Just curious to know how many books do most of you have in your TBR piles? At last count I had 783 books. That is not counting a) ebooks or b) graphic novels. Most of the books I plan to spotlight on TBR Day are books that are really, really old. Books I’ve hung onto for years. At the other end of the spectrum - how many readers do not have a TBR pile?
I use to always rationalize why my TBR pile was so large was because if the bottom fell out and I was out of a job - my TBR pile could sustain me for quite a few years. [g] I would love to one day do a true count but that takes a lot of work. Most of my books are in a temp controlled storage room 10 minutes away.
One of the biggest headaches for me having such a huge TBR stockpile is when the mood hits me - I like to rearrange them. Or when I see a great review of an older book, I have to go looking for it and that means rearranging them again. Anyway, this will be the year of reading out of my TBR pile because while having hundreds of books around me is reassuring, it is also annoying.
I still buy new books but not as many as I did when I first started reading. Over the years my spending has steadily decreased. Plus and I know many booksellers don’t want to hear this either but since buying and reading ebooks - my bookstore visits have been decreased even further. I love to browse but I would never buy anything. I usually end up buying books for somebody else. Anyway, I think I’ve rambled enough. TBR Day starts this Wed. Can’t wait to see what good books readers found in their TBR piles.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
jmc 03.17.08 at 1:37 pm
I would guestimate that I have +350 books TBR. I’ve never counted. I have no catalog. They all sit on the six shelves, double stacked, waiting to be read. My TBR is relatively new — acquired mostly in the last three years.
Jennie 03.17.08 at 2:09 pm
I think I have about 200 books in the TBR. But I need to weed some out, because there are some there I’m pretty sure I’m never going to read.
I like that. I’ve been needing a way to defend myself when people are appalled by my big stack of unread books. :)
ames 03.17.08 at 2:09 pm
I was nodding my head to everything you said. I’ve got over 620 books in my pile and I do rearrange them at whim. I just did last Thursday actually. And I am going to buy fewer books. I know I have some really awesome books in my pile, so I should just read those now rather than later.
Li 03.17.08 at 2:32 pm
I’m feeling much better about my TBR pile now - I’m guessing mine’s between 50 to 100 :-)
LesleyW 03.17.08 at 2:36 pm
I’d guess about 500+. I have one bookcase devoted to TBR’s, and a separate shelf for the books at the top of the TBR.
I have my TBR Wednesday book review ready to go. Hopefully this will help me chip away at the pile.
My main problem is buying books much faster than I can hope to read them. :)
Kailana 03.17.08 at 2:54 pm
I would be scared to count my TBR pile! One of these days I must count, but it is probably rather high!
Marianne McA 03.17.08 at 4:11 pm
I don’t have one. I think the books would sit on my shelf, pretending to be a task I had to complete.
I buy as I go along, and reread between times. If I’m buying from Amazon, I’ll try to order several books together to get the free postage, but that’s as near to a TBR as I’d get.
The rearranging is no different though - I keep all the books I can squeeze in, and I probably play rearrange twice a year. It’s the only bit of housekeeping I’m genuinely good at.
(My dh has started building me more shelves today. Paperback sized. Happiness is.)
Rosie 03.17.08 at 6:19 pm
I’m reading Marianne McA’s comment and thinking long, long, ago in place far, far away I bought and read as I went along and then I thought. “Gee, when I get older I will be on a fixed income and won’t be able to afford to buy books like I do now. I better “squirrel away” books for a rainy day. Pretty much the same logic you have for being out of work.
OTOH, reading about your tbr, and Ames, and SL Wendy’s I feel lots better with my measley 200-250.
Wendy 03.17.08 at 6:31 pm
950. Yes, 950. Did I stutter? And that’s having weeded it a few times. My problems are that I love to go book shopping (don’t we all?) and I’m a pretty slow reader. A book a week seems to be my average.
Phyl 03.17.08 at 7:49 pm
I’m guessing I only have around 100. About 80% of the books I read I borrow from the library. If I love the book, THEN I go and buy a copy for my keeper pile. Over the years I’ve bought other books because reviews made them sound irresistible and they weren’t available at my library.
My first TBR book has been read and its review drafted for posting on Wednesday. This should be good incentive to finally read more of these books.
Rowena 03.18.08 at 12:44 am
This sounds like a really great idea, I’m gonna participate in it…thanks for giving me the added encouragement to get my TBR down, I have lots of books (not as many as you guys but my bookshelf is overflowing with books) so I should start reading them.
I’m going to post this on Book Binge, this is great! Thanks Keishon!
Avid Reader 03.18.08 at 8:17 am
Hi ladies - thanks for sharing your TBR pile estimates with me. I do feel better knowing that I am not the only one out there that keeps a pile - no matter the size.
Don’t feel bad Wendy, because if I had to estimate my books I’d say mine hovers around there, too. After weeding it several times, too. I gave 6 full trash bags of books to my co-worker a year ago. Mostly series stuff. I was bursting at the seams.
MarianneMcA: that sounds reasonable but I know I can never do that.
Phyl: another tactic I have is to utilize my library more. Another way to cut down on my buying so many excessive books. Like another reader, my problem is that I buy books faster than I read them. Plan to reverse that this year.
Christine 03.18.08 at 12:54 pm
What a great idea! Nothing like a little peer pressure to help make a dent in the TBR pile! I just counted and have about 150 books in my list. Of course, I’m sure I have just as many in my TBB (to be bought or borrowed) list. I’d love to join the fun. I’m even going to try to read and review one by tomorrow night! I work well under pressure, what can I say? ;)
Jill D. 03.18.08 at 2:26 pm
I have 28 books in my TBR pile. They take up (not quite) one shelf in my den. Most of those in that pile have been there for over two years and I probably will never get to half of them. Like Phyl does, I get most of my books from the library. I love to browse books stores, but I only allow myself to purchase one book. ONE BOOK, LADIES!!! That takes some serious will power, not to mention I have dear hubby breathing down my neck.
Sonia 03.18.08 at 2:35 pm
wendy - 950. wow.
I probably have around 150-200. I am afraid to count.
Sarah 03.18.08 at 4:21 pm
I counted mine. 399. Sheesh. I gotta stop buying books.
senetra 03.18.08 at 8:52 pm
I’m kind of scared to even guess. When I moved, I had 25 boxes of books, and probably 7 were TBR, then I hit the Friends sale every month and spend about $10. That gets really scary because paperbacks cost between 10 and 50 cents. Then eharlequin has free shipping if you spend $25 dollars. The UBS in my town went out of business so I had to use my credit there….I’m going to say 700 minimum.
Janine 03.18.08 at 10:21 pm
160 not counting e-books. I haven’t counted those, but since they don’t take up space, I don’t feel the same urgency to read them and get them out of the house.
AAR Rachel 03.19.08 at 7:30 am
I’d say about 450. I once had them all listed in an excel spreadsheet, but I’ve bought a fair number since then, mostly at library booksales. I’ve weeded but they keep proliferating!
Alyssa 03.19.08 at 4:23 pm
Ack. I don’t dare count. At least 500. I’d guess about 800. Eek!
In good news, I did post my TBR day here: http://www.alyssasbookblog.com/?p=823
Sybil 03.21.08 at 9:41 am
Most of my books are in a temp controlled storage room 10 minutes away.
Me too! I call it an apt :)