Tangled Talk #05: In which I'm having an existential crisis...

Okay so...maybe I'm exaggerating. Just a bit...

I just can't seem to shake this bookish/blogging funk.

If you've been around here on a Sunday and seen some of my weekly hauls then you've probably chuckled at me as well and shook your head as I, yet again, week after week, load myself up with ARCs. Most especially from Entangled. 

It's like this lack of impulse control. I see the pretty shiny object and I want to get my hands on it.

Sure every month I complain, mostly to myself, about how I "request too many ARCs" "my pile is too huge" "I'm never gonna read any me books" and so on. But does that stop me?

The thing is though, I know that I always have something to read. The choice is out of my hands. Those books need to get done in a timely manner. My decision is made for me. 

So...

See recently I've put myself on this ban, well unless it's a series I'm already into or an author that I already adore and love their work...I've banned myself from requesting ARCs. I've actually been following through and I've had this massive freedom and weight lifted off my shoulders.

Or so I thought...

I've discovered when I have the free time to read whatever the hell I want...I'm overwhelmed with all the decisions I could make.

My shelves are filled with unread books. My Kindle is filled with unread books for that matter. And I'd say 80% of them I desperately want to read. The rest are just "I'll read them when I get to them" types of books.

So the past couple of weeks, when I should've been enjoying my freedom and going crazy, I've found myself, instead of turning to any of those books I've been wanting to read for months, years even, I go to an easy and comfortable decision. I pick up one of the 8 books I have left in my ARC pile that aren't even releasing until the end of October and the 2nd week in November.

Or I don't even pick up a book at all. I'll binge watch a show or play apps on my Kindle or anything but read.

Why?

So I don't have to choose? Is it that I've been waiting for the majority of these for so long that I fear I'll end up being disappointed?

And don't even get me started on blogging.

Half of the time I feel as if it's ruined books for me the other half I'm not sure what to do with myself without it.

I put more pressure on myself to finish a book, even when I'm clearly not enjoying it, ever since I started blogging. 

Or you know that feeling after you've finished a really great book? That bubble of bliss that surrounds you and you want to wallow in? It quickly gets dashed with the pressure of "Oh crap now I need to come up with a review." Like this feeling of obligation that fills me with dread and has been giving me a huge block lately.

And then I feel as if all I'm ever doing is saying the same exact thing when I both love a book or hate it. My reviews are all starting to meld together.

But I love blogging and I don't want to stop.

I guess sometimes I want to read a book and then just not give a fuck about anything else. No pressure. Self imposed or otherwise.

Like right now. I had sat here at the computer because I was suddenly like, "Oh hey it's officially October. Maybe I should do my September wrap up post! Yeah!" and then I actually opened blogger and just started feeling blah about the whole process. 

And then this post started happening.

Nothing like a little freak out among friends. Am I right?

So maybe my monthly recap post will go up tomorrow. Or the next day.

Maybe, hopefully, soon I'll pull my head out of my overwhelmed, bookishly-existential ass and reach for something that's been on my TBR for way too long.

It sucks being overwhelmed. It sucks being in a funk. But I guess we all go through them at times. I guess I just feel like every time I climb my way out of one I get knocked back in a couple months later. Sigh. 

How do you handle these times of funk and pressure? I'm not necessarily looking for advice. I guess truly I just wanted to share my current struggle and the thoughts swarming around in my head in case anyone else is feeling it so they're not feeling so alone in their tiny freak out.

Well I'm gonna go make my way to the end of my ARC pile so that I have no more procrastination or safety net and then execute my plan to defunk my funk! Thanks for putting up with my rambly ranty post if you've made it this far. I adore you!

Happy October lovelies!!

Tangled Talk #04: What the shelf?!

Help! I need some opinions.

So I have this dilemma. I have two decent sized bookshelves. I mean they're el cheapo but they're sturdy and they work well enough the quality isn't the problem. The problem is...the number of books I own...is greater than the capacity of the two shelves combined to hold.

