Sometimes I think it would be a wonderful idea to set up a GoFundMe page to feed my reading habit. My desire for more books–new ones, old ones, fiction, nonfiction, business or biography–is insatiable. Take a look at my current reading status and you will see what I mean. (For your convenience, I’m adding links to Amazon if you want to purchase a book for yourself).

Actual Books On My Nightstand 

I’m in the middle of 4 real books right now:

• The Other Einstein (Chapter 9, page 95) – This is an interesting read based on the true story of Albert EInstein and his first wife Mileva “Mitza” Maric who was just as smart as he but has the extra challenge of studying physics in a men’s world in the 1890s. I’ve been enjoying this book off and on. It is an easy read and I will continue reading because I enjoy Einstein’s clumsy attempts at winning her affection while her laser-like focus is on her studies. But, I’m in no hurry to finish it and it isn’t as interesting as…
• The Book of Unknown Americans (Page 157 – no chapter numbers)  – Truth be told, this was our book club pick from 3 or 4 books ago. The characters have depth and their immigration story and assimilation into America is not one that I’m as familiar with as I’d like to be. I wish I had finished this book in time to talk about it. Maybe my book club friends will allow me a few minutes to discuss before we talk about our current book (which is Before We Were Yours – an excellent read and one that I finished!)
• Fifty Things That Aren’t My Fault: Essays from the Grown-Up Years (Chapter 4 page 60) – If you are close to my age, you probably read the comic strip Cathy as a kid. Heck, you may have cut a few out and put them on your fridge because they were so true and so funny. This book is by the creator of Cathy. She writes essays about her life in a way that makes me LOL as if I was reading her comic strip all over again.
• I See Life Through Rose`-Colored Glasses (Essay 24, page 96) – Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read several of her mystery novels which are mainly based in Philadelphia. Her fictional stories are always engaging page turners, but when she writes essays based about her actual life, I’m all in. She is the kind of writer I want to be when I grow up.

Plus 1 Book on My Kindle

• Herding Tigers: Be the Leader Creative People Need.– I honestly don’t know what page I’m on because I’ve jumped around a lot…and its a Kindle. Page numbers are optional. But, if you lead a communications department like me and work with incredibly talented and creative people this book may come in handy.

So, if I set up a GoFundMe page, would you support me? My to be read (TBR) list is even longer than this list. This is part because I’m a sucker for summer reading lists. So far, this list includes:

• Where the Crawdads Sing – Another book club book from months ago that I haven’t started yet.
• Daisy Jones & The Six – This book is on every summer reading list so I’m guessing it should be on mine.
• Fleishman is in Trouble – Also on many summer reading lists
• And so many more – My Goodreads list. Feel free to friend me.

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spent this chilly Sunday morning taking inventory of my bookshelves. With my new goal of not buying new books this year intact, I wanted to reacquaint myself with the books I already purchased. All 89 of them. That’s right, 89 books. This includes all of what can be found on my bookshelf and what is currently downloaded onto my Kindle. And now that I have that big number in my head, I won’t buy another book for quite some time. I’m not even going to calculate how much this habit of collecting books has cost me, but if you’ve ever purchased a book, you can do the math. (However, in my defense, most of the books are in paperback). So, what books are these? Here is a breakdown:

• 35 popular fiction selections
• 20 leadership and business books
• 18 titles with words of wisdom and encouragement from fellow writers
• 16 random books that fit into various categories

You know how when you want to lose weight, you put a number on the fridge of how much you want to lose to stop yourself from eating anything that is bad for you? (Am I the only one that does this?). Well, I’m going to find a way to do something along those lines with my Amazon account. I’ve even unsubscribed from any social media page that touts book lists in front of my eyes. And when I pass by the local Barnes & Noble, I will repeat the number in my head until I am a safe distance from the premises. I’ve gone cold turkey. Meanwhile, back to my bookshelves…there is good news. Actually, great news! There are some fantastic books in my possession. I can’t wait to finally dive into The Hate U Give and Crazy Rich Asians (both of which I’ve been waiting to read before seeing the movie). I’m looking forward to cracking open the two marketing titles from well-known business writers Dan & Chip Heath. I keep hearing how amazing they are, and I haven’t yet had the pleasure of soaking in their expertise. And of course, my “can’t-live-without-but-apparently-have-had-no-time-to-read” books about my passion for writing. There is so much there that I need to absorb. If you want to see my book list, friend me on Goodreads, but please don’t recommend any titles to me. I’m not sure I’m strong enough yet to resist the temptation.       https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6205627

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Tsundoku is the Japanese word for acquiring reading materials and then not reading them. I know a little something about this. Barnes and Noble is like my second home. Finding and supporting locally-owned bookshops are a passion of mine. Sometimes, I walk into these establishments and know exactly what book I want to purchase. Although, my favorite guilty pleasure is to spend time in the stacks searching for that next great read. I wouldn’t exactly define this activity as an “impulse buying” because I take painstaking measures to look up reviews of books on-line prior to my purchase. And I can’t even explain the adrenaline rush I feel after buying any book. You can almost see the skip in my step as I walk through the doors anxious to get home and start reading. But the truth is, it is rare that I start the book as soon as I get home. I’m not sure exactly what happens between the bookstore and my front door. It is a such a short drive. Too frequently, I put my new purchase at the top of my TBR pile with the best of intentions—and then I forget about it. You see, I don’t shop for a book because I NEED a book. I have no business even being in the bookstore in the first place. I have plenty of actual books to read on my nightstand and a few dozen backup books downloaded on my Kindle. I know. I have a problem. It’s called Tsundoku. I also have a cure. Today, on the first day of 2019, I set a reading goal for myself—25 books in 12 months. However, I have two hard and fast rules:

• I must already own the book. No more trips to Barnes and Noble. ☹ I just hope the company stock doesn’t drop due to my absence;
• If there is a title my book club friends select that I don’t already have, I will go to the library. You know, the other big building an equally short drive away with all the books inside. And guess what! You can borrow the books instead of buying them. (Ok, I already knew that…).

This is going to be a challenge for me. Not only because I love the bookstore, but I also love to peruse lists of recommended books. Especially ones suggested by my good friends Reese, Oprah and Sarah Jessica. But, it’s okay. I’ll simply add them to my TBR list, but I won’t buy them. I promise. In this new year, I refuse to cheat on the books I already own for the cheap thrill of a new one. In 2019, I am embarking on a journey into my own bookshelves. I’m excited to rediscover the titles that I have forgotten and the amazing stories within. Wish me luck!  

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