I have 550 books on my to-read list on Goodreads. Partly this is because GR makes it so easy to click "Want to Read" on anything that sounds even remotely interesting, but this list is just out of control. My reading project for the rest of this year and into next is to try (as much as possible) to read ONLY books that are on that TBR list while trying not to add (too much) to it. Also, as I go through the list, I will take a look at books I marked as "Want to Read" four or five years ago and ask honestly, "Do I still want to read this book? Or was it a passing fancy that no longer interests me?" If the latter, I will remove it from the list.
I usually read about 100-120 books a year, so in theory I could accomplish this in under 5 years, but probably less because of culling books from the list. However, I'm not willing to commit to that long-term of a project: I'm saying this is my goal for the rest of 2026 and then for 2027. After that, we'll see where the list is.
I will try NOT to be led astray by interesting books that catch my eye as I wander through bookstores or roam around the internet. I will not be led into buying $1.99 ebooks that sound "kind of interesting" on the premise that even if it's not, I've only lost $1.99. I will ruthlessly make my way through this list -- obviously not expecting to read 550 books in a year and a half or so, but trying to cull this list down into something more manageable. It should be an interesting journey through my own past taste and interests, if nothing else!
Anyone else have a to-read list (or physical pile of books) that is out of control?
I read one of the books on my TBR pile, but today I went to the library and got four more...
This is the very thing I am trying to avoid doing. Today a friend messaged me about a book she was reading that was just great ... the temptation to add it to the list was strong!
I’m toying with the idea of choosing books at random to read this summer (like, “Echo/Siri, give me a number between 1 and 20/etc.” and go down the line on the shelf left to right to that one, and then, if it’s one I’ve not read, read it).
I have a Kindle, which currently has 375 unread books on it. And I keep an Amazon list of books I want (never buy form there, of course) with another 75 books - I probably acquire one a year off that list, and add one or two a year.
I have a Kindle, which currently has 375 unread books on it. And I keep an Amazon list of books I want (never buy form there, of course) with another 75 books - I probably acquire one a year off that list, and add one or two a year.
I’m toying with the idea of choosing books at random to read this summer (like, “Echo/Siri, give me a number between 1 and 20/etc.” and go down the line on the shelf left to right to that one, and then, if it’s one I’ve not read, read it).
Oh, I love this idea ... but I agree with Eigon, I'd do it by rolling a D20 or another many-sided die.
I might try doing some random picks from my list as I progress through this exercise of whittling down my TBR list.
My next major book on my TBR pile is Values by Marc Carney. I usually have at least one fiction book on the go while I am meandering through long non-fiction works.
@ChastMastr Why ask Siri? Why not get a D20 (or however many dice correspond to the number of books in your pile) and roll the dice?
I’d have to buy one. And have/find/make a clean flat surface to roll it on. When I’m in the store or the car and debating about something I can’t make a quick conclusion about, I will often go, “Hey Siri, heads or tails?” (Or “Give me a number between 1 and [however many options I need to choose from].”) It’s always with me, or Echo is, in the bedroom.
Sometimes I go by the day of the month as a “random” number with some things, if there are sufficient options to pick from.
Inspired by watching The Other Bennet Sister recently, I'm now half way through Longbourn by Jo Baker. Basically it's P&P from the point of view of the servants. The Bennet family only appear fleetingly. What has come home to me most is the appalling drudgery of most of the servants' work - especially the laundry. (For five young women ...)
Inspired by watching The Other Bennet Sister recently, I'm now half way through Longbourn by Jo Baker. Basically it's P&P from the point of view of the servants. The Bennet family only appear fleetingly. What has come home to me most is the appalling drudgery of most of the servants' work - especially the laundry. (For five young women ...)
I really loved Longbourn. I think it's my favourite "reimagining" of Austen.
I prefer The Other Bennet Sister to Longbourn, actually. There is, how shall I put this, less intrusion of the author's 21st century views.
Also the author of the former has a point. Everyone *is* really horrible to Mary, and Mr and Mrs Bennet really are dreadful parents.
Update on the TBR pile: returned two books to the library today. Got out three more, and I'm not even going to mention the three I bought yesterday... 🤦♀️
I've just finished Space Crone, a collection of feminist essays by Ursula le Guin, which I enjoyed very much, and I'm about to start Powsels and Thrums, an autobiography of Alan Garner.
I got both books on a recent trip to Manchester, at a wonderful bookshop called The House of Books and Friends.
HOW posted: 'Enough Said, Alan Bennett’s latest (perhaps last, as he will be 92 in May) collection of diary entries and essays. He is a great favorite of mine. I have his previous collections of diary entries and essays, along with some of his fiction and plays.'
I too have ready practically everyting AB has written, and was given 'Enough said' for my birthday.
I've just finished it. Alas, it shows a sad decline from his previous diaries and shows his decline, both pysical and menta,l in the six or so years covered. Anecdotes are repeated, he is obsessed with dates and the observations less interesting as his life becomes more and more constrained by his ailments. The editing too could have been better with quite a few untidy sentences I had to read several times to make sense of. But still a good read and I've bought a DVD of 'The Choral' (which has had mixed reviews).
