February 17th, 2010 — About
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
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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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January 14th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, Comedy of Manners, G-I, Gentry, Great Britain, Highlander, Kidnapping, Rape/Abuse, Scarred Hero, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
Julie Garwood is a staple, a household name, and Wedding is the first book of hers I ever read. Recommended to me by my closest friend, I came to the conclusion that it must go to the top of my TBR pile. I found the Wedding to be a delightful combination of bride stealing, tortured hero, and a quest for justice. The tortured hero was my favorite part, though the heroine was pretty great too. The Wedding is the sequel to The Bride
, but I don’t think you miss anything by reading this one first; it is after all what I did first. I also found pieces of text to get choppy when going from scene to scene near the end or from heroine to hero point of view. Overall it wasn’t a bad start to learning about who this fabulous author is. Spoilers ahead…
Wedding focuses heavily on a revenge plot, which in the end I felt could have been wrapped up better. When young Laird Connor McAlister comes to his father’s death bed, he is made to promise to seek justice for the wrongs of his father. At ten, one would not think this would be particularly important or something that would be a driving force in the child’s life but we’re underestimating the loyalty between father and son, the pride of the Highlanders, and of course the time period. Connor seeks protection from Alec, forms a lasting brotherhood with the man and grows up to search for his father’s killers.
The man Connor’s father thought was behind the plotting is getting married. Since he cannot prove his involvement with his father’s death, Connor decides to seek a lesser revenge by stealing his bride, Brenna Haynesworth. Lucky for Connor, his soon to be bride, Brenna, shares a bit of history with him. I’ll give you it’s a relatively brief history, but this history is needed so that Connor can justify his actions to his brother Alec. See, Brenna as a young girl asked Connor to marry her three times during his one and only stay at her childhood home. Brenna is an amusing heroine because she loses her possessions constantly. Hair ribbons, knifes, shoes, it all follows behind her like a trail of bread crumbs.
When the novel focused on the hero and heroine falling in love, it was a very good read but then it drifted back into the revenge plot and stuck there with a few too many clichés. Connor's stepmother is plainly evil. She affects a loving spirit still in mourning for her dead husband in front of Connor, but sabotages Brenna at every turn and picks on all her fears about herself and Connor whenever the man isn’t looking. And Brenna is so concerned about gaining his stepmother’s favor and love that she doesn’t bring up her problems with Connor or anyone for that matter.
Then when Connor’s stepbrother arrives on the scene he is a lecherous cretin, bent on seducing Brenna as soon as possible, not caring at all if she’s willing or not. While this is going on the man Connor thinks plotted his father’s death is moving his players around and causing mischief so that Connor cannot be near Brenna or observe what is going on in his own household until it’s nearly too late. Then to top it all off is another communication misunderstanding and the happily ever after is almost caput. In the end they have it, but I would have preferred Garwood to draw it out more instead of tacking it on at the end as if she’d forgotten about it.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
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Originally posted 2008-12-27 09:35:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 15th, 2009 — Between the Sheets, News
All across book blogger land interviews are being shared with readers about their favorite book bloggers and maybe even introducing new bloggers to them. This is because we just started Book Blogger Appreciation Week! Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Susie Tudor Daughter. Susie writes a historical fiction book blog that focuses on English heritage. Please welcome her to Love Romance Passion and feel free to pick her brain!
Keira: What is your favorite part about blogging?
Susie: The wonderful information I have found on books and the new friends.
Keira: Why did you start?
Susie: It actually was by mistake. I found Royal Intrigue blog about Jean Plaidy and I decided to start my own. I absolutely adore British Royal history and thought it would be fun to share this love with others.
Keira: What book are you currently reading and why are you reading it?
Susie: The Tea Rose
by Jennifer Donnelly. I love anything about Victorian London, especially thrillers or mysteries. Found the recommendation on Amy’s Passages of the Past blog.
Keira: Which book do you plan to read next?
Susie: The White Queen
by Phillipa Gregory.
Keira: How big is your TBR pile?
Susie: Huge!
Keira: Which do you like more: finishing a book or starting a new one?
Susie: Starting a new one.
Keira: What makes you pick up a book and buy it without question?
Susie: I usually wouldn’t do this. I always read the back or cover first, but possibly I would buy without question if it was a Phillipa Gregory’s or Barbara Erskine book.
Keira: Who is your favorite author?
Susie: I have several~ Barbara Erskine, Jean Plaidy, Phillipa Gregory and James Herriott.
Keira: What are three books you’d recommend to new readers of your genre?
