CL ~ Bookshelf Roulette #1

I borrowed this idea from the fabulous 'Literary Disco' podcast which, as an aside, is one of my favourite literary podcasts and is guaranteed to make you laugh.

So, this swap is for those people (like me) who have bookshelves stuffed with books, but who haven't quite got around to reading them all... I am going to give you three random numbers and using those numbers, you will find a book on your shelf and read it. Let me explain.

How it works

You start by choosing whichever bookshelf in your house that you like.

The first random number will be a number between 1 and 4. This will indicate which corner of the bookshelf you start from. So:
1 = top left hand corner
2 = top right hand corner
3 = bottom right hand corner
4 = bottom left hand corner

The second random number will be between 1 and 6. This is because I am going to assume that most bookshelves have around 6 shelves on them. So you will count the number of shelves from the corner that you started from (either up or down). If you have less than 6 shelves you can come back on yourself.

The last random number I am going to choose between 1 and 30, assuming that most shelves will hold around 30 books. You will then count the number of books either from the left or right, depending on your starting point. As before, if you have less, you can come back on yourself.

Whatever book you land on, that is what you are going to read.

Does that make sense? Let's put it into practice...

This month's random numbers

3 ~ 3 ~23

(I have used random.org to generate these)

So, go to your bookshelf. Start at the bottom right hand corner (3), then count up 3 shelves (3), then count 23 books over from the right (23). Got a book? Right, that is your challenge.

What if I have already read it? If it is still on your shelf, I am assuming that you have kept it because it is a book you thought you might re-read at some stage so I would say now is your opportunity. If you really, really don't want to re-read it, you can go one book either side and choose one of those instead.

Then what... Once you have read the book, you need to write a letter to your partner answering the following questions:
1. How long ago did you get the book? Can you remember from where?
2. If this is the first time reading it, did you enjoy it?
3. If you are re-reading it, did you feel the same way about it this time as last time?
4. Explain why it is on your shelf. Did someone recommend it? Did you just buy it randomly? Was it something you always wanted to read but hadn't got around to it? Try and give a little history of the book.
5. Now that you have read it, do you think you'll keep it?
6. Tell your partner what the book is about.
7. Has this inspired you to read other books by this author? In this genre? If not, why not?

Hopefully, these swaps will help you finally get to some of the books on your shelf and it might help you to discover some little gem that you had forgotten or you didn't even know you had.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to message me or ask here in the comments. I hope it all makes sense!