To be packed

I think all readers have TBR (to-be-read) stacks: stuff they might conceivably want to read in the future, but don't have present time or interest for. I'm starting to compile a TBP (to-be-packed) pile of books that I'll want to read while on an upcoming trip.

It's tough because it has to be something I want to read — but not so desperately that I'll end up devouring it before I depart. I've also grown snobbish, refusing re-reads when there's the potential for a new and exciting story. And I tend to like lighter-toned fare while traveling. The list of criteria goes on.

It used to include "paperback" for weight reasons, but I've recently succumbed and acquired an e-reader, so now it's "digital" that I'm looking for. And that's an entirely new can of worms, because digital editions tend to be available before the paperback, giving me greater choice — but often at near-hardcover prices. Ugh.

And I used to only buy ebooks if they were only available in digital format, or if I didn't care if I lost my own copy in a hard drive failure. Now I'm looking at titles that I may well want to acquire in print for keeps — but I also want them conveniently available on my e-reader for this trip. So do I buy them twice?

Series are especially giving me trouble, because I like having matched sets, and having book 1 in print and book 2 in digital does not qualify. But the latter members of a series are often good candidates for interest, since I liked the previous book (a good sign) and yet haven't read the next one (so something fresh!).

Somehow, though, I don't doubt that I'll have a half-dozen books ready for perusal as I snuggle into my seat at the airport. There are some problems that are good to have.