Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book meme run by That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s not a weekly post I’ve ever participated in before, but I check in on it from time to time in case I’m hit with inspiration. Turns out this is the week, though I’ve dragged my feet a little, as today’s list is a “Spring Cleaning Freebie.”

The first thought that comes to mind when I think of spring cleaning and books is getting rid of books…which I generally avoid doing. I just don’t want to part with them, if I can help it. It also conjures the image of dusting things off, however, and I have an unfortunate amount of books that have been collecting a ridiculous amount of dust over the years. So, my list for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is 10 books that have sat on my shelf for over five years (a few definitely over 10, honestly) that I really ought to dust off and read.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

This was on my yearly to-read list last year, and is a part of the leftovers I mean to get through this year, so it hasn’t been completely neglected. Nevertheless, I’ve owned this copy for a very long time, but I think it’s the only old classic on my shelf I’m so committed to getting through soon. Some I have no active plans to read at all.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Yet another book on my leftovers list for this year, I’m actually not looking forward to reading this that much. I’ve heard there’s some exhaustive description of everyday objects and possessions, and while I understand it is important in context, it sounds like a bit of a slog. Nevertheless, something that hopefully won’t sit unread on my shelf much longer.

Art of War by Sun Tzu

A book I’ve definitely had over 10 years, I got it during a trip to Ohio. I picked it up because it felt like required reading, and I’m sure it is, but it has sat untouched on my shelf ever since. One of these days I’ll learn what it’s all about.

Dead Space: Martyr by B. K. Evenson

I have a surprisingly pleasant memory attached to this video game tie-in novel. My girlfriend randomly gifted it to me many years ago, after she found it in the thrift shop she used to work at. She was surprised at my delight when receiving it, as I’d been interested in checking it out at the time. Of course, I still haven’t actually checked it out, but the memory is nice all the same.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

I bought this from a used bookstore goodness knows how long ago. It’s the first book in one of my best friend’s favourite series, though, so I’m sure I’ll read it some day. I expect to have a hard time finding matching editions when I want to get further, which is vexing.

Watch by Robert J. Sawyer

This may be the newest book among all ten of these. I actually have no recollection of how recently I bought it. It’s the second book in a trilogy I’ve been meaning to continue for ages, though, yet it has languished on my shelf for a long time.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

Can you guess that I bought this book when the Will Smith film came out? I’m still interested in checking it out, but all that really comes to mind when I think about this book is my awful to decision to deem this cover acceptable. That red star? Not a sticker. This is what my copy looks like and I hate it. No amount of dust will cover it up.

Defiance by Nechama Tec

Pretty sure I bought this book around the time of the film as well, which I’ve never seen. Maybe a year or two after, I’m really not sure. I recall my father really selling me on the history that this book covers, though, which is why I picked it up. I’m sure I’ll be inspired to read it one of these days, but WWII history just doesn’t jump at me all that much, so who knows when.

Flight by Sherman Alexie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven is a short story collection by the author that I read for a university course, which I have good memories of. I mean, that title, am I right? So, when I saw this book in the university bookstore, I decided to pick it up even though it wasn’t on any syllabus. I’ll read it one of these days, but it’s easily one of my most neglected books, yet never fully forgotten about.

Voices of the Winds: Native American Legends by Margot Edmonds & Ella E. Clark

I bought this book in my early 20s, I’m pretty sure, when I was much more intent on reading as much world mythology as possible. There are a few unread books from that personal trend that sit on my shelf, but this is the loveliest book among them, as the copy I found was a like-new hardcover at a used bookstore. Of all those old mythology books, this is one of the most appealing, so maybe it’ll have its day soon.

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That’s it for my Top Ten Tuesday for this week. I don’t intend to participate every week, but if another topic strikes a chord with me I’ll be more than happy to once again.

Thank you for reading!