I Should Read That

As you may remember, one of my goals for 2025 is to reduce the size of my physical TBR. Not only has it gotten a bit out of control, Scottish Husband and I are planning on moving later this year (maybe in the next few months? We shall see). I last checked in on my TBR in January, so let’s see how I’m doing as of the first of May!

At the beginning of the year, I had a total of 998 physical books in my home – yikes! By focusing on reading what I own, reading those books through other mediums, and some selective DNFing and unhauling, I’ve managed to get that number down to 978 books as of 30 April. Hooray!

So what’s working for me that hasn’t before? The sheer volume of moving boxes filled with books helps. When you know you’re going to need to carry all those hundreds of books into a new house, that certainly helps resist the temptation to buy new things (sometimes) and request physical copies of books (also sometimes). While I’m not on a strict book buying ban, I will admit that I have slipped up a couple of times, including on a trip to Oxford in April that will live in infamy.

I’ve also been utilising Libby more than ever! I’ve been a member of the Oxfordshire library for awhile, which has a good selection of audiobooks. I’ve also joined the Queer Liberation Library, which has some crazy hold times, but also a few books that have unlimited lending copies. I was able to listen to a few books on my TBR, like My Darling Dreadful Thing and The Woods All Black, this way. I’ve also dug back into my old Audible library. While I currently only subscribe to Libro.FM (and would highly recommend them), I was an Audible member for years. My Audible library has over 60 unlistened titles, many of which I also own physical copies of. I’ve been sewing up a storm and playing some video games, so audiobooks are certainly pulling their weight.

In addition to audiobooks, NetGalley and BookBub are saving me! While I don’t list the eBook deals I pick up every month in my wrap ups, I will often snag a 99p Kindle book if it’s a) something I own a physical copy of and haven’t read or b) is something I’m interested in, but unsure if I want to spend the money on a physical copy. My Kindle reading stand and remote have changed my life and I absolutely tear through eBooks these days.

Also, you know what? Books are getting real expensive. The temptation to pick up a £16.99 hardcover was a lot higher than the temptation to pick up a £22 hardcover. So thanks for that, economy.

Things are finally moving forward on the house move, so I think my focus for the next few months will be to continue cracking on with those physical books, especially the ones that remain on my shelves and are not in boxes. I have a plan to shop what’s left of my shelves, alongside listening to audiobooks while on my little mental health walks.

Wish me luck!