As you can see I decided in the end that I would number my Bookish Bits, I know its nice to get a taster of what’s coming however you now have no idea and so you just have to pop by anyway, most of you preferred the numbering too. So anyway what is coming up today, well we have a bit more discussion of TV Book Clubs, we also have some criminal admissions and a give away before finishing up with something that will either make you think a) I have gone mad b) I am a big hypocrite c) you may want to disown me. So its all the usual fun and frolics for one of my Saturday posts really.
First up a huge thank you to everyone who commented on my rant post about The TV Book Club which still makes me a little bit annoyed just thinking about it. Not because of the book choices or Ms Ross (who has a job I am most envious of and credit where credit is due she is getting people to read) just the time spent by people rewarded in such an awful way still gets to me. Of course I will be tuning in tomorrow though not expecting to see any changes as they have pre-recorded it already. Part of me will be tuning in for intrigue and the other part of me will be wanting to watch so I can play Lizzy’s new weekly game which also happens to be my post of the week and you can see here. I love the idea.
From my aforementioned post I took on some advice from Mee and checked out The First Tuesday Book Club a show on in Australia that really, really works. I have popped a video clip of one of the segments I love where each member of the show shares a book they have loved in the last month which wasn’t one of the Book Group choices. Here is the host Jennifer Byrne discussing a book she loved one particular month…
I love how enthusiastic she is in fact the whole panel are, even when they don’t like a book they are enthused. I was thrilled to see on their website that they have reviewed The Little Stranger and so should you want an interesting and insightful chat about that have a look here. I have also decided I want to befriend Marieke Hardy, in every episode she makes me laugh and she doesn’t hold back too. You can also get podcasts of the show which are my podcasts of the week (though I am still addicted to Books on the Nightstand of course).
I am planning a big book sort over the next week after I noticed that once I added all the books received this week (see below in a mo) I have a TBR list of over seven hundred books (about 780)! I know, I know. I am planing a slight cull this weekend, a mega sort through is needed. Though I do love having a big selection to browse through. I have added a new page on the blog especially called My Mighty TBR so do go have a gander, though don’t judge me for the amount of books there or what those books are ha. It is criminal really, but what can you do, it’s an addiction. Speaking of criminal this is the latest pile of books in…
All crime fiction! We have some Mankell who I read as soon as it arrived and raved about yesterday. There have been both Penguin and OUP editions of Sherlock Holmes arriving, reminding me I must arrange a ‘Sherlock Saturday’ or something along those lines. If that wasn’t enough every copy of Agatha Raisin I didn’t own has turned up leaving me over joyed. What an ace arrival of parcels.
Now as ever I like you guys to get in on the action and so I have two signed copies of the latest Agatha Raisin book ‘There Goes The Bride’ all you have to do is leave a comment on something in today’s Bookish Bits and you are in the drawer, simple! The drawer is open until midnight tomorrow winners announced in the week. Though maybe don’t comment on the picture below which may outrage some of you…
Yes that’s me with an e-reader, I cannot deny it BUT, and please hear me out, it is for work. I have constantly sworn I would never buy an e-reader and I haven’t however when I was offered on to see if it could convert me I thought “don’t be prejudiced Simon, give it a try at least then you will know if you don’t like it” and so I am. I will be reporting back in due course. I haven’t started anything yet, have been too busy with the manual (which is on the e-reader itself) so am debating if should start my e-reading travels with Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ or Dan Brown’s ‘The Lost Symbol’ both I have wanted to read to see what the fuss is all about. Though one of course is a complete classic, the other… well, I shall say no more! Over to you.
Oh my goodness!! 700+ books in your TBR pile?! That must feel like heaven! (Or at least, I would take it to be my heaven anytime..)
I’ve never tried e-readers, and quite honestly, I’m not really keen on trying it out soon. There’s just something about holding a physical book that’s just endearing and lovely.. BUT, I’ve got a friend who recently told me she’s never ever going to buy a book ever again, because, she says, though she loves books, trees are sacred too. So there.
Hope you have a good experience with the e-reader. I haven’t read either on of the titles you’re proposing to read, but will be waiting to see what your verdict is.
Hoorah someone else who celebrates an enormous TBR pile too. I am actually culling it though this weekend, which I am not sure I have gotten across in the post, si any recommendations of what to keep and what not to do let me know.
