We've all got one right? The infamous To-Be-Read pile - books you bought because someone recommended them, or you met the author at a con, the cover looked cool, or just because.
I have had so many people tell me that it took them ages to read my book because of their wobbling, Pisa-esque TBR pile and many more who have simply said they cannot buy another new book until they've read at least some of the ones they already own. And to each one of them, I have declared: I totally get where you're coming from. My TBR pile is basically my bookshelves at this point.
Enter exhibit A:
OK, so not all of these books are 'to be read'; many of them have been read multiple times. This is part of the problem - I fancy reading something new but inevitably get drawn in by an old favourite and end up reading Small Gods or Down And Out In Paris And London for the umpteenth time.
So here's the challenge. I am going to read all my unread books!
I have set myself a few guidelines to make this a fun adventure and not another massive commitment that will slowly sap me of any remaining joie de vivre that late-stage capitalism has left me with. So,
Guideline #1: I am not going to read travel guides or Warhammer 40K books. I don't want to, so I won't.
Guideline #2: I will go shelf by shelf, but choose my own order within the shelf. This gives me some structure but also allows me to choose based on my mood. Luckily, I have maintained a very relaxed attitude to book organising!
Guideline #3: Academic books. I will include these because there are many that I bought for various degrees and courses but, due to deadlines, was only ever able to dip in and out of.
Guideline #4: I can - and will - stop reading if I'm not digging the stories. Those books will either go to charity or be donated to my local library (thus freeing up space to buy more books, yay!)
Guideline #5: Be chill, Faith. This is a bit of fun. Do not let your compulsive mentality turn this into some kind of nightmarish challenge that keeps you from doing the things you want and need to do, e.g., sleeping, writing, and eating.
That last one is perhaps a warning as much as a guideline, but I like having clear boundaries, so :-)
I'll update you with the books I read and how it's going as a journey. If you want to read along with me, please do join in!