How many times have we heard it, read it and said – My Kindle is ready to burst with books and my wish list is ever-growing. But yet, we’re compelled to purchase that next book. It’s ingrained in us avid readers and writers when enticed by a book’s lure, we must have it. It’s no different from any other desire or addiction – we just have to have it when we’re captivated by a book. And of course being a blogger and writer and constantly being introduced to new shiny books – it’s like Christmas, but always.
Books give us something to always look forward to, and they’re a great escape from reality, which is always a welcome break – especially now in our dystopian-like times. Whatever the occasion or mood, there’s something for everyone to read. Whether taking in lessons from a nonfiction story or escaping into a steamy beach read or going into an alternative dystopian universe, there are so many places books can take us.
But how on earth are we supposed to choose what we read next? I know I always have good intentions and try to create a strategy for my next read. I’ve always got 2 books on the go. One on my Kindle and one in paperback. Usually the one on my Kindle is a novel in one of my favorite genres – historical fiction, family sagas, memoir and chick-lit are my favs, depending on my mood, ( My mood of course dictates what I feel like reading and there-in lies how good intentions for next planned read to go awry). My paperbacks are the majority of my books pertaining to writing and resource guides. For me, I need tangible books where I can mark-up, dog-ear, and refer back to sections easier than digitally when it comes to books on writing and reference books.
So, as I said, I will have my next reads planned before I finish a current read but that could change on a whim. When another jewel crosses my path, I might be swept up in a moment of great anticipation that may not allow me to get through another book before I can sink my eyes into the newest one. I’m like those little kids on Christmas morning unwrapping gift after gift with new enthusiasm for the current one almost forgetting about the one I just opened 2 minutes before. I’ve shuffled my planned reads around so many times with good intentions for my next to read books I don’t know how many gems are awaiting their turn to be read anymore as each new book adds to the load, further burying my good intentions.
The book problem becomes like the toy maker who pulls out another new and shiny object – another shiny book with a tantalizing cover and enticing blurb to draw me in, and oooh, magically intrigued, I want to read this new one next. It’s like the thrill of the next chosen read gets overshadowed by a newer thrill of another discovery and before we know it, that book we were dying to read 3 books ago gets toppled over with more new books we want to read. This is the only way I can explain it.
If only we could spend a year with no responsibilities or cares and just read! I can’t conceive the thought that I could actually plow through all the books I currently have, and how many hundreds or thousands more to come. But like a brand new pretty pair of shoes that I probably don’t need, there’s always room for one more book!
Please feel free to share how you handle your own toppling book piles, and how you choose your next reads!
©DGKaye2020
DGKayewriter.com 
Gorgeous post, Debby – and an interesting question. I generally stick to my Kindle these days, and only one book at a time. But the order is more random, unless reading through a series. I LOVE your new header. Toni x
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Good for you Toni for being so disciplined. I guess it’s my ‘eclecticness’ that has me so random, lol. Colleen made me that banner, lol. ❤
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It’s all the writers’ fault. If they would just take a couple of years off, then maybe I could get caught up some day… 🙂
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Perfect Jim! LOL, why not the ‘blame game’ 🙂
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During the stay-at-home order, I’ve been able to “read down” my bulging Kindle library. Yes, good came come to us when we stop and pay attention to what we already have “in store”! 🙂
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Good for you Marian! 🙂 I have a problem resisting temptation, lol 🙂
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Just like you I have a long list of books to read, and you’ll not be surprised to discover that we like to read identical genres! Weird isn’t it? I read one book at a time, and usually skip through my Kindle library and pick out one I really fancy at the time. At the moment I’m reading Amanda Owen’s memoirs of being a sheep farmer, probably because I enjoyed the TV series so much!
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Oh ya Stevie, we have way too much in common LOL. And it doesn’t help every time a friend like you whose reviews I enjoy, because we enjoy reading similar genres, shares another review, I have to add it. Ya, ya, I know what you’re going to say – you do the same! LOLLLLLLLLLL 🙂 xx
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I so relate! My Kindle is so full I have to delete some books every time I buy a new one now. But I keep buying. I think I need an intervention. 🙂
My other problem is magazines. I get the New Yorker and the Atlantic and Vanity Fair, and if I really get into a book, I don’t get to the magazines and the stack is embarrassing.
