My Book Diet
I confess! I’m a bookoholic! I compulsively buy books, and now I’m living in danger because my TBR pile is about to topple over on me (which if I do experience death by books, I don’t think that would be a bad way to go. JS)! Thing is, I keep buying books and the TBR list keeps growing. I hate that I own all these pretty books, and I haven’t read them. What is the point of that? At the same time, I love being a book collector.
After much thought, I think I’ve come up with the perfect Book Diet to help me control my little problem!
Here is how it is going to work. First, I took Tara’s (of 25 Hours Books) advice and made lists! Lots and lots of lists: my library, TBR night table, TBR bookshelf, books received for review, books won, recommended books, wishlist.
Once I sorted through all my books, a month long process still in development, I decided I would give the unread books on my night table first priority. Lord knows there are plenty of unloved books on my bookshelves, but I’m still trying to organize that monster! And don’t even ask me about my e-books! When I first got my Kindle, I went nuts collecting all the free e-books offered through Amazon! I’m such a hoarder! *sighs*
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So, now for my ‘book diet’ plan! For every three (3) books I read off of my TBR List, I will be allowed to purchase a NEW book (any format)!! *cheers* Is this a genius plan or what?
To help me got this party started, I’m signed up for the Read Your Own Books Read-a-thon hosted by The Bibliophilic Book Blog, which takes place from 9am Friday, August 13th to 9am Monday, August 16th! Although I’m not really a fast reader, I think this event will help me a lot!

Other ideas I have to help me focus on my book diet is to tackle some of the reading challenges I have already signed up for. I know I already got some of the books I need to complete the challenges when I first signed up for them, now I just have to do that reading thing!
Okay, be honest! What do you think of my little plan? Does it sound fair? Is three books read before I buy another reasonable? Should I read more (boo) or less (prays for majority vote) before I allow myself a new book? And what in the world should I do with all the pre-orders I’m expecting this month? I pre-ordered before I started my book diet so should I consider them books I already own that need to be included in my TBR pile or should I consider them new books?
Any advice, suggestions and/or coffee would be very helpful here! 
To find out more about Book Buyers Anonymous or to read helpful tips on how to control your book buying impulses, check out these posts!











Sounds like a great plan…I kinda sorta need to do the same thing!
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Oh I Do that! My TBR list is at 100+ atm.
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What a great plan.. sound like something I need to do!
If I were you, I wouldn´t read more than three books before buying a new one or else the wait can get too long. We don´t want you to have withdrawl symptoms!
What about pre-order everyhting you like for August and after this month, you have to “earn” your pre-orders!
I´m really thinking of doing the same as you… might be fun!
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I went sort of on a book diet as well. I am limiting my self to one book order a month, no more than 10 books! So I only order books once a month and thats that. I'm not allowed to buy any book during that month once I place my order. Right I have so many books on my tbr list. I've joined a few book challenges to help my tbr pile go down, so far it working. Good Luck on your book diet! And stay strong!!
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Sounds like you have a workable plan. For me, that would mean that I could buy two new books a week in the summer. I do read about a book a day when I am on vacation. I failed at my goal of reducing my TBR stack this summer because so many great books came out and I couldn't resist. I'll have to set a new goal for the school year or my TBR stack could hit 1000 books. Happy reading and good luck with your goal!
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I think that's a great idea! I'm actually going to do something similar next month. My problem lately has been getting a whole bunch of tour books at once and I only have time to read them. I think (hope) that I'll be able to knock some of my TBR list down next week…
Good luck!! (Thanks for the link love!)
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@Vampires and Tofu, do it! It was kind of fun to get everything organized!
@Greenabsinthia, *blinks* 100 on your TBR! Whoa!
@Christine, Awe. You totally get me! You're right, I wouldn't want to go through withdrawl! I agree with your pre-orders suggestions. I have to earn them.
@Savannah, sounds like you have a great plan in place, too! I really like the stay strong motto! I'm gonna try!
@Kathy Martin, My life would be so much easier if I could read a book a day! I'm such a slow reader; it's so frustrating sometimes. LOL
@Tara, I've gotten so addicted to book tours! I think the are the best thing ever! But, alas, I must learn how to control myself there too!
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Happy Reading!
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Good plan!!
I think you should begin with the Immortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare! I could NOT put these books down! There's a great twist that comes out in the 3rd book so you must read them all!!
I am really looking forward to your review of this series.
MsM
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LOL awesome plan hon!!! I have this theory where I believe that all of our TBRs will get together and take over the world LOL =D
xoxo
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This really looks like a great plan! I had tried to keep my purchasing to a minimual amount of books with my TBR pile nipping at my legs. But, then this last month and this month there were all these books I HAD to have. So many great new releases. I am trying to now adjust myself back to the usual buying and such.
I wish you the best of luck with your plan.
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I seriously need to do this myself. I have over 100 books I haven'y read sitting on my shelves.
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