Self Inflicted Library Overwhelm.

[OneBookTooMany]

I read a lot. I have many, many books on my TBR pile-I like this and I like adding to it!

But now, because I didn't want to buy more and more new hardbacks, I decided to join the library and, as sure as night follows day, I have allowed that list to get out of control.

I currently have 10 loans-4 are read and ready to be returned today, as well as another that I haven't read as someone else has reserved it. I another 20 on my reserve list, five of which have come in this morning.

I want all these library books-I cannot, I just can't, cancel my reserve list although I should or at least stop reading reviews and then dashing to add them to my library list. I have pulled back from buying books for my TBR.

I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed, as library dates mean I have to read in order and my TBR never shrinks because I am frantically reading library books. I do want to read them, I'm not ordering books that I don't want to read.

I know what the solution is but I can't implement it. Am I the only twit to have got herself into this situation or are there more of us?

Just because they are on your TBR list doesn't mean you have to reserve them, and check them out from the library.
How often do you visit the lubrary? Could you limit yourself to just checking out 3 books at a time?
Do you use websites like GoodReads to keep a list of your want to read books?

This used to be me. I used to get 10 or 12 books on the fortnightly mobile library visit, order or reserve others and still buy my own books.
I no longer have access to a library since that service was cut and you would imagine that would have helped. It did for a while, but not any more.
I still have a TBR pile in excess of 100 because I always find a reason to buy more books.

Bookaholic. There is no cure. Sorry.

Ha, me too. I requested loads of books that didn’t come in for ages and then got inundated and had to return some unread which I’m kicking myself about because I feel I’ve failed in some way. I realise this is not rational! Then I discovered the ‘my list’ function in our library catalogue portal so am being strict with myself about only requesting a couple of books at a time and putting all the others that I spot on that list for a later date.

I have recently discovered the joys of reserving books from the library. It is so great to go in and have the book I want there waiting for me 🙂.
It does cost £1.50 a time which stops me going too crazy although it is much cheaper than buying a new book.
Every time I come across a book I want to read I check if the library have it and if they do I add it to a list in my phone's notes app called 'books to be reserved'.
This way I know what is available and I can pick 1-2 to reserve every month which still gives me time to read them along with other random ones that I pick from the shelf every time I go.
I am not sure if I will ever be able to go into the library and pick up my reservations without having a look round and selecting a few others that look interesting 🙂

I'm so glad I'm not on my own!

It always feels better to know one isn't the only one suffering from an affliction, so I'm sorry for others in the same boat but-at the same time-pleased that they're in it with me! 😀

@SwimBikeRunBake good advice that I should follow,

Yes, this is me too.
Lots of books of my own which I still haven't read, not helped by a habit of regularly trawling charity shops and adding to the pile that way. Plus many from the library which, as you mention, often have to take priority.
It used to be even worse when I worked in a library :-)
For me the only thing that works is going cold turkey and staying out of the charity shops and only going to the library to return items, though even then I can't resist having a look at their display of new books. I stopped keeping up to date with reviews of newly-published books many years ago, as that simply added to the problem.
Good luck. You have my sympathy.

Me too! Two suggestions - one is to ruthless and if you're not enjoying a book after the first couple of chapters, return it. You can always try again, but it's not the right time. The other is to reframe it - you're not overwhelmed, you're luxuriating in a wealth of reading material. It's a joy!

@bibliomania Your second suggestion...genius!💝

I volunteer in a charity bookshop. We get lots of amazing donations. I've accepted that my TBR pile will never diminish! But I'm like the greedy dragon in the Hobbit, sitting on my pile of treasure...

I've done it again today.
I started the day with 8 library books, went to the library to return 3 and pick up a reservation and came home with all of these!
2 of them aren't even library books any more, they were in the sale so are being added to my owned TBR mountain, which is being neglected at the moment due to all the library books I have put.

I can't get the image to upload.
But I picked up 7 new library books and 2 from the book sale.

Solidarity, @AnotherEmilee I have 11 books out and 13 on reserve, but can only have a maximum of 20 out at one time, so that's four I have to get through fast. But I also promise myself to read two physical books that I own per month, so they don't just sit there unread. I either have to give up work, sleep or all human interaction.

What is the solution you think you have?

I mostly have a on-going list on my computer, and I just pick up something, or run across something when I'm there. Because I read reviews, I often may not have planned to get that particular book then, but it's there, so I grab it.

I rarely reserve/request/order books, but the nice thing is that many library have discontinued late fees.

Feed the urge to “note” good ones by writing In a pretty notebook or your Notes app. Do not reserve them! Read through any that come in before you reserve more, then refer to your notebook to add a modest number more to the reserve list (four?)

When you read a review, don't add the book to your library reserve list. Buy a lovely notebook and write it down in there instead.

Ok I think I may have found a cure for this as I have the same thing and currently have 9 books out and 4 on reserve. If I read the first chapter and don’t feel sure I go on Amazon and read the 1-3 star reviews. If they resonate and I think ‘I don’t want to put the time into this book and feel like this at the end’ then back it goes to the library

By all means have a current reserve list but put it on pause til you’re ready for more books. That way you’ll be top of the list whenever you want a new book.

Good tips!

It's so common that the Japanese have a word for it. [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-44981013 www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-44981013]] the art of buying books that will never be read.

My version of it is tracking books I want to read in my Amazon wishlist and also using ereaderiq and only allowing myself to buy them when they go on offer for 99p. I have hundreds of unread books, so am trying to be discerning - if I no longer want the book when it goes on offer, I don't buy it and delete it from my wishlist.

Just checked and I probably average buying 60-80 books a year but I only read about 30 (trying to improve this) so it's easy to see how I've amassed so many unread books as I've had a Kindle for over a decade now.

This happens to me all the time! Usually because all my reservations come in at once. Add in the books I read on the library app and it's tricky to juggle the TBR. I recently had admit defeat
to return a pile of books unread because they were overdue and couldn't be renewed any more. I tell myself I will request them again next year...one at a time!

This might sound mad but have a list ( in a notebook / on your phone ) with all the books you want to read )
Then set yourself a limit of library books you have on order , let's say 5 .
As that book becomes available and you collect it , then another title you have can go on the list . A one in - one out system .

I do use my library reservations as a "want to read" list, so it does make sense to write them in a notebook instead. But I also kind of enjoy the challenge of keeping up with the ever-arriving reservations, so we shall see.

Agreed.
If I'm having doubts after no more than a few chapters, I often do this before deciding whether to perservere. After al, if I was engrossed or intrigued by it I wouldn't be in two minds. This method also prevents me reaching the "sunk cost fallacy" stage where I feel I've already devoted too much time reading something to just abandon it.
Thinking back to when I used to trudge on regardless, not wanting to admit defeat, I rarely if ever found a book improve later on.

Me too - it becomes like a job that is more important than housework or chores for sure 😀. Does anyone get a particular thrill if someone else reserves some of the books and you have to have a reading sprint to get them finished and back?

Yes! Small wins are the secret to a happy life.