One of my most constant refrains on this blog is how out of control my TBR list is. It feels like, for every one book I read, I buy another six or seven, which means that the problem is ballooning. I always promise myself that this time, I’m going to read this new batch books in a timely fashion, and every time, that promise is an out and out lie. Somehow, despite that, I still trust myself when I promise that I’m a changed bookworm and that I can absolutely treat myself to another book or five. It’s not that I don’t want to read more. It’s just that, recently, sitting down to read tends to fall to the bottom of the priority list.
In an attempt to combat my ever mounting pile of books and guilt, this month I thought I would challenge myself to actually read a few of the books that are currently languishing on the depths of my shelves, gathering dust and losing hope of ever being opened. Three books to be exact, because that feels like an achievable number. And, because themes are fun, I’ve chosen the theme of 2021 releases. We’re almost halfway through the year already, and I feel like I haven’t read any of the books that have released so far, and there are so many great novels still to come out. The books that I’ve chose to read this month are:
The Prison Healer | Lynette Noni
This book was definitely one of the ones I anticipated the most for this year. I bought a copy the week it came out here in Australia, and even picked up a cute enamel pin as well. But so far I haven’t so much as cracked open the cover. Somehow, no matter how anticipated a book might be for me, that doesn’t protect it from being shelved for far longer than I’m comfortable admitting to. I hope I’m not the only person who struggles with this. Anyway, I feel like maybe this challenge will be jut the kick in the pants I need to finally get on with it.
Realm Breaker | Victoria Aveyard
This is a bit of an interesting pick for me. I started reading The Red Queen way back when there were only two books in the series. I like the writing well enough, but the actual book didn’t end up being for me. No criticisms, just wasn’t my style of story unfortunately. However, when I saw that Victoria Aveyard was coming out with a new series, the bookworm inside me pricked up its ears and became exceedingly excited about it for some reason. So of course I picked up a copy the first time I found it in store. I’m more than willing to give Aveyard another go. Maybe this will be more my speed, who knows?
Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir
Andy Weir’s The Martian is one of my all-time favourite books. I can count on the fingers of one hand the books that I can reread dozens of times and still be as in love with them as before, and The Martian is one of those books. So of course I was ecstatic to hear about his latest release. I haven’t yet caught up with his other book, Artemis yet, but that isn’t going to stop me from jumping straight ahead and reading this one. His writing is realistic sci-fi and space adventures done in the best way, and I am so excited to start Project Hail Mary.
Hopefully, being public about this reading goal of mine with be the motivational boost I need to get back on track with my reading. I set myself an unofficial goal of reading one book a week at the start of this year, and went very well for about a month and a half, until I promptly fell off the bandwagon big time. I love books, both reading and writing, and I notice a difference big time in my inspiration and creativity overall when I don’t read for long periods of time. Plus, books are just fun, and they deserve more of my time and attention than they’re currently getting. So, hopefully, I can get my butt into gear for the second half of this year and start reading way more. The shelves demand it!
Is anyone else struggling with their reading at the moment? Do you have your own stack of 2021 releases languishing on your shelves? Are any of these books on your reading list? Can we challenge ourselves to read more together? That would be super fun. Leave me a comment down below and let’s be reading buddies!