What? You're surprised? I didn't think so...

Ahem...moving on...

I solved that, at least for now, by buying a third bookshelf. Different brand, two more shelves though it seems 2 of them aren't going to be adjustable so I'm worried about putting it together. But the thing is it's taller and should hold quite a few books with plenty of room to spare. Don't worry though I'm sure this time next year I'll be whining and crying to you all because I'm out of shelf space again. If you've been around this blog before on weekly hauls then you know how I am. You know I'm right.

Right now I'm kind of in limbo on what I'm going to do with them. Part of the reason the new shelf is still in the box and I'm procrastinating putting it together. Right now the two shelves I've had are sort of in a big old cluster fuck state. I had to move them from where they were and in doing so I went from nice and organized to, well throwing the books just anywhere on the shelf with no rhyme or reason or method to the madness. 

It's driving me crazy! I'm pretty OCD about stuff like this. I  can't even stand to look at them right now because of all the chaos. I'm very Monica in that sense.

Oops...not that version of Monica.

The hyper organized, everything having it's place and needing it to be in that place version of Monica. But I don't know how I should organize them. I used to have them alphabetized by author's last name. Then under that author I had the titles alphabetized as well. In the case of series I would group those books together and they would be grouped together by the series title. For example under JLA's section of books I own I had all of the Covenant books together before all of the Lux books. Make sense? I'm sure you get it.

I've been thinking though. Part of me wanted to have separate shelves for books I've read and books I still need to read. But then the problem is once I finish a book or group of books I'd then need to reorganize once again to find room for them on the shelf of read books. That would become a huge pain in the ass.

So then do I organize it by favorites? I can just see myself surrounded by piles of books pulling out my hair because I can't decide which book I like more than the other ones. And then what do I do with the books, once again, that I haven't read yet?

Should I do some sort of fun color coded thing? It sounds fun and visually it would be pretty to look at but how am I supposed to find a book quickly if there's no organization going on whatsoever?

What about by book title?

By size?

Ahh!

How do YOU organize, or lack there of, your shelves? Have you thought of something that I haven't? I'd love to hear what you've done yourself. Hopefully help make up my mind because for every good idea I have I come up with about 2-3 reasons why it could backfire on me down the line. I don't know what to do. Here's what I have to work with.

The chaos right now:

There's probably about 3 dozen more books piled up on and around the vicinity of my desk...hence the need for more shelving. 

Sigh.

So that's my problem. Leave me a comment on how you sort your shelves if you have a minute and you'll probably have my undying love and gratitude lol! And thanks for taking an hour and reading this. (We've established in previous posts I don't know how to be brief...) 

Have a great weekend! xoxo

Tangled Talk #03 Book Boyfriends from A to Z!

Book Boyfriends from A to Z!

So I saw this post sometime a couple weeks back from YA Bound and loved the idea though I was too sick at the time to put out the effort to do one myself. So when Jessica from Lovin' los libros posted hers, well one of them anyway, the other day I was reminded of it and knew I had to give it a shot. After completing my list I realize I have one of the most random (genre wise) lists haha and I feel like I've left a lot of really good boys out which makes me sad. But it was hard enough sometimes breaking a letter down to even 3 guys but that was where I drew my line. Seems my most popular letters are A, D, K, M, T and there were a few that I just plain old blanked on but I'm sure there's got to be a guy out there I'll be kicking myself later for forgetting. Oh well.

A

Archer Hale - Archer's Voice (A Sign of Love) by Mia Sheridan

Adrian Ivashkov - Bloodlines/Vampire Academy  by Richelle Mead

B

Brandon Taylor - The Fine Art of Pretending (The Fine Art of Pretending #1) by Rachel Harris

C

Cameron Hamilton - Wait for You (Wait for You #1) by J. Lynn

D

Daemon Black - The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Drew Evans - Tangled (Tangled #1) by Emma Chase

Dean Holder - Hopeless/Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

E

Elec O'Rourke - Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward

F

Finn Van Brunt - The Collectors' Society (The Collectors' Society #1) by Heather Lyons

