Looking
at my TBR pile, more accurately piles, this evening left me reflecting on my
reading plans. I usually have planned out ahead 3-4 books to be read. Yet the
plan is not rigid. There are books that jump the line.
As
my blog features mysteries from Saskatchewan a new mystery by a Saskatchewan
author is put atop the TBR piles.
However,
if I am involved in one of the community memes sponsored by Kerrie Smith at her
excellent blog, Mysteries in Paradise, reading for the meme will take priority
over all else. I am currently taking part in the Crime Fiction Alphabet meme. I
wish I could say I stayed several letters ahead in the alphabet in my reading
but I am not so disciplined.
In
the spring I desperately wanted to read Anthony Bidulka’s new mystery, When the Saints Go Marching In, with his
new character, Adam Saint, but I waited a few weeks to keep up with the
alphabet.
Right
now as “Z” is looming on Sunday I am just keeping up with the letter of the
week. It has meant Gail Bowen’s new book, The
Gifted, has been waiting since the beginning of the month. I will be
reading it next week.
I
also jump the line for the Canadian Book Challenge, my only reading challenge.
As Canada Day approaches on July 1 usually need 1 or 2 or 3 books to finish the
annual commitment of 13.
For
individual authors Michael Connelly never waits to be read.
A
new John Grisham book will not languish in the pile.
Louise
Penny never sinks into the pile though I had reservations about the The Beautiful Mystery.
When
I realize I have not read non-fiction for awhile I will forgo the waiting crime
fiction for non-fiction. My sons often give me some non-fiction at Christmas.
After being asked why I have not read their gifts promptly they now move up the
pile. Last Christmas they gave me a copy of Defender
of the Realm by William Manchester and Paul Reid. It is the third volume in
Manchester’s superb biography of Winston Churchill. I completed the book but
have not completed my review. The review will come shortly after the end of the
Crime Fiction Alphabet meme.
What
does not jump the pile are books on the shortlists for all the crime fiction prizes.
After a year in which I have hardly read any of the short lists of major awards
for crime fiction I have decided not to press to read those books shortlisted.
As
always in my life there is an exception. I have made a personal commitment to
read at least 2 of the 3 books on the shortlist for the Harper Lee Prize for
Legal Fiction.
After
further reflection, with all the line or queue (I do not know why we use line
instead of queue in North America) jumpers I realize I really do not really
have a line of TBR books. The exceptions outnumber the planned books!
Bill - Thanks for sharing the way you go about choosing what to read next. I feel the way you do about Penny and Connelly. There are a few other authors too who don't wait long on my list. I think most people have those authors, kinds of novels, etc.. that 'jump the line.'
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I hope you will share some day the names of authors who jump the line for you.
ReplyDeleteBill, I don't think I'm quite as organised as you. I kind of make some plans for reading then get turned around by other attractions.
ReplyDeleteCol: Thanks for the comment. Participating in memes has made me more organized as a reader.
ReplyDeleteI tried making a TBR list a few months ago, but see that I haven't read many of the books. William Kent Krueger (just finished his latest Tamarack County) and Randy Wayne White are immediate must-reads as is the Joe Pickett series by C.J. Box. Don't enjoy his standalones as much.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about other people's reading habits, and I found that very interesting.
ReplyDeleteKent: Thanks for the comment. I have not read standalones but Box but I certainly have enjoyed the Joe Pickett series. I would be interested in hearing if you establish a reading plan.
ReplyDeleteMoira: Thanks for commenting. I equally enjoy peeking into the reading world of other people.
ReplyDeleteBill, thank you for a lively post. I am with Moira. I like reading about other people's reading habits too. If only I inculcated some of those habits in the way I read books. I agree memes and challenges push one towards organised reading.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your review of "Defender of the Realm" as I'm fascinated by the events surrounding WWII and Winston Churchill who, as prime minister between 1940 and 1945, was central to many of those events. He had a lot on his plate: the World War, the Nazi regime, and British occupation in many parts of the world.
Prashant: Thanks for the comment and your recent posts on reading. Seeing how others read has led me to reflect on how I read.
ReplyDeleteThe overall title of the triology describes Churchill as "The Last Lion". It is the perfect title.
eReaders have improved my TBR piles - making them now only about half an inch high!
ReplyDeleteAnthony: Thanks for the comment. While 1/2" TBR piles would be nice I still would prefer to buy and read paper books for my reading away from the office.
ReplyDelete