TOP TEN TUESDAY
February 17, 2015
It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the wonderful blog at The Broke and the Bookish! This week’s topic was:
Top Ten Book (Blogger) Problems
Being a book blogger (or just obsessive reader) comes with its perks, but I’ve also collected “book blogger problems” along the way! I have a lot of fun with what I do but we all know that things can get a little… crazy!
Finding time to do it all!
I’d bet that time is a serious issue for most book bloggers. We all love what we do but our hobby is a time consuming one! First you have to read the book. Then maybe jot some notes down so you don’t forget what you want to talk about in your review. Then rate it. Then find the time to write the review and format it and schedule it. Then when it’s live, cross-promote it. Link it up to archives and other pages. Post reviews to Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc. And that’s just a review! I think we’re always trying to catch up on writing reviews or writing posts or reading or blog maintenance. It’s a hobby that deeply takes root in your life — but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I have book envy… of books that I already own.
We’ve all had a little ARC envy, but do you ever find yourself in a situation where you get jealous of someone reading a book you’re dying to read……. even though you own it? Even though you’ve owned it for maybe a year and you still haven’t read it yet? Yeah. This may be the dumbest thing but it totally happens to me. I have so many delightful books staring at me on my shelves that I can’t read them all at once. I WANT TO. I want to read all the books all at once. Obviously, I cannot. So I almost get jealous when I see someone reading something that I’ve been meaning to read for a long time and they’re reading it first. It’s so, so silly. But maybe that also motivates me to finally put that book next!
I have to make plans around reading.
Okay, well I don’t HAVE TO, but I do. I try to figure out when I can squeeze in a bit more reading time! I even try to read while I’m cooking dinner sometimes. Time REALLY is of the essence when you’re working 10 hours a day, your drive home from work takes an hour, and then you have to come home, make dinner, and actually want to spend time with your husband! It’s really hard to squeeze in decent reading time during the week… so I try to plan my weekends around reading. When will I have time to read? How long can I let Shane sleep before he gets “mad” that I didn’t wake him up? Can I read while we’re watching mindless TV? It’s a struggle guys. For real.
I have terrible self-control.
I’ve been getting better at this… or at least REALLY REALLY TRYING. There are so many amazing books out there that I want to read but I’ve been trying not to fall into the temptation to request or download from Netgalley/Edelweiss simply because I can. I’m really trying not to request books or download them unless I REALLY think I will get to them before/around the pub date. I can always borrow a book, buy it, or go to the library after it comes out. I don’t need to hoard egalleys and not read them and it’s something I want to get better at!
I’m terrible at interacting with people in person.
I’ve gotten better. I actually said hello to some people at ALA but mostly because I’d already met them before. People I haven’t met in person? Nope. Didn’t peep. I don’t know why but I’m so, so bad at meeting new people. I think I’ll just be really awkward? So I’m working on it friends! If you see me, say hello! I may not say it first haha.
This also goes with authors! I always wish I could be that cool, confident person who just gets along with the authors but usually I feel awkward and inadequate. Hopefully the ones I’ve met don’t think I’m a total space cadet!
I want to go to ALL of the events.
I’ve had a blast going to BEA the past two years, ALA this past month, numerous local events, and who knows what else in the future… But I want to go to ALL OF THEM. I actually may not make it to BEA this year. Major sads! But I would have to take another WEEK of vacation from work and while I have the days, I think it’ll be majorly frowned upon to take another week off… I REALLY don’t want to miss it but work is my first commitment after my husband so BEA is probably a no-go. Luckily ALA sort of filled that void for now and I will DEFINITELY be at BEA 2016 because IT’S IN CHICAGO! Come to me, my lovelies!! (Not in a creepy way or anything…)
I have to have a book going at all times.
I read in many different formats so when I finish a book, I really have to have my next choice lined up! Right now (well, as I’m writing this) I have the issue where I didn’t choose my next audiobook and I’ve finished the one I was listening to……… Poor decision. I’ve wasted a day of listening because I didn’t pick anything while I was at home! And we all know that once I finish a book, I pretty much start a new one right away. I SHOULD give these books time to sit, but I just have that urge to pick up a new book once I’ve finished one…
I’m an obsessive collector.
I have problems. Seriously. When I love something, I want ALL of it so these series and authors that I love? Collecting ALL possible formats of their books. Hardcover, paperback, ARCs, you name it. It’s a serious problem. The fact that I’ve already received so many generous offers from the new Have You Seen This feature from Andi & I doesn’t help. (Kidding. It totally helps. I love you and your generosity!!!)
Running out of shelf space… already?
I just built a brand-new, full-length-of-the-wall built-in bookcase last year. And it’s already full…? What am I doing? What am I buying? I tried to clear some space but somehow the books just keep coming in. I’m also adding more books to my collections so series that I’m obsessing over just seem to grow even though they may only be a four-book series. Sigh. Guess we’ll just have to get more bookcases! ;D
So many books, so little time…
This is probably the biggest “problem” I have. There are just sooooo many good books out there. How do I decide which one to start next? Which books do I keep? Which do I give away? Which do I prioritize? Which do I push aside? There are so many things that picking my next read can be a bit overwhelming, but I guess that’s a good thing! So many amazing novels to pick from presents a real struggle when trying to figure out what amazing book I should read next!
