Help Me! I'm Overloaded!

Help me!

I'm overloaded. Remember the time when you didn't have a Goodreads or a Booklikes in which to record all those books you wanted to read? Maybe you kept a notebook, maybe it was mental list in your head. Remember going to the library and picking a book and being pleasantly surprised or horribly disappointed in equal measure? Sure even in this digital age we can still experience these things, but I find that a lot of what I now read is recommended by others and that eureka moment of uncovering a gem myself has kind of faded. Not that I'm dissing recommendations. How else would I have discovered the October Daye series  by Seanan McGuire or  Others series by Anne Bishop.

Suddenly I'm overloaded. I have books of the month, buddy reads both with online and real life friends. I find myself in a place where I question am I reading books that I want to. Would I pick these books for myself? Yes, I'm being shown new and wondrous books. I'm having a wonderful time making all these new discoveries friends have previously advised me of. But the problem is to keep on top of the game I'm neglecting those books that I actually might like to really read. It's crazy isn't it? Yip, I know what you are thinking. That woman is a sheep. Baa, baa, baa. Yes I am. I really am. So let's take a look at some of the things that have caused my TBR to explode. I try to grab a feather duster every now and then and clean the cobwebs from my TBR, but it's a never ending task.

So here is the lowdown on the expressions my friends use to sucker me in to picking up a book or series. Almost, without fail they work. I don't want to miss out on all the excitement and be reading the book five months down the track. That would be unthinkable. However it is closer to the truth, as I battle to stay in some control of my reading life.

Please note all the below is very tongue in cheek. 

You have to read this book!!! You simply must!!!

Why must I read this book? Will the world end? Will I get zapped by lightening? You've gushed and gushed. I've read your review. I followed your comments on various forums.  I may have wondered a time or two if you are going a little crazy. This book can't be that good can it?

Eventually you will wear me down. I think you might have already gathered that little nugget about my personality. My fingers will start to itch. I'll get cold sweats. Resistance is futile. I know, it is known. Slowly, I weaken. I turn the first page. The outside world is forgotten.  Hooked again. You knew I would succumb to your wily ways.

Suddenly I'm the one, in a peaceful, harmonious manner <s> in honesty, slightly manic and fanatically manner</s> , encouraging friends they must read this book. Their life depends on it.

Ouch! Okay I will.

It's the best book I've ever read!! 

Is it the best book you have ever read? The best book in 2014 perhaps? I bet when you reflect on it, it isn't the best book you have ever read. This seems to be an evolving list. As you read more, a new book eventually topples this one from your list. I couldn't just have one book as the best book I've ever read. There are numerous ones. Perhaps if I cut it down by genre I might be able to agree. 

What? This is the best book I've ever read in my life! I may never tell you that your recommendation was correct. I might just slyly leave just my five stars somewhere and not leave an actual review.

I'm now obsessed with the series. Thanks very much.

Everyone's reading it. You have to read it too.

Why? I'm not a sheep. Oh, right, we've already established that I probably am. The book is hyped up. It's in the best sellers lists for weeks, every man and his dog has read it. What are you holding out for? You know you want to. Go on pick it up. You too, can be part of the a trend. Though I laugh to myself as when I follow this rule usually I ended up disappointed.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyers anyone?? I did capitulate to reading the first couple of this series, however it quickly became clear to me it wasn't the series for me. Yet still peer pressure did make me give them a go. No, I'm not in the school yard still. It was highly recommended to me. This may have occurred more than once with other series. But, hey, I was willing to give it a go.

Eek just one of the crowd.

You need this book in your life! Your life is not complete unless you read it!

What are you trying to say about my life? Looks around. Stares out the window. Wonders what she is missing out on. I start to daydream for a moment, musing on how to make my life complete. My mind may have drifted to tropical beaches and being served cocktails by a very hot, very muscular waiter. Oops, my mind drifted. Back to the task at hand.

Just read it already!

