The TBR Conveyor Belt
Lately, trying to keep up with my TBR (To Be Read) pile feels a lot like this:
Can you relate?
The truth is, I get through my Kindle TBR pile (a collection on my Kindle titled Next) much more quickly than I do my physical TBR pile, simply because I can read my Kindle at night or out and about or when the light isn’t great for my old eyes. And yet, even my Next folder has ballooned to an unwieldy 128 books. Gulp.
But that I can hide from . . . well, everyone but myself. (And now you, since I’ve confessed!)
It’s the physical TBR pile that really feels like those chocolates on the conveyor belt recently.
I don’t even buy that many physical books anymore, due to the reasons stated above. And yet suddenly, in addition to the *ahem* several shelves of unread books in my bedroom, I suddenly have a new pile in the living room—newly published books that I have ordered in physical form! And they just keep coming.
These three are vying for my attention at the moment—In These Hills by our own Tamera Alexander, The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon, and A Woman’s Place is in the Story by Sandra Glahn.
Because I need just the right light for physical books, I generally only read these on the weekends. And when the weekends are busy? Well, tough luck. The books sit another week, unless I can squeeze in a chapter here and there during a weekday. Which drives me nuts!
But the real problem is that they just keep coming!
I’m so far behind on my Alexander McCall Smith books, and another one is on its way right now. (Thankfully, Jeff reads these too, so I’ll let him go first.) And in another couple of weeks, Katherine Reay’s newest book will arrive.
The really tragic part is that I know I’ve missed ordering a few I usually buy in hard copy when they come out!
Truly, the conveyor belt of books I want to read seems to be bringing them faster and faster these days. Or maybe the number of authors I enjoy has expanded, so there are more books on my radar. Whatever the case, like Lucy and Ethel, I must do the best I can, shoving those books into nooks and crannies until I can get to them.
Are you keeping up with your TBR pile? Any tips for keeping it under control???
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I don’t think I’ll ever catch up! So many books, So little time. Right?
I love that you read Alexander McCall Smith. I just started his newest No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book yesterday. Now those I’ve kept up to date. 😁
I’m okay with just enjoying whatever I’m reading at the time, but now storage of my TBR is another thing altogether!
Yes, storing all those books waiting to be read! Because I don’t want them mixed in my shelves with the ones I’ve finished, or I’ll never find them again! 🤣
I think I’m at least one book behind on both AMS No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Isobel Dalhousie series while my husband is all caught up and ready for that newest one to arrive!
I have given up trying to keep up with the TBR pile. Between physical books, kindle books, and BookFunnel not to mention the books I check out from the library, I can’t keep up! But that doesn’t stop me from buying more 😉
Right? I don’t know how I think I’ll ever catch up but hope springs eternal and I keep buying more. Sigh.
I tell my husband I need another bookshelf and he just looks at me and goes, “why? you’ll just fill it!” 😂
So true! And I’m running out of places to put new bookshelves! 😂
First, THANK YOU for reading (or planning to read, LOL) In These Hills. Truly appreciate that, my friend. And yes! My TBR stack is huge. Something I discovered a while back is that audiobooks help me with this. I can listen on the way to pick up groceries or do that Target or Walmart run, or on the way to church, or on the way to a haircut appointment. Or even when I’m too tired at night to read, I pop in my earbuds and listen for 20 or 30 minutes, and it’s a wonderful way to wind down. Even so, there are so many books and yet not enough time. Great post!
Loving what I’ve been able to read of In These Hills so far! It’s killing me not to have more time to read it. But this weekend is less busy so I’m hoping for lots of time with that book!
Yes, audiobooks have helped me, too. I love reading on the go and while I’m doing other things. But so many are already in my TBR pile that I buy other titles to listen to! 🤦♀️
I am totally out of control. I have 2200 on my kindle and at least 250 in my bedroom. And mine keep coming because I sign up for influencer teams! Yay for kindle because of my old eyes. I have no suggestions because I am retired and use all hours of the day to read. ( I do sew and craft ) I typically read 10-15 books a month. And I try to keep up with a few challenges too. I still have to make an order for a $150 giftcard I won in December for a Christian book store. I try to order books that I missed out on or pre orders for books I don’t think I can get by influencing.
Glad I’m not the only one, Paula! We are definitely kindred spirits! Some days I find myself wanting to quit the writing altogether and just read all the great stories already out there! One day. Probably when my husband finally retires. Then we both will sit around reading all day! But that won’t be for another 10 or 15 years. My TBR pile will have really grown my then! 😂
Oh, D’Ann. I feel your pain. I am mostly an audiobook reader. My library is HUGE and a good portion are still unread. Despite that, I buy new books. For book club. Because it is part of a favorite series or from a favorite author. Because I read a review or a friend recommended. Sigh. I will never catch up.
I’m so glad so many feel the same pain! There are so many reasons to buy a new book–and so many reasons we can’t get to them right away. Sigh.
Thank you for sharing this post today – – I feel much better, lol!! 😉
I need to try audiobooks, but so far read only print and Kindle. But I am sooo behind
and keep seeing more books I want to read.
I commented to a friend a while back that if only I didn’t require much sleep at night, that would give me more reading time! But so far, that hasn’t happened.
On the positive side, I’m thankful there ARE so many wonderful books available now, and many are written by authors who are my friends, which makes me want to read every book they write! 🙂
Blessings, Patti Jo
P.S. Lucy and Ethel ALWAYS make me laugh!!
Amen to so many good books and authors! I wish I could stay up all night and read, too. That would be soooo helpful! 😂
Wow! No tips! I’m on the same conveyer belt you’re on! Lol
According to the comments, we are in good company! 😂