Does anyone else out there have a “to-read” pile of books that may soon take over an entire room in your house? Well, I guess mine’s not really quite THAT big…yet. It just FEELS that big, when I (guiltily) look over at it, on my way to do some other sort of non-reading activity. Like writing, for instance.
Now, before I go too far down this “my to-read pile is crushing my very soul!” path…I want to state for the record that I LOVE to read! Of course I love to read! One of the top reasons that I write is because I love reading, and one day I hope to have a book buried somewhere (not too deep) in someone else’s giant to-read pile.
An invitation to adventure, escape and wonder, or a condemnation of my time management skills?
I’d say I have an average amount of time to read. I have an average assortment of work, family, and other commitments that take up an average amount of my day. I read at an average pace and have an average number of bad habits that might distract me from reading (some nights I just gotta flop on the couch with my remote control…) So why do I feel so desperately far behind in my reading?
I think there are a number of factors that contribute to the gigantic (whimper) nature of my to-read pile:
- I cast a wide net. I love reading all sorts of genres—my pile contains everything from “guilty pleasure” fiction (yes, Fifty Shades of Grey is still languishing in my to-read pile) to literary prize winners (some from many years ago, though…) There’s also young adult, mysteries, fantasy, memoirs, biographies, some classics, and many ‘how-to-be-a-better-writer’ books.
- I’m lucky to have friends who also love to read- and therefore I get great suggestions on what to read ‘next’ (sometimes ‘next’ for me is two or three years down the road, though…so if I borrowed a book from you—sorry about the delay in returning it! But I will, I swear.)
- I (re)discovered the library! Sometimes I walk out of there with a very large stack of books. Ack!
- For some reason I tend to read books that are actually really just the first book in a series, and of course I get sucked in and have to read them all. (Deborah Harkness—I’m still waiting for the 3rd book in your ‘All Souls’ trilogy! Please oh please make it under 700 pages!)
- Since I’ve officially declared myself to be ‘A Writer’ and now rub shoulders with other writers… I have friends and friends-of-friends with published books! (BRAVO! Those go straight to the top of the pile, of course!)
- I enjoy reading the work of some very prolific writers… especially when it comes to my “guilty pleasure” books. Janet Evanovich, do you ever sleep?
- Some items in my to-read “pile” are really just in my mind—I have a huge mental list of titles (recent releases, local authors, Irish stuff) that I would like to read, but I haven’t bought or borrowed yet.
Oh, I could go on, but I won’t. (So don’t get me started on my giant pile of unread magazines…)
I know reading makes me a better writer (and human being), and I can’t bear to part with any of my ‘to-read’ books—I really want to read them all! So, I guess I’m looking for some ideas on how to manage this situation.
Do you indulge your every “I want to read that!” whim and have an out of control pile of books like me? How do you prioritize what to read when there is such a cornucopia of riches to choose from? How do you balance reading and writing time? I’d really like to know!
Yes, I do the same thing! It got even worse when my husband got me a Kindle. Now with just one tap of a finger, I have a new book to add to the “pile”!
I’ll soon be right there with you since I just got a tablet/reader (finally). I’m sure I’ll be adding more (proverbial) heft to the pile now that getting a new book is as easy as a finger-tap– but I’m also hoping that the ease, portability (and larger print!) of the tablet will allow me to read more easily during my commute– when I lived in New York I read SO much on my subway commute– but now that I’m in Seattle, being in a car or a bumpy bus has slashed the amount of reading I can get done while commuting. Thanks so much for your comment and stopping by Popcorntheblog!
Thought provoking – too late to write a lengthly reply, but may post on this area. I wondered if you have tried Kindle – I find it easier to pick up and put down than books, might reduce the literal sense of a pile of acquired and unread material.
I finally joined the modern age and now have an e-reader (not a Kindle but same idea)– and yes, I am indeed hoping the convenience factor will help me put a dent in the pile (although I’m sure I’ll be adding to it too!) And you’re right– having books stored electronically removes the visual reminder of ‘the pile’ (though I’ll always know they’re there… ) Thanks for your comment!
I do have this pile, neatly stacked in a corner on my bookshelf. And I love having this pile. I embrace it. Sometimes, it’s 20 books high, sometimes 10, but never less than 5. The thing I like about it is that when I need a new book, I choose one from my pile that speaks to me. Hence, some have remained in the pile much longer than others, but I’ll get to them.
P.S. Indulge in the E.L. James series, the whole thing. I read all three books in week. The writing isn’t good, but the story gets better and better. The 3rd book was my fave. And my husband loved when I read that series 😉
Yes, it’s high time that I pulled E.L. James out of the pile and gave it a go (oh no, am I going to get sucked into another 3 book series?? Well at least it’s a quick read.) So glad to know you have a pile too– at least we will never be without a good book to read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
My approach is to have faith in the reading pile. When you least expect it some book at the bottom of the pile will call to you and you will pick it up and think, hmm, I remember you. I remember that I wanted to read you and then when I picked you up, I didn’t. But now, as I turn every page I can’t believe I let the magic contained in these pages sit at the bottom of the pile for so long.
Its really all about the wisdom of the pile and when the timing is right!!
xxoo
Phylly! First of all, I am HONORED to find you here! Thank you so much for your comment. As always, insightful and wise words about having faith in the timing of things! For example, I recently picked up Eat Pray Love– and I am so glad it finally called to me. I think I needed to wait until all the hoopla died down, so I could appreciate IT, and not the circus surrounding it. xo
Hmmmm…that big pile of books. What to do? I have a shelf of “on-deck” books on my bookshelf so I get less overwhelmed by the pile. (It is also safer than the previous stack-them-on-the-bedside-table approach that let to many almost-concussions.) When the shelf is full, I can’t add to it anymore.
I tend to read in bursts–a few weeks where I ca’t stop reading and nothing else gets done, and then a bit of a dry spell. (Right now I’m reading old Calvin and Hobbes comics before bed and that is all I can muster.)
I also frequently weed out the books I think I “should” read but don’t really want to. That can decrease a stack pretty easily. Do you keep a reading log? That is a goal of mine…
Good luck plowing through!
What to do indeed…. you have come up with the perfect solution– forget about the pile and read Calvin and Hobbes!! I love those comics– thanks for reminding me! Talk soon, I hope!
I do the same thing. I have to-read books on my shelf and on my Kindle as well as a lengthy to-read list that I maintain on Evernote.
Thanks for your comment, Heather– it’s good to know I’m in such excellent company on this…