I currently have a massive pile of books sitting in my living room that I have yet to read. Precisely thirty-two of them. I knew it was getting bad, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was until I actually collected all my unread books from all corners of the house into one pile. They were pretty much scattered everywhere. On my murder porn bookshelf in the basement, on my nightstand, on our coffee table, and some in our guest-bedroom….
THE SPRING CLEANING PROJECT
It all started last month, when I was spring cleaning (read: going through an intense and merciless KonMari session). It was going swimmingly, until I got to the book category. Per KonMari law, you need to gather all items in said category in one spot in order to properly discard and tidy. (sidebar: I only went through my personal books, not my husbands, or our lovely coffee table books.) As I started collecting my books, I realized just how many of these unread books I own, that I’ve been ‘meaning to get around to’ yet…haven’t.
HOW THIS HAPPENED, A THEORY
- I go crazy at pre-owned bookstores / discounted books / on paperbackswap.com
- I frequently stop by The Little Library in my neighborhood and often they have a book that catches my eye.
- My husband places Amazon order almost daily, and occasionally will throw in a classic book he thinks I’d like (usually an Agatha Christie).
- A few of these books were free with the purchase of a ticket to see the author speak about said book / at least two of these books were given out at networking events from my former corporate life.
- As a book blogger, publishing companies will send me free books for reviews. That accounts for at least four books in this pile.
- Anytime we’re in a new city, my husband and I venture into a bookstore, and I’ll go a bit overboard with my purchases.
- Gifts! Friend-swaps! Family-swaps!
- I subscribe to BOTM and well, as you can see from above, there’s already a huge back up…
And every time I add another unread book to the collection, I happen to be in the middle of at least 3 other books at any given time. I always tell myself I’ll get around to said unread book, but of course, I never do. Some of these unread books have been in my possession since 2013 — it’s time I get around to reading it.
Also, this has to be the book equivalent of going through your closet and finding multiple items of clothing, unworn, with their tags still on them.
I do not want to be that person, yet, here we are…
Now that I physically see just how many books I said I’d get around to later, made me realize I cannot allow myself to buy, borrow, or accept another book until I get through this pile. With the exception of book club picks (April = Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman and How to Stop Time). My updated spring / summer goal is to get through a serious chunk of this pile. Wish me luck!