Do You Save Good Books for Later?: or, Why Haven't I read This Yet!?

[Mel]

So, I have a tendency of holding back on reading books I'm pretty sure I know I'll love. Absurd, right? But I'll hold off on books, series, or even promising authors in their entirety. For years.

Sure, sometimes I'm simply in the mood for a different genre, or got sidetracked by some enticing new release. Or maybe I don't have the funds to purchase the book(s) yet. Still, I'll go over my TBR and be aghast. Why haven't I read this yet!?

Series Intimidation
If I like a series, I'm going to want to binge it straight through. What if I get obsessed? Can I afford to go to work bleary-eyed?
I don't read that many books
If you read hundreds of books a year, I imagine it's easier to fit in BRs and spontaneous mood reads and series binges. When I decide to start a series however: Cancel all BRs for the next month - I'm going in!
Waiting to read as a buddy read
If it's a good as I think it will be, I'm going to want to gush about it! Holding out for a buddy or preferably a group with whom to share the experience.
I'm waiting for a series to finish
This is my #1 reason that sticks me, but I feel is the most reasonable. I just haaate having to wait years between installments. I'm less likely to pick up the next book if I need to reread previous installments as a refresher. Might as well wait and enjoy with abandon! (Mistborn Era 2, The Expanse, I'm looking at you.)

I am trying to be better about reading what I want though. Life's too short to read mediocre books.

This topic is inspired by, and dedicated to Lois McMaster Bujold. I'm pretty sure you're my favorite author I haven't read yet.

What books/series/authors have been languishing on your TBR for far too long? Why?

[Hacen]

I know what you're talking about. I haven't read the last 3 books of Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb yet cause then I'll have to admit the series is over lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The hype is real when a book releases... but if I wait awhile, for reasons like a BR that falls through or something, it's easy for the hype to wane and the book to sit waiting for months, before I get to it...

[Silvana]

I live by Thoreau's words: 'Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at all.'

Also, if a book is in my TBR-owned shelf for more than a year, there's a big chance I won't ever read it since my taste/mood would change etc.

[Mel]

Hacen, I can imagine that "I don't want it to be over" feeling. I'll get that in the middle of a book sometimes.

Iain, I get that same thing with a new book on my shelves, regardless if it's a new release or not. My newly purchased books seem to have spines that glow and call out to me. But if I wait too long, then that exciting newness fades away, and it blends in with the rest.

Silvana, I try to remind myself of this. Obviously no one wants to read bad books, but... sometimes you just want junk food.

Ah yes, there's that. Many of those best books are challenging and impactful. And sometimes my heart isn't ready to be impacted. That sounds uncomfortable. It just wants to crawl under the covers and read the equivalent of some fast food.

Hm, I don't think my moods change so often as that, but my TBR could probably do with a significant purge. Especially older sci-fi. I used to want to read more classics, but now I'd rather avoid the misogyny.

[Silvana]

Melissa wrote: "Silvana, I try to remind myself of this. Obviously no one wants to read bad books, but... sometimes you just want junk food.."

Good books could be anything. I tend to see the quote as books that are good for you. The books that you have, want and ready to read in the present time.

I am tired of the the classics too. This year I learned to create my own canon, not based on what people told me what canon books are - they're mostly white dude authored books anyway. I read enough classics and now prefer to move on the future, more global and diverse.

[Mel]

*nods nods* As a perennial mood reader, I definitely get that. A good book is what's good for you at the time. It does leave me with a lot of "been meaning to get to this" books though.

Yes, I'm all for making a new diverse canon! I love the way that media is finally opening up to different kinds of authors and stories. <3

[Beena]

I think for me, it would simply be a case of not being in the mood... I'm trying to work my way through the main "best" epic fantasy books but sometimes you just need a change or something lighter for a bit like you said.

I don't read that many books either compared to a lot of people in this group and on Goodreads and it's important to me to be selective and to discard if I'm really not enjoying it- I'm just not one of those people that can force myself to read something that's boring me or I'm really not feeling; I'm amazed at the others that can do this. (But I've noticed that those that do this do tend to be fast readers regardless of if they're enjoying it or not and more serious reviewers).

I am trying to be better about reading what I want though. Life's too short to read mediocre books.

Exactly!!

Waiting for a series to finish isn't important to me either, I can wait lol. And this group is pretty good for buddy reads, those ones that I've wanted to share I've managed to join/create buddy reads when I was in the mood to read them. And bingeing a series? That's the best! Though I admit I have held off the next book in a series I'm loving, if I've got something important coming up (like an interview I had one time) and need to focus my energy on that because I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself if I started reading lol.

[Silvana]

I love bingereading a series. However, in the last two years I have not read many first-in-series that made me want to read the rest asap. I abandoned series more often than starting them. I miss the drunk feeling if you know what I mean :)

[Beena]

Ah that's crap Silvana! Re-read of a series you love is the way to go!

I miss the drunk feeling if you know what I mean :)

Haha, yep! Like you're on drugs (but less likely to kill you) lol.

[Mel]

Silvana - Ungh, that's so frustrating when you get a run of bad 1st volumes. Hopping from series to series, author to author, it feels like flipping channels, unable to focus. And half the time they end in cliffhangers as well. I'm of the opinion that first volumes should stand on their own.

Beena - Yes! I don't re-read as often as perhaps I should, but they are the best for breaking slumps!

[Silvana]

Beena, rereading is exactly what I plan to do more next year. This year I think I only do one or two rereads.

Melissa, you know what, there are some series with three-star first book that I am now kind of want to salvage from the abandoned list :) on the other side, having to abandon a series could also feel liberating since I am out of a commitment. Perhaps that is why I am attracted more to standalones these days...