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Hello you guys! I seem to have forgotten how to blog with everything going on around here. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Hope you all are coping okay?

Last week Things finally got to some semblance of a routine this week and I've been finally feeling better and in charge of my emotional faculties. I've taken over one of the upstairs bedrooms and set it up as my office-cum-homeschool room. In other words, the room is a big mess, but both my daughter and I are able to navigate the room fine as everything in the room has a meaning in our own brains. We're both very organized that way. I've been using a sit-stand desk for my work laptop and I'm a little glad that I got to try this system finally. When I'm not working, I'm helping the girl with her letters, numbers, or fun activities. Trust me, this is difficult but we worked through the system this week, and think we have it under control. My father-in-law watches my son during the day as the little ma…
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The Sunday Salon -- Feb 21, 2010

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The Sunday Salon.com

Yet another Sunday comes by so soon. It's been another blazing week, but thankfully, one that had a few books in it. I am not so sure of the coming week though, and I do plan to finish three books before Feb-end. I hope to achieve that!

I've been thinking for the past few days about reading lists. I belong to the group that obsessively makes reading lists prior to the start of each month. I like knowing what books I plan to read each month, how many more challenges are going to be nearing completion, plus it gives me a sense of order and predictability, which I value a lot. Besides, most books I want to read I pick from the library, and it definitely would annoy me if a specific book is not available currently, or if I have to wait a few days for it to arrive from another county.

On the down side, I can't always go by my inner desire to read a specific book, or feed my thirst for a book from some specific genre. Also, if I see someone praising a book highly, I do go through a moment of insane desire to read that book right away before I give in and add the book to my bloated TBR list. And the biggest disappointment is when I don't complete reading a month's list. I almost feel as if I let down a good friend, and usually that book doesn't go back to my next month's list, rather it goes back to my pile, for future contemplation. How many of you are like me? Do you just go by your impulse and pick the book you feel like reading at the moment, or do you plan in advance?

The reason I've been thinking of this is that I plan to not-plan my monthly reading lists anymore, other than those books I'm reviewing for a publisher or reading for a readalong. When I made this decision, I felt very relieved, especially thinking of all those books I've felt like reading on an impulse but could never since I already had my plans made for the month. I'm not sure how long I will be able to stick to this before my obsessive self kicks in, but it will be worth a try, to just pick a book on a whim or a recommendation, rather than wait ages before I get to some of them.

Read other Sunday Salon posts.

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Dana said…
I'm the exact opposite - I tend to pick up whatever I feel like after I finish a book, and whenever a library request that I've been waiting on comes in, all reading plans are discarded in order to pick that up. I've actually thought about trying to make reading lists, but my reading depends on my mood and it's hard to plan ahead how many books I can read in a week. Good luck with not planning your reading!
February 21, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Ash said…
I usually write a list of books I would like to get done in the month, but I don't follow it strictly. If I'm not feeling something I will put it down and come back to it later. The past week I was reading Pride and Prejudice, The Woman in White, and the Jungle. Too much classic lit! I decided to trade Pride and Prejudice for Blue Bloods and couldn't put Blue Bloods down. It was a great choice.
February 21, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Marce said…
Aths I have an award for you.

http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/02/10-things-that-make-me-happy-happy-101.html
February 21, 2010 at 1:32 PM
Helen's Book Blog said…
I make lists. It's what I do. With so many challenges (what was I thinking?!) I've made lists to keep me on track. But, when I am in the mood for something not on my list I do deviate and I am ok with that. I guess it's a happy medium.
February 21, 2010 at 1:33 PM
(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said…
I've had the same problem. I make monthly lists and then feel disappointed when I don't follow through, so now I go with the mood except to when I've committed to finishing something by a certain date.
February 21, 2010 at 1:53 PM
bermudaonion said…
I used to do a lot of blog tours and really backed off because I was always reading from a list. It was a huge relief when I did that.
February 21, 2010 at 3:29 PM
samantha.1020 said…
I can't plan my reading in advance...it ends up driving me crazy ;) I am more likely to burn out on reading if I plan my reading out compared to if I just go with the flow. It means that I end up taking a lot of books back to the library unread but that doesn't bother me either as I usually just check them out again when I'm ready to read them. Have a great week!
February 21, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Alyce said…
I came to a similar conclusion last year. I used to have my reading planned out far in advance and it took the fun out of it. Now I accept two review copies for each month and everything else depends on my mood. I do keep a master list of all the books that I would need to read to complete the challenges I'm involved with, and that way I can just pick on that suits my fancy when I want to.
February 22, 2010 at 1:01 AM
Athira said…
Dana, good for you Dana. While I won't deny that reading lists have their merits, hell, reading is a passion, why be organized and methodical about it. We should read what we feel like!

Ash, I like it that way Ash. Make a list as a guide, not as a rule.

Marce, thanks for the award! :)

Helen, when I think about it, I realize I have deviated from my list too. But sadly very little. Usually I don't have the time to think of an impulsive read. Funny right, considering the amount of time I spend making a list!

Diane, good you managed to change things a bit. I've only now come to realize about it, so hopefully in a few months, I will get into a new impulsive routine. :)

Kathy, I agree. I am not jumping into any blog tour yet, since I am usually soo busy that if I had a review deadline to meet and couldn't, I'm going to be real upset!

Samantha, LOL, you are cracking me up, but I totally understand what you mean. Going with the mood is definitely better. Why would someone want to read romance, when they are in mood for some crime and murder?

Alyce, I think I will do that too. Keep a master list, and a list of review books, but make 60% of my reading impulsive!
February 22, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Dani In NC said…
I have a TBR list, but I only started it so I wouldn't forget titles and authors of books that I want to read later. I decide what I'm going to read when I make my list of library requests on Thursdays. Sometimes I lose the desire to read a book by the time I get it, especially if I am in a long library queue for it. Back to the library it goes! Basically, I follow my whims when it comes to reading, because I don't get paid to do reviews.
February 24, 2010 at 2:13 PM
Athira said…
I know how the long waiting list at the library can make you lose interest in a book. It's annoying having to wait long for a book. But I like your idea of keeping a TBR list that serves as a sort of master list!
February 24, 2010 at 8:30 PM
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