The photograph above it my TBR shelf at home. That doesn't even count the YA books that I want to read on the shelves at my school library or the ones on my list that I get from other book blogs. While thinking about the reading challenges (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the challenge list) that I want to participate in during 2011 I started looking at the TBR list that I have on this blog and I realized that I hadn't even listed the books in the above photograph. So, I just brought every book to my computer and added them. There are some darn good books on there! Here's the updated list.
I realize when I am searching for my next book to read I tend to just grab what I am in the mood for and it might not even be on my TBR list. Catastrophe! My TBR shelve overwhelms me, yet I don't work to reduce it. So I've decided to do a couple things about this...
- I am going to make a concerted effort to work my way through my TBR shelf/list this year
- I am going to try to do my reading challenges using books that are already on my TBR shelf/list
Now, a question for you: Would it be more useful to list my TBR books by genre as well? That way when I am looking for a specific type of book I can more easily find one that I already own?
Here's the self-reflection part. I started to wonder how my TBR list got so long and when the heck I am going to find time to read all these books plus the two a month from my book groups. Here's how my thoughts flowed...
- My first thought was that as soon as my daughter gets older I'll have more time to read (she's 10 now)
- Then I realized that waiting until she is a teenager and wants to spend less time with me is WAY too long to wait (and such a sad thought, I couldn't go there)
- Given that, I need to find more reading time now. So, why don't I have time now?
- Here are my commitments: Family life (the best thing going); work (also really good); the school's website (fun); my blog (like that's going to go away...not!); starting up my non-profit Turn the Page Uganda (scary, but exciting) and my two book groups (also so much fun)
- My life is so rich and full. I wouldn't give any of it up.
- The big realization? Though I complain sometimes that I am super busy, I really thrive on being busy and having my life pulled in all directions. Each activity/commitment feeds on something inside of me that needs to be taken care of so I should just deal with it.
- How did it take me to 45 to come to this realization?!
6 comments
I understand what you mean because I really thrive on the different things in my life that keep me busy too.
I haven't made my mind up about which challenges I'll be participating in next year, other than the two that I'm hosting. I'm sure I'll find a few that I can't resist though.
Yes...I know what you mean! I complain that I have so much on my plate but then when I have free time (like the summer) I go nuts and get kind of sad without my routine. So I guess I should just be thankful for all the stuff in my life. Great post!
I am participating in a classics challenge for 2011 because that is one of my goals anyway and it will help my TBR pile.
I have learned that I am a much happier person when I am busy and have lots to do. I get more done too! Amazing, huh?
I think its a great idea to work off your TBR list. I've noticed a trend this year of bloggers pulling away from challenges and working on their own things!
I am constantly trying to tame my TBR shelves too - good luck!
I completely agree with #6! My husband keeps telling me to slow down or I'll crash. I can't help it!
I have a *ton* of books in my TBR and sometimes I wonder how I'll get through them all. I guess it doesn't help that I'm moving next month and they will be left at my parents house... *sigh*. Don't know how I'm going to work this one out!
Alyce--Hosting 2 challenges is quite busy, but fun
Danielle--That's funny; I feel at a loss during the summer as well. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Classics are the genre that I feel guilty about: I feel like I should like them, but I don't
Allie--I think the TBR list got to me when I made a Christmas wish list and it had more books on it :-)
Amused--The TBR shelf seems like a black hole of books sometimes, doens't it?!
Marie--I can't imagine moving again with all my books. I guess it's a good time to do some weeding, as painful as that can be
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