My TBR pile is something that I lament over frequently. What has made it much worse is that since I’ve entered the realm of blogging myself, I read many other book blogging sites, and so I find that I’m adding 3-4 books to my TBR pile each week! (Seriously, I’ve been afraid to look at the Publishers Weekly list for this reason.)

As far as keeping books, I used to always keep them. However, after a few moves I realized this wasn’t very practical, so now I only keep the books that are “5′s” (top of the scale) and that I want to have quick access to so that I can loan them out. Also, I’ve discovered a book swapping website where I earn a book for every book I give up, so this helps the pocketbook as well.

I love your podcasts!

My TBR pile is something that I lament over frequently. What has made it much worse is that since I’ve entered the realm of blogging myself, I read many other book blogging sites, and so I find that I’m adding 3-4 books to my TBR pile each week! (Seriously, I’ve been afraid to look at the Publishers Weekly list for this reason.)

As far as keeping books, I used to always keep them. However, after a few moves I realized this wasn’t very practical, so now I only keep the books that are “5′s” (top of the scale) and that I want to have quick access to so that I can loan them out. Also, I’ve discovered a book swapping website where I earn a book for every book I give up, so this helps the pocketbook as well.

I love your podcasts!

Ann!!! Stop what you’re doing and go read The Poisonwood Bible!! One of the greatest books ever.

Ann!!! Stop what you’re doing and go read The Poisonwood Bible!! One of the greatest books ever.

omg. i am compelled to comment. you. must. read. the little prince. now! now. it will not take long and it wil change your life forever. it is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. i read it every few years just to see what new perspectives I gain from it. I am perfectly serious, you really ought to read this wonderful book. And I know what I’m talking about because To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite books. Please read The Little Prince, you will be so happy you did.

omg. i am compelled to comment. you. must. read. the little prince. now! now. it will not take long and it wil change your life forever. it is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. i read it every few years just to see what new perspectives I gain from it. I am perfectly serious, you really ought to read this wonderful book. And I know what I’m talking about because To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorite books. Please read The Little Prince, you will be so happy you did.

The growing pile of books is dealt with in several ways. My mother-in-law cleans out her book supply and sends them to me. I go through the box and pass on to friends any I do not think I will read. Once year I drive to visit my mother. I take anything I don’t think I will read and everything I have read but do not think I will read again. She does the same to me but she uses the library more than I do so she takes more than she passes on. Some books are pressed into service to raise the height of some short lamps. Some are hidden in the decor. some are just plain hidden under the bed. In desperation I have bought a Kindle, and started using the library more.

The growing pile of books is dealt with in several ways. My mother-in-law cleans out her book supply and sends them to me. I go through the box and pass on to friends any I do not think I will read. Once year I drive to visit my mother. I take anything I don’t think I will read and everything I have read but do not think I will read again. She does the same to me but she uses the library more than I do so she takes more than she passes on. Some books are pressed into service to raise the height of some short lamps. Some are hidden in the decor. some are just plain hidden under the bed. In desperation I have bought a Kindle, and started using the library more.

Hey, great blog/podcast – loved them both! I am now following. Yes, it is upsetting that there are books that you’ll never get to!

I actually posted about the TBR pile under the idea of “best unread authors” a few weeks ago.

http://thenewdorkreviewofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/unread-authors-list.html

Hey, great blog/podcast – loved them both! I am now following. Yes, it is upsetting that there are books that you’ll never get to!

I actually posted about the TBR pile under the idea of “best unread authors” a few weeks ago.

http://thenewdorkreviewofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/unread-authors-list.html

I am like you Michael and keep all my books that I have read. I can’t part with them regardless if I have enjoyed them or not. My husband has asked me on numerous occasions to give them new homes but I told him that I can start a library so they can have a home where they can be enjoyed by me and the family. I have lend out books to friends and family so they can also enjoy what I was so fortunate to enjoy but they must give it back and must not get them dirty. Books are my pride and joy only second to my family. My two year old is already a die hard lover of books like me.

Michael I don’t see why you should give them anyway but if you must my home is open and you can breath easy that they are being taken care of and loved.

I am like you Michael and keep all my books that I have read. I can’t part with them regardless if I have enjoyed them or not. My husband has asked me on numerous occasions to give them new homes but I told him that I can start a library so they can have a home where they can be enjoyed by me and the family. I have lend out books to friends and family so they can also enjoy what I was so fortunate to enjoy but they must give it back and must not get them dirty. Books are my pride and joy only second to my family. My two year old is already a die hard lover of books like me.

