What’s 746 books all about then?
My name is Cathy. I am a 40-something mother of 7 year old twins who loves buying books.
I am addicted to buying books of all types; real proper books, second hand books, borrowed books, books for Kindle, books for iPad….
In 2013 I realised this madness could not continue, so I set myself a challenge. I counted all the unread books in my house and it came to 746.
It was frightening.
What was even more frightening is that I didn’t count the unread books that are packed away in boxes in the attic and have been since we moved house, 17 YEARS AGO. Nor did I count the books that belonged to my father that have been in storage for the last 4 YEARS. Plus, I didn’t factor in books of my husband’s that I’ve been meaning to read as well. But 746 books was what I had to hand, and 746 was where I started.
In the last year preceeding my challenge, I read 36 books. Continuing at this, let’s face it, not very inspiring rate, meant that it would take me 20.72 years to read everything I have in the house. I’ll be 63. Bloody hell.
So, I decided to stop. Since that day I haven’t bought myself any books. I do allow myself bookish gifts, publisher’s ARCs and the occasional library trip, but I have stopped buying and am reading and reviewing from my mountainous TBR pile!
I am also passionate about Irish Literature and host the annual Reading Ireland Month in March. Click on the Irish Literature section to see news and reviews about the exciting work coming from Ireland. Each month I focus on a writer from Northern Ireland and you can check those reviews out in my Northern Exposure series.
I work full time as the Arts Programmer at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy where my compulsive reading is seen as a transferable skill! I review theatre for the Irish entertainment website No More Workhorse and have taken part in the Belfast Book Festival, Dalkey Book Festival and Jaipur Literature Festival in India.
You can follow my progress on Twitter @cathy746books or email me at cmac2708@yahoo.co.uk
Hi Cathy,
As you will know from my blog, my novel ‘Ignoring Gravity’ is due to be published in September 2014 by BNBS Books. I’ve finally got the ms back from the copy-editor and wondered if you would like to review it on your blog? As it is an advance copy it is only available as pdf at this stage.
Let me know what you think.
Kind regards
Sandra
sdan2364[at]btinternet[dot]com
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Thanks for the offer Sandra, but I’m only reading books out of the 746 for the foreseeable future! I look forward to seeing how it goes for you, very exciting times.
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Thx Cathy, didn’t realise you had a fixed list. Good luck with it. 🙂 SD
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Not sure how I stumbled upon your blog, but I love the idea behind it. (Not sure I have 746 unread books on my shelves, but there is definitely a large, years-old stash of books that have yet to be read!) Look forward to following along…
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Thanks so much Amy, I need all the support I can get!
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Thanks for visiting my blog. Your premise sounds awesome, and I look forward to seeing your posts.
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Thank you! You read some interesting books yourself!
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Having unread books ensures a long life, because you can’t die if you have “unfinished business.” I like to keep at least 100 unread books on hand, just to be safe. 😉
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I like your style Jeff, I’ll be around for a few more years then!
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Hi Cathy, thanks for stopping by and following too. And I thought my TBR pile was big. Good luck with it, I’ll be following with interest
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Thanks Cathy! I am a good cautionary tale for book lovers everywhere!
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Hi Cathy: Thanks for visiting and following Bookshelf, a blog dedicated to bibliophiles like yourself. Truly, if you have passionate curiosity then you can never have enough books! And for any serious collector, the books that you plan to read are just as important as the books you have read because they reflect your interests, your curiosity about the humanity and the world. Cheers, Alex
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Thanks Alex, I like that point of view and rest assured, I’ll probably be buying books when I’m 90, planning to read them someday!
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I nominated you for the very inspiring blogger award. here is a link to the post if you are interested in participating: http://strahbarysfields.com/2014/06/14/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
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Thanks so much Diana, I appreciate that! I’ll get to this next week x
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Just stumbled upon your blog. Wow — that’s quite a challenge. I know I could not resist any new releases but I applaud your determination and look forward to watching the progress.
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Thanks Alena, it’s not easy that’s for sure! Thanks so much for reading.
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I love your blog so much, I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award. https://alenaslife.wordpress.com/2014/06/28/honored-and-thankful-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
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Thank you so much Alena!
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Hello 🙂 I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! http://theselittlewords.com/2014/06/27/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/ …
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Thank you Lizzie!
