Yes, the title for this post is cliche. But after all, sayings almost always become overused and cliched because they’re true. And if you love books like me, you know as well as I do how true this particular axiom is.
One of my goals for 2012 is to watch less TV and to read more books. I own so many of them. Because I’m a book lover, as soon as I hear a trusted individual say he/she loved a particular book, I’m more than likely going to head over to Amazon to see if it is available for my Kindle. And if it is, there’s a high probability that I’ll order it. If it isn’t available for the Kindle or if it appears to be the type of book I should own in a physical version (a book with lots of photographs, for instance), then I may have a debate with myself whether or not to order it that way.
So many books. So little time.
Let’s ignore my bookshelves in my office, in the entry hall, in my exercise room, and in the bedroom for the purpose of this blog post. We’ll just look at my Kindle for now.
I’ve been using the Kindle since April 16, 2008. That’s almost four years. On my Kindle today, I have 638 books (fiction and non-fiction), 11 personal documents (manuscripts or galleys for endorsement or review, past and future), 1 audio book, and 89 samples of books that at one time or another I thought I might want to read. For a while, I downloaded lots of free books (every day there are many free books offered), but I’ve stopped doing that unless it is a book or an author I know/know about and truly want to read.
Here’s the problem. Sometimes, when I’m ready to begin a new book, I have so many choices it almost paralyzes me. Am I the only one who is like that? I have all of my purchased books broken up into collections: Historical Research; Fiction; Writing Books; Books I’ve Read; Christian Living; Classic Fiction; How To Manuals; Cookbooks; Non-Fiction; Biographies/Memoirs; Bibles & Devotionals; and a few others. The two largest collections are fiction (254) and Christian living (99). FYI, once a book is read it is removed from the genre collection and placed in the Books I’ve Read collection.
So let’s say I’m ready to read a new novel. I open that collection and start scrolling through the pages to see what entices me. Hmm. That one’s supposed to be really good. Oh, I love her stuff. I’m not really in the mood for a (name genre here). Wow, haven’t I read that one yet? It’s four years old already.
The Christian living is as tough as fiction. I have yet to read some of the hottest CBA books of the last several years. I own them, just haven’t found time to read them. Oh if only I could just put a book on my forehead as I drift off to sleep at night, and when I awaken in the morning, I would have absorbed it already. LOL!
Add to the above the goal I’ve set to read one writing craft book per month this year, plus the research reading I’ve got to do (beginning with a couple of biographies of Theodore Roosevelt and a book on the Rough Riders and then on to whatever I discover I don’t know for the purpose of my WIP), and no wonder I feel like a puppy dog chasing her tail.
So many books! So little time!
~robin
P.S. In case you need to add a book to your collection (eBook or printed version), mark your calendar for my Facebook Launch Party of HEART OF GOLD. It’s going to be on Thursday, February 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MST. Prizes for participants include copies of my new book, some fun gifts related to Idaho and gold mining (sorry, no gold nuggets), and a Kindle Touch. You can find my Facebook Page here. The Launch Party info is on the Events tab.
I face the same conundrum. But in my case I always check about 12 books out of the library all at once! Then when the time they’re due rolls around I realize that I’ve only read one of them! So many books, so little time, indeed!
Oh, yes. Although I don't go to the library as often as I once did, I absolutely know about carrying out a back-breaking load. Even if I could read 24/7, I still couldn't get them all read.
Oh, Robin, you are definitely not alone–though you ARE more organized! Thankfully my TBR stack isn’t LARGER that the Books I’ve Read stack, but I have been known to forget (only rarely) what awaits, and buy another copy. That, of course, is a happy day for a friend who gets a
freebie.
Our home is small, and shuffling stacks is getting really difficult. I feel like that dog right along with you. And I must say, that dog doesn’t look happy! But having such good company is nice.
A small home is just one reason why a Kindle or Nook or other eReader is great. They'll hold 2,000 or 3,000 books or more, and still only take up the space of one book.
The longer I write, the more writer-friends I make, the more my To Be Read list grows!
Oh, Cathy, that is SO true!
Wow Robin! And I thought I had lots of books, LOL! Your post made me smile though, because just a few days ago I was thinking the same thing: there’s just NOT enough time to read ALL the books I want to read. But one of my goals for this new year is to read more—MUCH more! And you’ve motivated me to organize my books (well…they’re somewhat categorized, but nothing compared to your collection!). Thanks so much for this post. Hugs, Patti Jo 🙂
I actually do not stress over my TBR pile, but I used to. In fact I used to stress over a lot of things, but finally came to a point I know I can only do so much. I pick books through recomendations as well, but now select genres, then authors. I read a mystery, then a crime novel, then something inspirational, something humerous and then on down my list. It amazes me how many books I manage to read in a short period of time, and how fun it is! Blessings to you as you juggle, writing, reading and all the other responsibilities of life! It is a juggling act!
Organizing books on a Kindle is much easier than organizing them on a bookshelf, that's for sure. Here's hoping we both gets lots of them read this year!
Marie, sounds like you've got a workable plan. My reading depends so much upon my mood.