Book talk: That book is still sitting on my shelf

Besides actively reading as often as I can, where I can and whenever I can, one of the things I most love doing, is buying new books. There's nothing that beats that feeling of adding a shiny new paperback to one's bookshelf and watching your collection of literature growing day by day, year after year.

Let's face it though. There are two sides of the coin to being an avid bibliophile, especially if you're a book glutton severely addicted to buying books (yeah, I think I've described every single book blogger. Cue major face palm moment).

Inevitably, the amount of books you've bought, become the books you still need to read.  And the books that you still need to read?

Well, that eventually outweighs the amount of books that you have read. And at the end of the day, those books become shelf gatherers - books you've bought months (maybe even years) ago, that you've had every intention of reading, but somehow STILL haven't gotten around to yet.

Oh don't look at me like you don’t know what I'm talking about. :) I'm pretty sure most of you can relate to this right?

I'm certainly one of those people who have many books sitting on my shelves. And having browsed through my shelves, I've once again become aware of just how many fabulous books that are still waiting to be read.

In no particular order, here's a list of books that I've bought, received or won, but that are still sitting, unread, on my shelves (and that I really am planning to read soon). 

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Yes, despite recently winning a copy of Forever, courtesy of the lovely Aisle B, I STILL haven't read Linger yet.

It's been sitting on my shelves for months and was one of those books that I've been incredibly keen to read.

I have to admit that my enthusiasm died a little when people hyped this book to the point where I just felt like I didn't wanted to hear about the book anymore, let alone read it.

Now though? I find that I've changed my mind and now feel ready to read this (Does that make sense?).
 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I'm convinced that I must be one of the last remaining few souls who has yet to read this. Want to know what's weird?

I got Divergent long after I bought this and read through that first, while this book is STILL sitting, unread on my shelf (and has been for months already).

I am, however, moving this up my TBR pile because I want to read this before the movie is released.

  

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Um yes. Another biggie that has been hibernating on my shelves for a good couple of months.

I am actually dying to read this series, but can't for the life of me figure out why I just can't seem to find the time to read this one (Ok, actually I can, but let's not talk about my poor time management skills right now, ok?). 

Again, I feel like I'm one of the last few people on earth who hasn't met Rose and Dimitri yet... and I've heard so many fantastic things about them, the story and well, the entire series really.

And with Bloodlines, the spinoff series, that has just been released, let's just say that I've got some serious catching up to do.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
I can't remember the first time I first heard about Laini Taylor, but when I stumbled across Lips Touch Three Times, a collection of 3 stories all revolving around the gift/power/curse of a kiss, I knew I had to get my hands on it. 

The book, which I took a sneak peak at, contains the most beautiful illustrations I've seen in a book yet. And the little I've seen of the writing so far? Lyrical, beautiful and vividly imaginative.

One thing is sure, I'm definitely going to be reading this before I get around to reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone (yet another book I'm excited about reading).

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
I love fairies. Anything fairy-related (especially literature)? I do everything in my power to get my hands on it.

So why The Iron King is still sitting, unread on my shelf, is a huge mystery to me.

Perhaps I was waiting for the rest of the books in the series to be released, or perhaps I was just distracted by other reads.

It's probably just as well, because when I do eventually get around to reading Iron King, at least I won't have to wait for the rest of the books.

The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
This book is at the top of the list of books I really need to read next. For one, he's an award-winning author whose Chaos Walking trilogy has been receiving accolade after accolade over the past couple of years, and two, he'll be in Cape Town for the Open Book fest.

It goes without would dearly love to get the chance to meet and interview him.

Somehow, with work commitments and other YA paranormal reads, this one has completely slipped under my radar, but no more. Over the next two weeks, I'm going to catch up and read this series.

And even though I may or may not get an opportunity to interview him, I'd at least love to meet him having actually read his books.

Of course, I have many other fabulous reads also still sitting on my shelves, but mentioning them all, would make transform this post into an actual novel.

I'm sure you all can relate to this.

I'd love to hear what books are still sitting on your shelves that you're dying to read, but just haven't gotten around to it. Feel free to share below.

P.S. Sorry I haven't been around all that much. It's been a busy month. I'll be catching up shortly. Also, Alyson Noel giveaway winners - stay tuned, winners have been contacted, but I will be doing a formal announcement shortly. 

Giveaway: Alyson Noel goodies

It's been ages since I've done a giveaway, which is why I'm excited about doing this giveaway, along with the girls over at It's a book thing blog.

Here's what you can win:

2 Evermore t-shirts (Small)
2 Immortals series bookmarks

A few sample chapters of Evermore, book 1 in the Immortals series

I've actually been meaning to post this giveaway, along with the Alyson Noel interview, which I've done previously (and which you can find here), but since, Kelly, one of the fabulous half of the duo over at It's a book thing blog (the other fabulous half being Tarryn), is sponsoring most of the prizes (I'll be throwing in a little something of myself, I thought it would be a great idea if we hosted the actual giveaway form on her blog.

       So, rules of the giveaway are as follows:

• 2 winners will each receive a t-shirt, a bookmark and a sample chapter of Evermore.
• First prize will include a copy of any book in the Immortal series, which I'll then order via Book Depository and have it shipped it off to you.
• Giveaway is open internationally and runs until the 25 August, upon whereby we'll announce the winners on both the blog and contact them via email.
   
  All you need to do now is:

Simply fill out the form here, and become a follower of It's a book thing's blog. You absolutely don't have to be a follower of mine, but it's always welcome and appreciated. Good luck!