Gee, maybe I should spend less time on social media. Sigh.
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LOL Anne. Good for you on hitting the delete button, I can’t bring myself to do that. But magazines, oye! I used to subscribe to several. I had to cancel them because like you, they were piling up and no time to get to them. 🙂 x
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I’m the same, one on kindle and one paperback. I get recommendations from Amazon and follow the authors I love so I get updates when they publish something new. The paperbacks are, at the moment, books which I read years ago or non-fiction. Yes, my kindle and my pile of paperbacks runneth over. lol xxx
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Lol Adele, it’s a gruel for sure. But thanks for mentioning that by following authors, Amazon informs us when they have a new book out. ❤ xxx
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I hear you, my friend. I have the same problem. I worked for 48 years and I always said, when I retire, I’m going to catch up on all my reading. Guess what? It didn’t happen. I have read more during the lockdown so I’ve made a bit of a dent. But of course, I’ll fill that dent with new reads. I have resigned myself to the fact that I won’t live long enough to read all the books in my pile(s).
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Lol Darlene. I have come to the same resolution. So we may as well choose the books out of our stockpiles that give us the most satisfaction. 🙂 xx
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One million thank yous Sal ❤
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Fun post Debby with serious undertones… I tend to browse my reader having finished a book in one genre and find one to read next in another one… but as you say the list is getting longer all the time.. just added another 14 yesterday!!! Have pressed…goodnight…♥
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Lol Sal, the gruel is real. Omg, you just added 14? I bought 6 more books this past week. And your blog is half to blame LOLLLLLLLLLL Goes to show how successful marketing can be! ❤ And thanks as always Sal for sharing this. ❤ xxx
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Why, yes, they do. 🙂
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Lolllllllllllll Rob ❤
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I wish I could read faster! I also belong to a book club so have to keep up with “assignments” in addition to the books I choose.
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I don’t know how you manage that Sharon. I’ve been invited to a few book clubs to review. I just can’t do it right now. I’m more than happy to review what I’ve already got piling up on my own reading list. 🙂
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Like you, I’ve always got at least two books going–one paperback, one kindle! The question remains… which one to pick next? I haven’t found a noteworthy solutions, but am grateful for so many books to choose from… Happy reading, Debby!
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Thanks for sharing some of your own reading dilemma Bette. The struggle is real. LOL ❤
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Great post. I have two collections–one of all the books on my TBR list and the other, the ones I’ve downloaded to my device. I do get stressed when the latter grows too large!
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You are always so well organized Jacqui. Stressed and anxious, lol. 😉
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Great post, Debby, and one we can ALL relate to, lols.
I try and keep a list of all the ones I find on blogs, so that I can reference back to that blog once I get to reading the book and reviewing. But I have so many others that I pick up one book by the author, love it, and end up with loads more, yikes!
Like you, I often have a Kindle and a paperback on the go at the same time. Hubby just looks at me askance and says, ‘I don’t know how you do it.’ 🙂
Mostly, I add the books, try and make a list with dates, and then do my best to ignore it until I have to pick another book 🙂
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I love your system. Almost like mine – organized chaos right? LOL. Oh and ya about husbands. My hubby is not technologically inclined and still can’t grasp how a screen can keep my attention for hours and hours LOL. ❤
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Oh Deb, I am just the same with resource books, need the hand’s on approach for all that marking up! I have a Kindle Paperwhite hubby got me a while ago so I can read in bed without that ‘bad’ blue light, but I do still prefer the real thing with a paperback. As for how to get through them all, though I am reading constantly online or off, I am a slow book reader. I like to savour them lol, but that’s not good with a huge pile to get through! Happy reading, my friend! 🙂 ❤ xoxo
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I hear you girlfriend! The list is never-ending, and go figure, I like to read slow as well, and often flip back to a passage or two. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon LOL. Yes, happy reading. And yes to paperbacks!!! ❤ ❤ xxx
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LOL! Of course, we’re the same, Deb, even with our reading lol! Marathon is right! Have a wonderful weekend my friend and keep safe 🙂 ❤ 🙂
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Lol Sher. Yup, even with our reading, the pile never goes down!!!! 🙂 Happy weekend Sher! Hugs ❤ ❤ xx
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LOL…never! Thanks, Deb, you too! Love & hugs ❤ ❤ ❤
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Hugs Sher ❤ xoxoxo
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I love the idea of having a full year of NO responsibilities other than to read. But it would never work because there are new books out every day. I’m afraid it’s a situation we will live with for the rest of our lives. 🙂 My strategy – I just want to read something that really grips me and draws me in. I will not read a book that I have to slog through. There are too many more waiting in the wings. So, if it hasn’t grabbed me by Chapter 3, I put it away. Thanks for sharing, Debby!
