I'm trying to read all 1001 books.
That sounds like a lot of books.
Until you are told that I'm trying to read 1001 children's books.
That sounds easier.
It isn't.
I've had to do some ridiculous things.
I can't find many of the remaining books
at any of the three library systems I belong to.
I've had to resort to buying these online.
Some of them aren't even available in English!
I've had to read one book in German, for example.
Do you know how long it takes me to read an entire book in German?
I don't even know German!
One book was only available in Japanese!
Can't even use Google translator there!
How about this book from the 1001 list?
The Quinkins.
There is one used copy of The Quinkins out there for sale.
$113.56.
And Marlaguette.
One used copy for $94.87.
And it's in French.
(Okay. Enough ranting about the difficulties of this task.
That's the fun of it: the difficulties of this task.)
Here's the bottom line:
My total number of books read: 432 of 1001!
Only 568 books to go!
I will press on.
Anyone have any good ideas for me?
How can I acquire copies of these 568 books
without exhausting my bank account?
And what about the books that aren't in English?
Any thoughts?
And what about the books that aren't in English?
Any thoughts?
Here's what I finished this week:
What is the Sunday Salon?
Imagine some university library's vast reading room.
It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in.
They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,
and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go.
Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and
compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....
That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual.
Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon
get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read.
And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs.
Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon,
an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities
and fall into a good book.
And don't forget!
The July Giveaway here at Readerbuzz is...
the library?
ReplyDeleteIs Dr Suess in there or spike milligan's childrens treasury, if so I've read a couple & even posted on one (Dr Suess) in rhyme. If not - oh well, never mind. Best of luck with your mad quest.
ReplyDeleteHave you checked to see if any are on Project Gutenberg or some other online archive? If they're not in print anymore, they may be in the public domain. Other than that, you may have to shell out the big bucks. If I were you I'd insist on high quality copies with intact dust jackets. That way, you could sell them again once you're don and recoup the money you've spent.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, that is quite the task! I do understand the fascination with children's books, though. Ever since I took that course back in college (Children's Literature); and yes, I know that was a hundred years ago! LOL
ReplyDeleteHave fun! Thanks for visiting my blog.
As a fellow traveller on this strange path, I'm worried about the difficulties too. I'd really like to take them to task about including books so difficult to find, or actually impossible to read in English! What really is the point of that?
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing progress you're making though! Streaking ahead. I need to get a few more of the shorter picture books under my belt. I'm intrigued with what you thought about Blinky Bill. To my unending shame I've never read it....
Oh and let me know what I can try and find for you in Australia.
I have three library cards, Marie, including one for library that serves a city with two million people. Nevertheless, I've had great difficulty finding a number of these books at the library. Many are not even found at any libraries in the US!
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that some of these will be in the public domain, C. B. I've not yet looked there; picture books just are not as good online.
ReplyDeleteI do like your idea of reselling nice copies. I honestly just don't like to sell books; I'd rather give them away and be done with it.
Thanks, Louise. You, too, have experienced my sorrow.
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet actually reviewed the books I read this week. Let's hope I get around to it in the next couple of days.
Thank you, Parish Lantern, for your support in my "mad quest".
ReplyDeleteWe see a fair amoount of old children's books come through our non-proft used bookshop...maybe you've got some great used bookstores near you?
ReplyDeleteWow, Deb! I do understand the feeling though. I love the work of late illustrator Trina Schart Hyman and it's hard to find copies of her work for a decent price. I have no idea what you can do but good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an undertaking! The ones that are out of print and used copies are selling for outrageous prices would probably deter me, though.
ReplyDeleteWhere is this list you're reading from? And why are you doing it? Is it for a class assignment? Or just personal? If just personal, I wouldn't spend the money and wouldn't worry about if you can't get to all of them. If it's for a class, what kind of masochist is the professor? ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm surprised so many are so hard to find! I'd ask all of your libraries about inter-library loan. Not all public libraries do it, but I believe most university/college libraries do. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when I can't get my hands on something that I really want to read. Usually I can gets things through Inter-Library Loan. Is that available to you? Love following your blog.
ReplyDeleteCome visit The Scarlet Letter for my Salon.
That's quite a task! I thought about doing it with the adult version but didn't like the idea of not being totally free with my reading choices.
ReplyDeleteAre any of the older books available for free on the Project Gutenberg website? Might be worth a look ...
That sounds like quite the challenge! The outrageous prices would probably deter me, especially if I couldn't find those books at my library. I might check a used bookstore and see if any of them are there.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're able to make some progress though, without making your pocketbook any lighter!
Couple of ideas for you-see if your library does inter-library loan. Sometimes I have to request stuff through them to fulfill my own reading wishes. For me, the cost is $1 to cover posting and handling.
ReplyDeleteYou might also have luck with used book stores online. Abebooks.com and bookfinder.com have worked for me in the past. Good luck!!
Unfinishedperson, it's, as Parish Lantern said, a mad quest. Silly, really, I suppose, to torment myself to complete an impossible task.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the idea to seek out some of the book through ILL. I will try it.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a challenge! I definitely understand why you can't afford to break the bank trying to find all of those!
ReplyDeleteThat's an insane amount of children's books. I don't know how in the world I would manage to find them all. And I don't think I would have the patience! More power to you lady!
ReplyDeleteOh mon Dieu, Martina monte à cheval!! J'avais complètement oublié Martine, j'en ai pourtant lu beaucoup quand j'étais petite. Merci de me rappeler ce beau souvenir. Emma @ Words And Peace
ReplyDelete