If you’re a book blogger like me then you probably have more books to read than you know what to do with. You come across loads of review requests in your email that you can’t say no to, you see books that you’re itching to get your hands on through NetGalley and you click on the request title link.
My to be read/reviewed pile is ridiculous.
I have a working list that I’m working off of right now and I’m pretty anal about keeping up with it too.
While I was updating my list, I got to thinking about how I choose the next book that I’m going to read. I used to read whatever I want, whenever the mood strikes but my TBR pile has gotten too out of control so I had to nip that method right in the bud. These days, my method for picking my next book is much more boring.
I pick my next book by release date.
Here’s a quick glimpse at my TBR pile:
2011 Releases
February Releases:
- Blind Dates and Other Disasters by Ally Blake, Fiona Harper and Barbara Hannay
March Releases:
More than Words by Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, Donna Hill (ARC)
August Releases:
8/30:
Ambitious by Monica McKayhan (e-ARC)One Night in London by Caroline Linden (e-ARC)In the Arms of a Marquess by Katherine Ashe (e-ARC)
8/31:
Vanish by Sophie Jordan (ARC)Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs (ARC)Lie by Caroline Bock (e-ARC)
September Releases:
9/1:
To the Moon and Back by Jill Mansell (ARC)Don’t Mess with Texas by Christie Craid (ARC)
9/19:
Something So Right by Elyse Mady (e-ARC)
9/27:
Unclaimed by Courtney Milan (e-ARC)Only His by Susan Mallery (e-ARC)What a Duke Wants by Lavinia Kent (e-ARC)In Total Surrender by Sophie Jordan (e-ARC)In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster by Stephanie Laurens (e-ARC)
October Releases:
10/1:
If I Tell by Janet Gurtler (e-ARC)Heartstrings and Diamond Rings by Jane Graves (e-ARC)
10/4:
There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones (e-ARC)Past Perfect by Leila Sales (e-ARC)The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry (e-ARC)
10/7:
- Wish Upon a Star by Sarah Morgan (e-ARC)
10/11:
Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (e-ARC)
10/18:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martin (e-ARC)
10/25:
- The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (e-ARC)
Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl (e-ARC)
November Releases
11/1:
The Next Always by Nora Roberts (ARC)- Promises, Promises by Erica James (ARC)
- Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis (e-ARC)
11/8:
- Little Women & Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
11/29:
- Saving June by Hannah Harrington (e-ARC)
December Releases:
12/8:
- Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett (e-ARC)
2012 Releases:
January Releases:
1/1:
- Secrets by Freya North (e-ARC)
- Scrumptious by Amanda Usen (e-ARC)
1/10:
- Ditched by Robin Mellom (e-ARC)
- The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor (e-ARC)
1/17:
- Fracture by Megan Miranda
March Releases:
3/1:
- How to eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue (e-ARC)
3/13:
- Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard (e-ARC)
April Releases:
4/13:
- Radiate by Marley Gibson (e-ARC)
May Releases:
5/8:
- Pilgrims Don’t Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm (e-ARC)
- Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan (e-ARC)
This isn’t all of my review pile but you get the idea. I’m just working my way down the list and I’m wondering if I’m the only person that does this. I’m sure that I’m not but it sure does make me feel a bit OCD about things. As you can see, I’ve read a lot of historical romances in the past month or so and I was just telling Holly the other day to not let me accept any more historicals for the moment because I’m burned out on them. I’m hoping it doesn’t last long because I enjoy historicals but not right now.
So anyway, that’s how I choose my next book to read, boring huh? How do you choose yours?
..and that’s your scoop!
Wow! I don’t plan that much ahead. Unless it’s asked by the publisher/person giving me the e-arc, I just post as I finish them up. I’m a very moody reader, so unless there is a definite time commitment, I just read what I feel like.
I do go through binges when I read the stuff that has been int he bottom of the pile for a while, so to.. clear the dock so to speak.
😀
I’m not as organized as you though!
oh my gosh! yes! my review/tbr pile is ridiculous as well and i am so sad that i find myself reaching out for review books more often than not rather than my own book–i don’t even read my own books anymore. i miss the days when i can reach for whatever book strikes my fancy. that i can finish or not finish and i would be okay.
I am sort of like that. But not so much- I probably should be. I look up release dates, and write the books down in the order the I SHOULD read them, sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Like now, I SHOULD be reading Crossed because it comes out on Nov 1st, but I decided to read The Space Between which comes out on Nov 15th. I changed my mind because I needed a dystopian break, it all depends on how I am feeling. But I try to get my reviews of ARCS up at least a week before, if not sooner.
You have a great system, and if it works for you don’t change it.
When I have nothing that needs reviewing right away, then I have the HARDEST time picking something. I am a book buying addict, so there are SO many books on my shelf that I need to get read. Someday.
~Happy Reading!
PS-Secrets by Freya North is really good, I think my review of it was one of the first you ever commented on.
I don’t know how you do it, Rowena!! I just hate having to stick to a schedule ^_^; But i’m glad it works for you 🙂 you have some really good books in there!
You have a great system, and if it works for you don’t change it.
~Happy Reading
@Alex: I used to be like you, read what I wanted to whenever but then I would forget about the books that I need to read for review so I had to do something about that madness. This is my way of keeping my focus on what I have out for review and what needs to be read and when it needs to be reviewed. Madness, I know.
@Sara: I’m like you, I try to get the reviews for all of the books that I read for review done before the release date, that way it can go up as close to the release date as I can.
I have so many books that I bought that I haven’t touched yet either. One of my reading goals for next year is to get serious about reading those books.
I can’t wait to start Secrets, I love the cover and it sounds so cute so I’m glad you liked it.
@roro: Hey, welcome back! Yeah, for right now the system works but my friends think I’m such a nerd. Oh well, I’m comfortable being a nerd. =)
@nath: Thanks, I do have my “reward” reads and that’s when I like knock off 5 books on my TBReviewed pile and then I’ll get to read whatever I want to read next (my last reward read was The Next Always by Nora Roberts) and then head back into the review pile, it works sometimes so it’s all good.