That Dreaded/Wonderful to Read Pile

[jenna]

gosh, i don't know how many would be in that pile, i'd say definitely over 50. i'm a bit addicted to the used bookstore, i go in and clear them out of all the good authors, one by one! i've just come out of one of my reading and writing blocks recently, so i'm definitely going to have to make up some serious time... it will help that my new bookcase is being delivered next week, so i can FINALLY get my beloved books out of the box in the cupboard and have them proudly displayed where they belong

 

[Nesacat]

There's several hundred right now in my room since I have the same addiction as most people here and buy books faster than I can read them. The order of the books change with how I feel at the moment since I have this tendency to read several books with similar themes one after another.

There'd be more books in the pile but the rest of them have been in storage since my divorce and will be there until I sort out a place of my own.

And like steve I intend to read them all before the end and never be in a position to not be able to afford books or be gravely disliked for the reading habit.

 

[Razorback]

I have around 50 books in my TBR pile. I maintain a hunting list of books that intrigue me from postings on this site and other random sources. The list is a combination of works by favorite authors and new ones to try. When I identify a new series, I try to collect the first 3 books or so before I begin reading it. My hunting list typically has between 25 and 75 titles. I use the list on periodic visits to used bookstores. So far, this approach provides a good selection of books to read at a reasonable price.

Selections for reading are a combination of method and random madness, but mostly random madness. I’m working on reading all of the Hugo and Nebula winning novels, so I try to pick at least one of those a month. I also like series, but I do not read them back to back. When I finish a series book, I typically read 2 to 4 other books before reading the next in the series. After 3 or 4 books in a series, I may take an even longer break before returning to the series. Otherwise, my reading selections are based on whims at the time. Sometimes, I want something similar to what I just finished. Other times, I look for something with a big change of pace or style from my last read.

 

[jackokent]

I buy whole shelves of books from charity shops wihout reading the covers, similarly I buy boxes of books from car bootsales. I have no idea what I've read before and no structure to my buying except that it's mostly fantasy. Often I find myself with book five of some obscure series I will never find books 1 - 4 of. I have hundreds of books. My life is a cluttered mess and there is no chance that I will ever get any where near the end of my reading pile. I randomly choose what to read and my problem is I have never given up on any book so I read untold amounts of absolute rubbish.

 

[mosaix]

Probably 20 - 25 in the pile. It isn't likely to go down much either because

1) I am a slow reader and I tend to re-read bits that I really enjoy - just for the pleasure.
2) I belong to a reading circle and 'have' to read their books - quite enjoyable in fact - I've read stuff I would have never thought of.
3) I subscribe to Analog, it arrives each month and I just have to drop everything and read it.

 

[jackokent]

I am also a member of a reading circle and have to read thier books too. It's a good way of ensuring you never become too blinkered in your choices. However so saying my group never do fantasy because they don't consider it proper fiction. I put up with this because through them I have got to meet some really nice authors, Bernard Cornwall being the most famous probably.

 

[mosaix]

However so saying my group never do fantasy because they don't consider it proper fiction.

I have the same problem with SF. I think I might try and introduce them some. I'll become a subversive element without them realising.

I suppose I could try them with Flowers for Algernon.

 

[sabinerak]

Right now, I have a huge "to read" pile. It's not technically a "pile" though since it's all put away neatly on shelves.

Currently, I'm reading through my whole collection in order to cull the books I doubt I'll want to reread so that in the end, I'll own only the books that I will want to keep and reread again and again. Ultimately, I hope not to have any physical "to read" piles. Mentally is a whole different matter.

 

[Brys]

You could easily say Flowers for Algernon is general fiction (just don't use the SF masterworks edition to show them!). Just recommend it - there's very little science in it, and if they don't like Flowers for Algernon, well....)

 

[Thadlerian]

I certainly have a "to be read" pile, but it's a pile only in the metaphorical sense. They're lying around everywhere; in my house, in the library, borrowed by other people from the library, and in the bookshop.

My only absolute rule when choosing books to read is this: Never two books by same author in a line (though several short stories work). Otherwise, I try to include some general fiction when I can (though that rarely happens), and some non-fiction whenever I find it.