I have not really given the e-reader its best shot yet am planning on doing that after the weekend. I will let you all know how I get on.
I must admit that while I would never buy an ereader, if one were to come my way, I’d be happy to try it out.
Like you my TBR mountains are out of control – although yours look very neat in all the photos we’ve seen of them. I was doing quite well in the book buying stakes this year, but then I went onto the Book People website to get the new Gordon Ramsay curry book for the other half, and they had sets of Sherlock and Jeeves – each 8+ books for under a tenner. Couldn’t resist.
Thats the thing Annabel I have always said I wouldnt want an e-reader but seeing as they offered I thought I should give it a whirl.
Hoorah for someone else saying their TBR is crazy I am hoping people see this post as a sharing of an addiction rather than a showing off or making me look ungrateful for all the new books I get.
I would find the Sherlock a hard buy to resist if it wasnt for having just been sent a load.
Out of interest – how many books do you read a year? Are you ever going to be able to get to the end of your TBR?! It makes me feel better about my TBR which with some hard reading at the end of last year I managed to get down to about 80 books.
PS: How many books do you have in total?!
My reading has been increasing over the years, probably around 150 books pass my eyes and 130 get read I am trying very hard to give up on books if I just dont like them, though if I dont finish it I simply won’t review it so they don’t count.
I am culling the TBR as bought some of these books two or three years ago and the fact I havent gotten round to them clearly says something. I do like having a big TBR to browse through between my latest reads for work.
Books in total… let me work that one out after the cull ha.
You definitely need to have a cull…I read 700 books last year and I wouldn’t have made it through your TBR!
I wouldnt say I need to have a cull, I am going to have a run through as mentioned in the post and on the new page this weekend, I do like having a good collection to root through. Plus I have a life time (hopefully) to get through them all and am not sure 80 books would be enough for whim reading.
It astounds me that anyone can read that many books? Do you read two a day? How? I am not doubting just amazed. I read books for part fo my living and cant do that many, I need some tips.
Fair enough…but don’t forget that many more books will be being published!
I know there will be more books published hence need your info on how you manage to read 700 books, I am impressed, help me, give me your tips?
I think it is just the way that I absorb the book rather than read. Last year was exceptional – normally I get through about 300. The key to getting through more last year?! A chronic stomach condition that resulted in me being completely unable to pursue a social life!!
Thanks for the First Tuesday Book Club link… I know about the club but just assumed because of copyright reasons the episodes would not be viewable for us living on the other side of the planet. What a treat! I will be watching all of these over the weeks to come.
I think the only way you are going to tackle your TBR is to stop any more books entering your house, Simon! That means no more publisher parcels!
I would loose my job (well a big part of it) if I didnt have new reads though Kim
What would happen to the books pages, no one else where I work is a book fan which doesnt help hahaha
I have decided that rather than get no more books in the house I am going through the tbr with my tough hat on and having a cull. I worry though I might end up sending a future book group read to the charity shop though!!
Simon, I’m so glad that you actually tried to see some of the First Tuesday videos (and that you’re able to. I can’t view your UK TV Book Club, because they restrict it to UK only).
It’s funny that you picked that clip above out of all clips!
A book about real estate agent! And Marieke Hardy is awesome, right? I LOVE her too! Their program is only once a month (with some additional ones sometimes), so they don’t have that many videos really. But I always look forward to the new ones.
You may not recognize many of the two extra guests, but they’re usually quite well-known here. I’m also impressed how they always seem to choose the “celebrity guests” that actually read. You know, with such long discussion you can’t really fake it if you’re not an enthusiastic reader! Sometimes people from the state government came, so not just TV celebrities. Sometimes other book authors.
I’m glad I have someone to talk about it with now
i can watch them, in fact I have subscribed to the First TUesday Book Club and Jennifer Byrne Presents podcasts so will get the new series instantly when they start again in March. I am completely addicted to it at the moment.
That was the only Youtube clip I could find which I found quite shocking as its been on the telly so much. Well there was another one which was a mickey take they did but it was too rude for this blog.
It’s OK Simon. It is not a crime to use an e-reader. Many of us out here to indeed love them! I would love to put my name in for the author-signed book, but it is for altruistic reasons. I’m not sure if you saw my post a couple weeks ago, but I help the Adult Literacy League with their annual fundraising event here in Orlando. I’ve been charged with getting author-signed books for their silent auction. So that is what the book would be for (not for selfish me!). In fact, if you have any access to other author-signed books, I would be happy to assist in the shipping costs since you are International. It is for such a good cause. Thanks Simon!
