommend.  I loved that Cross Country included Patterson’s trademarks in the Alex Cross series:  Short chapters; action-packed and fast-paced plot…which kept me on the edge of my seat and quickly turning the pages.  Can’t wait for the next Alex Cross book.  Rating 4 (out of 5 stars).