Unfortunately I failed miserably at my resolution not to request more library books until I read most of my tbr/owned pile.

My new resolution is not to buy new or mail ordered books (I figure library sales, tag sales and such are okay if I don't go overboard) until I've read 10 books from my tbr pile.

Maybe this will be a resolution I can keep.

Has anyone else had difficulty keeping their book resolutions?

... I've not been good about updating my book journal. I remember in spurts, but I'm right now at least 2 books behind. I've also been particularly bad about finishing books this year too, which isn't helping.

I haven't been great about updating my book journal (such as it is; it's not really separate from other journals) either, but that is something that can be easily remedied, thankfully.

I sort of half-resolved to read more non-fiction, but I am finding that extremely difficult. I've never found non-fiction easy to read. Maybe next year my "50 book challenge" goals will include a non-fiction goal.

Message edited by its author, Apr 20, 2007, 5:44pm.

We must all be very busy keeping our resolutions, because it sure is quiet in here. :) I'm still working through my Francis Schaeffer.

I've been reading in the group whose name escapes me at the moment....oh yeah, What Are You Reading Now, about your TBR pile. Some people tag it, some have actually started a separate account on LT for it, some have a list of it that they go from and they put it in order. I'm tempted to tag or give it its own account, but I hesitate because it seems like a lot of work. I also don't like to pin myself down too much as to when and what I will read. I liked picking out 5 big books to get done, but other than that I am very moody in my reading. Any thoughts on this?

All my TBR books are ones that I own but haven't read yet. I use the Amazon wishlist feature to keep track of books that I don't own that I eventually plan to read. Don't know if that helps at all.

#5 - Yes, I'm talking about books I own. I have at least three bookcases of books I've inherited that I want to read, also, a big pile in front of these of books I've bought recently which I want to read. I'm talking hundreds here, not the measly 70 or 80 that some people complain about. :)

I'm in the same boat, MrsLee. At last count, I had 300+ in my TBR pile.

MrsLee and miss_read: You guys are making me look good ;o) I've only got about 260 in my TBR pile of books I own.

ETA (In an effort to make my list seem not so unmanageable and outrageous) The TBR pile also includes books belonging to my husband and chapter books I got for the kids, all of which I plan to read eventually.

Message edited by its author, May 1, 2007, 11:49am.

Well now I don't feel nearly as bad, mine is at 205. :P

It was 170-something a couple months ago. You know how spontaneous generation can be, the books just get totally out of control!

Message edited by its author, May 1, 2007, 11:37am.

#9 Heehee! Is that what it is??? Now I feel better, there really isn't anything I can do about all these multiplying books, it's a fact of nature. :)

My TBR pile is up to 163, and I'm going to try to get it down to 130 before getting any more. Watch it not work!

I haven't counted my TBR books. I'm afraid to. I finished the Francis Schaeffer for this year, but I've decided to add a Shakespeare to my five biggies. Guess that makes it six biggies. Anyway, I love what I have read of Shakespeare, I just haven't read much. So to motivate myself I am going to rent a couple of film versions this summer, but I have to read the play first. I'm starting with Othello. Before I get to that though, I am reading four books which I randomly pulled from my four different TBR shelves. As long as I'm reading and making progress, I'm happy. I've read comparatively more this year than any other year, that is if I keep going at the rate I have been.

So far this year, except for the whole month of June, I've been very good at keeping my reading journal. Although I haven't been recording my thoughts on the books I've read in June, I have been keeping track of start and finish dates because if not I will obsess about it.

I also gave myself another resolution. For some reason, I haven't found any books worth getting. I browsed through B&N a few weeks ago and only came up with two books!!!! I've browsed the book blogs and nothing. I'm in a rut, but I like it. Which brings me to my new resolution: since I don't have any interest in acquiring new books, I'll conquer my TBR pile.

I have organized some of my TBR pile into months. So the plan is: every first of the month, I go into my stack and pull out the designated reading for that month and keep the books on my nighstand and table next to my recliner. I tried to organize the books by holidays occuring in each month. So, in February I will read a few romances. For October, mystery and horror; and so on.

Usually, I don't know where to start in my pile because it's too much; so, I go get something new. I think with a theme, I'll at least remember a little what the book is supposed to be about. I hope that this method keeps me on track to at least thinning out my TBR pile.

Message edited by its author, Jun 22, 2007, 11:07pm.

I am sorry to say that in the past month, I've read maybe twice, and it's Anne Fadiman's latest book -- AND IT'S REALLY GOOD!!! But I haven't had the opportunity. I got the book on 12-Jun, and spent the weekend in the hospital with my M-i-L. Among other things, she's got Dementia, and has to be monitored 24x7. As soon as I'd pick up the book, she'd start into something, so no reading. Then there was all the running around to get things together for starting my now-current employment, and preparing for the cruise. My wife and I did a cruise along the Alaskan coast. We spent an extra day in Seattle to check out the bookstores. I've decided I'm going to retire there... There was no time for reading on the boat, and we were too exhausted to read that night in Seattle, and way to tired to read on the flight home. I had one day to prepare for the drive to the Wilmington area, plus take care of the tree damage caused by the torrential rains Texas had while we were in Alaska. I got 4 hours sleep, then began the 4-day drive to my current 'home' of Exton, Pa. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a bug, and developed pneumonia. Then it spread. I'm currently on some major antibiotics, one of which has to be applied to my left eye every 3 hours. So, I can't really see well (with that eye), and I'm also (effectively) deaf in my left ear until the infection clears out. Fortunately, my employers are taking it easy on me this week. They could have just as easily torn up the contract. Tonight, I was planning on reading. But apparently the bulb went out in the super-huge really-nice TV I have in Texas (where my zaftig pigsney of a wife - the epitomy of mulebrity awaits my return). So, I spent the evening having her read the instructions for how to replace the bulb, then explaining to her what the instructions meant -- all of this via IM, by the way. In short, I haven't had the time nor the inclination for reading lately. When I'm feeling better, though, I'm going to make up for lost time.