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Hi Jan. I do like your strategy. And like you, if I’ve given a book a good chance and I’m not feeling it, I move on too. So many books, so little time! 🙂 x
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Such a common problem, Debby, to which the vast majority of us can relate. I don’t have a method or any advice to share since I’m in the same boat. I do try not to let my kindle get out of control. So I will occasionally give myself a challenge to read 5 books before purchasing another. Sometimes it works. Lol
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That’s what I call discipline Diana. Lol, thanks for sharing. 🙂 xx
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I am a book buyer of note too, Debby. I currently have over 900 unread and unlistened to books and audio books. I will probably die one day with as many on my TBR as I am a bit compulsive about buying books.
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Sounds like me Robbie. I think all us writers will leave behind many unread gems, lol. 🙂 x
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What a great question… especially since I never seem to get caught up in my reading. Do you ever feel a responsibility to review? Some books are not for me and I’ve taken to ditching the read if I begin and can’t get into it. I just keep plugging along with the reading. Your banner looks fabulous and you’re so stinking cute in the middle. ❤
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LOL Sis, thank you for the banner. Some have noticed :). Also, yes, so many books, so little time, if the book can’t take me in after a few chapters, I must move on. No point continuing when we have so much to read and I won’t review a book that isn’t worthy anyway, so no point. ❤ 🙂
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Interesting! Overflowing kindle is not my way Deb. I have subscription of KindleUnlimited and also get one free book each month, which I can choose from the new releases at Amazon but I procure a book only when I am ready to read. My wishlist is long and it is very flexible, as I can move any book up and down…like that I feel free. 🙂
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Ooh, thanks for sharing your method Balroop. Now that sounds all too organized for me, lol. But good for you as that’s a great way to not get overwhelmed. 🙂 x
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OMG, you are singing my song, Debby. I’m a Kindle book hoarder! I can read several books at once depending on my mood and now read them on my Galaxy Note 10+ which goes everywhere with me. I still have my trusty Kindle paperwhite which is perfect for beach or outdoor reading. I keep meeting bloggers who are prolific authors and MUST read their (and your) books…some of the best reading I might add! I used to belong to a free book list and eventually had to delete many of the free books as most were the first one in a series and the TBR was too long.
Summer finds me into audiobooks I either buy cheap on CHIRP, or borrow audiobooks from my library with the overdrive app. Today I did some painting on the front of the house with my earphones on and my huge phone sitting in my fanny pack, listening to “Currents of Space” by Isaac Azimov. With audiobooks, I can listen for a whole hour on my drive to the delta.
What a great post, Debby and I hope you and others can carve out more time for reading!
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Thanks so much for sharing some of your reading regime Terri. We all seem to share the same struggle with wanting to read everything, lol. Good for you on the audio books. I don’t do much with them as if I find time to listen, I like to squeeze in some Youtube vids or Podcasts, so I don’t typically listen to books. Personally, I prefer reading them anyway with my own interpretation through my eyes rather than through someone else’s voice and my ears. Does that make sense? Lol 🙂 x
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Oh and I love your FB Avatar! I made one too!
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Lol, thanks Terri. Colleen made it for me ❤
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OMGosh, I can totally relate to this dilemma, Deb. You had me chuckling about the new books being like a new pair of shoes you don’t need but want. Ha. So true. I often get off track, too. Someone will give me a book to read and off I go, no matter what I had intended to read next. I just started a new book that I had found on Sally’s site. There’s so many Indie authors I want to support too. More hours to read, that’s exactly what we need!