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I absolutely love your blog and I know you must get these all the time but I wanted to nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award 😀 Hope you have the time check this out!
http://friendlybookworm.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/186/
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I don’t get them all the time, so thank you! I’ll do this tomorrow.
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Thanks for the follow. I’m also a book-addict but havent nearly as many as you unread! Are there any on my top 20 non-naturalistic list you want to read?
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Kafka on the Shore is in the 746 as is Alice in Wonderland, because I’ve yet to read it!
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I just found your blog. What a great idea! I too am a book addict–both a reader and a buyer–so I look forward to reading more of your blog.
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Thanks so much Debra!
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I chose your blog to showcase on my new feature: Follow That Page! 🙂
http://fortheloveofthepage.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/follow-that-page/
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Thank you so much for featuring me, you’re a star!
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I couldn’t do it. I get so distracted that even if I’m reading off a list, I’m like “ooh, that book looks shiny!” and pretty soon my structured reading is completely derailed. I have a whole binder of book lists, all partially completed. Good luck – can’t wait to see your progress!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, it’s not been easy that’s for sure!
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Haha! That’s some collection of unread books! And here I thought I was bad… XD I wish you luck on your journey! Keep reading! You can do it!
PS – I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! 🙂
If you have a moment, it would be great if you can check it out: http://recklessindulgence.wordpress.com/2014/09/07/one-lovely-blog-award-nomination/
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Aw, thanks! I’ll check out the nomination now, that’s very kind!
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Thank you for following my blog! I sympathize completely. I now have full basement wall covered in books and I never have enough. lol. Plus I remember my mom giving me the thrilling job one summer of cataloguing or library at home (some 1200 books) I spent more time reading than actually cataloguing.
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Thanks for the follow too! I think if I had to catalogue 1200 books I would be easily distracted too!
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I came here wondering why 746 books? Well, I have my answer. I also have a backlog of books I own, but nothing like you have. I’m eating my way through my backlog, and I said I won’t buy anymore until after my family has moved back to Canada. I don’t need extra books to carry back to Canada that I won’t read here in Japan. Anyway, I’m following to see how you do.
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Thanks Jay Dee
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Thank for stopping by and reading my blog. It is sooo hard just to read what you own because another literary treat is always at the library or bookstore. Don’t feel rushed to complete the task. I will now continue reading Luminaries and have added one of Alice Munro’s short story collections to my list. Also need to get back to the Alexander Hamilton biography which was from my own unread collection.Enjoy!
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I have The Luminaries but have been putting it off – it’s so big!
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Hello! I just wanted to tell that I’ve nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award. Obviously that’s because I just love reading your blog, 🙂 Here’s the post if you wish to see: http://anaisthebookworm.wordpress.com/?p=256&preview=true&preview_id=256&preview_nonce=
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Thank you so much Ana! I’ll try and get to this next week x
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Haha, oops – I nominated you as well. Your blog is just too great :). I really like the idea & your post always are a joy to read.
http://anothernightofreading.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/one-lovely-blog-award/
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I think your blog is fantastic! I bet you already have it, but I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award anyway. You can find more information about the award on my blog: http://pinkpanthersnipes.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/one-lovely-blog-award. I will still love your blog whether you participate or not!
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I nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! 🙂 http://wp.me/p2Qol2-fE
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Hi Cathy, I had a sneaky and subversive thought……..as you clearly look at what other bookie bloggers are reading ……has temptation not made you ADD to that fearsome but slowly diminishing book mountain!
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I’ve been sorely tempted for sure, but I’ve managed to stop myself from buying! I have got books I really wanted for birthdays and Christmas and I have a massive list of books that I’m interested in and may try and get from the library, but I really want to get the 746 down so I’m trying to be good!!
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Respeck!
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Hullo Cathy!
Just wanted to let you know, I’ve nominated you for the Sibterhood of the World Bloggers Award! 😀 You can find it here:
http://recklessindulgence.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/sibterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
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Thank you!
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You’re very welcome! 🙂
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You’ve set yourself quite a task there! I think that reading 36 books in a year is a good rate, by the way, especially given that you are a busy mother. I think that you can whip through these 746 books much faster than you think. Give each one the three-chapter test and if it hasn’t sucked you in by then, give it to charity and move on to the next.
