[JohnH]

While many plea for suggestions for new books, I sometimes find myself in a quandry having too many books to read at one time.

Okay so this does not exactly inspire sympathy. But consider a moment. Have any of you ever had several books to read but none quite fit the mood you are in? Nothing quite takes the first fifty pages or so and you flit from book to book never settling on one?

I know that I shall read all of these books at some point. All look to be entertaining and some quite good actually. But nothing seems to suit. I am not looking for a cure mind you. This happens ever so often and I know it just takes a really great book that grips me from the beginning and does nto let go. What with Jones' Fortress, Carey's Kushiel's Chosen and Stormrider by Gemmell, I know the solution is soon on its way.

Basically I guess I am looking to see if overindulgence-indiced misery has company.

So do you find yourself with a half dozen books or so stuck in libris interuptis?

[Rob B]

My birthday and Christmas are only about a month and a half apart. Because of that, at one point my pile of books to read was close to 40. Not only that, I had to go out and buy Hobb's Fool's Errand.

Also, I have a few books from the SciFi Bookclub that I know I want to read, but I ordered them because of a buy 2 get 1 free deal. I knew I would eventually want to read them, but they've been on the pile for a while.

So to make a long story short (too late), I sometimes find myself in the same boat.

[Qin]

I've always had too many books to read. Such is the nature of the inquisitive college student. Although I'm familiar with the mood swing, I usually find a hitch to get out of it. Usually a good piece by Bach or Acker Bilk (any UK folk here familiar with his work?) can change my mood.

For instance, I purchased A Game of Thrones in winter of 1999, but didn't get around to reading it until the fall of 2000. I've yet to finish Dennis McKeirnan's (joyfully bad) 'Into the Forge,' as well as Saul Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals,' which I purchased nearly a year ago. Your malady is one that must be admired. Our minds only profit from being surrounded by (intelligent) literature.

[DarthV]

I'm in the same boat... 160 or so books in the pile... and sometimes it is hard to decide what to read next. Then again it's nice to have a few computer games to help me step away from books for a few hours http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Qin]

Beware of Baldur's Gate, Darth. I've easily lost roughly 30 hours to the game already, and I'm certain that my grades are somehow suffering because of it.

[Eventine]

Icewind Dale is currently wasting a lot of my time - with uni going back that isn't good.

I usually don't buy more books than the series in which I am reading at the time. This way, the next series has to be read before I go buy more books, and I never finding myself tormented over which one to read next.
It does make for some frustrating decisions inthe bookstore however...
Lack of stock sometimes helps.

[Cygnus]

Prior to working in a library and before I became a regular on this board I was definitely one of those who was always looking for something to read. Now I know that even if I live to be 100, I'll never get through everything!

I also get in those moods where no story seems to be working for me. I've gone through the first 50 pages of several books in one day before I settle on something. Another wonderful thing about working in a library with a decent fantasy selection is that I can always find at least one book that will get me over my picky phase. Many times I've had to get away from fantasy (I do hate to admit it!) and read some non-fiction or mystery before I'm ready to take on an epic story once again.

[DarthV]

Qin/Eventine:

I started playing BG 2 about a month ago...and yea it sucks up a lot of time. I didn't really get into Icewind Dale...seemed a little too far on the hack & slash side. Can't wait for Neverwinter Nights and Dungeon Siege...

[Gooch]

I get moods like that a lot. Especially if I'm trudging through a series or something one right after another.


BG2 is cool....but my reading comes in jeapordy as soon as Never Winter Nights comes out.....

[elpa]

Yes. As of late I can't bring myself to start "The Stand," "The Game of Kings," or "The Bear and the Dragon" or "Moby Dick."