Susie: Lady of Hay
by Barbara Erskine, Legacy
by Susan Kay and The Other Boleyn Girl
by Phillipa Gregory.
Keira: Which reading format do you like best: print, audio, digital?
Susie: Print~ I always have my current read with me. I love the covers too and how they all look in my book shelves.
Keira: Who is your favorite royal?
Susie: Anne Boleyn
Keira: For fun share two truths and one false fact about yourself.
Susie: Edward III is my 18th great grandfather: My 11th great-grandmother was almost chosen to be Henry VIII 6th wife instead of Catherine Parr: I am 35 years old.
Keira: What was the last book you bought, borrowed, donated/gave away, and traded?
Susie: The last book I bought was The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory. The last book borrowed was A Great and Terrible Beauty
. Gave away was Legacy by Susan Kay. No trades.
Keira: What advice would you give to brand new book bloggers?
Susie: Seriously have fun and be creative. So many fun layouts and widgets to enhance your blog.
Keira: What tips would you give to readers who want to read more books?
Susie: Always carry your book with you. Get a bigger purse if need be, that way you have your current read with you when you get stuck somewhere like the Dr., Dentist, DMV, etc. Go to bed at the same time every night allowing your self at least an hour to read. This may take some discipline and extra planning, but it’s worth it. I am in bed every night by 10 pm and my family knows this MY TIME and do not disturb. I read until 11 and sometimes even longer but never later than 11:30. Lights out.
Keira: Anything you want to add?
Susie: I have 6 children and reading has been a major part of their lives since they were little babies. I would nurse and read out loud to them. They have grown up to love books and some even have a larger library than I do. Reading is the key to life. If you can read there really is nothing you can’t learn about that interests you. My daughter teaches freshman English at our High School and her greatest challenge is getting the kids to read and love it. I think that is so sad.
For more fun: BBAW Interview Swap with Keira from Love Romance Passion...
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August 8th, 2009 — Reader Highlights
Isabel G. is Susan's sister and the subject of this reader highlight. Isabel is incredibly active on Love Romance Passion, always commenting with fun witty responses. The conversation on this blog wouldn't be the same without her and now I have the pleasure of introducing her to everyone. Say hello to Isabel!
Keira: What is your secret guilty plot or character trope that you love beyond reason?
Isabel G: I am guilty of reading books about werewolves or vampires falling in love with a human. Arrest me now for my guilty pleasure!
Keira: Haha, if I did, you'd have to arrest me too because I like those plots also! Where were you when you got your first kiss?
Isabel G: This might get me in hot water with my husband! LOL I was sixteen years old and a friend from high school came over to watch a movie at my parent’s house. My mother was in another room so he must have thought it was the perfect opportunity. I turned to face him one second to ask a question and he grabbed my face with both hands and leaned in to give me one of the most passionate kisses of my life. We are no longer friends but it was a memorable kiss!
Keira: That's so sweet. What do you look for in a heroine? Do you like her to be similar to you, or do you want someone completely different?
Isabel G: I like a heroine to have some similarities and some differences to my own characteristics. It is inspiring to read about a heroine who can support herself, is not afraid to voice her opinion, and is not afraid to flirt. However, every now and then I also like to read about female characters that are shy and the male takes the lead.
Keira: The perfect heroine might then be the oxymoron of a shy-flirtatious female. What makes up your idea of the perfect hero?
Isabel G: What an important question indeed! After all this is why we read romance, no? The hero, in my opinion, should be secure and exude confidence. He should be able to laugh at things and yet be serious enough to take charge in the bedroom.
Keira: Ooo lala! What is your favorite romance novel right now?
Isabel G: I just finished reading Lori Foster’s Hard to Handle
and it was amazing!
Keira: Guest review? Hehe. What romance novel are you reading now?
Isabel G: Midnight Desire
which my sister bought for me as a birthday gift.
Keira: Which book do you plan to read next?
Isabel G: It’s part of Harlequin Blaze by Kate Hoffmann. The title of the book is The Mighty Quinns: Brody
.
Keira: How big is your TBR pile?
Isabel G: There are currently 14 books sitting on my nightstand! It is difficult to find time to read after starting college but I try to make time every night to grab a book, take a bath and disconnect with everything else.
Keira: Good plan! Bring one in your purse for downtime between when you arrive at class and before the instructor starts teaching. That's how I got a lot of reading done. How do you define love?
Isabel G: Love makes you do things you would have been afraid to do otherwise. I lived in Florida with my parents and my friend of five years was in the military at that time. He returned to the states and was going to be stationed in Kentucky. I turned to my parents and said I want to go visit him. It was a big deal because before that moment I was terrified of traveling anywhere alone! A few days later I was on a plane to visit him and while I was there he asked me to marry him.