I have the same… er… problem as you: I am a compulsive book buyer and always have been. I’m more discerning since I bought my Kindle because of the “Look inside” free sample feature where you can read about three chapters before actually buying it.
Two years ago my actual book collection was over 1040 when I found a nest of termites in my cottage – they had eaten through 24 books before I discovered them. I had to temporarily move house for the first time in eleven years, so I got very efficient with the unread books and took almost 100 of them to the SPCA. My reasoning was that I was giving others the chance to read something that I knew I never would. I did keep a few back though…
…but two years later I still haven’t read them because there’s always something more exciting to download onto my Kindle. Maybe it’s time for another clean-up. Good luck with your task – I look forward to reading about it.
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Thanks for stopping by Susan, Most of my books are actually Kindle/ iPad so space isn’t as much the issue as time! I realised if I kept buying at the rate I was, I would continue to buy a vast amount of books that I would never get to read and that just seems pointless for so many reasons!
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I like the story of the termites eating through your books. I’m compulsive about buying books too and I’m afraid I have so many interests that is my excuse for buying a wide range of books from poetry, novels, SF, classics, music, walking, yoga, Buddhism, non fiction – I’m doing an online course about Hamlet so, you’ve guessed it, I’m into Shakespeare. I hope reincarnation is a reality as I need ten lifetimes at least to get through this lot!
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I know the feeling Erik, thanks for stopping by!
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Hi Cathy! I love your blog so I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – keep up the good work 😀 Here’s the link: https://onlybooksandhorses.wordpress.com/2015/02/07/versatile-blogger-award/
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Thanks so much! I’ll check that out this week!
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Thanks for following Now This Is What I Would Call Music. Enjoy the tunes! Steve…
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Oh if I only had 746 unread books! And if I could even stop buying for a month. At the moment I have an eye injury and can’t read for a few weeks but it hasn’t stopped me buying books. I must try harder.. Good luck with the challenge.
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Thanks Seamus, I’m aware I’m not the worst out there!
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Hey! I just wanted to say that I love your blog, even though I’m relatively new here. And I decided to nominate you for both the Creative Blogger and Inspiring Blog Awards, in case you haven’t already done them. :))
https://mycafeaulivre.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/creative-blogger-and-inspiring-blog-awards/
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Thank you Fiona! I’ll try and get a look at these once Reading Ireland Month is over and will check out your blog too x
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You know how much I rate your blog but no harm in reminding you. Very well deserved. And your latest Irish themed stuff is just superb. https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/awards-versatile-blogger-2/
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Hi Cathy, would you be interested in doing a guest blog on my site in the View from Here series? Your hosting of Reading Ireland Month would fit perfectly
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I would love to, thank you! Can I get in touch with you next week once I have my Ireland Month Madness behind me?
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Hi Cathy: Thanks for your support of Bookshelf. At 746, you have a great start. I share your malady; my personal library exceeds 6,000 books. The demise of the indy bookstore has been the toughest thing to witness. Through the years, I have met so many wonderful booksellers, the “gently mad” as Nicholas Basbanes would call them, who have made the journey so fulfilling and rewarding on so many levels. Somehow, all these books become your children — each has a story to tell, and each has a story behind how you acquired them. Cherish your gentle madness. 🙂
Cheers, Alex
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Thank you so much Alex, I do love my gentle madness, there are worse things to be obsessed with!
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Hullo Cathy–I’ve nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World blogging award/meme. There’s a link to the questions here: https://ellethinks.wordpress.com/2015/05/10/sisterhood-of-the-world-qa/
I’d love to hear your answers!
–E x
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Why thank you Elle! Will try and get to this next week 🙂
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Cathy, have you actually managed not to buy a single book since you set yourself this challenge?
How long has it been, by the way?
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Hi Ana, I started in December 2013 and I haven’t bought anything! I have been given some as gifts so at the moment I’m compiling my birthday list for November 🙂
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Wow, that is amazing. I don’t think I could do it myself…
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I have ABSOLUTELY put buying books on hold. I have so many (not as many as you, though, haha!) that I need to get through. For one birthday, my husband took me to a used book store and was like, “Go nuts!” So, it got worse. I’ve also realized that a LOT of books I love from small presses are not appearing in my library, which is cool! What is your policy on getting rid of books? Have you heard of The Free Little Library? Google it–I have a couple near my house, and I feel good about letting go of books I won’t read again that way.