I missed that post Sandy so will go and find it and see if I can be of any help as that sounds like a wonderful cause and I have some good relationships with publishers so I might be able to help. I will keep you posted by email, will send you one tomorrow with some ideas.
Wowsa 700 books that would daunt me, I’m bad enough with just my small TBR shelf, it takes me forever to decide what to read next!
I’m very much like you I don’t like to say I don’t like something unless I’ve tried it, so I’m open minded with e-readers. I’m always going to love proper books but can imagine an e-reader would be great on holiday. My best mate has just got one I think I will have to borrow it.
p.s. I think you should read Emma first!
I am always game to try something. I think 700+ is a slightly excessive amount hence the small sort out/cull over the weekend and forthcoming weeks.I should also mention I own a lot of novellas so some of these arent very long. Ha, thats a cop out but hey.
Hey Simon-
I too use an e-reader for work. It’s great that they don’t have to send me reams of paper several times a year any more. It’s also great that I don’t have to carry around so much paper when traveling.
All that being said, I read “real” paper books whenever I can. If I’m reading something on the e-reader, and the advanced reader’s copy comes in, I’ll immediately switch over to that.
In short, I find the e-reader useful, but it’s just not the same.
(and once again, thanks so much for the BOTNS shout out!)
best,
Michael
My pleasure Michael, actually out of interest how many books (as its part of your job) do you get through a year would you say? And whats your opinion with massive TBRs I imagine you have a rarely daunting one? I could be very wrong though.
I am still unsure of the e-reader, I will see how I get on with it. I havent really tried it yet which sort of says something haha.
Alas, Simon, I’m an incredibly slow reader. Last year I got through 52 books, the year before that, 82, but that includes graphic novels.
So far, this year, I still haven’t finished one book. I’m 15 pages from finishing a 705 page book, so that *will* happen today.
Yes, my TBR pile is huge, but since most of my reading is for work, that pile keeps changing.
As you catch up in the podcasts, you’ll hear me moan about the fact that I’ll never get to all of the books I want to read. Sad, but true. I’m actually donating a lot of the books on my shelves. Things I’ve read and enjoyed, but don’t need to keep, and things I know I’ll never get to.
Oh I am jealous of your TBR… actually no, with my own mosterous one I think I should be verygrateful I have what I have. 705 pages… wowsers.
Am catching up quite well I think I am only about 15 behind now, maybe a bit more!
Simon…..Now I don’t feel bad, as I have over 600 TBR books but under 700! LOL
As for the ereader, I have the Kindle, and I love it for reading chunky books, but there is no way it will ever replace the pleasure I get from looking at all those lovely (real) books on my shelves.
Curious what type of reader you have and what you will have to say about it? ENJOY (i hope)
I am much closer to you now Diane as have had a furious afternoon of sorting and am down to the 650 mark. I think every month or so will have a good check of what books I have and if I need them all. Its good to hear that other people have so many and its not just me.
Feedback on the reader in a couple of weeks when I get to know it.
I have a ginormous TBR too Simon, probably not far off your 780! Between the odd review copy, my inability to not buy books, my new library card, and books from work I do accumulate reading material at an alarming rate. I only managed to read 40-odd books last year thanks to studying as well as working, but I’m hoping for a nice triple figure amount in 2010.
I’ve never used an e-reader, but would love to try one out. I don’t think they could ever replace real books in a million years, but I can see that they would be very useful at times. I go through fits and starts: do I want one? do I not? but so far I’ve just stuck with good old paper.
Verity – 700 books? That’s astonishing? How how how?!
I want to know how Verity does it too, am most envious, would make my job a doddle and could get even more books I wanted to read in too.
Glad to hear we are alike with the book issue, have to say that its now down by quite an impressive amount, my charity shop, friends and family will be chuffed with all the books they are going to be getting. What I didnt say was that my TBR was about 900 at beginning of the year so its been a fairly rigorous clear out.
Thanks for the post of the week award, my fellow 700+ TBR owner!
Oh Lizzy knowing there are more of you out there makes me feel so much better. I was beginning to almost feel guilty about it.
I think it’s wonderful that you have such a selection of books to choose from!
I suppose it’s a bit like a library – you never know when you’ll get round to reading them all but you can browse and choose the ones you want at whim when you’ve finished your current read.
And you know my thoughts with regards to e-readers. I’ve got a reading app on my iPhone. I generally prefer print, but taking Ulysses, Armadale, The Moonstone and others around with me on my Phone is less backbreaking on my way to work than lugging around a chunkster in my handbag!
Yes I do know your thoughts, I have to say though the e-reader has a much bigger screen, I dont know how you can read on so small a screen. Think of your eyes hahaha.
Its the Savidge Library, maybe I should open up to the public?
Simon with too many books and an e-reader? The shock of it all! I am personally holding out for the Apple tablet. I know it will be amazing. Just know it. I pretend to have been taking the print junkie elitist pose about the whole e-reader thing, but have just been patiently waiting for King Jobs next gift to us all. Sad, huh?
Is it too many books though? Please don’t say it is hahaha.
I heard the Apple Tablet is a bit of an Apple Myth, if they do bring one out I am sure it will be the bee’s knees. I have a feeling I will always be a print fan at heart though.
Myth? Let’s stay tuned for that Apple media show on the 27th. And whereas I will also always be a print fan, I am most excited about seeing an Apple device that has such (rumored) versatility. I would not buy a device that was just an e-reader. But if it was also my laptop equivalent and a few other things? In an iPhone similar form? All over it.
700+ books on your tbr shelf!! I am totally going to use you as an example when people (cough – my husband – cough) complain that I have too many tbr books. Clearly I haven’t got nearly enough! You could open your own book store!
I’ll be anxious to hear your thought on the e-reader. Nothing about them appeals to me, but we’ll see….
If it means you can buy more books by all means use me as an example, though I am having a cull so it will not be 700+ by the end of the weekend if I am tough and just go for it.
I think having over 700 books in a TBR pile is wonderful! It would be like having your own small bookshop to peruse any time of the day or night!
I am anxious to check out yet another Simon podcast recommendation! Just what I need – another literary obsession to add to my life
The neat row of newly acquired crime fiction books is making me salivate! I still need to read my first Agatha Raisin (it is sitting patiently on my bookshelf), but I know that I will want to read them all.
I look forward to the Sherlock Saturday events!
Thank you Molly, I have started to feel like telling people I have so many books I have been airing dirty laundry and should no longer be allowed to get any more (which is tough as two arrived in the post today ha) I love the idea of my shelves being my own book shop. I dream of owning a second hand book store one day.
The show is wonderful, the humour and boo chat is just brilliant. I want to be a guest on there one day, thats another thing (along with the bookshop) to add to my wishlist of things to do.
Well, if you ever own that second hand bookshop, you will have to let me know where it is located because I would have to save my pennies to cross the pond and have a look
I will keep you posted if that dream ever becomes a reality.
I’ll be interested to hear your impression of the e-Reader. I’m still sitting on the fench about them: I like the efficiency they represent but, on the other hand, the idea of reading off a screen is rather off-putting for me (especially after spending so much time on the computer already, at work and at home). And, of course, I like just holding a real book, flipping the pages, and being able to take it anywhere and not have to worry about battery life. However if I had a TBR pile of 700 books, I might not care so much about that either…As it is, I only own about 400 books, the bulk of my reading material coming from the library.
I will be giving my verdict in a week or so once I have got to know it better, I also have two new laptops to get to know this week so am wondering where reading time will come into the next week or so. I haven’t really given it a shot yet so not sure how me and screen reading will go yet.
I dont have 700+ books anymore, I felt a bit guilty so was having a major sort yesterday.
Hi Simon
I have been reading your blog for a little while now but this is the first time that I have commented.
700 books in your TBR! My head would explode and so would my house – it must be quite a challenge to find space for them all!
I too am undecided about the e-Reader so will look forward to your views on this one.
Hi Cristina thank you so much for commenting! I invested in some rather nice art deco storage boxes so people actually cant really see them anywhere when they come around apart from in my room where I have huge shelving of lots of unreads, and in the lounge I have all of the books that I have read and loved. It means there are lots of books about but they are hidden and a bit secret.
