I have attended numerous book launches and writing events recently
where I was lucky to receive some wonderful free books—the best type of freebie
there is! However, the downside to this is my TBR (to be read) pile is
borderline unmanageable.
I usually juggle reading a few books at once—not including
reading and editing my novel manuscript. There’s my TV commercial break book, the book
I should be reading because everyone
is talking about it and therefore I should read it and form my own opinion, and the book I
read at bedtime. This might sound a little strange to those of you who aren’t
book-obsessed like me (but I’m assuming you are because you’re here reading my
blog! J)
but each book provides something different, relevant to their reading
conditions and time-slot. For example, I cannot read an un-put-downable book
during TV commercial breaks—for obvious reasons. Nor can I read the “I really
should read this for my education and enlightenment” book before bed as it’s often not relaxing. My favourite books are always savoured at bedtime; the one
time where I can focus on nothing else but the story I’m reading.
Sometimes I might shuffle my books around; the “enlightening
book” might become really entertaining or the “TV commercial book” might become
un-put-downable. This method helps me stay on top of my TBR pile and combats the dreaded "did not finish" books.
What’s your reading strategy? Do you read multiple books at
a time or do you only immerse yourself in one story world and let
your TBR pile grow like an untamed vine? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the
comments!
