Monday, March 21, 2016

A-Z Challenge Theme Reveal


I own a lot of books.  I have been buying books and keeping them for as long as I can remember.   In one of my posts earlier this year I had a picture of my grandson in front of one of my bookcases.  One of my readers commented on one of the books that they saw in the bookcase (501 Must-Visit Destinations).


I have books in bookcases, books under coffee tables, books in closets, books in the basement, books in boxes... I'm constantly donating books, but I always still seem to have more than I have room for.  If I owned a very large house I would have a library room for sure.

When I started to think about what my theme would be for this years A-to-Z Challenge, I remembered that comment. In past challenges I have blogged about my travels, but last year I stayed home and blogged about my gardening, so no exciting new places to visit.

I decided that the idea of blogging about various books I have may be something that I would do for the A-to-Z challenge.  I will not be doing book reviews. I hate writing book reviews. I hated doing book reports in school.  My choices for the letters will vary by author's names, subjects, titles - all over the map so to speak.

What I will be doing is mentioning a book that I have on my shelf and why it is there.  I hope that over the next month you'll join me in seeing what I have on the bookshelf.

With each blog post I will also have an A-Z destination in the State of Michigan.  It will basically be a two-for-one.  Please join me at my favorite reading spot as we discover what is 'Off the Shelf and On the Road'.


73 comments:

  1. Denise, I simply love the idea of books serving as decor, books everywhere in one's home. I wish I had that many in my home. My husband thinks they are food for insects. :(
    I am looking forward to your theme this year. It will give me some more books to add to my online stash. No one can object to that.
    Good luck. I'll be dropping by every day.

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    1. My sons don't understand why I still read 'real' books printed on paper. Maybe it's a guy thing.

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  2. Books are awesome - I look forward to seeing the books you choose to use for the challenge. Good luck with your posts and I am interested to learn about Michigan too.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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    1. Hope you enjoy it. I just hope I get everything written in the next ten days so I can spend my time reading other blogs.

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  3. I am looking forward to reading your posts. Like you, I have more books than I have storage space! I know nothing about Michigan, so will certainly learn something!
    Many years ago, I got rid of many children's books, including Golden Books. I have regretted it ever since! I should not have got rid of them!

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    1. I kept some of my kids books but I gave many of them away. As a child I had a huge supply of Golden Books, but never considered saving them. Alas...

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  4. I love the idea of learning why you have certain books. Cool theme idea.

    I want your chaise lounge.

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    1. I love the lounge too. Makes one feel like a princess or movie star, lol.

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  5. Books are so cool. I usually read eBooks or audiobooks, but I remember my mother called the living room in our house the "library" because it was full of books.

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    1. I do read ebooks, but I still prefer to hold a book in my hands to read. Habit I guess.

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  6. Sounds like a good idea for the challenge.

    We also have a lot of books. So many, in fact, that most of them are in storage. (We have over 15k of them.)

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    1. Wow. I have not nearly that many books, but my sister told me she has 500 books in her attic. Of course, I regret having donated many of my books.

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  7. This is a very cool challenge and I am looking forward to all your books being represented here for th A to Z.

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    1. And thanks for that comment about my books which inspired my theme.

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  8. I love the 2 for 1 theme! I used to live in Michigan and I love books, so I'll definitely be stopping by in April. Cheers - Ellen | thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com

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    1. I look forward to your visits. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. I eventually had to get rid of a lot of books. We shipped them from England to Canada then Canada to the States. Matt refused to ship all of them back to Canada. Mind you they are building up again.

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    1. Well, you just mentioned all the books you had and your bug problem. I guess books are a great place for bugs to hide. Fortunately, I have never noticed any bug damage. Yet.

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  10. Love books! I too have way too many, and that's after selling or giving them away, but a house is not a home without them!

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    1. Agreed. I smile when I have a visitor who is trying to read book titles on the shelf while feigning any real interest.

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  11. Now this sounds like a fun topic, because knowing what a book is doing in someone's library can be way more interesting than just the book itself ;P
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X

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    1. Oooo... And maybe that is why folks try to see what I have. I thought they were just looking for something to borrow.

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  12. Books and travel - an irresistible combo! Super theme. Good luck with the Challenge.

    Best wishes.
    Nilanjana.
    Madly-in-Verse

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    1. If I listened to books on tape I could drive and read at the same time. But my mind wanders and I miss half of what is said.

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  13. Cool! I love books and book stories, and Michigan is very close to us, so I will be looking forward to some travel suggestions :) See you in April! :)

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    The Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

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    1. I plan to make my way around the entire state. Hope you'll visit.

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  14. Sounds good! I have a lot of hard copy print books in my home, as well. I also have a number of first edition books that I'm proud to own. Good luck with A to Z!

    A to Z Theme Reveal: Becoming an Author

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    1. And I had first editions that I gave away in my youth. My very first job was in a book department for a large store.

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  15. Yes, I am interested in the story behind the books in your collection, and since I've never been to Michigan, it definitely will be a terrific TwoFer. I am adding you to my AtoZ Blog Roll so I won't miss a one of 'Off the Shelf and On the Road.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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  16. Sometimes the story behind the book is more interesting than the book itself and I'm looking forward to learning more about your collection . . . and possibly adding to my own!

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    1. I love A to Z. I always end up adding books and movies to my lists.

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  17. I love peering at bookshelves. This shall be a fun A to Z journey

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  18. I love that theme. Great idea! Most of my books are on my Kindle now, so it isn't quite as fun as having them around the house.