Agreed, @RockyRoger. Enough Said is a diary of physical and mental decline. It saddened me, but it’s still worth reading, if only to get a close look at what advanced old age is like—loss of mobility, the death of friends, words not coming like they used to, etc. But it appears that AB still gets pleasure from life, and much of that is due to his long-term partner, Rupert Thomas, whom he thanks repeatedly throughout the text.
I hope you like The Choral. Ralph Fiennes was wonderful, ably supported by a raft of some great character actors and fresh new faces. I cried throughout the whole performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius which is the climax of the movie. AB was well into his 80s when he wrote the screenplay.
Agreed, @RockyRoger. Enough Said is a diary of physical and mental decline. It saddened me, but it’s still worth reading, if only to get a close look at what advanced old age is like—loss of mobility, the death of friends, words not coming like they used to, etc. But it appears that AB still gets pleasure from life, and much of that is due to his long-term partner, Rupert Thomas, whom he thanks repeatedly throughout the text.
I hope you like The Choral. Ralph Fiennes was wonderful, ably supported by a raft of some great character actors and fresh new faces. I cried throughout the whole performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius which is the climax of the movie. AB was well into his 80s when he wrote the screenplay.
Being just a bit younger than AB I noted his 'loss of mobility, the death of friends, words not coming like they used to, etc' with empathy and understanding. I too mourn absent friends and have noticed in my writing that words come less easily. And as for mobility ... I can no longer jog or play and coach table tennis and a 'walk around the block' with Mrs RR one side and a stick on the other is now about my limit.
I still get pleasure from life but my other current books include, 'In the Waiting Room' by whatsisname (excellent) and 'The gentle art of Swedish Death Cleaning (soppy!).
I had been reading Jo Walton's The King's Peace, and finally finished it. (It's long and dense, though a good read). I have ordered the sequel through Thriftbooks.com, and while I'm waiting for it am rereading a book which I first read many years ago when I was a bit young to understand it, Star Rider by Doris Piserchia.
Comments
Yes. Tons. Plus ones that were Cubby’s.
This is the very thing I am trying to avoid doing. Today a friend messaged me about a book she was reading that was just great ... the temptation to add it to the list was strong!
I have a Kindle, which currently has 375 unread books on it. And I keep an Amazon list of books I want (never buy form there, of course) with another 75 books - I probably acquire one a year off that list, and add one or two a year.
So I am probably set for another few years.
Nice to know I'm not the only one!
Oh, I love this idea ... but I agree with Eigon, I'd do it by rolling a D20 or another many-sided die.
I might try doing some random picks from my list as I progress through this exercise of whittling down my TBR list.
I’d have to buy one. And have/find/make a clean flat surface to roll it on. When I’m in the store or the car and debating about something I can’t make a quick conclusion about, I will often go, “Hey Siri, heads or tails?” (Or “Give me a number between 1 and [however many options I need to choose from].”) It’s always with me, or Echo is, in the bedroom.
Sometimes I go by the day of the month as a “random” number with some things, if there are sufficient options to pick from.
I really loved Longbourn. I think it's my favourite "reimagining" of Austen.
Also the author of the former has a point. Everyone *is* really horrible to Mary, and Mr and Mrs Bennet really are dreadful parents.
Update on the TBR pile: returned two books to the library today. Got out three more, and I'm not even going to mention the three I bought yesterday... 🤦♀️
I think I agree about Longbourn. The whole section dealing with James' adventures in the Napoleonic War was unnecessary, I skipped most of it.
I got both books on a recent trip to Manchester, at a wonderful bookshop called The House of Books and Friends.
I too have ready practically everyting AB has written, and was given 'Enough said' for my birthday.
I've just finished it. Alas, it shows a sad decline from his previous diaries and shows his decline, both pysical and menta,l in the six or so years covered. Anecdotes are repeated, he is obsessed with dates and the observations less interesting as his life becomes more and more constrained by his ailments. The editing too could have been better with quite a few untidy sentences I had to read several times to make sense of. But still a good read and I've bought a DVD of 'The Choral' (which has had mixed reviews).
I hope you like The Choral. Ralph Fiennes was wonderful, ably supported by a raft of some great character actors and fresh new faces. I cried throughout the whole performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius which is the climax of the movie. AB was well into his 80s when he wrote the screenplay.
Being just a bit younger than AB I noted his 'loss of mobility, the death of friends, words not coming like they used to, etc' with empathy and understanding. I too mourn absent friends and have noticed in my writing that words come less easily. And as for mobility ... I can no longer jog or play and coach table tennis and a 'walk around the block' with Mrs RR one side and a stick on the other is now about my limit.
I still get pleasure from life but my other current books include, 'In the Waiting Room' by whatsisname (excellent) and 'The gentle art of Swedish Death Cleaning (soppy!).