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Exactly Lis. We’re living the book dream, lol. Intentions are good, but so easy to get side-swiped by something compelling coming up to take us away from our intentions. Yes, more hours! ❤
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I also like the banner, Debby. And although you’ve put it much more eloquently than I could, I am in the same boat. It’s not only buying books, but also getting requests for reviews. I have the bests of intentions, and although I say “no” more often than I did before, if the book sounds good and it piques my interest, I agree, although I always warn authors that it might take me a while to get there. Sometimes books get lost, and I also reorder my next reads often, sometimes because I read a review for a book I have waiting (not looking at anybody here ;)) and that reminds me I meant to read it, or I see a note about the publication of another book…
It’s one of the harmless pleasures in life, but I also dream of having time to just pick books randomly and read, and read, and read…
Let’s keep reading!
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Thanks for sharing your own reading struggles Olga, lol. Books are like candy for us, we just want to devour. It’s evident we do have some sort of next read system somewhat in plan, but plans are always meant to change. 🙂 You don’t have to tell me about intentions. Every time I visit your blog for another quality review from you, my Kindle gets fatter! Ya, I blame you for some of it. LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL ❤
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Hi Debby,
Great piece and is so typical of me. I see something on a blog and put it on my amazon wish list. When I finish my current book, I go to the wish list to pick out my next read. So many times, I look at a selection and can’t remember why it is on my list. It’s often not my type of book to read. I end up deleting it off my list and move to the next one. Senility at work! HUGS
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LOL Chuck! You’re so funny! Well, you’ve admitted here, your graciousness goes to Amazon and adds a book, but you much check it out first to know if it would appeal to you so you don’t clutter up what’s probably already a lengthy list with books that don’t interest you, lol. Thankfully, I can say that despite my 100s of books on my Kindle, I do know why they are there. If I forget just from the title, I hop back over to the Zon to read the blurb again. Sadly, there really isn’t any eliminating of books in my pile. I want to read them all! LOL Hugs!!!! xxx
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This made me smile… For you it’s books… With me its Yarn….. While your Kindle is running over with pages and pages.. My wardrobe runneth over will wool.. of all colours and grades… My patterns spill from their heaving folder, my knitting needles jump out of their holder…. 🙂 My paints spill from the tool box I keep them in as do my brushes from the jars I push them into.. 🙂 lol….
I used to read and read and read Debby so, so many books…. I have three full book shelves in my home almost from ceiling to floor…. Hubby says if I buy one more book!!!….. lol…. Or One my hank of Yarn…. hahaha…….
We cannot help ourselves…… 🙂 I ask him… How many drill bits and screw drivers do you need lol… And how many torches do you need.. LOL… So many things in Aladdin’s cave he never can find, so he buys new.. lol… then finds he already had three…. 🙂 hahaha….
We are all the same… Sending Huge Hugs.. Lots of love and smiles across the ocean Debby… Thank YOU my friend for the smiles you brought me today… and for being such a lovely friend.. ❤ ❤
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Lol Sue, I enjoyed your sharing of abundance. I can imagine your yarn and paints, even your 3 bookshelves. I have 3 towering bookshelves where the middle of the shelves are at sagging point, lol. I need another bookshelf, but nowhere to put it. That should teach me to stop buying books – but no. It doesn’t, lol. I hear you girl! Thanks for adding to the conversation. Hugs coming back to you ❤ ❤ xxxxx
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My kindle and TBR list runneth over….as do my spices …..so many books and spices and so little time…sigh…Love your header Colleen is so clever…Methinks a year on a deserted island would be good…Audio books sound like a good idea maybe I should try them…xxx
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Lol Carol. You have a twin battle with books and spices, lmao! That year on an island is looking awfully tempting!!!! ❤ xxx
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Yes, I ‘feel your pain,” or at least the dilemma. Like you, I have several books going on at the same time. I’m reading an Indie book on my Kindle, a hardback book by my bedside at night (so I’m not reading on a screen before I go to sleep) and at the same time listening to a third book on Audibles (when I’m driving in the car or when my eyes become too sore from …. reading!). And yet, my TBR list is bulging over. One of the reasons is because as Indie authors and as bloggers, we learn about so many fabulous books not found in our local bookstore. But we want to support our followers and fellow bloggers. And truth be known, Indie reads open our world in so many ways. So here’s to reading at least three different ways to keep our world open. xo