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  19. Oh wow! What a unique and clever theme! I look forward to seeing what's all on your bookshelves and the places around Michigan! See you in 10 days! ~Lori~

    Lori @ As the Fates Would Have It
    Lori @ Promptly Written

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  20. Two for One. A book and a place in Michigan. Interesting.
    Good to visit your site as a part of my A to Z visits.
    Welcome to A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2016 - Co-Participant - Nrao
    NRao Blogs - 2016 A to Z Challenge Blog Posts

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  21. Sounds fantastic to me! Can't wait to read more.


    Tim Brannan
    The Other Side: The A to Z of Adventure!
    http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/

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  22. That's a great way to use those lovely books you have all over the house! You probably need two AtoZs or more.

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    1. I have rewritten every post. Keep changing books and places to visit.

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  23. Two for one! You are ambitious. I'm going to do my reveal later today and hint, we're once again touring New York City.

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    1. I love visiting NYC with you. Looking forward to it.

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  24. I love my book shelves. Will be fun to see what's on yours! I'm doing Pioneer Women in Aviation

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  25. Addicted to books, how can I resist joining you on the #Challenge. A theme that has captured my attention.

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  26. That sounds great!! Maybe I should do that one year - after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery :)
    Looking forward to reading the stories behind your stories!
    Jemima Pett

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  27. Your house sounds like mine. At one time, my house was so covered in books that my son declared I had a better selection of books in my house than in a well-publicized book sale. After that, I gave many to local libraries for their booksales. I look forward to your posts, and the 2 for 1 info on Michigan. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  28. I love the idea of Off the Shelf and On the Road! Can't wait to see what you have to show us!

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  29. Oooh sounds good! I'm the same with books all over so anything booky gets my attention! Looking forward to visiting you through April :)
    Debbie

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  30. Great idea for a theme. I will be looking forward to reading your posts! Maybe next year I'll participate... it looks like fun!

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  31. Fun! I love books and have several thousand, but I always like learning of another book I might enjoy.

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  32. Interesting theme with books and then featuring things from Michigan. Have never been to Michigan and I don't think I'll end up there (but then again, who knows, if you told me 3 years ago I would be living in Arizona, I would have laughed). Looking forward to reading your posts.

    You do have lots of books!!!

    betty

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  33. Our thoughts on retirement are very similar! I love your chaise a lovely spot to read. I'm looking forward to reading your posts in A-Z Challenge - it is my first year.

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  34. This sounds like a very interesting theme! I have many books as well but they all fit into 4 categories, not much of a variety. Hopefully I can find something new from you!

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  35. First of all, is that your chaise? It's gorgeous! *drools with envy*

    Second, what a great idea for a theme! I'm really looking forward to reading your posts.

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    1. Yes, it is my chaise. I bought it years ago for my office at home. Now with the boys all gone I have moved furniture around and it sits in the living room. I feel like a princess when I read my books.

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  36. Thats great! I do think a persons choice of books reveals their personality and how they think. It would be great to peek into your library. Good luck! :)

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  37. Awesome theme.... Looking forward to.reading them..

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  38. Now this is a book-centric theme I will enjoy. I'm not too keen on book reviews and I am glad you don't like writing them *grins*
    Found you on the Theme Reveal.
    www.thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com (No. 115 on the list)

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  39. I have the '501 Must Visit Destinations' book as well. Love living in one of those "destinations". Can't wait to follow along on your A to Z journey!

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  40. I'd love to lounge in that spot with a good book.
    Looking forward to your A-Z series, and thanks for dropping by.

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  41. I love books and I love the idea of the personal touch explanation of why they are on your shelves. Looking forward to your posts.

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  42. I hate book reviews, too, but how I love books. Look forward to your bookshelf tour!

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  43. J here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge - where I am part of Arlee Bird's A to Z Ambassador Team.
    Excellent choice for an A to Z challenge theme. Good job. My theme is the craft of fiction writing. Tips, lessons, and prompts from various writing reference books. I follow it up with a sample of my work.
    Your theme feels similar to mine, what with going through the books we've acquired. Love it!
    April should be exciting. I'm looking forward to the event. Best of luck to us both on meeting our goals of posting and hopping to other blogs.
    My blog has a giveaway. There's a bonus a to z challenge each day to encourage people to visit more stops.
    http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
    I've followed your listed social media.

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  44. Howdy! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you have right here on this post. I will be returning to your site for more soon.

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  45. Oh, how I do love books and what I wouldn't give to have your reading chair! Looking forward to your posts and getting to know you. Have fun!

    Linda K
    @_theheadcabbage from
    Tales from the Cabbage Patch

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  46. I love books too! I have a ton of books and I have been collecting books for my daughter since she was born! I have to comment on your photo because I see the harry Potter series there and it is my absolute favorite! I can't wait to see what books you have on your bookshelf (or under your coffee table) and why they are there. This is my first year participating in the challenge, and I want to try to visit every blog, but I will be back a couple of times in April! Cassie from Mommy, RN

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    1. Yes, I have all the Potter books. I'll make a quick mention of them in the challenge.

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  47. What an unique and excellent theme! I truthfully despise book reviews. I don't like reading about a book. But knowing why one is in your collection brings in the personal element that I love! Looking forward to what you share with us.
    Revisit the Tender Years with me during the #AtoZChallenge at Life & Faith in Caneyhead!

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  48. Love your theme! I can totally relate to having books books books! I just donated a whole truckful a few months back and still have so many book I don't know what to do with them all! I rarely buy books anymore --- hard copy books, that is. Now all my books reside on my Kindle app on the iPad.
    I'll look forward to reading your A-Z posts. That's ambitious doing 2 for 1 posts! Hope to see you during the challenge ...

    Michele at Angels Bark

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