Reading all the books: a project

I have so many unread books, I have run out of room for them. This was never a problem in my place in Minnesota where I had space for lots of bookshelves at home, and an entire office with floor-to-ceiling shelves for all my books for work. When I moved I got rid of almost all of them. It was a huge project; I sold as many as I could, donated more to graduate students, put a lot in the Little Free Library boxes near my house, and carted off the rest to Good Will. I only saved 9 boxes that I shipped to California when I moved.

Now I live in a small apartment with small bookshelves, and all of them are full. I've been using the library a lot, and I'm ruthless in giving away books as I read them; very few make the cut for permanent lodging.  Right now, in addition to the unread books on my shelves, there are at least 50 or more books stacked on my living room table.  I've decided to adopt a strict one-in, one-out policy I can't bring home any new books until I've read something from the book pile and returned it to one of the Little Free Library boxes that are the destinations of my daily walks. 

One in: just yesterday, I brought home is Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States (2014) by Felipe Fernández Armesto.
He's an engaging writer who is able to bring precise scholarship to big picture essays. I used some of his work in my classes, and I am sure I'll enjoy this book.

 One out: my most recent read, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is a memoir with recipes called Cakewalk by Kate Moses.

Before I return it to circulation, I want to choose one of her recipes to try. I don't have a mixer so my baking style is a little limited, but I'm sure I can make some of her brownies!

Next up: Zadie Smith, Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays.