The prompt this week is:
How do you organize your books to be read? (submitted by Elizabeth at Silver's Reviews.)
My answer to this is: Organize?
There are parts of my life that need to be organized. Reading, thank God, isn't one of them. I have overflowing bookshelves and piles of books on many flat surfaces in my house and two electronic devices that are starting to collect books that I intend to read. My system is to read what appeals to me next when I finish whatever I'm currently reading. Exceptions are books that I have to read for one of my two book groups and books that I have agreed to review for the Historical Novels Review--these have deadlines. I try not to leave books with deadlines till the last minute because I don't like feeling like I have to read a book.
I also push myself to read books for various blogger challenges. Those impose a little bit of structure on my reading, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it organization. Also, library books make their way to the top of the pile because they have a deadline of sorts, but that deadline can sometimes be flexible. (I've been known to renew a book three times and then return it, buy the book, and toss it onto the pile.)
I do feel overwhelmed at times by all the books I want to read. There are times I am resentful of my TBR pile because I don't feel justified in acquiring a new book when all those old books are staring accusingly at me. But I don't think I need a better system. It's more time that I need.
How about you, other hoppers? Have you got systems that work well for you?
Good system. Reading what you want when you want to is good. Those book groups do get in the way at times, don't they? :)
ReplyDeleteI use an Excel spreadsheet to keep my books in the order I need to read them.
Stop by for my full, organized answer if you like. :)
Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
I see you already stopped by...thanks.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I have one shelf for review books then my books are in a way that only I can understand lol
ReplyDeleteSome are organized by date, some are by author. It varies from shelf to shelf and like I said...only I can figure it out but it works for me.
I understand the feeling overwhelmed part. I look at all the stacks of books in my bedroom and wonder what the heck I was thinking.
ReplyDeleteI try to put library books first too, but usually end up paying late fees because I wait too long to get to them.
Thanks for stopping by my BBH!
Ashling @ Reading, Writing, & Anything but Arithmetic
True. I feel the same way when I intend to read a newly-bought book instead of the old one that has been lying for a longer time in my shelf.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog.
Kero
I don't have much of a system either, which is great as it means I can be flexible with my reading BUT it makes remembering review deadlines a nightmare! Unlike you, I'm definitely a last minute reader!
ReplyDeleteHey there, Susan!
ReplyDeleteOh, I really LIKE your style! You do pretty much what I do -- read a book as the mood strikes. And I LOVE the way you started out your answer, too; sounds a lot like mine! Lol.
You know, you've made an excellent point; why SHOULD reading be organized at all? It should be a very relaxed, no-stress activity. Of course, as you point out, you do have to get to those books you've committed to read because you belong to a book club. The same things applies to book tours. You do have to read those books before a certain deadline. But other than that, why organize at all? Ah, the free-spirited life! So you see, great minds think alike! Right? Lol!
Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting on my BBH post!! : )
(BTW, I'm now following you!)
Susan I totally agree with you, I need more time to read! Why didn't anyone think of that?
ReplyDeleteMy Friday Hop
I am pretty orderly about my reading schedule-I use iCal to track release dates and whatnot but my physical books are kind of a mess. ARCs that haven't been read stay on the floor in various piles until they are read as the shelves are reserved for books I have read and enjoyed. I really need to do some reorganizing just to make my house more habitable for others.
ReplyDelete