This question is a sign of the times!
Once upon a time, back when I only read paper books, I “received” them in one of three ways: I bought them myself, I borrowed them from the library, or I received them as gifts.
And I always read them as soon as I received them. I would, of course, prioritise library books, because they had to be returned. But it would be rare for me to have a book longer than a week or two before I read it. The main exceptions were the Good News Bible a friend gave me when I was about thirteen, or the reference books I was given: books of Bible stories, children’s encyclopedias (encyclopediae?), or (later) university textbooks.
But ereaders have changed my book-buying habits. So has reviewing.
As a result, my reading habits have also changed.
I get a lot of review books. Some I receive direct from authors, but I find most on NetGalley. I also have hundreds and hundreds of unread books on my Kindle. Most of them were downloaded free, but there is also a good number of books I’ve paid for (including many sale books. Because there is a never-ending supply of books I want to read. No matter how much I want to read it, I’m reluctant to pay $10 for a book when I already have so many unread books.
But if that same book goes down to 99c or $1.99? Or where the pre-order copy is half the regular price? Or when I find a must-read book on NetGalley? Sold.
You see my problem. A complete lack of self-control when it comes to books.
The result is a to-read pile which is out of control. So this year I’ve made, and am making, a concerted effort to read new books as soon as they arrive on my Kindle. I prioritise books I’ve paid for, but also (try) to apply this to review copies.
The positive aspect to this is I’ve already read all the books I’m due to review in June, and have written and scheduled most of the reviews as well. I also make a point of not visiting NetGalley unless I’m posting my reviews, or receive an email saying I’ve been approved to review a book I requested.
I have also decided not to buy Kindle books that area already available unless I want to read them at once. Right. Now. It’s working as a way of keeping my to-read mountain from growing into a small planet. It also means that when a pre-ordered book arrives on my Kindle, I can sit down and read it right away. It helps that most books seem to release at 7pm in my timezone, just as I’m sitting down to relax in the evening!
So, long answer short, I am making a point of trying to read books as soon as I receive them rather than letting them languish on my Kindle.
Iola, you’re a legend as always! If I’ve ordered a book I’m dying to read (or one I have suggested to Santa or the birthday fairy), I tend to start reading it right away. Though I usually have a few on the go at once, so starting right away doesn’t always mean finishing quickly.
I also have a lot on my Kindle I haven’t read, and some of those were free or cheap, but I’ve tried to cut down on that and only buy the ones I actually want to read. Though sometimes I’ve bought one to encourage an author friend, but then haven’t gotten around to reading it, which I guess ends up being discouraging.
These days, I try not to buy nonfiction books on Kindle, because if they’re any good, I invariably wish I had the print copy because I find them better for easy reference, especially if they’re a writing craft book or something I’m going to look up a lot. I like to underline nonfiction books. I know you can highlight things in Kindle, but it’s not as easy to go back and find the bit you wanted. Sometimes I have indeed bought the print version after already buying the Kindle version. But then again if the Kindle version was free or cheap, it’s a good way to suss out the book before committing to a bigger purchase.
I’ve actually given up on NetGalley for the time being, because I found it hard to get the books I really wanted (big name authors tend to go to well-known reviewers like Iola Goulton – LOL), and I kept getting books that sounded interesting, but then didn’t enjoy. Then I felt guilty if I didn’t finish them.
Good luck in wheedling down that out of control to-read list, Iola. I have over 500 on my Goodreads to-do list. I should go in and do a cull sometimes of books I’m probably never going to read. So that should get me down to a more manageable list of 400 or so!!