No Buy, No Borrow November

As you’ll see from this post’s title, I’m trying something new – a “No Buy, No Borrow November.” The No Buy part of that is an attempt to reign in my book-spending a bit after treating myself and also doing some early Christmas shopping this October. And that, combined with the No Borrow, is also because I want to devote some time to books I already own but haven’t read yet – or want to reread! As we all know, I’m a mood reader and easily distracted by shiny new books, so maybe this will help me focus a little better.

I’m really not big on setting strict reading lists for myself (again – mood reader!), but there are a few books I’ve been wanting to get to… but keep forgetting when something new and exciting pops up! Some of the books I’m hoping to read this November include:

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4) by Agatha Christie: It’s fall, so of course, I’m in the mood for some good murder mysteries (I can almost hear you asking, “When are you not?”), and I’ve heard Roger Ackroyd is one of Christie’s best! And I do love Poirot.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Although I’d heard good reviews of this book (and a lot of “it will make you cry!” warnings), it wasn’t a high priority. Until a friend gave me a copy last week and told me the protagonist had the same reaction to the idea of haunting a library that I did, “Why would I want to move on?” But, of course, we all know the dead must move on, eventually, so I’m looking forward to following our heroine’s journey… and yes, crying a few tears. When it’s earned, there are few things I enjoy so well as crying over a good book. Bring me that catharsis!

Autumn always feels like a good time to read Elizabeth Gaskell, so I think it’s finally time to tackle Mary Barton, too. This will be my fourth Gaskell novel, I believe, and I’ve heard great things about it – mostly from one person, of course, but she’s probably my most trusted source when it comes to nineteenth-century lit, and she loves this one.

I also think it’s time to read another book in C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower books, so Flying Colours, here I come! I read the first book (counting in the order they were written), Beat to Quarters, last November and loved it, but there are some stories I like to savor, and this is one of them. So yes, I waited a year, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less excited to read more about Hornblower’s adventures.

There are a few others, of course (there always are!), but the above are the ones I’m most determined to get to, I think. We’ll see how that goes! I also have a few library holds that should be available soon – those and book club titles are exceptions to the No Borrow rule that I’m allowing myself. Because if we get to too strict about these things, it takes away some of the fun, doesn’t it?

Anyway, I’m excited to see how this little experiment works out – and to get to some of those books that have been on my shelf forever! What are some books on your TBR that you want to get to soon?

–b