January 26th, 2010 — About
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
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November 28th, 2009 — Between the Sheets, Erotica
Welcome to the second article under Between the Sheets. Here we get to focus on going beyond the printed page to learn more about the industry, the parts usually forgotten by the time the product hits the shelves. Today’s special guest is Olivia Roland, narrator of Land of Falling Stars
. Please join me in welcoming her!
Q. -- How did you get started in book narration?
A.-- I started as a stage actor and learned of an opportunity recording books for the blind from a fellow actor.
Q.-- What's the audition process like for audio books?
A.-- You're asked to read segments from different genres (fiction, non-fiction) and submit a recording and will often do an audition to show your reading skills.
Q.-- Were you required to do anything special for the audition because it was an erotica novel?
A.-- No. We submitted material from a novel with a similar feel.
Q.-- What's your favorite part about narrating?
A.-- I love being able to use all the ranges of my voice, and to be able to put my training with languages and dialects and acting to great use.
Q.-- Did you feel strange narrating erotica at first?
A.-- I've recorded romance novels and historical romances for over a decade and they have many explicit sex scenes, so I was accustomed to some of the material when I began to read for Ravenous Romance.
Q.-- What other voice acting have you done?
A.-- I've recorded hundreds of commercials for radio and television, industrials and training videos. I have also recorded several PBS specials and have been nominated for two Heartland Emmy Nominations for Best Narration.
Q.-- And finally, why should people listen to audio books?
A.-- Audio books are magical to me because you get the advantage of hearing them read by an actor, but at the same time you create all the images and imagine all the people in your mind's eye all on your own.
You get the best of two worlds: an actor's voice and interpretation and your own power of creativity and imagination as you hear a writer's words. It's the best kind of escape, anywhere you choose to have it!
Thank you Olivia! It's been so good to talk with you. I couldn't agree more with why people should listen to audio books. They are definitely magical.
Photo Credits: bondiben
Originally posted 2009-03-25 05:33:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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November 1st, 2009 — About
Free books is always good. They're great on book budgets and in general make you feel warm and fuzzy all the way down to your toes. I've compiled a list of what I think are the top six ways to get (nearly) free books. If you have a good idea please leave a comment and help your fellow readers out!
6. Go to Your Local Library.
Most obvious, I know, but true. Libraries are a great source for free entertainment. Not only can you get books, but you access movies, wi-fi, lectures, music, and more. Just be sure to keep track of your due dates or you'll owe some [minor] fees. Heck, I bet you can access your library online too! I know I can with mine! How easy is that to find and hold books right from home?
5. Borrow From Friends.
Just be sure when you borrow you don't forget you borrowed the book or misplace it, because your friend will not be happy. I lend books out all the time and yes I have lost a few by doing this, but I'm okay with that. It's a small price to share books I love with others.
You can read partial (limited access) and whole versions of books for free here. Granted book availability is far less than going to a [large] library or buying from Amazon, but for those like to read online it's a great opportunity to locate and devour books. There are books for every genre.
Free up room on your overcrowded shelves by exchanging books with other members. List 10 books and get 2 free right off the bat. Recommend PBS to new members and get 1 free book when they post 10 books. My username is reviewromancenovel! Hint hint. The only charges you'll incur are shipping (just sending out, you are not asked to pay for shipping on books you are receiving.)
2. Check Out Blogs for Giveaways and Contests.
Many blogs host giveaways and contests. This is a great way for authors to get word out on their books to concentrated niches and a great way for you to potentially score some free merchandise. I got to read Beyond Heaving Bosoms before it was released because I participated in a giveaway contest at Smart Bitches Trashy Books. In fact, Love Romance Passion hosts a lot of contests and giveaways thanks to some very wonderful publishers and authors. Stick around and you could pick up a book or two.
1. Host a Book Review Blog.
I have had so many opportunities to read books I would have most likely not heard of, seen on the shelves at bookstores, or picked up and tried out for myself by writing Love Romance Passion. Hosting a book review blog takes a lot of work and requires a commitment on your part. It's not for the fainthearted. You're not simply reading for pleasure anymore, you have to be aware of your reactions and record them.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-23 22:05:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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