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Amen to that Pam! Just means my little survey is telling me we are all in the same boat, lol. Mine is bulging so badly that I’ve taken to reading 3 books at a time, which although gives me great variety, but slows down my finishing a book to review. Gotta meet that Goodreads challenge, lol. What I do for that is when I find nearing the end of 2 weeks comes without a finished book for my Sunday review I’ll start one of the short stories on my Kindle, like I have for this weekend’s review 🙂 xxx
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Hi Debby – one of the things I’m vaguely trying to do is read more of my books, as I buy more … such is life. As we’re in lock-down and I’ve lots of sorting out to do and that’s getting on for being done … but as I go – I decided I needed to read … and have done a few ‘reviews’ for a history group I belong to here; so the plan is starting to shape up … and I’ll read more and more I hope – then the world can come back to normal … I might be frantic with need by winter for a life of being out and about again … but for now – I’m slowly clearing, adapting and reading. I find I really can only read a book … not into Kindles etc – though I have … good luck with all you do – stay safe – Hilary
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Hi Hilary. Thanks for sharing some of your reading habits here. I agree, there’s nothing like a paperback to hold and feel. But I couldn’t imagine having the hundreds of books on my Kindle in paperback, lol, there would be no room for me with all the necessary bookshelves. Good luck with your reading plan. And please stay safe on your outings. ❤
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I totally agree, Debby. I have so many partly-read books on my iPad and others not even opened yet – just waiting patiently. I actually completed one last night. I was delighted. I’d been ‘reading’ it (or not) for the past six months. Must finish some of those others ones now.
Too many books. Too little time.
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Wow Norah. Sounds like law and order is needed, lol. I find if a book is taking me way too long to complete because I just can’t get into it, then it’s time to close that book. 🙂
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It’s not always that I can’t get into them, Debby. I do leave them too. Sometimes I just get distracted by others. 🙂
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I know how that goes 🙂
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This seems to be a problem many of us have, Debby! I sure do. But, my situation – and probably yours as well – is made more complicated (or overwhelming) because we know so many writers (mostly virtually through our blogs and comments), who publish books we want to help out with with beta reading, proofreading, or ARC reading in order to leave reviews. Since I have such a busy life – with work, writing projects, blog reading and interactions, and our adventurous lifestyle, reading exists at “the bottom of the to-do list”.
On average, I read about five books a year. Or, if I can make more time, one every two months or so. I know this is pathetic. Especially since I’m a writer, I love to read, and I benefit from reading. And, because of what I mentioned earlier, I rarely read a book that I actually discover to read. Enough recommendations from others (like you) through reviews or from authors I know… As it is, all the books currently on my Kindle have either been gifted to me by their authors, grabbed as a freebie in sale, or I bought them because I know the authors. And, I do want to read them all and leave reviews …. I also have a few paperbacks I have been carrying g around for a decade. I just never get to those!
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I feel your pain, lol. Of course our lists will grow being that we are engulfed by fellow writers, lol. Books are like chocolate – just one more piece. Hopefully you will catch up for some more reading eventually. As far as reading every book we have, despite good intentions, I think it will be impossible LOL 🙂
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Lol, I’m not sure ‘handle’ is the correct way to describe what I do with my Kindle! And having moved house recently, it came to my attention just how many dozens of paperbacks I own that I haven’t read either, so I’ve started on that mammoth challenge, although I prefer my Kindle for ease of handling. I’d forgotten how irritating it can be when a paperback doesn’t want to open far enough, and you struggle to read the ends of the words nearest the centre.
I went through a period of not buying any more books for my Kindle, only downloading free books, but then, of course, there are books by authors and author friends I do want to read, so I had to break my resolve. And once that went, I found myself in the same place as you. I periodically remind myself of all the great covers and descriptions that persuaded me to part with the pittance that eBooks cost (one more won’t break the bank, will it?), by scrolling down through the book section on my Kindle, and then I realise I will NEVER be able to read them all.
No, ‘handle’ definitely does not cover it.
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Lol Deb, perfect description of how those books add up. I have to guess that many of us will die leaving many books asleep on our Kindles, lol 🙂 xx
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