My Bookish Resolution for 2013

As you all know, since I have been book blogging my book hoarding has gotten a little bit out of control.  I have one long book case in my living room that I like to have filled with books.  But as of June this year, the bookcase is overflowing and I now have medium size shipping boxes of books in various places around the house.  It didn't not help that my mother practically demanded I take several bags of books out of her garage and my childhood room as well.  Some of them I still haven't read after they've sat for years collecting dust.  Basically, I forgot about them!

I miss going to the local library and bookstore to buy a book that I know I will read within 2 days of purchasing it.  I remember back in the day (last year) when I would buy a book and read it the same day.  What happened?  Why am I holding on to all of these books?  When did and how did this hoarding start?  I feel like I woke up one day and there were more books in my place than anything else.  Literally, anything else!

Honestly, I think the blogging did it!  Memes about In My Mailbox, Staking the Shelves, Book Blast, Cover Reveals, Book Tours and just all of you great bloggers talking and reviewing about some amazing reads.  It's like a book commercial all day every day!  I am not blaming you (book bloggers) but you guys and gals are not helping one bit. 

Before blogging, I would get books from my bi-weekly trip to the library and monthly trip to a bookstore.  I hate to say it but I picked books solely on cover design and price.  Pretty and Cheap!  LOL!  SOLD!  I have so many books that I purchased over the years and never ever read the inside or back cover.  At all! 

Don't get me wrong, I love books and I love having them in my house.  But I hate clutter!  I have to say that most of the books in my house now are unread and the ones I am not going to read I plan on giving away.  They live in another medium size shipping box.  I rarely hold onto books after I read them cause I don't like re-read books at all.  Once I know the end, I'm done.   There are just to many books out there to get to.  

Anyways, I am going to pledge a new 2013 resolution here to help with my bookaholic hoarding habits.

I, Alysia Allen pledge not to purchase any new books for the year of 2013.  There is only one exception.  The book club book of the month is the only book I will purchase at the local independent bookstore.  I will not purchase books for giveaways either.  I will be giving away only the books currently in my possession.  If I bring new books into my house they have to be FREE!  I can purchase audiobooks and e-books since they do not live on my bookshelf.  

In 2013 I will only purchase 12 (book club selection) books and nothing more.  I will read the books in my house this year regardless of age, condition and public opinion.

This is my pledge for 2013.

Whew!  Ok!  I did it!  *breathing deeply*  Now the real challenge beginnings. *breathing deeply*

Here is my list of books currently on my bookshelf.

1. The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber

2. Women Food and God by Geneen Roth

3. 1-900-ANYTIME by Tracy Price-Thompson

4. Legend by Marie Lu

5. Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith

6. The Season of Beento Blackbird by Akosua Busia

7. From the Hood to the Hill b Barry C Black

8. The Bedouin

9. ARC A Different Sun by Elaine Neil Orr

10. ARC Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster

11. Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan

12. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

13. Healer by Carol Cassella

14. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

15. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

16. The Night of the Weeping Women by Lawrence Naumoff

17. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

18. Good Faith by Jane Smiley

19. Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

20. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

21. Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts

22. Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

23. ARC Oleander Girl by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

24. ARC Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

25. ARC The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar

26. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

27. The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland

28. Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

29. One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

30. The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice

31. A Long Way From Home by Connie Briscoe

32. Open House by Elizabeth Berg

33. Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors

34. The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett

35. Even The Stars Look Lonesome by Maya Angelou

36. Live Your Dreams by Les Brown

37. Bo’s Café by John Lynch and Bill Thrall

38. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

39. Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom

40. The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean

41. Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance by Lloyd Jones

42. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

43. Soulless by Gail Carriger

44. Loving Blue by Zuri Day

45. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

46. The Mummy by Anne Rice (not sure if I read this one)

47. Angel Time by Anne Rice

48. The Calling by Armstrong

49. Lethal Rhythm by Peter Kowey

50. Illusions by Chantilly Chanel Austin

51. Bewitching by Flinn

52. How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway

53. The Aloha Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini

54. The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1)

55. Grave Diggers Mountain of Bones by Krovatin

56. Under Wild Wood by Melot Ellis

57. How To Die in Paris by Naturi Thomas

58. 7:33Am by Monda Raquel Webb

59. A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Macias

60. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

61. Fire Baptized by Kenya Wright

62. Indiscretion by Charles Dubow

63. Incubus by Carol Goodman

64. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach

65. Stay Tuned Lauren Clark

66. Under the Never Sky by Rossi

67. Can You Keep A Secret? By Sophie Kinsella

68. Murder in Vein by sue Ann Jaffarian

69. The Christmas Chronicles by Time Slover

70. For One More Day by Mitch Albom

71. Strategic Planning for Love and War by Johnson

72. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

73. Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella

74. Origin by Khoury

75. The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L Carter

76. Throne of Glass by Maas

77. ARC Three Strong Women by Marie NDiaye

78. ARC The Twelve Tribes Of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

79. What’s Left of Me by Zhang

80. UnWholly by Shuterman

81. Lucid by Stoliz and Boss

82. Sweet Shadows by Childs

83. Carnival of Souls by Marissa Marr

84. Don’t Turn Around by Gagnon

85. The Crown of Embers by Carson

86. Nobody’s Secret by MacColl

87. Unremembered by Jessica Brody

88. The Good House by Tananarive Due

89. ARC Under Shifting Glass by Nicky Singer

90. Rescue by Anita Shreve (audiobook)

91. The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani (audiobook)

What are your bookish resolutions for 2013? Do you have one?  Or am I the only one?