THE BEACONS ARE LIT AND I CALL FOR AID FROM THE BOOKWORM NATION

The beacons are lit, Aragorn is a wonderful human being, and I have decided I need to read more books this year - and I need your help!

Once upon a time, Mini-Caroline averaged 20-30 books EVERY MONTH.  Now, I can't honestly say whether or not I even read 30 in the whole of 2015.  That is tragic to me.

I guess I've just gotten so busy and all that I've let it slip away too much.  I don't get pulled into books so much like I used to, and reading isn't the thing that I instantly turn to as soon as I'm finished with a chore.  (Anyone in the same boat?)  This has to change!  

I want to live in those worlds, be intoxicated by that beautiful book-smell, and take in words till my eyes get that dizzy feeling - you know, where you finally look up from a book and you see the walls of your house and you're like, wait, I don't live in a house - where's my hobbit hole? OMG TOTO I DON'T THINK WE'RE IN KANSAS ANYMORE (which is ironic 'cause I actually do live in Kansas).  And when you finally realize that Middle Earth isn't actually your native land of birth and the current President's last name isn't Snow....you just open that book again and keep reading 'cause the truth hurts too much.  

I want more books on the menu, more towers of books besides my already-overflowing shelves...

Actually, no - not want:

Basically, this is me and my reading diet at the moment:

Aaaaaaaand my optimum state of bookworm-ness:

What I'd like an average day to look like:

Now, I realize that it's not possible to read every single book at my library TODAY.  (That's why we have "tomorrow", right?)  But still, I think it's time to get back into the habit of trying.

AND HERE COMES THE CALLING FOR AID PART

I need a longer TBR (to be read) list.  

I read fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, contemporary, dystopia and some classics, for the most part.  Mostly PG-13, if books were rated (that should be a thing), not heavy on sexual or mature content.  ;)  

Right now, I'm in the middle of this wonderful book by Kate Morton, The Lake House.  

Past favorites have included the Hunger Games, The Mysterious Benedict Society, The Westing Game, anything by Agatha Cristie, Paper Towns (JUST JOHN GREEN IN GENERAL), Harry Potter, The Name of the Wind, Eragon, Jane Eyre, and so on....

Right now, I want something that will hook me, hard.  Stuff that's not terribly hard to read, due to my busyness.  The old greats.  The new greats.  Books that have impacted you, inspired you.  Especially books that make you laugh or cry.  I can count on one hand the books that have made me cry, so bonus points to you if you find another!  

NOW: HIT ME WITH SOME BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS!

Many thanks, my beautiful worms.

 (...that sounds slightly weirder when it's not 'bookworms')

Can you relate to my reading crisis?  What's the last book that made you cry?  How many books do you average a month/year?  Do you ever get a strong urge to take buy baby carrots in bulk tape them in geometric shapes to your door? (I don't, but I've always wanted to put a totally random question in here to see if anyone reads this...) and lastly, FOR GOODNESS SAKES, WHAT SHOULD I READ?