16 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday – February 17, 2015: My Top Ten Book Problems”
Our problems are wonderful, aren’t they? Just think of all the other problems we could have. Makes me shudder to think about it. Your explanations are hilarious. Excited to hear about BEA being in Chicago next year. Love that city. Lived there for two years and next year with BEA might be a great time to visit.
Looks like we share some of the same issues, especially with self control and planning to read.
I don’t have enough time, either. I think that is my #1 problem. I “schedule” things around my reading, too. It’s hard to find time for all of it when you work long days, have a commute and have people to come home to.
If time and money were not problems I would love to go to ALL of the book events! lol 🙂 Love your list. I relate a great deal. I too am pretty bad at meeting new people. I am shy…. at first meet (or two). After that I usually never stop talking.
Such a great list!! I can relate to EVERY SINGLE thing on this list, especially about finding time to do it all. Sometimes I don’t have enough time to read a new book because I have to blog about it or about something else even. And yes, there are just too many books out there that I want to read!!
Oh my gosh! The Book Envy of a book you already own is totally something that happens to me!! Usually it gets me to bump that book up my reading list, but I always feel like such an idiot when the green-eyed monster rears its head over something that I already own!
Great list. I’m not a blogger, so not all of them apply to me, but I can still relate to a lot of them.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who plans her time around reading. I have a hard time falling asleep if I can’t read first, so I always have to budget extra time before bed for that. Bye, friends, I have to go read! That interacting in person thing, though, is a real struggle. I feel like the older I get, the harder it is to just go up to people and start being friends. Wasn’t it so much easier when we were all kids? As much as I love the Internet, I think we’ve gotten used to all the faceless online interactions…it makes it easy to be an introvert!
I completely agree about needing to have a book going at all times. I don’t even know how to function without an audiobook anymore. It’s the WORST when your audiobook finishes before you have the next one all lined up! It really does feel like wasted time, and then you have to quickly scramble to find something (WHAT IF ALL THE BOOKS HAVE HOLDS?!). I do the same thing as you, starting a new book as soon as I finish one. I keep telling myself to take time to process everything, but NOPE, I can’t help it. Books books books ALL THE TIME.
I don’t have book envy…but I do have book guilt. When people are reading it and I haven’t, I feel guilty which causes me to put it off even more. Failure system.
You gotta level with me Brittany, how do you cook AND read?
OMG the envy problem is real! I love that you described this so well! I feel that way all the time, even when reading something else that I love.
Also- sorry I was a total awkward person when I ran into you at ALA!
I totally get what you mean about the events. I put in my request for RT, and was approved. Everyone asked where I was going on vacation and I told them. I got some strange looks, but it’s in my city. No reason not to go have fun. And yes to a book going on at all times. I usually have 3-4. Hubs doesn’t mind how much time I spend reading thank goodness. After the kids go to bed he plays video games and I read. It’s perfect! SO many book problems, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
i’m the same way in that I always have to be reading a book. I wish I could go to all the events, but school does not allow that and of course money, time, and distance.
I have so many of these problems! I really like what you say about book envy for books you own. I feel like I have that for books I have already read. Like I get jealous when I see people rereading books I want to read and even more jealous when people are reading a book I love for the first time! Great list!
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally
I can relate to some of these. Especially the time issue. It’s such a balance to find time to read, to write my own books, to manage my blog, and still do the necessaries of life.
For me, finding the right books to read can be a problem. Sometimes I go through 5 or 6 books before I find one I can read all the way through. Too many of them lose me for one reason or another. (Too much exposition, heroine is not badass enough, subpar editing, etc.) It can be frustrating to have trouble finding something I really enjoy.
On the other hand, when I find something I love, it’s that much more exciting. So tradeoffs!
I have actually never been to any book events. I really really want to but I can’t justify the time and money necessary to drive/fly from Montana all over the country. It is so sad. 🙁
I’ve been mostly laughing this morning at the “lighter” problems book bloggers have, but one or two of yours have really made me think (or in some cases made me sad lol). This is definitely one of the most time consuming hobbies I’ve ever had, but equally I’ve learned quite a few new skills and it’s pretty rewarding, I have FRIENDS from doing this who live in other COUNTRIES, I think that’s pretty cool. And when we’re talking and they’re 5 hours behind, I still find that kind of mind-baffling, it’s a form of time travel, right?! If you have the holidays available to take I really don’t see how it can be frowned upon (it might be, but I’m arguing the point that if you have them to take, they’re yours and you can use them how you want). I WISH I could go to BEA! 🙁 The lack of time thing is a major annoyance to me, but then I start thinking about it in the grander scheme of life and get all anxious, so we’ll just bury that one where I can’t find it lol R x
I can so relate to some of these! The book envy of books I already own is definitely one of them, haha. It’s pretty stupid, but it happens all the time. Finding time to read is a hard one as well. I’m still struggling with that one, but I’m doing pretty well so far this year!
Since I live in the Netherlands there aren’t really any book blogging events I can go to. I would love to go to one at some point, but flying across the world seems a bit excessive, lol. Plus, I’m not very good with the interacting in person either!
Oh, and the shelf space… I think all of us struggle with that one! But books are life, so what can you do about it, eh 🙂