What's In My To Be Read (TBR) Pile!

To me, there's nothing sadder than an unread book. Sitting there, all lonely, with a slight layer of dust. You can practically hear it sigh as you keep passing it by over some new book that hasn't paid its dues in your bookshelf like all of your other old timer books have. The indignity of it all!

Which makes it even more tragic that my To Be Read (TBR) pile has. So. Many. Books. In. It. But I can't help it! Sometimes I'll have books on hold at the library that will come in right as I'm about to start one of the books from my TBR pile and that new, shiny library book will take the place of one of my very patient TBR books. I have now decided to make a point to try to get read all of my poor and forgotten TBR books. To hold myself accountable, I'm going to share all of the books that are on my TBR pile, why they're still in my TBR pile, how long I've had them, and when I'll get around to reading them. Those new books will just have to wait because I have oldies but (hopefully) goodies to read!

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Scribner

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Erm....well over a year. Yes I know it's apparently amazing so I'll get around to it! I swear!
Why Is It Still in my TBR Pile? I bought it because I heard that it was great but other books keep catching my attention....
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Of course! I have to know what all of the fuss is about! But I have to be in the right kind of mood to read about heavy subjects like WWII.

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

St. Martin's Press

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Not that long! It was recommended to me by my mom and sister and I actually found a copy at my local Goodwill.
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? Like the subject of WWII, Biblical themed reading material is something that I really have to be in the mood for, considering I don't consider myself particularly religious. (But apparently it's just based on Biblical characters and not a religious book. Phew!)
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Eventually, but other books are higher on my reading priority list.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Touchstone

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Maybe a year...? My friend was kind enough to let me have it along with a few other books and I excitedly nestled it in with my other books and then kind of forgot I had it.
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? I really do want to read it and have for a very long time, but every time I go to pick it up, something else comes up. Is the world trying to keep me from reading about the Tudor era aka my favorite time in British history???
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Oh, yes! There's nothing I love more than reading about royal court intrigue!

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Random House

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? About as long as The Other Boleyn Girl (the same friend gave this one to me as well!)
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? I did start reading this one! I really enjoyed the first few pages....and then something else came into the library and this was sadly forgotten. :(
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Soon, for sure! I've made it a point not to watch the movie version until I've read the book. (Because the book is always better. ALWAYS)

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

Crown

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Let's just say I bought this for another big trip....like 2 or so years ago. I know, I know, I am a terrible bookworm.
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? The subject matter and writing format seemed a little dense and heavy. If I'm going to read nonfiction, I have to be utterly engrossed by it because I vastly prefer fiction over nonfiction.
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? I think soon. Several people have told me that the story and the way it's told makes the length of the book totally worth it, so I will give it another shot one day.

The Devil In the White City by Erik Larson

Random House

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Barely a few months. I bought this along with a few others at Goodwill. Does it surprise anyone how good the book selections are at some Goodwills? I've found so many new(ish) books there!
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? Mostly for the same reason In the Garden of Beasts is on this list, too. The subject matter and nonfiction elements sometimes discourage me. But apparently this one features HH Holmes, aka America's First Serial Killer (And everyone knows how much I love reading about serial killers- it's a morbid fascination) so I really have to get around to reading this to find out all the gruesome details.
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Probably when I'm in a nonfiction-I-should-read-about-a-serial-killer mood.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Anchor Books

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Like, a month. Okay, two months at the most. Don't judge!
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? I'm not too sure. I heard it's being made into a movie and that right there is the best motivation ever for reading the book before the movie comes out.
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? For this one I can definitely say very, very soon! I'm going on a trip at the end of the week and I needed a book (or two) to take with me for the flights and The Handmaid's Tale will soon be out of my TBR pile and I'll be ready to discuss the book-to-movie differences after the movie is released!

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Time Warner Books

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? About the same as The Handmaid's Tale (another Goodwill find! Goodwill is slowly becoming my bookstore of choice)
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? I honestly don't know! I randomly found it at Goodwill and the summary totally hooked me from the get-go. Searching for the truth about Vlad the Impaler aka Dracula that the narrator's father started years ago? Um, yes please! But somehow when I want something to read, this one keeps slipping my mind.
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Probably after The Handmaid's Tale and the other book I'm going to be taking on my trip. Which is conveniently the next book listed below!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Dell Publishing Company

How Long Has it Been in My TBR Pile? Just since summer! I got a free book for completing my library's summer reading program and I chose Outlander, since I've heard that the TV show is seriously addicting and sexy (those two things tend to go hand in hand, don't they?)
Why Is It Still In My TBR Pile? I'm actually a bit intimidated to read it. I heard that it sucks you in and it's a series, so what happens if I end up loving it and I read all the books in the series, then get hooked on the TV show? Then what will happened to my poor abandoned TBR books??
When Will I Get Around to Reading It? Despite my aforementioned fears, this is the other book besides The Handmaid's Tale that I'm taking with me on my trip. My main reason for it? Despite being a pretty thick book, it's the cheap, small paperback version that wears like 2 ounces. Perfect for travel!

Not pictured: A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
Because I'll eventually get around to finishing the second book in the series. Someday. When I'm feeling motivated and ready to get my head confused with all of the different characters, families, lands, and history. Reading the Game of Thrones series is a COMMITMENT!

*These poor books, I'll get around to reading you all soon! I promise! I wouldn't have bought you all if I didn't think you all deserved a chance!*

What did you think of my TBR list? Have you read any of the books on the list? Am I totally missing out by not having read them yet? Let me know!

-Emily