Writing or Reading: The Eternal Struggle

So here's the thing: I have a ton of books waiting to be read. This isn't a problem, per se, however; it's overwhelming, when my second collection of short stories is just about finished (more on that in the coming weeks), and I'm struggling with a couple of the stories that are in that collection.

Thankfully, I'll be workshopping one of the stories that may get the axe in a couple weeks, depending on how the workshopping goes. It's an experiment into a different kind of horror, in the same way that my first novel,  People , was, however, it's in an entirely different direction.  It has more in common with Abbott & Costello than it does Stephen King, that's for sure.

Anyways, years ago, I attended a reading and signing of my literary hero, Bret Easton Ellis' then-new book, Imperial Bedrooms. He talked about the writing process a little bit, and echoed statements I've heard my entire life about writing, that, to be good at it, one must read a ton, as well.  Not just in one's own chosen genre, but in every kind of genre. 

So, I'm at a weird crossroads where I need to figure out if I should take a break from writing to recharge the batteries, post-Holidays, catch up on my reading, or just forge ahead and finish the final, difficult story I'm writing to close out the next collection?

I'm reading John Langan's Sefira and Other Betrayals, which is quite good, but I also have The Exorcist calling my name from my book shelf. I also have Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts to dive into. Not to mention, I have two volumes from the DC Comics showcase collection of Challengers of the Unknown. ​Way too many books, so little time.