Just ran across this via the Reading Matters blog..and definitely going to keep reading and I suspect you’ll give me plenty of ideas for new ones! … I haven’t counted my own TBR pile in a while.. most are artfully shelved, or stuck in the tops and corners of various shelves… :p I look forward to reading much much more from you.. and I could never cull my pile… I love books wayyy too much!!
Thank you Danica thats very kind of you! It amazes me that so many other book lovers are shocked at how many books there are on my TBR, I thought everyone would have this many (and some others do thank goodness was feeling alone) but if it means other people can use me as an example to have more and more then am very happy. Culling was hard but when you havent read a book you bought three years ago there has to be a reason.
Simon,
I’m a relative newcomer to the world of reading book blogs and am thoroughly enjoying it. As a result my TBR pile has grown but I’m astounded at the size of yours! How do you ever decide what to read?
I have all new books from publishers on shelves by release order for work and so browse through those but I seem to let my whim, the books or what other bloggers/friends/family have said help to make my mind up for me! I am big on whim reading this year.
I thought my TBR pile was scary but it is nothing compared to yours!! Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it?? I sometimes have a panic about my pile and think I am going to have to quit my job just to get through them! I’m glad you are enjoying The First Tuesday Bookclub – I think the show has really grown since it’s beginning – I wasn’t too keen on it at the start but I really enjoy it now. Marieke Hardy is definitely a personality – my partner has the hugest crush on her!!
I have occasional moments where I need to cull, like this weekend as I look at the books and think ‘hmmm, now when will I actually read you’ but the walk to the charity shop always pains me. A prime example happened this morning when I saw a show about Dorothy Porter and was suddenly aware I might have give ‘The Monkeys Mask’ to charity and now want to read it. I just call that sod’s law though.
…Now I don’t feel quite so bad at having an equally long unread pile of books…Only I am bad about weeding. I’m now to a point where I’ve gotten rid of most of the books I read when I was a bit younger and unlikely to ever read again. I feel terribly greedy, but what can I say.
Good I am glad you don’t feel as bad and that I could make you feel better with my mighty stock of books. I think book weeding does need to be done now and again though. Greed isnt always bad… honest, not when it comes to books!
I would NEVER count all the books in the house – doing book math leads to, how many books a year, roughly how many years left – oh, oh dear…scary
I really enjoyed catching up with your post about Channel 4′s Book Club (and have seen dovegreyreader’s dislike mentioned in the Times Saturday Review no less). Also a Dancing on Ice addict so I missed it, but saw their books list and I think half their choice of books are very uninspired. Unlike R&J who really made the books sales, this show seems to be following the sales trend by discussing some high selling books. Usually I like to watch programs others dislike just so I can have my own experienced based opinion, but I have to a Virginia Woolf book on the go and 90210 to catch up on.
It is a little dangerous to count all the books you have. I can only do mine as I have an excel spreadsheet with them all on… geeky I know but as some are stored in delightful looking boxes I can’t always keep up with where they are!
I wish I had seen the piece with DGR in, I am interested in what the booksih press are making of it all.
How very timely. I have been resisting, but can do no longer, the need to cull my TBR. The books are taking over. I have increased my yearly reading book count and am using the library more – though of course if I love a book I have to buy my own copy – but still the TBR piles tower precariously. The danger is that I cull books now that I want to read read a few years hence. I know this from bitter experience. Years ago I had a major cull and gave away bags and bags of books to my local library who were, at the time, cash-strapped with little ability to buy many new books. I felt happy that they were going to a new home. These days I read something, and start a reading trail and go to put my hand on a certain book and then I remember giving it away. Of course that means scouring charity shops for replacements. So I suppose the moral of this story is to think long and hard before letting a book go.
This does seem like a timely post indeed then Lesley! I don’t really have any tips for culling as I am fairly useless at it, my main criteria is “just how long has this been on my TBR” I am thinking that if its over three years there is a reason I havent read it and bought lots of books since and read them instead.
Hi Simon
You can read the mention of Dovegreyreader’s blog by following this link http://timesonline.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx#
It’s on the second half of page 12 and is under the heading “Nicholas Clee Reads Between the Lines”.
Thanks Cristina, you have to sign up and I am shattered after shortlisting so will pop and have a look in the morrow. Much appreciated.
I love The First Tuesday Bookclub! And I love that non-Australians are talking about it!
Its a brilliant show, one of my new favourites and its wonderful that we can get this here thanks to the website!
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