G

Grady - Rev (Bayonet Scars #3) by J.C. Emery

Grayson Kennedy - The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

H

(Sir) Harry Valentine - What Happens in London (Bevelstoke #2) by Julia Quinn

I

J

Jase Garrett - My Life Next Door (My Life Next Door#1) by Huntley Fitzpatrick

K

Kier - Saving Me (When We Met) by Molly McAdams

Kyler Morgan - Desired (Club Sin #3) by Stacey Kennedy

L

Liam Wilder - Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey

al'Lan Mandragoran - (The Wheel of Time Series) by Robert Jordan

M

Mateo Casalles - Love, In English (Love, in English #1) by Karina Halle

Mack Kennedy - No More Mr.Nice Guy by Amy Andrews

N

Nate Langley - Jenna's Cowboy (The Callahans of Texas #1) by Sharon Gillenwater

O

Oliver Preston - Exposed by Fate (Serve #2) by Tessa Bailey

P

Perrin Aybara - (The Wheel of Time Series) by Robert Jordan

Q

R

Rome Archer - Rome (Marked Men #3) by Jay Crownover

Roth - (The Dark Elements Series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

S

Simon Parker - Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

T

Tucker Avery - (The Unearthly Series) by Cynthia Hand

Trent Emerson - Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1) by K.A. Tucker

Tobias Eaton - (The Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth

U 

Uriah - (The Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth

V

W

X

Y

Z

Zayne - (The Dark Elements Series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

So those are some of my favorite guys. It was so freaking hard to pick just one on the ones I have multiple names listed under. Sigh. I feel like I'm missing a couple people for I and W but alas my brain can't seem to conjure any names up! Oh well. Have you done this one yet? If so leave me the link to your post so I can see if there's any book boys I'm missing out on!

Tangled Talk #02 The Panic is REAL Folks!

What have I done??

Incoming panic/anxiety attack in 3...2...1...

I thought I had my review/blog tour TBR pile under control. I mean I was slightly worried when, on October 6th, all but maybe one of the Entangled ARCs I requested were approved and sent to me. Sure they're to be published on the 20th and I know they say they like the reviews up within the first week so I had plenty of time but I don't like to wait. I prefer to get them posted by their release day. It's something I find very hard to bend on internally. But I thought 8 books in 2 weeks...that's totally doable...I got this!

Sure I already had 2 books for a couple blog tours that I'm scheduled for on the 31st but one is already 3/4 read and the other one 1/4 read.

I've still got this!

2 days later.

Another email and 2 more blog tour ARCs for November 10th.

"Oh yeah I remember signing up for that!"

"Uh oh the other 2 books for said tour will be coming shortly..."

I've still got this?

3 days after that.

Another email and ARC set for November 3rd.

"Did I...Hmm...Looks familiar."

*Shrugs* *Deep breaths*

I might have this...

The next day.

Another email.

Hey remember that blog tour for that trilogy you were interested in? Well here are the ARCs for those! Oh and it's on the 31st as well.

GOOD LUCK!

(I realized after that I'm only up for the first book on the tour but was sent the other 2 because I was interested but still it was enough for the panic to start to grip me before I figured that out.)

I don't think I fucking have this....

What do I do to myself? It's like I've disciplined myself with the Kindle freebies that I would constantly download no matter the level of interest I had in them and have been realistic in the fact that I doubt I'll read them and have just said no. But instead I have traded that for not being able to tell myself "Hey! Slow down there chica! Don't you think you're taking on a little bit much?" Nope I just open an email and say "Ooo that looks like fun! Gimmie!!!" Without taking two freaking seconds to open my notebook and see the list that I already have piled up right fucking next to me. I mean there's another couple emails in there where I'm waiting for NetGalley to send me the email to get the ARCs that weren't even mentioned above one more for the 31st and another for November 3rd.