Keira: Wow! That's so amazingly sweet! Okay, last question, Isabel. What is your favorite feature at Love Romance Passion?
Isabel G: My favorite feature is that we are allowed to write comments, duh! Another thing is that it is updated regularly and there is always something good to read. There is also variety as far as what is posted. You can expect everything from humor, contests, to being engaged in a debate of the minds.
Keira: 
Thanks so much Isabel for sharing with us! Be fabulous!
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May 25th, 2009 — Reader Highlights
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!
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May 23rd, 2009 — About
The last two times I wrote, I talked about reducing your TBR pile through monetary and organizational methods. This time I'm going to share with you tips on how to get through your pile by answering the following question: How can you read more books?
Check out these reading methods below:
1. Books in multiple places.
This goes against the organizational methods mentioned earlier, but more books in more places where you sit down and relax can be very helpful in encouraging you to read them. So go ahead, put some by your bedside table, next to the couch, by your bathtub, etc.
2. Read more than one book at a time.
Combine this tip and tip #1 and now you're cooking... er reading. Your mind can keep track of more than one story, you can follow multiple books and not get lost. Go ahead and try this on for size and see how you do. Chances are you'll get through a bunch more books because you won't be locked into any one particular story.
3. Conversely, read only one book at a time.
If you're someone who is easily distracted this might be the method for you. Reading a book at a time allows you to focus more and pay attention to all the things you love.
4. Schedule reading.
By setting a time to sit down and read you're making a plan. You will read a whole lot more by doing this. Make it a daily habit or schedule it when you know you won't be interrupted by every day demands like dinner and phone calls.
5. Read for an hour before bed.
It's a great way to relax and it's similar to #4. You are guaranteeing a time to read for yourself, which allows you to focus on your reading and your day to day business.
6. Read for an hour after waking up.
Wake up an hour earlier and get to reading. Allow yourself the luxury of not being in a hurry to get ready for the day. I personally like to combine #5 and #6. It's amazing how many books you can get through by doing both.
7. Listen to audio.
See if you can get some of your reading in audio format instead of the standard print. This way you can hear a book while running, walking, driving to work, at the gym, and more. Listening to books is a fabulous way to get through your reading.
8. Quit reading bad books.
This is why you use blogs and other review sources. We read the bad books so you don't have to do so. Put down the read that's killing you to get through. You're not obligated to finish a book ever. Pass it on to a friend, donate it to the library, swap it at Paperback Swap, whatever you feel like doing to get it out of your sight.
9. Carry a book with you everywhere.
Not everybody has a whole lot of time that they can put aside to read. By carrying a book with you if there's ever a down time you can whip it out and read a few pages.
10. Turn off the TV.
Really, you can use that time spent watching shows to read more. Don't want to miss your shows? Record them and watch them later minus commercials or better still watch your shows online later at Hulu or the network website.
11. Read sitting up and with a good light.
If you read sitting up and with good lighting you're not likely to fall asleep in the middle of a paragraph and snooze your way through your reading time.
12. Keep background noise to a minimum.
Lots of noise equals lots of distraction which you can't have if you're going to get through that TBR pile! Plus it's considerably less annoying than listening to commercials on the radio or on TV.
13. Skim / Scan.
Yes, I know it's your pleasure reading and you want to squeeze every minute of out the experience, but not everything needs to be read. If you can't follow through with #8 at least this method helps you slog through the book faster.
14. Speed read.
I read pretty fast, I could read faster if I learned how to speed read. I hear you can read faster and still retain all the information from the book without any problem with some practice. What better practice material than your pleasure reading? A faster reading speed might be just the ticket to get through that towering pile.
15. Shut off wi-fi when reading ebooks.
Most ebook readers are still using laptops and desktop computers. Shut down your internet connection before you open a book and this will let you focus on reading instead of your email and instant messages.
16. Stop rereading!
I don't mean rereading a book you've read before, though that certainly won't help you get through your TBR pile. I mean stop rereading the same text over and over again. You're either doing it unconsciously (which means pay attention and stop) or consciously by going backwards to find out what you missed/forgot or by trying to find out where you were in the book. Stop it now! Use a bookmark and pencil lightly where you left off between reading sessions and erase on opening. As for missing something, trust me, authors will reveal it again so keep reading further. You might just find out that the next paragraph jogs your memory anyway and you've read more instead of less.
How's that for a fairly exhaustive and in depth list? Do you have anything you can add? If so leave a comment and share with others!
Photo Credits: Betsssssy
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