2010 Reading From My Shelves Project

So, as the year 2010 began, I found inspiration in a fellow blogger’s quest to empty their book-laden shelves. In truth, the mission was really simple. Read the books I already owned and then pass them on to new readers. Easy-Peazy. The 2010 Reading From My Shelves challenge presented the perfect chance to reread my personal collection, reduce clutter and spreading the love of reading books. Of course, I eagerly accepted the challenge, setting a personal goal to read 25 books from my shelves. Here’s a recap of my literary expedition.

January – March (Book 1-5):

The Books I Read:

1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Where I Donated The Books:

These timeless works were gifted to my community library. The librarians were ecstatic to add such esteemed novels to their collection, and I was content knowing that these tales would find new audiences.

April – June (Books 6-10):

The Books I Read:

6. Beloved by Toni Morrison
7. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
10. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Where I Donated The Books:

These profound narratives were entrusted to a local secondhand bookstore renowned for its curated selection of literature. In exchange, I received credit, which I intend to use judiciously to prevent a restocking of my now-spacious shelves.

July – September (Books 11-15)

The Books I Read:

11. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
12. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
13. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
14. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
15. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

Where I Donated The Books:

I exchanged these enchanting tales with a friend whose children are budding bibliophiles. The kids were overjoyed to embark on these fantastical journeys, and I was delighted to ignite their youthful imaginations.

October – December (Books 16-25)

The Books I Read:

16. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
17. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
18. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
19. Atonement by Ian McEwan
20. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
21. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
22. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
23. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
24. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
25. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

Where I Donated The Books:

These modern classics were distributed among friends, family, and a local charity. My aim was to ensure that a diverse group of readers would enjoy these narratives, particularly those who may not have regular access to fresh reading material.

Click here to see where you can donate your books online.

Challenge Completed

The 2010 Reading From My Shelves Project proved to be a deeply fulfilling endeavor. I really enjoyed it. It allowed me to indulge in exceptional stories and significantly declutter my living space. The act of rehoming each book was immensely satisfying, as I knew they would continue to spread joy. This challenge reinforced the importance of sharing and the pleasure of giving. For those with shelves brimming with unread books, I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on a similar adventure. Wishing you joyful reading and successful decluttering!

If you like book challenges, take a look at my Take Another Chance Challenge. There are three levels. You can decide which one you will participate in. They vary in degrees of difficulty.