Okay–here was an interesting article by Christopher Schoppa in the Washington Post.
Avid readers know all too well how easy it is to acquire books — it’s the letting go that’s the difficult part. … During the past 20 years, in which books have played a significant role in both my personal and professional lives, I’ve certainly had my fair share of them (and some might say several others’ shares) in my library. Many were read and saved for posterity, others eventually, but still reluctantly, sent back out into the world.
But there is also a category of titles that I’ve clung to for years, as they survived numerous purges, frequent library donations and countless changes of residence. I’ve yet to read them, but am absolutely certain I will. And should. When, I’m not sure, as I’m constantly distracted by the recent, just published and soon to be published works.
So, the question is this: “What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?“
This is something I think about and worry about too often. What books are waiting, some impatiently, for me to finally pick them up and read? Where to begin. Well, I’ll start by looking at the shelf to my right.
New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn ~ Stephenie Meyer Hellen of Troy ~ Margaret George Sweet Love ~ Sarah Strohmeyer The Gargoyle ~ Andrew Davidson Final Theory ~ Mark Alpert Drama City ~ George Pelecanos Barefoot ~ Elin Hilderbrand The Alienist ~ Caleb Carr The Host ~ Stephenie MeyerNow let me check out the shelf to my left.
Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins ~ Rupert Everett Audition ~ Barbara Walters The Little Friend ~ Donna Tartt The Golden Compass ~ Philip Pullman The Innocent Man ~ John GrishamI won’t even look at the two tall book shelves in the study to add more titles to my lists from. I’m embarrassed and depressed as it is just looking at the two lists I just constructed based on me two short book shelves alone. The reason I have fallen behind on reading these titles is because of my book reviewing endeavor I have jumped into. I love it and enjoy it immensely but I do wish I was a much faster reader so I could read everything I have, not just the books for reviews.
Do you find yourself in my predicament too? If so, do you alternate one review book than one of your own books? Are you a speed reader so you don’t have these frivolous worries? Do you have any advise?
Planet Books 
I have only reviewed a single book as part of a tour (coming up on Nov.5) and waiting to receive the second for December. I treat them like jobs and give myself a deadline, like when I was in college.
My own reading is more hit and miss and depends on family and writing obligations, which come first.
I still have Blindness to get to plus I have recently become fascinated with Helen Humphrys. Just finished The Lost Garden. She is amazing.
Your post just reminded me that I have Barefoot on my shelf too… well it should be on my shelf but now it has gone missing. No wonder I forgot about it.
I definitely run into that problem on occasion. I’d run into it more often if I were getting more books for review. I feel bad when I think about how long some books that I was terribly excited for have been sitting on my shelves. And how my books are piling up unread.
So I think my new plan will be what you suggest – alternating between review copies and my own reviews; after all, I think my readers are just as interested in backlists, old favorites, and books that have been out for a while as they are in brand new released… I know I am!