Keira: Which do you like more: finishing a book or starting a new one?

Heidenkind: Probably finishing a book, because I like to think about what to read next.

Keira: Which historical romances do you prefer more and why: Classical Novels or Current Regency Based Novels?

Heidenkind: Contemporary novels set in the Regency era tend to be an easier read, so I'd have to go with those.

Keira: Jane Eyre is one of your top favorite novels. What are some other ones you consider too good to miss?

Heidenkind: The Age of Innocence, The Silver Metal Lover, The Ivy Tree, The Queen of Attolia, Archangel, and Captives of the Night, just to name a few.

Keira: Which author occupies the most space on your bookshelf? Why do you love him/her?

Heidenkind: Well, that depends... by "my" bookshelf, do I include my mom's books, too? It's close race between Mary Stewart, Lisa Kleypas, and Christina Dodd.  I love Dodd because she writes the kind of books where you can become totally immersed in the story; Kleypas is great because her romances are very intense, emotional, sexy, and intelligent all at the same time; and I grew up reading Stewart, so her books are my comfort reads.

Keira: What is your favorite and/or least favorite plot, character type, or literary device?

Heidenkind: I really hate it when the h/h instantaneously start lusting after one another.  It tends to lead to my second-least-favorite device, where there heroine refuses to acknowledge she's attracted to hero for no reason other than to drag the book out.

Keira: How do you define love?

Heidenkind: Love is what knits us together despite logic, annoyance, money, reason, intellect, anger, proximity--it just is.  I always think of a quote from The Butcher's Wife: "Love is the leap that cannot be denied."  I'm not sure if that's true, but I think leaping is a big part of it.  Also that quote is very poetic.

Keira: You began Heidenkind’s Hideaway in 2009. What is your favorite aspect of blogging and what are some of your favorite posts that you’ve written?

Heidenkind: I love being able to discuss books with other readers, and the whole book blogging community is just full of wonderful people.  That's probably my favorite aspect of it, although I do really enjoy being able to dissect a book and why it worked for me and why it didn't.

Most of my favorite posts are the ones no one read.  Haha!  There was a post I did last May called An Immortal Soul that analyzed a random comment on the TV show The Mentalist--I really liked that one, because that's pretty much exactly how my mind works on a day-to-day basis.  I think Drood is one of better reviews I've written.  There's also a post called Reading By Type where I talk about how nearly every main character in books is a reader.  I didn't even realize how true that was until after I had written the post--now I can't escape it!

Keira: What tips would you give to readers who want to read more books?

Heidenkind: Ask Meghan from Medieval Bookworm, that would be my tip.   I'm honestly a pretty slow reader.  I suppose I would say turn off the TV, computer, stereo, and just concentrate on the book for a while; and if you're not liking it, stop reading it.  But then I would have to follow my own advice.

Keira: For you which character makes or breaks a romance novel: the hero or the heroine?

Heidenkind: It could go either way--but at least one of them better be interesting, or the story won't be going anywhere.

Keira: As an art historian does the cover of a book sway you toward impulse purchases? What do you like/hate about the current cover trends?

Heidenkind: Hmm, interesting question.  I admit I've bought books just because their covers were beautiful, and YA is definitely where it's at in cover design right now.  I like going to that section of the bookstore just to look at the covers (that might also be why I subscribe to a lot of YA blogs...).  The only trend I don't like is "Twilightizing" the covers of classic novels like Wuthering Heights.  Not because I don't like Twilight, but because: 1. I hate same-y covers; and 2. I think good novels like that deserve more original cover design because they can, and should, stand on their own merits as great novels.  I have also bought books just because they have a painting I like as the cover--like Swan Witch.  I think I bought that book twice, actually.

Keira: Is there anything you’d like to share or talk about that I missed?

Heidenkind: I recently (like last week) changed the name of my blog to Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Books--I think that reflects the whole feel of the blog better.

• Love Romance Books
• Love Romance Audio Books
• Reading Lamps Home Lighting
• Cartoon Character Graphic Novels, TPBs Comics Collectibles

Last time I gave you 4 Monetary Tips to Reduce your TBR pile. This post is going to give you some ideas on how organizing your TBR pile can motivate you to get through it.

1. Start a Spreadsheet.

Enter all the books from your current to be read pile and then all the books you've read that you have on your bookshelf. Before selecting any new books for your collection double check your spreadsheet to make sure there are no repeats.

2. Group by Common Denominator.

Put your organizational skills to work and group your TBR pile into smaller piles. Sort your books by a common denominator such as subgenre, author, size, year, or similar titling. Do it however it pleases you best and make it a goal to read one book each month from your new smaller piles. By getting your TBR pile manageable, you are not faced with the daunting task of choosing a book to read or the prospect of a book avalanche.

