On my shelf since: September 2022, when I inherited this and a bunch of other books from Mom. My copy’s origin story:(Hardback 6th Edition, originally published 2002) Mom bought this (along with his ___ Loud and ___ Close book) from Third Place Books on April 18, 2005 for $8. Already on the sixth printing in…

On my shelf since: July 2024 My copy’s origin story:(First Paperback Edition, March 2020 – one good thing to come out of that bad month) Bought to read out loud on a drive to a romantic getaway to the dreamy Post Hotel in Leavenworth, WA. Why not until now: We started reading this book on…

On my shelf since: November 2023 My copy’s origin story:(First Edition, 2021) Came “free” with my ticket to see Erdrich’s Seattle Arts and Lecture talk. Why not until now: Nothing to see here. Just wasn’t sitting on my shelf long enough to require an explanation. Review: Usually about halfway through reading a “shelf” book, I…

On my shelf since: A dear friend, who I have since lost touch with, but not because of this, once gifted me a subscription to McSweeney’s. I got this book, another of Eggers’ first editions, and other incredible publications that all piled up and collected dust for years. My copy’s origin story:(First Furry Edition, 2009)…

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…