I will probably say this every month for the rest of this year, but HOW is it September already? I’m finally back at work after my five-and-a-half romance with furlough. It’s so strange, because when I started this job, we were just approaching the clocks going forward and the light nights starting, and now we’re not really that far away from the opposite happening. I’ve already noticed it getting darker earlier. I’m lucky that I really love this time of year. I’m always overly-warm, so the cooler weather suits me, and I love all things autumn, winter, and, in particular, CHRISTMAS. I’m already starting my shopping and getting myself organised now.
I had a hard time knowing what to do with my TBR this month. I really enjoyed reading a lot of the shorter reads that I had this month. On the other hand, I also enjoyed working through my TBR in alphabetical order, and I’m still in the middle of my first book beginning with C (Carter Meets the Devil) from that, which I hope to finish soon.
I was also so tempted to take part in a readathon this month. Specifically, I was almost seduced by Becca’s Bookoplathon. The premise of this readathon is that you use a specifically designed board that resembles a certain board game and role dice to determine your reads for this month. Unfortunately, being back at work means that I don’t really want to take on anything too challenging! For me, challenging particularly means reading things that don’t really fit my mood and instead to fit a challenge. I wanted to flag up this readathon though because I think it’s really cool and if I was more settled in a routine (or still on furlough!) I’d definitely take part.
With all this, then, how did I pick a TBR for this month? I wanted to pick both from my list of books in alphabetical order, and my list in page count order. I also wanted to have a little fun, but not have to pick for specific challenges or bend my reading to fit categories. As a result of this, I had a bright, or maybe extremely stupid idea. Or maybe both. I took the next 26 books from my alphabetical TBR, and the next 26 from my page count sorted one. I omitted duplicates and added in turn from each until I got a round 52. And then I assigned each one a card. As in a playing card. Each time I finish a book, I’ll draw a card from the (shuffled, I promise!) pack and read the book to which it is assigned!
As with many of my elaborate ideas, there’s every chance I’ll fail at this, but who knows. The full 52 book TBR is below, but I’ll be picking my cards one at a time, so I won’t know in advance exactly what it is that I’ll be reading. Obviously I’m not going to read 52 books this month, so I’ll likely be continuing it on into October and beyond. In fact, there’s a good chance this might see me most of the rest of the way through the year, depending on how much reading I can get done.
But that’s not all! The two joker cards will also be in play. When I pull the joker card, I’ll be able to pick freely from any book not on my 52 book TBR! I’ve got some really great stuff sitting on my shelves so this’ll be a fun way to read anything that’s really calling to me.
Without further ado, here’s the list:
And here’s the first card I’ve drawn. Special thanks to Illumicrate for the lovely playing cards which came in their limited edition Chain of Gold box!
I chose the Three of Hearts which means that my first book I’ll read from this TBR is Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente!
I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages. I loved Palimpsest by this author and I’m excited about picking up another of hers. I have read some interesting takes on this one, and I am aware that not everyone finds the Russian culture aspect of the book well-handled. I’m certainly not placed to speak to that, and it may have put me off purchasing the book, but as I already own it, I’m prepared to read it with that awareness in mind.
THE BOOK MAGPIE'S NEST 