As I research agents and agencies and check out their recently published books I'm amazed at how many books are out there. How many I haven't read, or (hanging my head in shame) even heard of. I used to re-read a lot of books. I don't do that much now. I've been introduced to so many amazing books. My TBR list is so long I just don't have time for it. Oh, I still pull out favorites every now and again, but it's a little overwhelming, the thought of trying to stay current in my professional industry. Still, it's nice to know there's so many books out there, nice to know I'll never run out of reading material. Even better, it's nice to know publishing is still a wide field and that, even with all those books out there, there's still room for more of us.
I know what you mean about rereading books. That's why I buy books. So I can reread my favorites. But it's getting harder and harder to do as my TBR pile gets out of control. Every now and then, I do reread a book, and if I've been following a series, I like to reread the last one to remind myself of what happened. But since this is getting harder, I find myself avoiding books that are part of a series. :(
ReplyDeleteNo! Don't avoid series. It is hard to keep up with them if they're still being produced but a good series is worth it.
DeleteI generally only buy books I know I want to reread, but with less and less time to reread many of my books are becoming one timers.
I'm right there with you, Sara. So many books...so little time. :)
ReplyDeleteExactly. At least we can call reading work. It's not just relaxation or laziness.
DeleteI tend to focus on just reading, and tell myself I'm doing the best that I can. If I hear of a book that is really getting a buzz it might move to the head of my TBR list. I'm researching agencies too - good luck, Sara!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your researching and querying. I'll bump books to the top if they're getting a lot of buzz and I think I'll like it, or if it's a new author that I adore.
DeleteYes, so many books! Even with the middle grade reading I do to keep current in my target field, I amazed at the books I haven't heard of posted on people's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as current in MG reading so those are all new to me. I'm trying to pay attention because my kids aren't too far away from needing those and I want to be prepared.
DeleteI sure hope there's room for all of us!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is! It's a party and everyone is invited!
DeleteThere needs to be more hours in the day so we can actually read all these wonderful books. My DH must read 20 books a month. I live with him and I don't know how he does it. Skips the sleeping part, I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your hubby's reading! I'm lucky to get 10 books a month.
DeleteMy TBR list is long. One day, though, I'll get the time to read them all.
ReplyDeleteI keep waiting for that one day...
DeleteThe only books I have re-read are the ones in the Twilight series and "Julie" by Catherine Marshall. I do read books that are part of a series, but have not recently allowed myself to continue after the first book, even if I want to, for lack of time!
ReplyDelete*note on Twilight. I had stopped reading for about five years. Funny how those five years coincided with the first five of my son's life! When a friend FINALLY convinced me to read Twilight I was hooked on reading again. I finished that series and haven't stopped since. Good timing too b/c my son was just learning to read and I think it is important for kids to see their parents (well, at least one parent) enjoying books.
Whether people like it or not Twilight did get a lot of people reading.
DeleteI too believe it's important for kids to see their parents reading. If they grow up in an atmosphere where people tend to grab a book as opposed to turning on TV or video games they'll be more likely to do it too. Not that I have anything against TV or video games.
I agree there's a lot of books...it's overwhelming. I keep on adding to "to read list" in my head and can't keep up.
ReplyDeleteI could never keep a list in my head. That's one of my favorite things about goodreads, the to-read list. I can access it from my phone so if I'm at the library or bookstore I can browse through my list and find something interesting.
DeleteI agree. Even though I'm focused on YA contemporary, my TBR list is seemingly endless!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, even if we stick to our genre we could still be reading for a long time.
DeleteYou know we stopped in at Barnes and Noble today and as I stood in front of the "New Fiction" section I was thinking something similar. It's amazing how many new books are being published!
ReplyDeleteI know, and think of how many more are being turned down, there are a lot of people writing books.
DeleteYes, there's a big world of books out there...so that means there are always opportunities to be enlightened!
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteGood luck with your research. I'm not at that phase yet and am dreading it a bit. With all the books out there, it'd be nice if there was a better way to classify/categorize them.
ReplyDeleteA better classification would be a good thing. I'm not even sure what to call the book I'm querying.
DeleteKind of intimidating, isn't it? lol
ReplyDeleteYou mirror my thoughts exactly. I used to re-read books alot too but now I feel like I don't have time, there are too many others in my genre to "research" and others that just simply appeal to me. And thank goodness there is still room for more and book sales are on the increase!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing there's a lot of writers that don't reread as much as they used to.
DeleteSometimes I feel overwhelmed too. There are so many new books coming out all the time, and still so many classics I haven't read. We need to designate a reading week for the planet!
ReplyDeleteThat would be amazing! Like in grade school where they would have a reading day and you could bring a pillow and snack and do nothing but read all day long.
DeleteI was just like you and used to reread. But you are right! There are so many new ones to read, it is hard to go back :)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to go back, unless the book really screams at me to be read.
DeleteThere's always room.
ReplyDeleteHooray for that.
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