Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint
Let’s Talk with Maggie Toussaint
July 11, 2019
Sizzling Heat and Sizzling Reads
By Maggie Toussaint
Is it hot enough for you? Down here in coastal Georgia it’s been in the 90s for quite a while, and when you add in the Heat Index, it can be downright dangerous. Native Georgians prefer to do their outside errands and work in the early morning, and then, as much as possible, they avoid the heat of the day.
Sometimes that involves swimming or a cool shower, sometimes it’s enjoying air conditioning. Some people seek out movie theaters in the summer, while others enjoy curling up with a new or a favorite book. I’m an equal-opportunity relaxer, so I like all of the above, but one thing is a constant. There’s always time in my day for reading.
I don’t switch my reading genres in the summer, but I already read a wide variety of genre fiction: mystery, paranormal, romance, and science fiction. My to-be-read pile never seems to go down much because I keep adding to it. I’ve dreamed of catching up, but that would take too long!
What do you do when your to-be-read pile gets out of control? Do you ditch books? Plow through them? Loan some to a friend? Donate them to a library so you have access to the later? Comment on this page for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Death Island Style (US mailing address only).
P.S. Don’t forget to enter our site’s monthly book giveaway! To enter the July 1-18, 2019, Booklover’s Bench contest, click here.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Maggie Toussaint • Tags: BLB Discussion, Death Island Style, Let's Talk, Maggie Toussaint, Sizzling heat and sizzling reads, Summer | 33 Comments
I used to donate books to the library for their annual used book sale. Now I buy most of my books as ebooks, so storage isn’t a problem. Like Maggie, I read across several genres. My mood usually determines the genre I gravitate to after the last book is finished. My biggest problem is deciding which book in that particular genre to read next.
Lois, Somehow my comment to your post rolled above. Must be cat-footed or something, it’s so independent. Starts out “It’s always hard to chose among favs…”
When my to-be-read pile begins to teeter, I donate them to my local library to either add to their circulation or supplement their book sale. I can have more than one going at a time, but knowing that I can replace one with an ebook, it’s easier to let them go.
Great idea, Cheryl! Like most of us who are “of an age”, it sometimes feel that our possessions own us. Getting rid of some of the stuff (yes, even books) can be cathartic, and can give that “I’ve lost weight feeling.
My cats love to hide behind my stack of TBR on my office floor. 😉
That’s sweet, Diane. They must think it gives them good cover!
It is always hard to choose between favs. I have the same problem selecting a shirt each morning. They are all favorites and each color can set the mood for the day. To solve this problem, I try to pick out my clothes the night ahead, so I just have to jump into them in the morning. In the same way, I have my favorite authors on auto-buy. I’ve read a lot of books this year, but I’ve also been too busy to leave reviews. I need to get some of those posted.
I sort and re-organize my to-be-read books. This is a calming behavior for me. I will donate any books I started and did not finish or books that no longer interest me. I understand that having books to read is important for me. I can also guage my stress level by my to -be-read stash. My stress level has been high this year so my stash has grown.
I was intrigued by what you wrote, Rosemary. Sounds a lot like my tea bag stash. I like to have different kinds on hands for different times of day and some are for medicinal purposes. When I get low on something, it’s vital to me to have another box standing by. I’ve never quite thought of books that way, but I get it. Same as I wouldn’t dream of not going to sleep without ginger ale and soda crackers in the house. I’m so delighted your security blanket is books! Happy Summer Reading to you.
First, I stacked the overflow on my dresser, but when that became too precarious, I bought a new bookcase I hid in my bedroom closet. When that filled, I started a box on my dining room table. Soon there was a pile next to the box. Recently, I tried sorting through the books and actually came up with one box to donate, but there are now two overflowing boxes on the table, the bookcase, and about 100 e-books unread, but the dresser looks pretty good because I’ve been on a reading spree.
Good for you on attempting to sort stuff out. I’m not sure what my kids will think when they find shelves and shelves of books here one day…
Most of mine reside on my tablet. I don’t think I’ve had more than 2 print books on my nightstand in years (except when I was judging the Edgars, but that doesn’t count)
You are my hero! I still have feet solidly in print and ebook worlds. One of the things I like about the ebook system. If a book isn’t interesting, the simple act of not reading it moves it to the back of the queue.
Good morning! I hope I’m not late to the party. Right now, I am passing books to my eighty-nine year old aunt. She’s having a ball reading mysteries and romance. Hugs!
You’re not late at all, Vicki. Thanks for stopping by, and I love that your 89 year old aunt digs mysteries and romance. Rock on!
I’ll donate books that I have lost interest in reading to our library book sale. And while buying new books in ebook format would cut down on clutter, for books that are priced about the same or slightly more for a paperback, I’d rather have the print book. My linked reward points at Amazon will pay for them. I have to compensate by getting rid of treasured books from my shelves that I will never read again.
I try to read them, but if I have books I can’t get through, I donate them, or give to a friend.
Recycling is a great way to go for the ones that aren’t to your taste. We all have such individual likes and dislikes. Thanks for stopping by!
I try to plow through them! thanks for the chance to win!
I admire your dedication to reading, Charlene!
Very hard for me to give away books, but I did just donate 6 good size boxes this summer. When my sister came over after she said, I thought you were going to donate some books lol!!!
I hear you, Debbie. Sometimes I think books multiply in the darkness like bunnies.
Sounds so good !!!
Thanks, Sharon!
I have a hard time getting rid of books. After I read a book, I give it to my sister and she shares them with a friend. So at least three people read them. Some get donated after we read them.
Oh, I love the trickle down theory. Nice to know that you have family and friends who share the same reading taste.
I can’t seem to get rid of books. I drive’s my husband crazy, but I just find another place to put more books!
Oh! A secret stash idea. On top of a cabinet? In the living room end table? Under the bed in one of those skinny totes? Inquiring minds want to know!
My TBR pile has been out of control for a while now, and it only seems to be getting worse! But I do share books, even though I’ve learned people are not always good about returning them. I like knowing they’re being read by someone.
Sharing is a cool way to go. Keeping a book sidelined for a long time is like hiding a light under a bushel. Now if I could just pass along some of my extras!
My TBR is mostly on kindle so I just keep reading but I keep buying to alas. Lol.I do try to pass via little libraries my finished hard copies.
I admire your fortitude, Candy! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful comments. My winner, as selected by Random.org’s random number generator is cactusspare@cox.net. Congratulations! I’ll contact you by email for your copy of Death, Island Style. Winners at this site have a week to claim their prize.