*Bangs head against wall*

I mean what in the holy crap have I done? I'm spending valuable reading time typing this up I know that, but I'm just so...so...stressy... and pissed at myself that I needed to vent. Last night I watched a couple of shows to get caught up on them and I felt guilty!! That's not good.

But I don't know how to make myself stop. I feel like one of those people you would see on hoarders except to see my piles you'd have to grab my Kindle or my iPad.

I'm down 6 of those books already. Which has lifted a weight off my shoulders but the real panic sets in when I finish one. Because I won't start the next book on my list until I've written the review for the one I just finished. All I need is 3 books in to sit down to write reviews and have them all mixed up in my head. Luckily they've all been pretty good and so the thoughts have been able to tumble out of my head and onto my computer screen. But what about the next one? Or the one after that?

*Deep Breath*

Do you ever do things like this to yourself? Are you disciplined enough to say "Nah maybe not this one right now but I'll get it someday in the future if I'm still that interested"? Sigh. I'm crazy I know. And I'm rambling. I know I'll get them done but I seem to always let a few minutes take over where I allow doubt to seep in. If you read this whole thing well holy crap thanks for letting me vent but I'd have understood if you closed it right away haha.  As for now... it's time to shake it off and dive into the pile.

I took a few extra minutes to find all those gifs because 21 Jump Street was on FX and I was procrastinating reading so I could finish watching it. And I'm guilty again. Haha. Sorry for all this. Hopefully I'm not alone but it's understandable if I am. Oh well Light Her Fire is calling my name! At least it's a Brazen so I'm sure sexy times are in store. Have a great week everyone :)!!

Tangled Talk #01 About my TBR...

The TBR Tag!!

So I never really seem to do anything that isn't review, blog tour, cover reveal, or meme related. I never just sit down and talk to you guys on the blog. I've always wanted to do it and ideas always pop into my head but then I'm like; "Meh. Maybe next week." So when Wendy over at Book Scents, *gives the look*, tagged me in the TBR Tag I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling. Are you ready for this? I'll have to admit I'm kind of afraid to dig into my TBR closet of shame. *Deep breath* Here we go...

P.S. Wendy, just kidding about the look thing this will be fun :D

How Do You Keep Track of Your TBR Pile?

Wow you're pulling out the big guns right away?! Okay on Goodreads it's a huge mess. I have just that one "To Read" shelf and it has most things on it, though not everything. Where everything is, is on wishlists on Amazon. There I am much more organized. I have them in varying degrees of want or I even have one list that are the ones I already own the eBook of but want physical copies now. I'm way more together there. Most of those lists are private but there are maybe one or two that are public. So I'm partially organized. Then, even though they are a disaster and I've been thinking for days that I need to reorganize them, I have 2 book shelves here close to my desk, one is all the books that I have already read somewhat in varying degrees of like which I want to change. But then I have a second bookshelf of books that I still need to read. Though I've run out of room in the previously mentioned one so some of the books on there I've read already. It's a huge chaotic mess and it's making me nuts. Weekend project me thinks.

Is Your TBR Mostly Print or eBook?

The sheer number of eBooks I own and have not yet read is just ridiculous. I feel like if I read every moment of every single day for the rest of my life, I would still probably never finish them all. Because for every one book I finish I've added one, two, ten more to my shelf. Both virtual and physical.  I can't help it! I see free and I'm like okay! It needs to stop...

How Do You Determine Which Book From Your TBR to Read Next?

It depends. If I have blog tour/review books those always take priority when it comes down to where I have like a week or so until my tour date. But generally I try to get them read right when I get them so I have plenty of breathing room to get a review written and not feel the pressure. But if I'm absolutely free to read whatever I want then it's all about the mood I'm in. Swoons, angst, fantasy, nice boys or an alpha that likes to take control...whatever I'm feeling that's what I reach for. Sometimes if I see tons of my friends fangirling over something I will drop everything and buy and read it. Past example would be Scoring Wilder (Loooooved) and current example would be Mistborn (currently loooving) So it's all about mood and sometimes even the power of suggestion.

A Book That's Been on Your TBR the Longest?

