My Massive TBR Bookshelf

Recently, I admitted that my currently reading shelf on Goodreads is an utter sham. I use that designation to remind me which books are borrowed from the library in an attempt to prioritize reading them. Now I have another admission. The scanning capability on the Goodreads app and my total lack of self control has created a real problem on my TBR list and on my Un-Read Shelf at home.

Here is how it happens. I walk into one of my locally owned bookstores or a mega chain and I just started scanning all the books that look good to me. Those all go onto my TBR list. Additionally, I will see books in magazines or on the book blogs I follow and those go onto my TBR list. Then, family and friends give me books (or money for books, thank you people!) and I buy straight off this list.

Which brings me to the physical manifestation of this mess. It is an embarrassment of riches. I have nearly a full bookshelf of books I have purchased, were given to me or I liberated from somewhere all sitting and waiting to be read. But, when I can’t sleep at night do I reach for one of these books? NO. No, I do not. I go onto my Kindle and I buy another book. No self control at all.

I’ve brought this bookshelf up here before. I have told friends and family about it. But, I just keep adding to it! As I look at all of these books – they are so pretty – I vow they need to be read. But, I don’t. What to do?

Publicly shame myself.

Here they are, the nearly 100 books sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

A girl is riding a brown horse past a red barn at night.

So, readers, where should I start? I mean, obviously I have to finish the $.99 book I bought last night…but then, how do I chip away at this massive pile? And, more importantly, how to do it quickly enough to reasonably ask for more books for the holidays?!?