3. Challenge Yourself.

Did you know that supposedly the average romance novel reader can read 10-40 books in a month? This statistic is pulled from the Romantic Times advertising page. With that in mind and knowing that some people work best with goals, I challenge readers to reading the mean - 20 books - with sub goal of reaching as close to 40 books as possible this month. Here's a game to get you started (and remember only choose books from your TBR pile!):

• Books 1-5 by authors you've never read before.
• Books 6-10 by your favorite authors.
• Books 11-15 in a genre or sub-genre you've never tried.
• Books 16-20 in your favorite genre or sub-genre.

Repeat for books 20-40 if you get that far. Do this challenge with a buddy and now you're accountable to someone other than yourself. Get together once a week and go for coffee. Talk about the books you read and if you're on target to the goal you could even swap a few and read for next month.

4. Purge: Be Ruthless.

Yes, I know, it's a sad thing to even contemplate, but it's for your own good. Go through the pile and anything you bought more than six months ago seriously consider removing, permanently. If you weren't inspired to pick it up and read it six months after purchasing the book, chances are you'll never get to it. Donate the books to your local library and get a receipt for tax purposes or use the books as swapping material on Paperback Swap.

5. The 3 Strike System.

Start a 3 Strike System. If you pick a book up and decide not to read it mark the side of the book (not the spine, the pages) with a pencil. When a book gets its third strike, remove it from your TBR pile. This system can be modified to 4 or 5 or 6 strikes, but be consistent and don't waver once you get to the last strike. The book might have sounded good to you when you first got it, but it's not calling to you anymore. Pass it on.

*This idea originally came from Willa in the Paperback Swap TBR Reduction Thread.

6. Keep it Simple. Start Slow.

Make the goal easy. Did you put last week's purchases on the floor because there was no space? Read enough from your pile to move those babies off the floor and onto the shelf.

Are your books in six locations? Pick a location and read them. All of them. That's one less location to trip over your books and a simple goal that allows you to focus on your reading instead of your buying.

7. Share Your Reduction Tip!

Now it's your turn to talk about your TBR pile and what you do to keep it under control. Leave a comment in the form below!

Photo Credits: bitmask

Originally posted 2009-05-19 05:47:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• A Simple Plan A Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Lucky Strike Cigarette Tobacciana Collectibles

Chances are you have one, and your friend, and your other friend, and of course I have one. They sneak up on you. When you first start reading, there might be one to three books in the pile and you read them and go out and get new books. Somewhere along the way they developed a mind of their own and have overtaken a whole place in your house: a table, a chair, the floor, a shelf, your car's backseat, on top of your toilet, etc. Will they ever go away or are we doomed to keep them forever? Here are some ideas I've come up with for reducing your TBR pile while also reducing your new book strain on your wallet. Read on and be sure to tell me what you think!

1.    Book Budget -

With a book budget set in place and coincidentally in stone, you're limited to the amount of new books you can purchase. Make sure you put less toward it than you think you need (this is the reduction part!)

Here's a good equation for set up:

Take the low end price per book ($6 for mass paperback, $14 for trade paperback, $25 for hardback) and times it by (the average number of books you read in a month - 2 books).

How do you book budget? Share your tips with readers, leave a comment!

2.   Library -

Like PBS new books are usually on a waitlist. Put your name on it and read your TBR pile while waiting for the library to call you. When they call, go check it out and read it. The idea of forced waiting will help you reduce your pile and by not seeing the book physically sitting there begging to be read, you're not thinking about it. Additionally, nobody can add it to your pile count either and that includes you!

3. Paperback Swap -

Paperback Swap is trading website for used books. Get new-to-you books while helping with your TBR pile by setting up an account. You get 2 free books by listing 10 of your own for trade. See, I'm nice, this isn't so painful; I'm letting you get two books!

Now to reduce your pile only "purchase" books when you get credits from sending out your old books. This will drastically reduce your new books, unless you cheat and become a mega-swapper with 50+ novels on your trade bookshelf.

Also many of the new releases are on waitlist and by waiting for them to come to you instead of buying them right away you can enjoy them without feeling TBR pile guilt.

4.    TBR Buddy-

Get a TBR pile buddy. Between the two of you select books you want to purchase using tip #1. With two of you buying only half of your list (and later swapping books between you as you finish them) you can enjoy your whole list with less financial strain or guilt tripping. As I said before, your pile can't guilt trip you if the books aren't there. It's a twist on that age old adage of if you can't see it, it can't see you.