Michael I don’t see why you should give them anyway but if you must my home is open and you can breath easy that they are being taken care of and loved.

Yes, please read the Little Prince. I read it in French class in high school years ago. It’s better in English (unless you’re fluent in French), but I have both versions of the book. And you HAVE to read A Fraction of the Whole (fantastic!) and Out Stealing Horses (wonderful!). Ann has good taste!

Yes, please read the Little Prince. I read it in French class in high school years ago. It’s better in English (unless you’re fluent in French), but I have both versions of the book. And you HAVE to read A Fraction of the Whole (fantastic!) and Out Stealing Horses (wonderful!). Ann has good taste!

After moving 3000 miles (and dumping hundreds upon hundreds of titles on our local Friends of the Library because we could not afford to move my entire collection) and experiencing a 6-month/15-library county-wide shut-down, I HOARD books with absolutely NO apology! Every once in a while, I am encouraged to donate books, and I make a token gesture, but I’m selfish. Every book I read is a like a little part of me, a manifestation of my interior life’s history.

When I was in high school and college I used to own vinyl records. A *lot* of them! Some I would play over and over. After college, my records were stolen. I replaced a few of them, but it wasn’t the same. And neither was buying the cassette version or later, the CD version or even now the dnloaded version. If you’ve ever stayed up ’til the early morning hours playing The Who’s Tommy with the cover art in your hands, night after night, and then going to one of their Farewell concerts, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

There’s a tactile memory associated with each book, record or whatever that becomes a part of that thing and, in turn that thing becomes a part of you in a way. That’s why e-readers don’t make any headway with me to a certain extent. I simply cannot invest any sort of sense memory to a digital readout.

After moving 3000 miles (and dumping hundreds upon hundreds of titles on our local Friends of the Library because we could not afford to move my entire collection) and experiencing a 6-month/15-library county-wide shut-down, I HOARD books with absolutely NO apology! Every once in a while, I am encouraged to donate books, and I make a token gesture, but I’m selfish. Every book I read is a like a little part of me, a manifestation of my interior life’s history.

When I was in high school and college I used to own vinyl records. A *lot* of them! Some I would play over and over. After college, my records were stolen. I replaced a few of them, but it wasn’t the same. And neither was buying the cassette version or later, the CD version or even now the dnloaded version. If you’ve ever stayed up ’til the early morning hours playing The Who’s Tommy with the cover art in your hands, night after night, and then going to one of their Farewell concerts, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

There’s a tactile memory associated with each book, record or whatever that becomes a part of that thing and, in turn that thing becomes a part of you in a way. That’s why e-readers don’t make any headway with me to a certain extent. I simply cannot invest any sort of sense memory to a digital readout.

Tanya, this may be an aside, but I feel like you about vinyl albums, and we’ve started buying them again after selling all of ours off when we moved.

And Tommy is the example that I always use – possibly my favorite album of all time and definitely the first record that was tactilely-important to me and started me on my love affair with music at the age of 5.

It’s why I think physical books will always be around, and that there may be a small but important market for beautifully-produced bound books. Perhaps I should take up bookbinding again…

Tanya, this may be an aside, but I feel like you about vinyl albums, and we’ve started buying them again after selling all of ours off when we moved.

And Tommy is the example that I always use – possibly my favorite album of all time and definitely the first record that was tactilely-important to me and started me on my love affair with music at the age of 5.

It’s why I think physical books will always be around, and that there may be a small but important market for beautifully-produced bound books. Perhaps I should take up bookbinding again…

Ann, It’s a bit off topic, but I have to add that we had to dump hundreds of records too. We had a lot of vinyl in the house, everything from Early Music though Rock ‘n’ Roll, old Decca recordings, etc. There’s a lot of music out there that either didn’t get transferred into the digital age or was done so poorly that it’s much better on vinyl! Our music and books compete for space in the house, though not as much since The Move.

There are so few records pressed anymore that, if the publishing industry were to follow suit by producing more content for e-readers and less hard copy (already a number of books aren’t being produced in hardback at all,) I have to wonder if lovers of hardcopies will be relegated to antique collectors!

Ann, It’s a bit off topic, but I have to add that we had to dump hundreds of records too. We had a lot of vinyl in the house, everything from Early Music though Rock ‘n’ Roll, old Decca recordings, etc. There’s a lot of music out there that either didn’t get transferred into the digital age or was done so poorly that it’s much better on vinyl! Our music and books compete for space in the house, though not as much since The Move.

