If you’re like me—and you know you are, minxes—you eschew
New Year’s resolutions. It’s too much pressure. Trying to cram half a dozen new
habits into my schedule at one time is daunting. But right before the holidays,
as I was cleaning my office, I realized I was going to have to buy yet another
bookshelf to house all of my unread books.
My husband suggested that I simply have too many. And
like every bibliophile, I snort laughed. In his face. Too many books? There’s no such thing. Then he suggested that
before buying a new book I should read at least one book that I already own.
That seemed a bit extreme, but the truth is I’m running out of room. And before
you ask, yes, I have an e-reader. Its shelves are virtually overflowing, as
well.
So I finally broke down and made a New Year’s
resolution—my first in years. Read more.
That’s it. A challenge I’ll happily accept. I even came up with a genre list based
on my TBR pile. It goes a little something like this:
January: 1
Young Adult (I read 2, so I’m ahead of the game.), 1 Urban Fantasy, 1 Mystery
(I’m currently beta reading my friend, Larissa Reinhart’s, next release—I guess
that technically doesn’t count, since it didn’t chip away at my TBR pile, but
it’s a fabulous, funny book. I regret
nothing!)
February: 1
Historical (I ache for a rake, y’all.), 1 Young Adult (My indie bookstore had
great big bin of them on sale, and I may have binged.), 1 Procedural (Does J.D.
Robb count? I think it does.), 1 Erotica (Happy Valentine’s Day.)
March: 1
Historical (Perhaps something set in Ireland in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.), 2
Urban Fantasy (Dragons, anyone?)
April: 2
Young Adult, a contemporary trilogy (My Kindle will thank me.)
May: Since
I fully intend to bring home a truckload
of books from the RT Booklovers Convention, I need to up the ante this month. 2
Mystery, 2 contemporary, 2 Paranormal Romance
June: I
heard wedding bells chime 4 books. I’m thinking all Regency, all brides, all
month long.
July: Thus
far, I’ve neglected my non-fiction shelf like that last fancy chocolate,
languishing in the box. It’s raspberry crème and tastes like Robitussin. But my
non-fiction books won’t be ignored, Dan, therefore, I’ll read 3.
August: Bad
boys make the perfect summer fling. I’m on the lookout for 5 dark and dangerous
heroes this month—men with an edge and a few tats to prove it.
September: Girl,
are you being stalked by a serial killer? Well, that hot, rugged detective wants
to help you stay alive. 3 Romantic Suspense, 2 Mystery
October: To
the boys and ghouls everywhere, Happy Halloween! 5 Urban Fantasy (3 shifter
heroes and 2 witchy heroines.)
November: Ah,
Thanksgiving. A perfect time for the old going-back-home-to-find-love trope (4).
December: Sports
heroes are the best. So alpha. Rowrrrrr. 3Athlete Romances
If I can stick to this schedule, that’s about 50
books, or three shelves worth of space. Wish me luck and Happy New Year!
What’s
in your TBR pile?
I love this Terri! My own TBR pile is looming, both in my eReader and on my shelf. This was a fun way to look at tackling it at last.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christy. I have a feeling that even if I tackle my TBR pile, I'm still going to have to buy a new shelf. :)
DeleteI love your schedule! My TBR pile is on hold because I have Rita books to read at the moment.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Those are from the "In Addition" category.
DeleteThanks for the shout out, Terri! To make for a happy 2015, my TBR list will include rereading your books and reading your manuscripts. 2015 is officially the year of Terri L. Austin.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound stalkerish, does it? I'm a fan for all the right reasons!
:) If only it were the year of Terri L. Austin. I'd banish calories forever!
Delete