Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves created and hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up! For more info on what Shelf Control is all about, check out Lisa’s introductory post, here.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England’s history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England–until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell’s student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

I’ve owned a copy of this book for years, ever since I came across it in a charity shop for less than £2, and while I’ve always wanted to read it I’m just so intimidated by how long it is. Maybe 2020 will finally be the year I cross this beast off my TBR?

Are you intimidated by the longer books on your shelves? What’s the longest book you’ve read this year?

It’s December, which means it’s my favourite time of year (I LOVE Christmas!) and the Reindeer Readathon has begun! I’m pleased to say I’ve already made a dent in my TBR, and have so far accumulated 35 points for Team Mistletoe.

Before

I finally returned to The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics after I started it and then put it down earlier this year, when I wasn’t quite in the mood for historical romance. I’m so glad I’ve crossed this book off my TBR, though, because it was so much fun and so unapologetically feminist – look out for my review!

Now

I’ve strayed away from my Reindeer Readathon TBR because I could feel myself heading for a slump (something I don’t want in the last month of the year!) and I had a sudden craving for non-fiction, which I haven’t been in the mood for at all this year. I started The Five this morning and I’m already loving it. This is such an important piece of history writing, and I can’t believe I was taught Jack the Ripper targeted prostitutes when there’s no evidence that three of the five women we know he murdered were ever sex workers. I can’t wait to read more.

Next

NOS4R2 is the December pick for my horror book club, Dawn of the Read, so I want to pick it up soon so I don’t fall behind. I’m usually rubbish at book clubs (even the ones I create!) so the fact that I read the October book in October and the November book in November is a trend I want to continue.

What are you reading right now?