Why didn't you tell me earlier I need to read this book? Sheesh, if I had known earlier how fantastic this was I would I have read this years ago.  Oh, that's right, you did recommend it to me two years ago. Sorry. You were right, I don't know how I coped before this book entered my reading horizon. I don't know how I'll manage now that I've finished it. No other book will ever compare.  All I can think about is how to travel back to the 1700's. The Outlander Series by Diana Galbaldon fits well under this header. Yes, Wench Kathi, your ploy worked in the end. I've fallen head over heels for the series. I really did need this series in my life.

If you liked this book/series then you will love this other book/series as well. 

Ah no this isn't always true though is it? I don't know if I want to trust your judgment. 

Crap, now I haven't slept for a week. I have to read the whole series one after the other. It's interfering with my work, my sleep and my social life. Don't laugh. I do have a social life. Throws the book across the room. WTF another cliffhanger. I have to open book 6 to find out what happens next. It's 2 am. Drat, not again. I prise the book from my hands and shakily switch off my bedside light to try to get some sleep. Coffee is my friend. I start to seriously consider the benefits of energy drinks.

Must have coffee. Must have coffee.

This book absolutely wrecked my life, so you have to read it.

Wrecked your life? Did it? Really? Perhaps you need to take a step back and move here with the rest of us in reality. Have some chocolate (I prefer carrot cake). You do know fictional characters aren't real?

Now I might be crying, because you were right. I'm kind of cursing you in between my gulping tears. This book wrecked me. I didn't believe you whilst I was consoling you when you read it. I thought a book couldn't affect someone so dramatically. 

I believe you now. It did wreck your life.

Fast-forward. I read your book and now the following has happened.

I haven't been able to set foot out of my house for a week. My hair needs a wash, I can't stop crying and my pyjamas have become a fashion statement. I just frightened the delivery guy who came to my door. Darn it. He was hot too. Work keeps calling. Don't they understand I'm in an emotional meltdown. I need sick leave (not that I condone taking time off due to the the heart-rending consequences of reading this book). This may have been how Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx left me.

I'm not crazy. I'm devastated.

Oh, god. No. You HAVE to read this book. It...This...No. You have to read it, I'm not going to spoil it for you.

Clear winner. You tell me this phrase and I won't be able to help myself. I'll have to pick up that sucker and read it. Don't steer me wrong. I don't know if my fragile reader's heart could take it. I resist. I've had my heart broken before. Yet your words reel me in. I can't resist.

I know. I'm too weak.

Please, please give me a spoiler. Just one little one. You didn't tell me this book I had to read was ten books long. I need to know that Miranda makes it out alive when the last page is closed. Come on, just throw me a bone. Anything, I'll take any little spoiler. You won't destroy the ending for me. I promise!!! Wait.....what happened?? How could you have spoilt it for me?? Spoilers are such a double edged sword. You say you want them, but sometimes you really don't.

I just can't with this book. I just can't even....

What can't you even? You have to tell me. Can't survive? Can't go on? The series was awesome or did it bore you to tears? You've teased me in with this little line and now you need to spoil the goods. Pronto. I kind of love / hate this line. It tells me nothing, yet it makes me curious. Curious to uncover what series rendered you speechless. Why can't you say it made you cry, it made you mad or it made your eyes boggle? It's almost like you are a robot on autopilot and you can only communicate to me with hand signals.

Thank goodness for hand signals.

I sit in shocked silence staring at the last page of the book. It can't end like this, it just can't. I have tears streaming down my face. I'm making that awful gasping, hiccuping sound people make when they've been crying a lot. I can't put this ending into words. I can't describe this to another soul. How will they understand that I was just trodden on and somehow I've survived. I've come out the other side a changed person. Not visibly sure, but something in my mind changed. You asked me how I liked the book. I just can't even.......

In Conclusion

All these little tricks wear down my resistance. Book's I've picked myself languish on my TBR. I know, I look at them and think, "one day, one day I will read you, don't despair".  
Are you overloaded? Did you think it was similar when there was all these amazing resources at your disposal. Don't get me wrong. I love all the different forums in which to indulge and discuss the books I love, but sometimes, there is a part of me that misses when things were simpler. 

Let me know any phrases that make you immediately think you have to pick up a book series straight away. Can you think of a book / series for you personally that matches each phrase that I've listed above?

All images are from Tumblr.