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| My current TBR shelf |
At the end of the year, I loved reading all the best books of the year posts and reading round-ups, and I've also enjoyed seeing all of people's lists of books they want to read in 2021. I'm always tempted to make my own reading plan, but I tend to be more of a mood reader. I have eclectic taste in books ranging anywhere from sci-fi to literary fiction.
When I'm stressed I gravitate towards fast-paced mysteries or romances with a guaranteed happily-ever-after. I almost always have a nonfiction and fiction book in progress at the same time. If I make a list of books to read, it often feels more like homework or a to do list for me. Normally I love to do lists, but for me I like feeling the freedom of choosing exactly what I'm in the mood for (or I need to read before it's due to the library or my book club meets).
Yet, if I don't have any plan at all, I can get out of the habit of reading because I have no good books cued up. Getting a kindle really helped with this problem because I could always download another book from the library even if it was after hours.
Managing my library holds list is another thing that helps because even though I like the convenience of kindle books, I still love having books to curl up with on the couch. If a friend recommends a book or I hear about a book that sounds good on a podcast I try to jot it down or put it on hold from my phone. I often forget what books I've put on hold, and then it's a fun surprise when I get the email telling me they've arrived.
One simple change I've made to my reading life this year is clearing some room on a shelf in our coat closet to create a TBR (to be read) shelf. I put any books from around the house that I'd like to read at some point on the shelf, whether I own them, a friend's loaned them to me, or they've just arrived from the library. Then when I finish a book or am looking for a book, I can pick one that matches my mood. Anytime I open this closet it makes me smile. It's a visual cue that tells me when I'm getting low on library books, so I know when it's time to manage holds again. It's also a great way to get through more of the books I own because they're not hiding in plain sight on my bookshelves mixed in with books I've already read.
How do you organize what you read? Are you a mood reader like me, or do you prefer planning ahead?
I've been mood reader for a long time for the reason you described, I want reading to be my hobby not a to-do list. usually I buy books as I see them recommended and put them in one place, then I'll "shop" for what I want at that moment. this year I'm being a bit more structured after reading 60+ books I've realised what type of books fulfils me the most and what less so. so i've been intentionally read those that I know I'll enjoy more (memoirs, personal growth, work related topics, and classic), and less of those that read like ice cream (fiction), while good when i'm on it but forget about it right after. my amazon cart is filled with books, and I buy in batches as I finish books.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I don't really have a spot for my "to read" books, but I don't usually have TOO many around the house beforehand. I have a few, but they're usually just in the basket in the living room or on the bookshelf. I use my Goodreads list as my master list and when I finish a book (or am getting close), I usually browse that. I've been experimenting with using the holds list/ suspend feature at the library though this year, and also did "assign" myself several books to read this quarter. I hope this will encourage me to work my way through my list while still allowing flexibility to read "mood reads", as you say. :)
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