This is my TBR (to be read) bookshelf.  Yes, the shelves are double stacked front and back and there are about 25 or so more books in the living room I didn’t feel like transporting to the bedroom for this picture.  There are historicals, contemporaries, paranormals and Eroticas.  Some of these are autographed, some were won, and some were given to me by friends who just knew I would love them.  And I’m sure I will…some day.

I realize this is not the biggest TBR shelf out there.  By my calculations, I have between 250 and 275 books waiting for my attention.  I’ve heard others say they are pushing 800 so I in no way am suggesting I am the worst off.  But it’s still annoying.

I’ve been reading romance novels since the mid 80s if memory serves. (stop laughing)  And in all that time, I never had a TBR pile.  Had never even heard the term.  I bought or borrowed a book, read it, then went and bought or borrowed another.  At some point I found specific authors that hooked me enough to have me searching for their backlist, but even then, I was able to keep up with my purchases.  Not anymore.

The way I see it, I have three choices to deal with this situation.  1) I could quit my job and school to devote all me time to reading. 2) I could decline from buying another book until I have read everything already in my possession.  3) I could say forget it and give, trade or sell all of these books so as to eliminate the problem all together.

Needless to say, none of these choices are attractive.  Option 1 is impossible as I prefer NOT to be homeless and NOT to starve.  Option 2 is impossible as terrific new books hit the shelves every month and must be added to the collection because SOMEDAY I’ll get around to reading them.  And option 3 is simply impossible.  If I have to explain why, I have to wonder what you’re doing at this blog.

So I vote for option 4.  That is, everyone stop writing for a while.  Take some time off, take that vacation you’ve been dreaming about but couldn’t find the time to go.  Spend some time with the family, recharge your batteries, and give me time to catch up. 

This is obviously the best solution going.  It’s a win-win for everyone.  The authors get time off, I get time to catch up, and by the time I’m done and books can be written again, the authors will have spent years creating the stories and they will be the best anyone has ever read.  I appreciate everyone’s cooperation in the resolution of this situation and promise to notify the proper authorities when this bookshelf is empty.

Am I the only one carrying extra cargo that is weighing this ship down?  Do you have a TBR shelf or room?  If you have no books mounting up and staring at you with their sad little spines begging you for attention, lie.  And since I’m glutton for punishment, what books are you drooling to get your hands on over the next few months?