There are so few records pressed anymore that, if the publishing industry were to follow suit by producing more content for e-readers and less hard copy (already a number of books aren’t being produced in hardback at all,) I have to wonder if lovers of hardcopies will be relegated to antique collectors!

Um, I’m the “anonymous” poster above!

Um, I’m the “anonymous” poster above!

Ann – DO NOT PICK UP ANOTHER BOOK until you read The Poisonwood Bible. It is so much better (more detailed, more in depth, more everything) than The Bean Trees. This book is one of my all-time favorites; everyone I have ever recommended it to has loved it. It took my book club 2 meetings to discuss everything in it. It is AMAZING. Yes, there IS humor, but more so it is an incredible story that spans 40+ years. And I second Micheal’s recommendation of the audio book – my mom LOVED it, and said the guy who narrated it was great.

(However … Kavalier & Clay? I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan …)

Books I’m embarrassed to admit I have not read: anything by Margaret Atwood – I’ve heard amazing things, and I’m sure I’d love her writing, but I haven’t picked any up yet. And Micheal reminded me that I still have not read my husband’s favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird – must remedy that very soon.

Ann – DO NOT PICK UP ANOTHER BOOK until you read The Poisonwood Bible. It is so much better (more detailed, more in depth, more everything) than The Bean Trees. This book is one of my all-time favorites; everyone I have ever recommended it to has loved it. It took my book club 2 meetings to discuss everything in it. It is AMAZING. Yes, there IS humor, but more so it is an incredible story that spans 40+ years. And I second Micheal’s recommendation of the audio book – my mom LOVED it, and said the guy who narrated it was great.

(However … Kavalier & Clay? I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan …)

Books I’m embarrassed to admit I have not read: anything by Margaret Atwood – I’ve heard amazing things, and I’m sure I’d love her writing, but I haven’t picked any up yet. And Micheal reminded me that I still have not read my husband’s favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird – must remedy that very soon.

First of all, Ann, start reading The Poisonwood Bible! I was hesitant to pick it up at first, but I immediately got swept up into the story.
Second, Michael you absolutely must take time out to read A Fraction of the Whole, it is on my list as one of the top 2 books of all time. I wish I had adequate words to describe how insanely good this book is, but if you pick it up, you’ll soon figure it out!
And third – if you need to get books off your hands…I’ll be glad to help you out

First of all, Ann, start reading The Poisonwood Bible! I was hesitant to pick it up at first, but I immediately got swept up into the story.
Second, Michael you absolutely must take time out to read A Fraction of the Whole, it is on my list as one of the top 2 books of all time. I wish I had adequate words to describe how insanely good this book is, but if you pick it up, you’ll soon figure it out!
And third – if you need to get books off your hands…I’ll be glad to help you out

I cannot part with a single book I have read and loved. It’s a sickness, I know, as piles of them sit in every room of my house, and even more in boxes and boxes stored in the attic.

I’m so bad that I cannot even lend books, because I cannot bear to be parted from them. It’s like cutting off my hand. If someone asks to borrow something, I actually go out and buy another copy for them. Then I tell them to keep it, seeming very generous to the recipient;-)

Seeing as book buying is my only vice (hahaha), I don’t consider it a problem.

I cannot part with a single book I have read and loved. It’s a sickness, I know, as piles of them sit in every room of my house, and even more in boxes and boxes stored in the attic.

I’m so bad that I cannot even lend books, because I cannot bear to be parted from them. It’s like cutting off my hand. If someone asks to borrow something, I actually go out and buy another copy for them. Then I tell them to keep it, seeming very generous to the recipient;-)

Seeing as book buying is my only vice (hahaha), I don’t consider it a problem.

My TBR is too long to mention. I always seem to “bite off more than I can chew” so to speak. There are too many good books out there and too many books that catch my eye at one point or another. I also then go to the library and always add to that pile, no matter how many books I have left to read.

My TBR is too long to mention. I always seem to “bite off more than I can chew” so to speak. There are too many good books out there and too many books that catch my eye at one point or another. I also then go to the library and always add to that pile, no matter how many books I have left to read.

