The Countdown is ON!

Hello, hello, hello!

So, it is almost time for my little book project to begin. I started this as a way to motivate me to get through some of my ever-growing To Read Pile. In all honesty, it is getting out of control. I have mixed feelings about the TRP: on one hand, I really love the feeling of abundance of having all these books waiting to be read. When I choose a new book to read, I feel a bit like a kid in a candy store – I pull a bunch out and look through them and wait for one to pique my interest before putting the rest back. Sometimes, (like right now) I can’t choose and so I will have two (okay, three) books on the go at the same time.

On the other hand, sometimes my TRP makes me feel, well, guilty. Why do I keep buying books faster than I can read them? There are so many in there that I’m pretty sure reading through them could be my full-time job (which, sadly, of course, it isn’t). If someone lends me a book, I feel compelled to read it immediately because otherwise it may end up lost in all the others waiting to be read. (Once I had a friend’s book for so long that she gave up waiting for me to return it and bought herself another copy. Oops … lesson learned.) I admit that it seems a bit self-indulgent (maybe greedy?) on some level to have amassed so many unread books.

Of course, I know why I do these things. Shopping for a book is a pleasure in itself. And I’m not picky. I am equally likely to pick up a stack at a big box store, Costco, a local second-hand book shop or a flea market. The possibility of all those new stories is the opening of just as many new adventures. And I love to lend and borrow books. There is a lot of great conversation to be had about books you’ve read and why you love them. It’s nice to get personal recommendations from family and friends and I think that reading a book someone else recommends tells you a little bit more who they are and what makes them tick.

Or maybe these are just excuses to allow me to carry on with my book addiction.

Addiction or not, I thought it might be fun to start this project by introducing you to my To Read Pile. Don’t judge me…

I realize that my washstand-turned-night-table-turned-treasure-trove-of-books might offend some people’s sensibilities. Yes, there are so many that I can’t get them stacked in any neater. And yes, there are books in there that are upside down or backwards or both. But when I open that little cupboard door, I get so much joy out of seeing them all piled in there, waiting to be read. (Really, I’ve got to get a handle on myself. I know this.)

And now the fun begins …

My first review (for Better than Before) comes out on Saturday morning. I am going to imagine you drinking a leisurely cup of coffee while you read it because that also brings me joy. But feel free to go for tea or orange juice if that’s your preference. I really hope you will visit the blog throughout the year (after all, someone’s got to keep me accountable). If you like, you can follow my blog and get automatic notifications right to your inbox when a new post is up.

What’s the state of your To Read Pile? Send me a comment or post a picture! Until next time, happy reading!