I have a plan when it comes to books.
Stop looking so worried. It’s a good plan. Honest.
I’ve got a ton of unread books at home on my To Read pile[1]. I’ve got a similar number of unread books on my Kindle. I’m a sucker for a 3 for 2 offer, or a ‘buy one get one half price’, or a 99p kindle ebook deal, see?
So, I’m going to make a list. A list of all the unread books in my house.
Then I’m going to read them.
See? I told you it was a good plan.
I’m also going to be a bit ruthless about this – if there’s a book I’ve not read but, on reflection, am unlikely to read given the state of The Great Unread Book Mountain[2], I’m going to get rid of it. Charity shops will do well out of me.
I may pass some books along too. Books which I’ve read and enjoyed, but am unlikely to read again.
The second part of my cunning plan is to start reading more books which other people have recommended, but which I wouldn’t ordinarily have picked up. I’ve started a ‘to read’ list on Goodreads. I’m dakegra over there (surprisingly), feel free to add me to your list, and recommend me a book.
If you’re not on Goodreads, then feel free to recommend a book that you’ve particularly enjoyed recently. I’ll read as many as I can and review them here.
Also, if anyone wants to send me a book to review, just drop me an email. dakegra [at] gmail [dot] com. I like emails.
[1]the word ‘pile’ may be slightly misleading.
[2]ok, ok, it’s not an actual mountain. It is very big though[3]
[3]stop sniggering at the back[4]
[4]yes, you.
espresso coco 
I find Goodreads good for keeping track of the unread pile (which has its own small bookcase). The To Read list can be a bit depressing, though. Why did I buy those 4 books about the First World War for 25p each in a charity shop? Oh, wait, answered my own question there.
I’ve set up a ‘to read’ list on Goodreads too, though I need to split it out into ‘books to read which I actually own’ and ‘books to read which someone has recommended for me’.
Maybe I’m overthinking this…
A few years ago (2009? I can’t remember) I decided that for one year, I was ONLY GOING TO READ BOOKS THAT WERE ALREADY IN MY HOUSE as of Jan 1. At that time, I estimated that between Nick’s books and mine, there were hundreds that I had not read (I’ve been quite a book hoarder – I am sure you understand). I did make a valiant effort – reading about 85 of those hundreds of books. But I cheated – couldn’t help myself – it was when I was working in a bookstore, and the lure of the “ooh, shiny!” was sometimes too much for me. I am still being punished for cheating (although I cannot tell you about my punishment).
So I applaud your attempts to organize and read your books.
If you look at my goodreads profile, you will see many shelves. My “to read” list is a combination of books we own, and books I’ve heard about that I want to read. Every so often, I go through and cull those that are no longer of interest.
I’d recommend making a “books I own” list on goodreads, where you can keep track of what you have, and a “recommendations from others” list, which you can peruse frequently.
Overthinking? Nah. Librarians and organization and precision. It’s a thing.
I’m sure I won’t read all of the unread books, but it’d be nice to see the scale of the task at hand! Multiple lists are the way forward. And there’s no way I’m not buying *any* books next year – Lauren Beukes’ The Shining Girls is out in May, for example.
I’d recommend Burning Patience by Antonio Skarmeta
Added to my list, thanks Ian.