Hi Ann and Michael,
I have bookcases’ in every room and the stack of books on the nightstand to be read is almost as tall as I am. I love having books around me! There are so many books that I want to read and to speed up the process a bit, I shut off the TV last year and have almost doubled the amount of books that I get through in a week.
The one thing that I tell everyone is that I know that from now until the day I die, I will never be without a good book to read, be it from my home collection,or a find in the local independent bookshop, or a take away from the library. I am also going to move The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and The Poisonwood Bible to the top of my Nightstand Stack, after hearing this podcast. Many Thanks

Hi Ann and Michael,
I have bookcases’ in every room and the stack of books on the nightstand to be read is almost as tall as I am. I love having books around me! There are so many books that I want to read and to speed up the process a bit, I shut off the TV last year and have almost doubled the amount of books that I get through in a week.
The one thing that I tell everyone is that I know that from now until the day I die, I will never be without a good book to read, be it from my home collection,or a find in the local independent bookshop, or a take away from the library. I am also going to move The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and The Poisonwood Bible to the top of my Nightstand Stack, after hearing this podcast. Many Thanks

Do not read The Little Prince. It is way. too. sad. If you want, I can come over and slam your hand in a drawer- same effect.

Me, I work in a university library, and we have a nice “leisure reading” collection. So anything I’m done with, I donate. Some I see go into the 800s as literature, some go into the LR shelves. No clutter at home, and I know where they are if I want to re-read them. Books I LOVE, I tend to get, if I can, for the signed first edition or beautiful hardcover and so on, after I’ve donated the paperback.

Do not read The Little Prince. It is way. too. sad. If you want, I can come over and slam your hand in a drawer- same effect.

Me, I work in a university library, and we have a nice “leisure reading” collection. So anything I’m done with, I donate. Some I see go into the 800s as literature, some go into the LR shelves. No clutter at home, and I know where they are if I want to re-read them. Books I LOVE, I tend to get, if I can, for the signed first edition or beautiful hardcover and so on, after I’ve donated the paperback.

Lately the free-book table at my husband’s office has become my new best friend. I have more Bookmooch points than I need and the used book store can only take so much, so when I’m desperate to get rid of something off it goes to the office. I do keep a lot of my books though- as anyone who’s ever visited my house can attest!

Lately the free-book table at my husband’s office has become my new best friend. I have more Bookmooch points than I need and the used book store can only take so much, so when I’m desperate to get rid of something off it goes to the office. I do keep a lot of my books though- as anyone who’s ever visited my house can attest!

Free book table at the workplace — I love that, Marie! What a great idea. If only I didn’t work at home…

Free book table at the workplace — I love that, Marie! What a great idea. If only I didn’t work at home…

Heather — Please read the Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Wonderful book and will get you hooked on Atwood’s writing.

Ann, I read The Poisonwood Bible a few years ago, and it was ok, but in my opinion (and I know I’m in the minority) I don’t think you need to move it up on your list.

Now my confession — I have never read Little Women. Shame shame shame.

Heather — Please read the Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Wonderful book and will get you hooked on Atwood’s writing.

Ann, I read The Poisonwood Bible a few years ago, and it was ok, but in my opinion (and I know I’m in the minority) I don’t think you need to move it up on your list.

Now my confession — I have never read Little Women. Shame shame shame.

Too Many Books

My husband (a non-reader) has instituted a policy called “bibliostasis,” which means that for every new book that comes in, an old book must go out, thus keeping the number of books in the house constant.

I can’t say that I adhere to the policy all that well. The books come in one-by-one every couple of weeks. They tend to go out in boxes once or twice a year.

I usually donate finished novels and books I could readily find in a public library if I wish to read them again. I keep books in which I took lots of notes and books that I will use as reference, plus my top favorites.

Finding Space for Books

Part of the rationale for bibliostasis is that you don’t need to keep adding bookshelves. Like Michael’s, my house has lots of windows. Upon occasion, I have resorted to putting bookshelves against the back wall of closets.

Idea for the Future

I am a fairly new listener, so you may have already done this one. I would be curious to know how many books people have going at one time. One? Three? A dozen? Is each book of a different genre? Are you able to keep the plots and characters separate?

Too Many Books

My husband (a non-reader) has instituted a policy called “bibliostasis,” which means that for every new book that comes in, an old book must go out, thus keeping the number of books in the house constant.

I can’t say that I adhere to the policy all that well. The books come in one-by-one every couple of weeks. They tend to go out in boxes once or twice a year.

I usually donate finished novels and books I could readily find in a public library if I wish to read them again. I keep books in which I took lots of notes and books that I will use as reference, plus my top favorites.

Finding Space for Books

Part of the rationale for bibliostasis is that you don’t need to keep adding bookshelves. Like Michael’s, my house has lots of windows. Upon occasion, I have resorted to putting bookshelves against the back wall of closets.

