As of January 1, 2012, I am no longer keeping track of my Guilt List. I have abolished my guilt!
I used to keep a list of books I received from publishers, publicists, authors, or others. It included only those books that I had not read, those still sitting on my shelf, giving me the book version of the old stink eye.
But now I have a new system. Unless I ask for a particular book and promise to review it, any book I receive that would qualify for my Guilt List gets three posts here on Rose City Reader: a Mailbox Monday post when I receive it, then an Opening Sentence post and a Teaser Tuesday post in the order in which the books arrived.
The big change is that after these three posts go up, the book goes onto my regular TBR shelf to be read if and when the fancy arises (which could take years) and probably won't get reviewed.
NOTE
Last updated on January 7, 2012.
I had to slow down on requesting and signing up for stuff because my list was too long as well.
ReplyDeleteMy guilt list is one comprised of books I bought more than a year ago and haven't read yet. Sadly, it's a list that keeps growing, no matter how hard I resist the urge to buy more books. I hope that someday we'll all be able to get through our guilt lists and will no longer have to face those wickedly leering spines. Someday, someday...
ReplyDeleteI've stopped taking review requests because I'm just overwhelmed, and never have time for the "me" books anymore. My guilt list is relatively small but I'll be happy when I'm through with it!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one!
ReplyDeleteI am always pleased when someone sends me a book to review, especially if I didn't ask for it. It makes me feel appreciated. But then the guilt sets in.
My plan is definitely to cut way back or eliminate asking for any review copies until I get caught up and have a chance to read what I want to read for a while.
I'm in the Early Review Program too. After months of not getting anything, I suddenly "won" 2 books. One review is published (Strength in What Remains) and the other book (Dragon House) I haven't started. There are "Me" books I need to get to but I still feel an obligation. I'm now being selective about the books I sign up for on Library Thing. Glad I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteHi Rob! It's funny how what seems so irresistible can come to seem like a chore! I got a lot of Early Reviewer books at first, but when they started to pile up with no reviews, I haven't gotten any for a while. Fair enough. I haven't been keeping up my end of the bargain.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely looking forward to clearing off this list and the ER list.
This post and your earlier one were actually comforting to me. It's good to know I'm not alone with all this guilt. Plus it's nice to know that I'm doing what you and the other commenters are doing - slowing down on asking for review copies until things get caught up. Thanks for this comforting post.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Margot! I often have to remind myself that reading and blogging are HOBBIES! They are supposed to be fun,not an obligation.
ReplyDeleteI've plowed through several of these in the past few weeks. So I just deleted from the list:
ReplyDeleteA Century of November by W. D. Wetherell
The Italian Lover by Robert Hellenga
Good for the Jews by Debra Spark
Massacred for Gold by Gregory Nokes