Being a book addict is not easy, as I am sure most of you already know. Our local Friends of the library society had their semi-annual book sale last weekend. They collect used books from members of the community and then sell them off at $2 a hardback and 50¢ a paperback. We always manage to add a few dozen titles to our stacks with this, especially the last hour when they have the $5 a bag sale. Among the many authors we picked up Lisa got a half dozen Iris Johansen’s and I did likewise with Michael Connelly.
Needless to say our bookshelves our bursting and I alone have over 100 books in my “to be read” pile. The problem is I keep seeking new titles off the shelves of the same library and never really read down the books I own. I think I always have the thought in the back of my mind that since I own these books I can read them any time I want, while these library books are due soon. Of course I am incapable of returning a book to a library without checking the New shelf to see what has come in. Invariably I always find something new I want to read and immediately check it out. It is the vicious cycle of addiction.
This cycle has gotten out of control, as indicated by 100 plus books stacked around my house gathering dust. I have books I got as Christmas gifts 3 years ago that I specifically asked for and have yet to read! Well the neglect stops here. I have 6 months until the next book sale and I want to reduce the piles, drastically. So starting November 1st I am going to spend the next six months only reading books that I own with a couple small exceptions:
- I do have a few books on reserve at the library that I cannot guarantee will be in before November 1st, so I will still read those.
- I will continue to read books sent to me for review by publishers and authors.
- I will still obtain self-contained digital books from my library. I really love those because they are so small and only need one triple A battery to run. They are my walking the dog, working on the house books that I listen to; and I do not own any of those.
- And I will still get Michael Connelly’s backlist from the library because I am almost done and I wasn’t able to get all the ones I am missing from the sale.
So there you have it. I am finally going to read these books and free up some shelf space. Who is with me?
I know the feeling. My TBR pile is mind boggling. My New Year's Resolution will be to hack away at it while not expanding it with new purchases. Except those REALLY necessary purchases.
ReplyDeleteWe are returning all read books(we bought at the library) to the library for their next sale and I hope we really do get most of them read, piles of books and more everyday in the mail.....I'm glad we don't get earthquakes here! Thanks for the visit and the comment. Lisa
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one. I start the day with the plan that I'm going to quickly go through my emails then start reading my TBR pile. Next thing I know I'm looking for free ebooks, rewriting my TBR list, and go from there. At the end of the day I realize that I still have not read books for publishers or authors that I said I would and promise to do better the next day. Wash, rinse, repeat.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I'm right there with you!!