And I left my reading journal in Texas -- an oversight. I did, however, spend a large amount of time choosing the books I brought with me.

#14 - Sheesh, I'd hate to have been your teacher, you must be the master of excuses! :)

But seriously, so sorry about the way life hits sometimes, and hoping things settle down soon for you so you can relax with a book again.

Wow! 260 books to be read! And I thought there was something wrong with me for having 38 TBR books! I was starting to feel like a book addict, and I mean that seriously. Sometimes I do feel like I've got a problem, because I just can't seem to stop myself from buying books even though I have new ones at home that I have yet to read.

My boyfriend finally stepped in recently and informed me that I'm no longer allowed to buy books until he decides otherwise. I have to admit I'm more than a little relieved. Until I am filthy rich I really shouldn't be buying so many books that I don't read!

#16 - *snicker* You aught to read the thread in The Green Dragon about Bookaholics. I can't remember the name of it, but you are not alone, and we all decided we like our addiction. :)

Thanks, MrsLee, I'm making my way through it now! Though I must say, it doesn't help me stop when everyone is saying they're doing it!

It really wasn't meant to make you stop, I'm an evil book-pusher! :)

For the last several years one of my
New Year's Resolutions has been to
read more books however I haven't
lived up to it yet. This year I joined
the 50 Book Challenge and I'm hoping
this will push me to reach and eventually
surpass that Goal. I have never read
that many books in my entire life. So
the 50 Book Challenge is going to be
a real challenge for me. I am real
jealous and envious of people who
brag about reading 100, 200, 250
or even 300 books in a year. What
is their Secret? How do they find
enough time to read that many
books in a year?

Librarianwannabe

Librarianwannabe - A reading goal is good, but very individual. Every year of my life has been different, so some years, I've been really happy to get 12 books read! Lately, things have shifted again and I'm able to pick up the pace. Down the road, I expect it to change again. I think the important thing is to enjoy the reading you are able to do.

For the last several years my total number
of books being read is under 10. However
I am hoping to start turning it around this
year and every year after. I have so many
books at home and not enough space to
store them all. I own a lot of books that
I haven't either read in years or have
never gotten around to reading in the
first place.

Librarianwannabe

Hello there! I also have a problem with getting books read sometimes. Some years are easier than others. Hopefully this year will be another good year, however, with a new baby, we'll see how that goes!! Best of luck Librarianwannabe! By the way, are you studying library science, is that how you got your name?

Never mind, I just read that you hope to get your degree in library science one day. Me too!! I'm still working on my bachelor's in history. I have about 14 classes to go, but that's on hold unti this summer at least. I hope to have my bachelor's finished in a few years and start my masters soon thereafter. We'll see!! Best of luck to you!!

No I haven't started any classes as of yet. I haven't
even decided on what University or College to enroll
in to start earning my Librarians' Degree. I've been
told I should go to a 2-year Community College first
and then transfer everything to a regular 4 year
University. I'm not even sure what Courses I need
to Sign up for although a few of the Librarians' at
the Library have told me I need to take some kind
of a Math to get a Degree and I HATE Math. It
was always my worst subject in school. What
good is a Math course going to do to a Librairan.
I wish someone would suggest a list of Courses
I need to take in my first year.

Librarianwannabe

Nearly all undergrad degrees have the same core classes, a few English, History, Math and Science 100 to 200-level classes. I think someone told me that there's no required undergrad degree for getting into masters for a LS degree, your undergrad can be whatever you want.

Does that mean I can take something like
English Lit or something in a Women's
Studies Course?

Librarianwannabe

As far as I know, but definitely check with people from the Librarians who LibraryThing group.

Yes, I agree with #28. Your bachelor's can be in whatever you wish, and unfortunately you will need to take the core classes. I think for math though, most schools will allow an algebra class. Of course, its been a while since I did even algebra, so I don't even know if I could handle that one!! I had looked into University of Milawaukee-Wisconsin for my master's as it has the program entirely online. I'm attending UMUC right now for my bachelor's-that's online also. I just can't attend classes at a college-especially since I live in Japan!

http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/lis...

This website has information regarding accredited schools and information regarding the degrees available. Hope this helps some!

Hi Librarianwannabe - Just to assure you, you can definitely take whatever major you like - judging by my classmates, the most popular is English followed by History and 'artsy' types! From when I applied, I don't remember any required undergraduate coursework at all.

At Drexel at least, there is 1 required math course - Action Research and Statistics (as 1 of 6 core courses). Now, I can't speak for any other schools, but it's honestly not very difficult. While I've chosen a more tech-heavy route myself, it's otherwise perfectly possible to avoid such things.

Thanks A Lot for the advice parelle I'll definitely look into it.

Librarianwannabe