So, let's talk about tackling that never ending TBR pile. Instead of boring you with my thoughts, I've brought along a little help, thank you to the awesome Super Natural gifs I found here.
"HI, my name is Katie, and I have a book problem."
While I admit I have a book buying problem, which I'm getting better at, I have learned over the years of book blogging to "no thank you" when it comes to reviewing books I know that 1) I won't or don't have time to read and 2) will not interest my blog readers. My time is valuable. I'm a mom, wife, PR committee chair, PTA president, sports mom, and a book reviewer. Reading is my escape and my time to relax from the every day stuff. Between my prior reviewing commitments, and the books I've purchased to read, there isn't time to read every book that is requested, or sent.
I love books, and that love started when I was a kid. I won't ever stop purchasing books, or promoting books, whether though my blog or word of mouth. While this gif above sums up my book feels, when it comes to my TBR pile I'm feeling a little like this ......
I swear my TBR pile won't stop growing. Currently my TBR pile includes books I've purchased, (because no matter how many books I have to read, apparently I can't stop buy more books), books I need to review, and books I would like to review. I have weeded out my shelves numerous times, and in the process have donated countless books to local shelters, teacher friends, school libraries and my publish library. For some reason as soon I feel like I've gotten my TBR pile to a reasonable size I'm all, "hey look I have more room", and some how more books fill that space.
I've tried to figure out away that helps me stay organized with my TBR pile, because we all know how scary our TBR piles can get.....
I have one too many shelves/bookcases that currently hold my TBR piles. To help them not feel so chaotic, I've organized my TBR shelves for my books to review for publishers down by months. All arcs come with a date that features the month and year on them, and to help me stay organized as a reviewer, I put my books in order of the month they'll be released in, and within that shelf, I've placed the books I'm most excited about reading first. While this works great for Mundie Moms and Mundie Kids, when it comes to my new adult/adult book review blog, that is still an organizational mess, because that blog is more of a my fun, laid back blog.
When it comes to my purchased books I put them in order of the books I want to read first, though I'm trying to organize these books more like the rest of my "read" shelves, which are in alphabetical order by author. I swear this way has made my life way easier when it comes to finding a book.
I've been asked numerous times about what I do with all the books I receive. I kinda of mentioned it above about what I do. I'm very grateful for all the books I receive to read and review. As I mentioned previously, it is impossible for me to read every book I receive, nor do I keep every book I receive. I don't have the room, and why keep I book I won't read, but someone else might enjoy. For some reason moving to a bigger house so that I could have a bigger room just for my books doesn't fly with the husband. (I'm not sure why HAHA).
Even after I read a book, unless I loved it, or I think my kids will love it, I don't keep it. If I've agreed to review a book for an author or publisher, or have purchased the book, then it goes on my TBR shelves. I've If I receive an unsolicited book, and either I know I won't have time to read it, or it doesn't look like one I'll enjoy or my blog's readers will, I set it aside to be donated.
Sometimes I still feel like I'm missing an easier way to tackle my TBR pile. I'd love to know, how do you tackle your TBR pile?
I will never read all the books I want to, I'm slowing starting to get used to that fact, but it also means I've learned to stop reading books that don't do it for me because there are too many out there that I do want to read.
ReplyDeleteI've finally learned the same thing! There are too many good books out there that I'd rather spend my time reading, than spending it on a book I don't enjoy.
DeleteOk first of all: ALL the Supernatural gifs = ♥ I was LOLing at every new one you have here :D
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, my TBR pile just keeps getting bigger and bigger and as much as I seem to have more time now, I don't think I'll ever be able to read all the books I own+want+need. And like you, no matter how many review copies I get, I still can't seem to ever stop buying more books and adding to my already ridiculous pile >.< Hopefully real life will slow down some for us and allow us the much needed reading time we all so desperately need :D
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews
LOL Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. It was fun finding the gifs.
DeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who doesn't stop buying books, even though my TBR pile is already huge. I wish life would freeze just for a week so I could sit and read during that time and catch up on reading. lol