Idea for the Future

I am a fairly new listener, so you may have already done this one. I would be curious to know how many books people have going at one time. One? Three? A dozen? Is each book of a different genre? Are you able to keep the plots and characters separate?

I don’t know whether to be in lust with this picture, or overwhelmed. If you keep it to re-read it, how do you find the book in order to do so? My ADD mind is doing flips lol

I don’t know whether to be in lust with this picture, or overwhelmed. If you keep it to re-read it, how do you find the book in order to do so? My ADD mind is doing flips lol

Since I live on my own and can do this because I have a regular closet and a walk-in, I have turned my walk-in into my own personal library. After years of having books in various places, I can finally see each and every book (except for those that I have sent to others to read because I knew I would never get to them) that I own. Because I have a collection of series and Penguin Classics, I grouped them together. I have currently organized all my fiction in alphabetical order and plan to organize my non-fiction in the correct Dewey location. The library cataloguer (I worked as cataloguer for a school district a number of years back and really enjoy that aspect of library work) in me wants to put spine labels on each of the non-fiction, so that I know precisely exactly where each book goes. But the fact of the matter is this: it is really time consuming and one does have to decide how detailed one wants to get with how many numbers after the decimal one wants to go.

Since I live on my own and can do this because I have a regular closet and a walk-in, I have turned my walk-in into my own personal library. After years of having books in various places, I can finally see each and every book (except for those that I have sent to others to read because I knew I would never get to them) that I own. Because I have a collection of series and Penguin Classics, I grouped them together. I have currently organized all my fiction in alphabetical order and plan to organize my non-fiction in the correct Dewey location. The library cataloguer (I worked as cataloguer for a school district a number of years back and really enjoy that aspect of library work) in me wants to put spine labels on each of the non-fiction, so that I know precisely exactly where each book goes. But the fact of the matter is this: it is really time consuming and one does have to decide how detailed one wants to get with how many numbers after the decimal one wants to go.

I’m so glad that you read and enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird Michael! It’s one of my favorite books of all time. Atticus is my inspiration for what I do for work.

I’m so glad that you read and enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird Michael! It’s one of my favorite books of all time. Atticus is my inspiration for what I do for work.

I’m a bit late on this discussion but still would like to contribute. I’m fortunate to have wall to wall book cases in our living room and book cases in two other rooms so can hold a lot of books. As I get older and it gets easier to maintain lists, I wonder at my need to keep all these books. It is comforting to see them and if I ever got quaranteened I’d have plenty to read but still it seems a bit cluttersome to have all these books. So I’ve decided to set some free. When finished with a book, if I liked it, I either pass it on to a friend, offer it free on my blog or add it to our Friends book sale at work. If I didn’t like it, it will end up at the book sale as someone else may like it better than I. For my back log, I am making progress in culling out the books. My mantra is get rid of one each day, sell it, give it away. Hopefully this will help me if I ever have to move. I’d have to get rid of them quickly and would make rash decisions.

As for end of year lists, take a look at this one compiled by Neil Hollands, Librarian, Williamsburt Regional Library, Virginia.
http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2010/03/18/best-of-2009-megalist-is-complete/
Neil “compiled the best of the year votes of 140 different authoritative sources into a spreadsheet containing mentions of nearly 1700 different books published in the United States during 2009.”

You’ll certainly find much to add to your list here.

I’m a bit late on this discussion but still would like to contribute. I’m fortunate to have wall to wall book cases in our living room and book cases in two other rooms so can hold a lot of books. As I get older and it gets easier to maintain lists, I wonder at my need to keep all these books. It is comforting to see them and if I ever got quaranteened I’d have plenty to read but still it seems a bit cluttersome to have all these books. So I’ve decided to set some free. When finished with a book, if I liked it, I either pass it on to a friend, offer it free on my blog or add it to our Friends book sale at work. If I didn’t like it, it will end up at the book sale as someone else may like it better than I. For my back log, I am making progress in culling out the books. My mantra is get rid of one each day, sell it, give it away. Hopefully this will help me if I ever have to move. I’d have to get rid of them quickly and would make rash decisions.

As for end of year lists, take a look at this one compiled by Neil Hollands, Librarian, Williamsburt Regional Library, Virginia.
http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/2010/03/18/best-of-2009-megalist-is-complete/
Neil “compiled the best of the year votes of 140 different authoritative sources into a spreadsheet containing mentions of nearly 1700 different books published in the United States during 2009.”

You’ll certainly find much to add to your list here.