Does (TBR) Size Matter?

I have a confession. *covers face with hands* My official TBR list (which is my library hold list) is currently sitting on 97 books. Earlier this month it was at 99 books and I was too...embarrassed...to place a hold on another book and thus hit three digits. (And yes, I know that no one but me would know the official number.) So, I have a piece of paper next to my computer that lists 'potential' TBR books! In my defense, some of the books listed on the (in)famous piece of paper aren't on the library catalogue yet, so this way I won't 'forget' about them. However, some of the books are on the catalogue but I can't place a hold on them as they would all appear at once! Hence the piece of paper *grin*

I'm not sure why I have this issue with the number 100...and so I was wondering if anyone else worried about the number of books on their TBR list/pile/tower. And, if so, do you hide books from your official TBR list/pile/tower because you are too embarrassed about how big it has become or are you proud of the number?

DNS

Invariably, amongst all the books that we read, one...or two (or occasionally more *grin* because they do seem to travel in packs, or is that just me?) will not be finished. They are thus labelled 'Did Not Finish' or DNF books. But what about those books that we don't even start? And no, I'm not talking about the books that we never even pick up but those that we pick up with the intention of reading. Those books that have been languishing on our TBR list/piles/towers for what feels like forever, but when we finally get around to reading them...and pick them up to do just that...they don't appeal. I've labelled these 'Did Not Start' or DNS books.

And that leads me to something else - book guilt. Earlier this week, the lovely Stacy from Stacy's Place wrote a fascinating post entitled Living With Reading Envy. And I freely admit to reading envy. Not with regard to ARCs, because I am always in awe of the amazing reviews generated and I know I could not replicate them (quality wise and in a timely manner). More in the sheer number of books that various bloggers seem to read within a month. And while replying to Stacy's post it got me to thinking of reading guilt... A perfect example for me is Heir to Sevenwaters (Juliet Mariller). After reading the review by the incomparable Thea from The Book Smugglers in November 2008 (yes, 2008!), I added it to my TBR list. And there it languished until just recently. And I feel incredibly guilty about all the wonderful books languishing on my TBR list that I want to read...

So, do you come across DNS books and do you experience book guilt?

Poll: The Colour of Technology

Earlier this week my friend and I sat down to discuss my new computer. One of the reasons for the delay is that he was (very kindly) trying to find a way to utilize various components from my grandfather's computer in the build. Unfortunately, that isn't cost-effective, so we're going with Plan B - a customized computer from Dell. And before you all ask, no, I am not buying a laptop...I don't want to check my emails in bed *grin*

One of the many things I have to decide on is the colour of the front bezel...there are eight to choose from! What happened to any colour as long as it's black? So, I thought this would be a good time for a poll. What colour should I pick for the front bezel of my computer? I look forward to your thoughts and thank you in advance for voting!

Archangel's Kiss (Nalini Singh)

Found on: Nalini Singh's site

Archangel's Kiss is the second book in Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. It is also the sequel to Angels' Blood. (Note: spoilers for Angels' Blood below):

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control—even when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority… They’ve barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena…

You can read the excerpt here! The book is scheduled to be released in February 2010!

So, who else apart from me can't wait to read this?

Edited to add: Nalini has posted the unedited first chapter for Bonds of Justice (Max's story), to her blog!

Books 2009: October Update

Total to date: 68 books (10 books this month)

The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge total to date: 43 books (4 books this month)

A list of all the books I've read to date (from 01 January 2007) can be found at Library Thing.

Favourite books of the month?

* Heir to Sevewaters (Juliet Marillier)

Found on: Fantastic Fiction

* To Ride Hell's Chasm (Janny Wurts)

Found on: Fantastic Fiction

Books I 'did not finish':

* Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Alison Goodman)

Currently reading: Bloodhound (Tamora Pierce)

And the books I'm most looking forward to reading next month?

* Blaze of Memory (Nalini Singh)

* Grimspace (Ann Aguirre) [Yes, azteclady and Aymless, I will finally read Grimspace!]

What did you read last month?

Juliet Marillier

Near the end of last year, the indomitable and lovely Thea from The Book Smugglers reviewed Juliet Marillier's Heir to Sevenwaters.

The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest. Human and Otherworld dwellers have existed there side by side, sharing a wary trust. Until the spring when Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters finds herself expecting another child—a new heir to Sevenwaters. Then the family’s joy turns to despair when the baby is taken from his room and something…unnatural is left in his place. To reclaim her newborn brother, Clodagh must enter the shadowy Otherworld and confront the powerful prince who rules there.

The summary and Thea's amazing review of Heir to Sevenwaters had me completely hooked, and the book was promptly added to my TBR list, where, I'm embarrassed to admit, it languished until Saturday...yes, the Saturday just been. The great thing about my TBR list (which to all intents and purposes is my library hold list) is that eventually each book on it arrives at the top (or else the hold expires [the down side]). So, I picked up the book on Saturday and started reading...and kept reading...and kept reading. This book has everything - ancient Irish history and mythology, adventure, emotional introspection and romance! I found the following statement on Juliet Marillier's writing on Wikipedia that struck a chord:

[Marillier] also says that she usually bases a story on two elements: what the main character learns about herself and her world that makes this adventure personally significant; and the bigger picture, showing this character's role in something outside herself, such as saving a community or forging a peace between two warring tribes. The first idea reinforces the second, making the writing both personal and realistic.

And even better, I discovered that Juliet Marillier was born and raised in New Zealand (although I believe she is currently living in Perth, Australia), so by reading her book I've done my good deed for New Zealand Book Month (because I can't really count Blaze of Memory as it isn't being released until next week *grin*).

So, have you read any of Julliet Marillier's books and, if so, which one of her books should I read next? I was thinking of reading the first book in the Sevenwaters series - Daughter of the Forest (I know, I'm evil for reading out of order - please don't shoot me :) but, luckily, there are so many books to gloom *happy dance* Now, back to the book *grin*

Crying

One of the things I didn't mention in my previous post was that the ending of To Ride Hell's Chasm (Janny Wurts) always makes me cry. It just does. So does the ending of the audio version of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince. And most of Lisa Kleypas' Blue-Eyed Devil.

So I was wondering...what books have you read that have made you cry? (And I mean crying in either a happy or sad way.)