literary gluttony

Every reader has that book—the one that’s been sitting on the shelf for months (or years), silently judging us. We bought it with the best intentions. Maybe we were swept up in the hype, maybe we swore we’d read it the second it arrived in the mail, or maybe we even got a gorgeous special edition because we just knew we’d love it. And yet… there it sits, unread.

Today, I’m confessing mine. The book I should have read by now. The book that, at this point, I have no excuse for avoiding.

The Book Haunting My TBR

For me, that book is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s been on my list for 4 years now, and somehow, I just… never got around to it.

I know people love it. Every time I mention I haven’t read it yet, I get The Look—you know, the mix of shock and disappointment from fellow book lovers. I’ve seen the glowing reviews, the fan theories, the emotional breakdowns on social media. And still, here I am, making excuses.

Why Haven’t I Read It?

Honestly? I have no good reason. Here are my weak attempts at justification:

• The Hype Intimidates Me – What if I don’t love it as much as everyone else? What if my expectations are too high?
• The Fear of Commitment – It’s a long book (or a series), and I keep telling myself I’ll “get to it when I have time.” Spoiler: I never magically “have time.”
• The Mood Has to Be Right – I tell myself I need to be in the perfect headspace to appreciate it fully. And yet, I keep choosing other books instead.
• I Keep Getting Distracted by New Releases – Curse my bookish FOMO! Every time I plan to pick it up, something shiny and new steals my attention.

Is It Time to Finally Read It?

So here’s where I need your help: Is it worth the hype? Should I finally pick it up? Or am I dodging disappointment without realizing it?

And while we’re at it… what’s your “Why Haven’t I Read This Yet?” book? Let’s share our TBR guilt together. Maybe we can finally tackle those long-ignored books—or at least feel less bad about them. 😆

Drop your confessions in the comments! 📚⬇️