Photo Credits: kencf0618

Originally posted 2009-05-16 10:13:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Paperback Romance Books

by Susan Sigler, guest blogger

Confession time! I’ve been harboring a secret wish. A hope that someone, somewhere will give me a satisfactory reason to venture outside of my comfort zone.

I’m very content you see. Here in my dark paranormal genre. There’s shapeshifters at every turn and vampires with seductive brooding qualities. In paranormal we can boast about our alpha male werewolves and how they succumb to their raw animalistic sexual needs. During your journey you may even discover psychic abilities you can tap into. With all this power, immortality and raw sexual need; why venture out. Well, maybe I want more power. (LOL) Actually, I’m curious if I’m missing all the fun with all my doom and gloom.

My bookshelf is chock full of paranormal and erotica. (I say this proudly, of course) Yet, dare I believe the grass may be greener on the other side.

Book reviewing recently gave me a metaphorical calling card. I accepted and realized to my utter amazement I now enjoy, dare I say it out loud? I peeked over the paranormal fence to realize; I enjoy regency romance. Hell’s bells, what else have I been missing? If you read other genres, please tell me what exactly drew you in as a reader. I’m still on the fence regarding Inspirational, Young Adult, and Historical just to name a few.

While I wait for your kind input, I’ll be flossing my fangs and deciding which party to attend to in London. What is happening to me? Can a reader really spread their love to extend all genres, much like a mother extends her love to all her children?

• Regency Romance Books
• Paranormal Romance Books
• Regency Romance Audio Books
• Paranormal Romance Audio Books

I got an email on Friday from Susan thanking me for my TBR pile series and telling me about her own bookshelf cleanup project. I'm so excited to share with everyone, Susan's success. Using a tip from 7 Organizational Tips to Help Reduce Your To Be Read Pile she took her unmanageable bookshelf and got it under control! That big grin on her face says, "Look at my shelves, they are so totally organized and awesome!" Those are my words not hers.

These are her words:

Hi Keira,

Thanks so much for your spreadsheet idea--it took me 3 agonizing days to do it & re-organize my bookshelf and I'm glad I did. I figured out all my TBR books, realized 1 of my books were gone (I had lent it to my sister) , gave away a bag full to the library of books that just didn't hold my interest any longer & got receipt for tax purposes, relocated some e.g. gave my Harry Potter's to my son. I also noted the signed copies so in the future I don't inadvertently get rid of them or lend those out. Now I actually have some room for my new books.

Thanks & TGIF

Take a closer look at those shelves:

Aren't they awesome? I'm so happy and excited for Susan! She's going to get so much reading done!

I hope her success gets you motivated!

• Library Lamps Home Lighting

I’ve spent the last couple of days reorganizing my space (which is small) for several new (to me) books were coming my way. I got a second bookshelf (surprise, surprise) and cleared out a corner for it. This took some ingenuity as this used to be my junk corner. The corner I knew would contain anything I couldn’t find because I thought I wouldn’t need to anytime soon. It’s the corner or the drawer or space that accumulates undesirables that can’t be thrown out for some reason or another.

It started with reprioritizing a lot of it and finding new homes for it all one piece at a time. I did throw away a lot of paper and the ilk. By throwaway I mean I stuck it in the pile of papery/cardboardy things that I take over to my library’s dumpster reserved for such purposes. It helps them make some money and its recycling so two points for me.

Next I did the sweeping and the dusting. Unpleasant tasks, yes, but ones that must get done. I broke a ceramic mug in the process. Whoops. The pieces were very sharp and had to be taken care of immediately. Luckily it wasn’t a mug I was particularly attached too.

Now I was ready. Boy was I unprepared! I was gaining a new collection of novels today. My new collection filled out eight office crates and contained romance (enough to fill two shelves triple stacked give or take) and crime/western (enough to fill three shelves in a similar fashion.) I still have a crate and a half with books. Part of the books had been mine to start but wouldn’t fit on the shelves and part of the new collection.

There are some whoppers in this batch. I have been caught giggling over titles and covers as I uncovered them. Several titles from Nora Roberts, Amanda Quick, Danielle Steel, LaVryle Spencer, Sandra Brown, and Julie Garwood. I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I finally own my own copies of The Bride and The Wedding. Woo!

Of course with the books being double stacked in front of each other and then stacked on top of twice it’ll be a wonder to find any of them. I do have a system, sorta anyway in place to get through them. It’s very simple really. Start with one, read it, review it, keep it/offer it on paperback swap. Not only will I be getting several hours of reading pleasure, I’ll get to organize again. Double the joy… hehe.

What’s on your shelf?

• Space Event Covers Covers United States Stamps