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This quarter I’m taking part in the TBR Double Dare hosted by CB James where I have vowed only to read books I already owned before 1.1.12 until the end of March. I managed it last year, and I will manage it this year too (with an exception for Book Group books).
I’ve read nine books now this year, and although they all arrived before 1.1.12, eight out of nine only arrived in Nov/Dec. The only oldie was Oscar & Lucinda. So during the rest of Feb & March I must try harder to read some more books that have lingered on the shelves for longer.
Only reading from the TBR doesn’t preclude adding to it for reading later though.
This is my ‘Embargo‘ pile. Everything I’ve acquired from all sources since Jan 1. It includes the latest additions to the New Mabinogion stories just below the top – a series that I’ve read from the start, and the latest Sherlock Holmes novel – The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz which was a charity shop find, plus the Costa Children’s book winner Blood Red Road by Moira Young which has been described as Mad Max meets Patrick Ness.
I really want to read some of these – but I’ll have to wait!
My “embargo” pile is very small–only three books! But that hasn’t stopped one of them from calling out to me. I mean, it just seems wrong to wait until April to read a book called In the Bleak Midwinter. I think I may just throw in the towel and read it now.
You could be strong, and save the winter book until later in the year… or just sneak it in, or be brazen about it and read it. The choice, as they say, is yours! I’m impressed with your tiny embargo pile though. I didn’t aim to acquire this many books in Jan/Feb – some are review copies, but it just sort of happened.
I think I’m just going to be brazen! It’s an LT Early Review book, so I wouldn’t want to wait until it’s winter again. Plus, I just really want to read it.
All three of the books on my pile are review copies, and I’m pretty eager to read all of them. I’m avoiding the bookstore like the plague right now, which has kept the pile small.
I could never do this – I can resist buting books but not the library. I see some wonderful books in your pile but I won’t name names, just hope that the anticipation and planning adds to your literary happiness.
I love the way you put it – ‘literary happiness’ is a lovely phrase. Roll on the end of March (if I last).
Well, I’ll be breaking the TBR Double Dare next Thursday. I’m very specific. I’m travelling to the place mentioned in the book. It’s a trip that was not planned at the beginning of they year and the opportunity to read the book in situ is too good to be missed. Said book is also in your embargo pile …..
Could it be the Fallada?
Of maybe Half-Blood Blues?
Oh Annabel, there’s too much good stuff in there. Why did you have to show me! Have you no thought for the TBR piles of others!!! Good luck with your dare. I don’t fancy your chances resisting them.
Sorry!
Your embargo pile is too big!!!! Oh, well. My embargo pile has only two books in it, but there have been many, many books at the library that I had to put back on the shelf.
I’m getting much further into the TBR pile this month than I did in January and finding more gems in it, too.
But I’m strong – I can resist them. I didn’t intend it to get that big that quickly, and have bought less than half, honest guv!
some very tempting books in those piles ,all the best stu
I have Girl Reading in my library pile at the moment and I have to admit that Halfblood Blues does look very appealing.
Probably a good job that I didn’t decide to try and read solely from home so far this year as I would have failed miserably, having acquired far too many books from both the library and (mostly) charity shops.
I HAVE managed to read two books from my own shelves though, one of which having been there since 2005, and the copy of The Three Musketeers that I am reading along with Danielle, was one that I already owned, so I suppose that counts too. I just need to stop being tempted by other peoples’ TBR piles and reviews!
I started a book that’s been on the shelves since 2004 this morning… It’ll be a keeper though so won’t reduce the number of books I have!
You have some great looking books there. My TBR is currently over 90 books and a further 29 on my kindle I am a hopless addict.
I can recommend The House of Silk, Tom-All-Alones and Half Blood Blues I loved each of them. Happy reading.
Hi Heavenali, I daren’t tell you how many books are in my TBR mountain range – it’s totally out of hand. The number you have sounds ideal. I’m glad you enjoyed the three you mentioned, I’m looking forward to reading them once the TBR dare is over.
Just a quick comment to lend some support Annabel, keep on with it – I couldnt do it despite my no buying books for a year back in 2009 or 2010 (can you tell I have tried to erase the awful year and pop it back as far as I can in my personal history?)
I think that’s where keeping it just to three months works. It’s not so long that you have to suffer! Although I did read more books published in 2011 last year after the 3 months were up… so it’s ultimately a bit cosmetic in reality, but still fun – and maybe if I keep doing it, the idea will rub off properly