Read-a-thon Mini-Challenge: Show It Off!

Hey there, fellow read-a-thon-ers!

Thinking about sneaking a nap in? No way! Grab a cup of tea or coffee (or a Red Bull) because you're in for the long-haul now. While you're at it, get out your camera's for Hour 20 "Show It Off" Mini-challenge.

Here's what I want you to do: I want you to show off a book (or books) from your library that you are extremely proud of. The unique, signed or simply dear-to-your-heart editions that you'd grab if there were a fire.

Need some examples? Well, how about that signed, personalised edition by your favourite author? Or how about that shelf of painstakingly-collected of every Jane Austen-related book in existence? Perhaps you've an extremely dog-eared copy of a book that's been passed down through your family? Anything goes - just make it something special to you.

Me? I want to show you two very special sets of J.R.R. Tolkien books. The Hobbit belonged to my grandfather and is a 1966 stunning hardcover edition. Then there's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, from 1965, that belongs to my mother (she kindly lets me read them) and that she's had since she was a girl. These books have followed us across oceans and into several different homes - they're special and they're beautiful. They are the representation of Tolkien that I grew up with, and I can't imagine his writing any other way.

The complete trilogy (left) and The Fellowship of the Ring (right) without its dust-jacket.

The Hobbit with its slipcase.

As you can see, they are well-loved but still in fantastic condition considering they are almost 50 years old! If you can't tell from the photos, both editions have engravings on them: Dwarvish on The Hobbit, and the Black Speech of Mordor on The Lord of the Rings.

Now, show off yours!

• Take a picture of a book/books from your library you really want to show off: signed editions, rare editions, obsessively-organized Sherlock Holmes collections - just whatever is special to you!
• Post your photo on your blog, twitter, facebook, flickr, etc. then add your link below.
• If your email address is not on your blog/twitter/etc., please post it in the comments with the number of your entry. (i.e. "I'm Sarah, entry #5, my email is...")
• One winner will be chosen to receive a $15/£10 gift certificate to Amazon.
• This challenge will close at 5 am CDT / 12 noon CET.

ETA: CHALLENGE NOW CLOSED! If you missed the deadline but have taken a picture, please share it in the comments! Winner: Kim @ Page after Page!