While away in California, my desk became the breeding ground for piles of packages. Because I am one of the buyers for the store and because of this blog, I get a lot of books in the mail. And Tuesday (and most days) I lamented the fact that I didn’t have more time each day to read. There is no way I can possibly read every book and review it. Read Frank Wilson’s explanation for how he runs the review pages for the Philadelphia Inquirer. I don’t get as many books as he does, I’m sure, but I get so many books, some bad, but many good. Here’s a sampling:

• Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 by Tony Judt–I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, but frankly the size of the hardcover made it difficult. Luckily a paperback copy showed up.
• The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai—I hear this is amazing. Has anyone else read it?
• The Children’s Hospital by Chris Adrian—How could one not want to read a book about a hospital floating on the 7 miles of water that have flooded the Earth? Who?
• Christine Falls by Benjamin Black—John Banville’s debut crime novel written under a new pen name (though they’re not hiding who the author is which makes me question the whole pen name thing).
• The Trojan War by Barry Strauss—I like Classics.
• Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra—this much buzzed book has a cool gold slipcase complete with bullet holes.
• After the Storm edited by David Troutt—A collection of essays by black intellectuals writing about Hurricane Katrina and it’s effects.
• The Wonderland Quartet by Joyce Carol Oates—Some lovely soul at the Modern Libary sent me all four books in the repackaged Oates’ quartet.
• The Mystery of the Sardine by Stefan Themerson—A poodle blows up in it. Do I need to say more?
• The Curtain: An Essay in Seven Parts by Milan Kundera—This exploration of the novel from Kundera looks promising.

This is but a small drop in the ever flowing sea of books that move across my desk. How can I find more time to read all of these possible gems? I already read while brushing my teeth. And slightly off topic, but still relevant, how do I decide what’s worth mentioning here? Ed posts his own review/podcasting policies. This also brings up larger issues like disappearing review coverage in papers, the effects blogs and less mainstream media is having on books (if any), etc. But that’s possibly for another post. I still have to find time to read all of these books. Is there any book you’re excited about reading, old or new?