Something's blocking my reads
(The so-called extension shelf)
My November promises included not buying another book unless my pending reads are all consumed. As expected, I failed. Over the weekend, I regrouped my books and did put an extension shelf to accommodate the new ones. I placed on the extension the non-moving items (I’ll start to sound like doing an inventory), which categorize those that I’ve finished reading and/or those I’ve long started but don’t feel flipping through them at the moment. The reading choice is normally non-traditional. We cannot simply read ala FIFO (first in, first out) or LIFO (last in, first out). Last year I noticed that I’ve been doing LIFO, that’s reading the most recent buy. And I think that’s not a good practice. So I might as well try to balance my picks.
(New reads. Would you know what’s on top?)
Five of these books were recently gifted to me by different people. (Thanks again. You know who you are.) While the rest, I bought because I think I had to.
(Upwards)
(1) Kulinarya: A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine - Got this during our visit to Bale Dutung. It’s an awesome guide. What’s more awesome is that I got a personal dedication from Claude Tayag.
(2) The Flip Reader – Authored by different Filipinos, coming from different industries. It’s a very good read. I’m glad I got hold of the last copy from Powerbooks Megamall during my vacation.
(3) The 50 Greatest Love Letters of All Times* – Actually gifted by a dear friend in time for Christmas in 2007. I didn’t know I left this in the Philippines. So this was among the first batch of stuff that went straight to my luggage the moment I came home.
(4) Fruitcake – Authored by Eraserheads ages ago. I didn’t know about this. How come I missed?
(5) Best of Europe 2009* – I’m so surprised that you gave me this! Thanks, L.
(6) The Boleyn Inheritance* – I must be excited to flip through this after reading number 7
(7) The Other Boleyn Girl* – I’d like to read the book first before seeing the film
(8) Life of Pi* – Caught my attention the most; done with it the other day
(9) Pocket Arabic Dictionary – Would be extra helpful. How come it took me a year before I realized it? 
(10) Arabic Phrase Book – Please see preceding note
(11) Pocket First Aid* – Ahahaha, you’re so clever. This is the most unexpected gift I received last December. You figured out I don’t have one. Thanks, B.
*received as gifts
So whenever I’m in the bookstore, I just content myself checking the titles. So far, I can hold on. I don’t know until when.
And with all the pending reads, Wii seems to derail my reading. Haha. I’m over with Mario Kart addiction. I’m currently engrossed with Guitar Hero. Now I know how cool it is to feel like a rock star.
Which books are you reading at the moment?
Jo, i, too, have a lot of pending readables and even if i like them all, including all the Jane Austens, i really don’t think I can take up much reading anymore. I think I’ll puke, the readings in the office make me dizzy already and I am not abusing my eyes because of that. I am reading, but it’s all work stuffs. I hate to miss my readings, but I don’t have a choice, Ugh!
shengs last blog post..Happy, it’s so nice to be happy!
i want to read Kafka on the Shore by Murakami Haruki, but I’m yet 2 books behind my favorite series. hehe.
I want to read The Other Boleyn, too!
I haven’t read any book lately, at least not the technical ones. But like you, I also have an Arabic dictionary and phrase books.
Kakainggit, you have a Wii. I’m still playing with my PS2.
BlogusVoxs last blog post..Buhay Buhangin (Sn 17)
so many books! i love books but i found that i like sharing my books more, especially the ones i like. lately all i’ve been reading are tons of biology books, since i am teaching LOL. ganito na lang, para hindi mo na maktia yang mga hindi mo pa nababasa isend mo na lang sakin ako na babasa at ikkwento ko na lang sayo. LOL.
PMs last blog post..Going in Circles
grabe! bookworm! but reading books are so much fun and does so much for the mind. i’m also a bookworm!
gel and I also bought Rick Steves Best of Europe for our trip. You know, I like it better than Lonely Planet.
oh yes, the Wii is capable of stealing your attention from anything to everything. i’m not reading anything at the moment just watching tv and going out for a walk later.
kaynis last blog post..Warm Weekend
I have a library of books that I haven’t read or may have read a couple of chapters
Nowadays my only reading time is in the train, which can be pre-empted by the crossword puzzle most of the time, ugh 
My parents have passed on and we discovered my dad’s love letters to our mom. Very romantic
I thought the old fashioned way of sending love letters is really cool 
Does anyone write love letters anymore? Perhaps love emails in this generation hehe
bws last blog post..Playing The Odds
Ako rin, I have lots of pending books…sigh.
Wuahhh…I want a Wii din! inggit!!!lolz
jeannys last blog post..Birthday giveaway
im so into murakami at this moment! I’m done with the other boleyn girl and the movie, as usual the book is better than the movie. id like to read the life of pi, maybe during sem break, hehe.
we have wii in the office, sobrang nakaka adik..
iluvgreens last blog post..you know i hate it…
Dami din naming pending books. Dati I try to read at least one hour every night, but lately sobrang busy na.
I haven’t tried Guitar Hero, but I thoroughly enjoyed Rockband! Like you, I felt like a Rock Star!
Ricos last blog post..small miracles
hahaha kaya pala may bago kang toy
Looks like an interesting heap of books. Hope you find the time to enjoy them. Wii must be a fun distraction.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot #60
lotsa books!
maybe you try rosetta stone-arabic?
my dutch improved a lot with rosetta stone.
odettes last blog post..the birthday giveaway
I have the same principle in reading…as much as possible I don’t want to buy new books unless I’m done with the one I’m currently reading. But sometimes you happen to pass by a book shelf and just cant control yourself. Or sometimes you receive books from people. So now, I’ve got a waiting list too, and I really need to catch up.
I’ve seen the movie The Other Boleyn Girl. Might be interesting to read the book. And oh, I’m gonna find a copy of Fruitcake, by hook or by crook.
Right now I’m halfway through a book called Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress which I bought for fifty pesos at a book sale. I’m loving it.
kats last blog post..Children of the Darts
hahaha! nice toy you got yourself jo! i’ve got a stack of classics on my must-read list, but somehow i keep straying to fluffy romances and agatha christie. why???
caryns last blog post..making melodies (in my heart. hehehe.)
wow wii!!! gusto ko rin nyan bumili para sa mga kapatid ko and wii fit naman for me! haha!
dyanies last blog post..Dream, Believe and Survive
That really happens. It’s so difficult to get time to read. Too many distractions, including work. Lol. Of course, just kidding.
I’ve started the Other Boleyn last night. I’m done until 32nd page and so far it’s good. Last month I was so tempted to get my first of Murakami.
I brought the ps2 when I went home for a vacation and intentionally left it. I took advantage of the price slash, so a wii there. Discounts everywhere because of Dubai Shopping Festival.
I admire you for sharing your books. I have not so good experience in lending mine. It’s either they’re not returned or come back in a poor condition.
Guess who gifted Best of Europe to me?
Wii is so much fun (and tiring)!
Gee, take care of those love letters! A family treasure nowadays. I think there are still ‘noble’ few who scribble one.
You can have it next. I think you’re still enjoying your PSP.
Life of Pi is good. I’m glad you didn’t spill anything about The Other Boleyn Girl. I’m trying to be clueless about it. Heehee.
Wow, why is there a wii in your office?
That’s my plan, too. To read at least an hour each night. But it’s hard to keep up.
Rock Band and Guitar Hero are quite similar, except for the better “guitar feel” in the latter and of course the group feel in the former. Here’s a good comparison: http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/01/05/battle-of-the-console-rockers-guitar-hero-iii-vs-rock-band-part-2/
But all in all, both will make us feel like a rockstar. Haha. Right now, my favorite piece is “I’m a Joker”.
Heehee, kakaaddict.
Wii is indeed a sweet distraction. It’s difficult to find more time for reading nowadays. I love to sleep early because of the weather.
I’ll look for that. Thanks.
I checked the book you’re currently reading. Lovely cover and it looks like an interesting read. I have a Chinese pending read, The Emperor’s Children. Time to flip through that next month.
One of my aunts love Agatha Christie.