On my shelf since: 2023 when I thought I might propose this book for my book group, but took Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabriella Zevin and The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka instead. My copy’s origin story:(First Paperback Edition, 2018) The sticker on the back says I paid $17 for…

On my shelf since: Inherited Mom’s hardcover mystery collection in 2022. I tried to make good on her dreams of selling the collection and making a fortune, but alas, no such luck. Kept this one and a few others, but the rest flew out to lucky readers in our Little Free Library. My copy’s origin…

On my shelf since:  As many people know — and my kids think is embarrassing — I’m a fan of the podcast Dear Hank and John (the Green Brothers). John Green loves The Mountain Goats and the author of this book is The Mountain Goats guy. As a fan of a fan, I bought this…

On my shelf since:  Apparently forever? Several of my family members exclaimed with dismay when they realized I hadn’t read this book yet. The spine is so wide some of us have been staring at that accusing “K” our whole lives. My copy’s origin story:  (Paperback, 1992) This book could maybe have been my Dad’s…

On my shelf since:  One of my sister’s favorite books (at least that’s how I remember it). I tried to start this book sometime in the late 90’s and remember finding it too difficult. The voice? The punctuation? What exactly was my problem? My copy’s origin story:  (Paperback 1995: University Book Store $8.21) Putting this…

On my shelf since:  I thought this book was a hand-me-down from my friend and pal, SH, way back when (early 90s again), but now I’m not so sure. This doesn’t seem like a book she would have loved so much that she thought I must have it. (Turns out this is true. She doesn’t…

On my shelf since:  2022. This is one of the many mystery/thriller/PI (mostly first edition) books that I “inherited” (read: no one else wanted) from my mom. My copy’s origin story:  (Hardcover 1st Edition 1989) I must have picked this one out to save because of the movie. Not sure why else the author or…

On my shelf since:  Late 2010’s, I think. One of those times when the MIL (see next blurb) was trying to clear out books from her basement. I, so helpfully, took two or three small paperbacks and left the three bookshelves of histories, archival cookbooks, travel guides, and favorite children’s books for another day. (Maybe…

On my mind since:  I watched the first half of this movie 10 or so years ago, fell asleep half way through, but then forgot that I’d only seen half. My copy’s origin story:  Did I really just watch this on the Disney channel? Why not until now:  With so many movies to watch, how…

On my shelf since:  This likely showed up when the son was comparing space novels (an excuse to re-read the Martian for the 3rd time) for a school writing assignment, and I tried to get him to read the classics even though I hadn’t. My copy’s origin story:  (Paperback 1999; new introduction by author) Almost…