End of the Year 'Clean-Up Reading'

The state of my reading pile has really been bothering me for some time now.  Things have shifted about somewhat since this photo was taken--a few new books added, a few removed, maybe even a few have been finished (though not many at the rate I seem to be reading this year--what's going on with that anyway. . . ).  With the year completely speeding by I feel I need to take serious steps to reduce the piles and try and get them under control before a new reading year is upon us (and no plans at all in mind as of yet--may have to keep it that way, though I know it is unlikely to happen).  I know we are still months away from 2015, but (scarily) it's not as far off as it seems.  And already we are midway through September. 

So, as in previous years, I have made a list of 'in progress reads', moved a few books back to the TBR pile (if I was not too far into the story), am contemplating what to do with my stack of library books (must learn to be a little more selective, but there is nothing wrong with looking and maybe finding some wonderful new gem of a book) and trying to organize the few books still to come that I plan on incorporating into my reading still this year (yes, can't give those up either), though I would do well to not start a single new book at this point. 

My in progress books in no particular order:

1. The Apothecary’s House by Adrian Mathews
2. Inevitable by Louis Couperus (saving for some other time)
3. Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hary
4. Damsel in Distress by P.G. Wodehouse
5. A Florentine Revenge by Christobel Kent
6. Fear (NYRB) by Gabriel Chevallier (saving for some other time)
7. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
8. Parnassus on Wheels (Melville House novella) by Christopher Morley
9. Red Joan by Jennie Rooney
10. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
11. The Chevalier (Morlands) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
12. By the Shore of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder (not yet started but will keep on with my Little House reading)
13. The Cuckoo’s Calling by J.K. RowlingCrossbones Yard by Kate Rhodes
14. My Dear, I wanted to Tell You by Louisa Young
15. Before the Poison by Peter Robinson
16. This House is Haunted by John Boyne

Yes, I realize this list looks a little daunting--and I numbered it so I can come back to this post and keep track of where I am, where I need to go and cross out as I complete books, but keep in mind nearly all these books are underway.  In some cases I only have a hundred or so pages (or even less) left to read.  They've mostly just been left hanging, so maybe 'clean-up' won't be quite so bad.  I am really hoping that over the course of the next four (well, three and a half) months I can whittle it down to a manageable few to carry over into the new year?

I do have a little fine print, however.  I will be starting a few new books along the way---there are still a few books to read for my Vintage Mystery Bingo card, and a few books for Caroline's Literature and War Readalong.  There will hopefully still be a couple of new RIP reads and I have a few review books in progress that I should be finishing soon.  Oh, Anna Pavord got lost in the shuffle last month (double duty this month with both August and September to read!).  And I will keep moving with m subscription books (NYRBs have sort of fallen off the radar and I must fix that).

And I am totally digging my Israeli War Literature class, too, and have several books I want to read in the coming months which will get priority on the reading pile.  Although we only need to read excerpts from most of the books and in some cases just short stories, I want to read as many of the full texts as I can.  So far I've read one play and one novella and am just starting a novel, though I have several short stories to finish reading first this weekend. 

I have lots of bookishness to share--books I've been reading for my class, books I am reading just because and I still have a small stack of books I have finished that I would like to write about.  If only I could grow extra hours on a tree I would own an orchard.  How can I slip in more reading time (or maximize the time I have for the pile of books in progress)?  Suggestions welcome . . .