Note:- Above Picture is for dramatic purposes only.
Gemma’s TBR is MUCH worse!
GEMMA’S NEW YEAR READING RESOLUTIONS
Well another year has past and yet again my TBR pile resembles a small mountain. I have a problem, in that I am a book addict. Whenever I go on Goodreads, Twitter or even just browsing some of the other reviews, I end up buying books. And let’s not mention the fact that I am now on first name terms with my local Waterstones.
So, in an attempt to try and get my TBR under control, as well as some rules in which to be a better blogger/ reviewer, here are my new year’s resolutions. I know I am destined to fail, but without goals how can I measure how well I am doing?
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TO WRITE MY REVIEW WITHIN 3 DAYS OF COMPLETING A BOOK - This is a bit of a longshot, but I find if I don’t do this, then I will end up forgetting about the book and my review won’t be a true reflection of what I thought of it. So once I get rid of my left over reviews from 2012, I aim to do this.
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NO NEW AUTHORS OR SERIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF REVIEW BOOKS - By this I mean I am not going to buy any new authors or series this year, until I get caught up with some of the series that are still languishing in my TBR pile. Which leads on to…
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CATCH UP ON SERIES I’VE FALLEN BEHIND ON - These series include the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, the Harry Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne, The Hollows series by Kim Harrison, Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells and the Play by Play series by Jaci Burton. I won’t buy any of the new books in these series until I get caught up. In the case of The Hollows series, I am only one book behind.
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GO THROUGH MY TBR PILE AND CULL BOOKS I HAVE HAD FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND ARE NOT PART OF A SERIES - Someone on Twitter suggested this and I think it’s an excellent idea. I have books that have been sitting on my TBR pile for over two years and I keep saying to myself, I must read that. Other books come along and the vicious cycle continues. Some are from genre’s I don’t even read any more!
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TRY TO READ BOOKS BEFORE THE FILM ADAPTATION - Currently I have about two or three books that have been turned into films on my TBR pile. These include The Hunger Games trilogy, Beautiful Creatures and Warm Bodies. I am hoping to get these read before the films come out or I’ll never get round to finishing them.
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START SERIES OF BOOK I ALREADY HAVE ON MY TBR SHELF - I end up buying full series of books, but they are left relativly untouched. Some were recomendations, others were series I collected after finding out there was more than one book. These include The Desperate Duchess series by Eloisa James, The Lords of the Underworld series by Larrisa Ione and The Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian.
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FOR EVERY 2 REVIEW BOOK, 1 PERSONAL BOOK - With the exception of my must read series, which were detailed on my most anticipated reads list here. Hopefully this will balance my Review/Personal list a bit better.
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KEEP ONLY 4 STAR+ BOOKS OR SIGNED BOOKS ON MY SHELF - This is a habit of mine where I have books on my permanent shelf for ages. I’m running out of space and really need to cut back.
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CUT BACK ON THE REQUESTS MADE ON NETGALLEY AND EDELWEISS - We all do it. We peruse the website and see books that we would like to read. Excellent idea. We intend to read them (well I do) but they’re pushed further and further back. So unless it’s a request from Carolyn or Laura, no more requesting for me.
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RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF AMAZON’S DAILY DEALS AND FREEBIES - My kindle is full of books. I just click and purchase because they look good. I mean it’s only 99p (or 99cents if you live in the USA) Really you are saving money… Ten books later and you will have wracked up the cost.
So that’s my New Year resolutions, not including the fact I have signed up for the 100 Books in A Year Reading Challenge on the blog. I know I won’t stick to them, but I am going to try my best. Fingers Crossed!!!!
16 Comments
No 2, 3, 6, 9 & 10 are also things I want to achieve this year. Not sure I’ll be able to, but at least I have a goal. I’ve been terrible with buying books this month. I’ve really gone crazy and spent far too much, so 1st Feb is my cut off point. No more buying books after that.
Great list of resolutions, Gemma!
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Thanks Carolyn. I don’t think I will manage to keep to it, but got to start somewhere.
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I LOVED that pic of all those books! Good for you in writing your resolutions down, Gemma. I dare not voice mine, then I’d have to own them.
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Lol. Thanks. Now my resolutions are out there i have the motivation to try and stick with them. I’ll keep you up to date how i am doing
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That pic is hilarious!
Good luck with your resolutions. I never do them b/c I know I have no willpower to keep to them…esp where reading is concerned. I am after all, the person who will buy and read a complete series even if I don’t really like them
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Lol. I needed some way of giving me motivation to try and get my tbr under xontrol so thought that this may help. I know i will probably break some but i thought i would try this
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1,3,7,8 for me
Series I REALLY want to catch up on are – The Hollows by Kim Harrison, Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris, Dark Swan by Richelle Mead, The Black Jewels by Anne Bishop, Kitty Norville by Carrie Vaughn, Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter – probably in order there too. Going to be busy!
I’ve got quite tough with myself on Amazon and Netgalley / Edelweiss downloads as I’ve got so many to read it’s ridiculous. I’ve got to clear out physical books this month actually as my bookshelf and underbed book drawer is full & OH gets tough with me if they start to invade the house too much lol!
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I hope you manage with the reolutions. we can all suport each other.
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Some of these seem really good, I think I’ll have to use them to get my own tbr pile down! I end up with so many books, bought, borrowed from the library, or review copies, and some of them languish for ages. I really agree with reviewing a book within a couple of days of finishing it – that’s another way I forget about a book altogether, or just can’t think of what I was planning to write about when I read it.
~Ailsa
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Or you end up getting mixed up between two books. (yes that has happened to me)
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What a FANTASTIC post Gemma, is it too late to make a reading resolution? I need to do 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 10. I want to read Beautiful Creatures before the film comes out next month and I have many series sitting on my Kindle and bookshelves that are a must read before I buy any more.
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Thanks Becs. I had been planning to do this for a while and thought this would be a good idea. Everytime I languish over buying or requesting a new book I take a look at this and if gives me a new sense of resolve. Its not going to be easy, that much I DO know.
Beautiful creatures is going to be very soon for me. I want to have it read before the film comes out. It looks rather good.
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Beautiful Creatures looks great and yes it’s at the very top of my TBR pile straight after my current review books. Hopefully I will get through them next week so I can read it.
You have to read City of Bones before August as that should be a great movie too and it’s my favourite YA series (although I know YA is not your thing) not that I’m encouraging to break your resolutions or anything.
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Well some one says that I will last till the end of February
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Great goals! Stick to ‘em! It’s not always easy.
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Family Survival Course Book
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I have been tested already, but I am determined not to falter…
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