So according to Goodreads I added this one to my shelf way back in September of 2012. That's over 2 years ago!! Daaaamn. And it's not like I just don't want to go on with this series, matter of fact it's on my recent #TTT of my Fall TBR list! I'm seriously shaking my head at myself...

A Book That You've Recently Added to Your TBR?

I added this one just a couple days ago because the lovely Danielle from What Danielle Did Next mentioned she was currently reading and falling in love with it. This is huge in my opinion when it comes to New Adult. She finished it in record time and I am highly, highly intrigued with this book. Plus that cover...uhh YUM! What? No! I did not just lick my screen! Gosh! *Mumbles about people minding their own business* Moving on!

A Book on Your TBR Strictly Because of it's Beautiful Cover?

I feel like there should be a spotlight coming down on this one while a chorus of angels sing the praises of it's beauty...a bit much? I'm a cover whore what else would you expect? Okay well I am in love with this cover and I got an ARC for a blog tour I'm on at the end of the month a few days ago and I can't wait to dive in! I was all set to start it but when I stuck my nose in some other people's conversation on Twitter I influenced myself to finally start Mistborn instead. #NoRegrets! Haha but this one will be next that's for sure :D

A Book on Your TBR You Never Plan on Actually Reading?

At first I was thinking I wouldn't have anything for here because I hate to say never. I hate to give up completely on something, especially a book. But then I found a few pages on Goodreads full of freebies I downloaded on a whim. Sometimes I never really finished reading the blurb, if there was just the tiniest spark of interest I'd grab it because it was free and then make the final decision later. And if I'm being totally real here...this is one of the many I'll pass over time and time again because I'll always find something better that I want to read more. Hell I forgot I even own it. How sad is that? Sorry book. You've been evicted from the Big Brother hou...err....anyway.

An Unpublished Book on Your TBR That You're Excited For?

This was a hard choice because 3 books jumped out at me right away. But I'm going to go with this one. It's the one I have to wait the longest for! Sigh. But it's exactly the kind of book that I love so I'm trying to be patient. The other two I was pondering throwing up here were both by Jennifer L. Armentrout of course. The Return because um hello TEAM SETH and Wicked which I also almost threw up for the cover love question.

A Book on Your TBR That Basically Everyone has Read Except You?

You're not alone on this one Wendy! I feel like everyone has read this series, or at least this book, except me and everyone I talk to absolutely loves it. It's definitely getting read in the very near future though so don't you fangirls worry!

A Book on Your TBR That Everyone Recommends to You?

Especially the fabulous person who tagged me recommends this one highly. I swear I'm going to get to them. And YES, I know I need to read the novellas first! I promise I will haha :)

A Book on Your TBR That You're Dying to Read?

No, this isn't just another excuse to drool over that cover. I am so freaking looking forward to reading this one. And maybe it's a little bit about the tattooed boy with the abs and the lip ring on the cover...but mostly it's about what's inside that cover I swear. Of the book! Of the book...

The Number of Books on Your Goodreads TBR Shelf?

Can I refuse to answer this one? Oh right you can just go look on my profile. Sigh. Fine. 447... I'm real, I understand I will never, ever, never get to all of these, which is pretty damn sad. Oh well at least they have each other!

Who I'm Going to Tag:

YOU! Yes YOU! If you're reading this and think to yourself; "Hey this sounds like it would be fun to do!" Then do it! Don't wait for someone else to maybe tag you. To be honest if I were for real going to tag anybody it would probably end up being Wendy who of course was the one to tag me and then Jess from Lovin' los libros, whom Wendy has also tagged, because I feel like those two would be the ones least likely to say "Dammit Sheri!!" but since they're already doing it then you all have fun and dig into your TBR shelves!! And take time to stop by any of the girls blogs I've mentioned in this post. They are all awesome, amazing and lovely people and spread the blogging love!

Thank you Wendy for tagging me I actually did have a lot of fun throwing this together!! 

♥♥ XOXO ♥♥