The House that Los Built

This week's BTT hits really close to home:

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 his: “What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?“

As I sit here before one of my (too many) cases of books, I can easily pick out 5 titles of interest that I just haven't read yet:

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

The most recently purchased book on this list. I bought this immediately after I saw the film because I was really conflicted about the narrative and I wanted to read the book. I'm not sure why I haven't cracked it open yet.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

I'm embarrassed to say that this was a gift from Steve on my birthday a couple of years ago. I don't know why I haven't read it; I started it, but put it down for some reason. I've actually read several other similar narratives from cover to cover since then, but this one hasn't let me in yet. It may have something to do with my generally squeamish response to Nabokov.

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco

I actually own 2 copies of this book. One is in my office and the other is at home. I see it whenever I am in front of a computer. There's really no excuse.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I know that as soon as I get started on this, I'm going to get entirely sucked in, and yet (or perhaps "and because of that") I wait.

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

I know this one was listed earlier as a bedside book, but, honestly? It's going to sit there, next to the bed, until I pack up my bedside table, and then it'll get unpacked and on and on ad nauseum...which is sad, because Wallace is dead now and I need to read this. It's the one that I've had the longest of this bunch--bought it shortly after it came out--and the one that I want to read the most.