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Hi there! I have a Little Free Library at my work ( I work in an Arts Centre) so they are all going there. I’m getting better at getting rid of books once they are read – I used to be a real hoarder!
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Me, too, but then I realized that these neighborhood leave a book/take a book boxes might make a big difference to someone who can’t get to the library because they have limited means or no vehicle. I also feel weird about the way books pile up at Goodwill. They just seem dusty and sad.
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Hi!!
Just stopping by to let you know I have nominated you for The Secret Life of a Bookblogger Tag here: https://anaslair.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/the-secret-life-of-a-bookblogger-tag/
It is not a very time consuming one, so I hope you will do it, but no pressure 😉
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Your blog is fascinating.
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Thank you!
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I’m hoping you like my blog too.
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Rather brave of you to count… .
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I like your list of Irish novels. But I need help pairing it down. What are your top 3 or 4 that I should try?
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This is very subjective Brian, but I would recommend Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane; Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann and A Girl Is A Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride. All modern classics.
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I really like your blog. No worries if you don’t accept the award though https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/v/
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Thanks Alex, I’ll try and get to this next week!
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Will be great to see your response 🙂
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Hi Cathy, I’ve tagged you in the TBR Book Pile meme. It’s just a bit of fun so don’t feel obliged. The link’s here: https://thewritesofwoman.wordpress.com/2015/11/12/tbr-book-tag/
Naomi
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Thanks Naomi, I’m going to have fun doing this one 🙂
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I’m not sure if this is your thing Cathy, but I’ve nominated you for a blogger award! If you’d like to partake you can do so here: http://avoluptuousmind.com/2016/01/11/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
xoxo
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Aw thank you lovely! I tore ligaments in my anklw today and am laid up for the next week at least so I’ll have plenty of time for this x
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Oh no! That sounds so nasty! I hope you’re on the mend though. Look forward to your answers. Feel better soon ❤
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Just happened this morning so I’m still really sore but trying to focus on the unexpected reading time I have now!
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Well, silver linings and all that! xoxo
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I adore this concept. I too am trying to read down what I already own (though my pile is significantly smaller!) in advance of moving. Your progress is inspiring!
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Thanks Shaina, two years on and it’s still tough but very doable!
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Hi Cathy, would you be interested in doing a guest post on my site? I like to feature people talking about literature from different countries – would be good to have Ireland in the spotlight either around st patrick’s day or your Reading Ireland month? The feature is called A View from Here. http://bookertalk.com/world-literature/the-view-from-here/
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Yes! I’d love to. I’ll check out the other posts and get something to you for March. Thanks for asking!
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that’s great news. if you email me at heenandavies at yahoo dot co dot uk I’ll put some questions together
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Will do!
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Hi Cathy – your blog was just recommended to me as we are on the same mission! I am failing miserably, how is your quest going?! https://murderundergroundbrokethecamel.wordpress.com/about/about-murder-underground-broke-the-camels-back/
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Brilliant!! Welcome to the club! I’m doing ok – no books bought in over 2 years but I do accept gifts and have the occasional visit to the library! I have about 630 of the original 746 left to read so I wouldn’t say I’m a success story just yet! I look forward to seeing how you get on x
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Haha I just did a round up of the year and worked out I have increased by to read pile by 43! I am rubbish at this… Very impressive that you haven’t book ANY in two whole years… https://murderundergroundbrokethecamel.wordpress.com/2016/03/08/one-year-on/
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Your blog is brilliant! Very detailed. I’ve only just started blogging so mine is still very basic at the moment. I am a twin mummy too and also totally addicted to buying and reading books!
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How brilliant Jo! What age are your twins? Harrison & Stella are 5 now x
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They are all grown up now! They will be 22 in June! And both have their own children as well. I am now a nana to 3 with a 4th due in September 😊 x
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Wonderful. Twins are amazing x
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I am always drawn to books about twins and there have been quite a few lately! It’s very special being a twin mum 😍
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What a great idea for a blog! I look forward to reading your posts as you progress. (I’m too afraid to count my books, so I admire that you know your total…). 🙂
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I’m afraid it’s slow progress! Thanks so much for visiting.
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