This be the pile of books that came into my possession today (both via the public library and by a Barnes & Noble order):

And this is in addition to the current stack (of library books and what I’m in the middle of reading, or is up next on the list):

Note that I’m not foolish enough to actually photograph my real bookshelf, which would make even my own head explode.

As a kid, I was always a good reader. I think being the sibling that wound up with the built-in bookshelf covering an entire wall in my room definitely helped there. Of course, then came college, the Internet, digital cable and Netflix, and the amount of time I spent reading dropped off of a sharp precipice. Of course, then after a few years working in the field of my college major (and realizing there was not much going on there), I made a wacky decision to go and become a librarian. Once I got a job in a public library, it became clear that my lack of pleasure reading over the past few years was going to be slightly problematic.

So for the past few months, I’ve been trying to catch up. Hence the piles of dead trees I have sitting on my coffee table and around my bed. My primary genres are historical fiction and sci-fi fantasy, though I’m a fan of non-fiction as well (especially books on natural foods, and technology). I even pre-ordered a B&N nook (though I’ve been waffling on this decision ever since, since it is very much an unnecessary purchase, and I just wanted to be an early adopter for once.) I’ve been keeping track of my progress on Goodreads, and sought out a few online book clubs on Ning (though I’m mostly using them for future recommendations, since my plate is obviously full at the moment.)

I do admit, the hardest part is just setting aside the time to actually read. I used to be a very fast reader, and that’s diminished over the years, but if I can get a good run in I can make it pretty far (thought I blasted through the Sookie Stackhouse series in just a couple hours each). Of course, now when I do try to get a few hours in before going to sleep at night, usually I look up from the page only to discover it’s 3am. Whoops.

At least I’m getting back in the habit.