Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion

So lately I've been thinking about all my unread books I have at home and how I can put together a plan to read a few. Mostly I get very caught up in new releases and it just keeps pushing my books back farther and father and I know I'm missing out on reading some gems. So I've come up with a plan.

I am renouncing my library card. From May 15th to July 1st (maybe July 31st, we'll have to see how it goes). No more library books! The exception will be the ones I already have at home ( Karma, Black Dawn,Sweet Venom,Fins Are Forever and Insurgent). I know it will probably take me the rest of May to read these but then I can start on some of the much anticipated series I've collected.

The trick has to be staying off the library's website. 24 hour access to the catalog is bad for me. I'm going to miss the rush of new additions and adding things to my wishlist but I think if I can do this I can get a few of my books read. It is already hurting my feeling just to think of putting this plan into action but it's for the greater good. The greater good being the 800+ unread books currently sitting in my office.

*Two minutes after writing this post I'd like to add an additional exception, audiobooks for road trips.*

I should do that over the summer. I think I'd get a lot more read if I did.

Shannon, just wondering, have you thought about just alternating? I mean, read an old book, a new one, an old, a new, etc.? That way you hopefully won't also miss out on the new releases. Just a thought, best of luck, you're gonna need it. ;-)

I have tried that Joseph, but since most of things I get from the library are new releases and I can not renew them I end up chasing return dates. If I read as fast as I used to I wouldn't have this problem. :) I did look up the new releases here on goodreads and I don't see anything I HAVE TO read until September or October, so hopefully I'll be able to hold out.

Finally finished all my library books, so now I'm ready to dig into my own. Of course the problem now is deciding what to read. Start a new series, finish an old one? A stand alone, whater I just happen to touch first? Decisions decisions.

I don’t know if this applies to any or all of you but I sometimes have a problem with long time plans. There is a right time for everything and sometimes I start a book and soon decide it isn’t the right time for that particular book. I generally put it away for a week, month or year and read something else in its place. Eventually I pick up that earlier attempt and find my mind and circumstance makes it the right time and I enjoy the book very much.

Library books aren't bad lol I buy books like I have all the money in the world but I DON'T! I buy extra books for no reason and I just end up giving them away here is an example




I'm a HUGE fan of Richelle Mead and I just like to buy in multiples, if I see a good deal on books I'm the first one all over it lol i need help but I am proud/ashamed of my collection.

I agree with Thom's approach. Sometimes I buy a book with the best possible intention and then find that my mood doesn't suit what I am reading so have to stop before negativity sets in. The trick is trying to keep the "Have read and enjoyed" books separated from the "Try again later" volumes. I have considered using coloured stickers on the spines but cannot (yet) overcome my aversion to defacing a book.

Huw wrote: "I agree with Thom's approach. Sometimes I buy a book with the best possible intention and then find that my mood doesn't suit what I am reading so have to stop before negativity sets in. The tric..."

Huw, Goodreads provides an easy solution for that problem. I have a started-but-could-not-finish shelf on Goodreads, you could make a try-again-later shelf too.

I would hesitate to do that as it tends to brand a book tainted or inferior and often the book isn’t at fault. Very few books would be put in my hypothetical “started-but-could-not-finish” shelf. I try to give all authors the benefit of the doubt as I know writing and publishing a book is no mean feat. I save my criticisms until I’ve finished a book and even then in many cases I give it a positive review. It has happened in the past that a disappointing first read, completely redeems itself on a second reading. The maxim and truism “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” could be accompanied/expanded with “a book is as good as the mind that reads it” or something to that effect…
Everyone develops or follows a system (the classification that best suits that individual). I like things simple… My to-read shelf is a method to remember books I’ve come across and want to read but don’t yet have. I don’t record unread books I have in my library (I haven’t found a simple way to do that) but only the books I defiantly want to have and read, the books I’ve already read and the books I’ve re-read. Some of my read shelf could be moved to re-read but I haven’t written a review for them yet.

Im trying to cut down on buying this month, bank account tight. I keep purchasing series at abe books! I have more books I want to get of a series but am holding myself over by reading other series right now and trying to resist the urge for a bit longer to "buy" :D

Thom wrote: "I would hesitate to do that as it tends to brand a book tainted or inferior and often the book isn’t at fault. Very few books would be put in my hypothetical “started-but-could-not-finish” shelf. I..."

I have quite a few books I've started and not finished, usually due to not really being in the right mood at the time. I've created a 'part-read' shelf for those, which seems somewhat less negative than 'gave up part-way through'. I came back to Robert Macfarlane's The Wild Places after a year or so when I stopped reading it because it seemed pompous but when I picked it up again recently I found I really enjoyed it.

I should be avoiding buying many books too Erin, but my book spending has really snowballed - where I used to buy a lot of CDs, DVDs and blu-rays I'm now buying lots of books instead. Just too many good nature books around.

Alice: buying multiple copies of the same edition of a book I reckon is probably going a bit too far! I've re-bought in better editions (replacing a 1980's reprint of London's Natural History with a nice first edition from 1945, buying some hardback editions of the Lord of the Rings books to replace worn paperback copies) but not sure why buying two copies of a cheaper book is good sense!

I have just bought NOTHING from a bookshop. Is this a sign of rehabilitation?

I have 99 days without buying books, unless the one I bought for my daughter's birthday counts.

@Huw It's a start!

@Marieru It doesn't count way to stay on the road to recovery!

:)

I'm trying to quit buying books for a while. I own nearly 200 books that I haven't read yet. I've ordered myself not to buy anything new until I get my TBR list down to under 100. I've been avoiding all the bookshops in my area and I've temporary blocked all the websites I buy books from.

So it is the eve before I lift my self imposed library ban and I must say I've done very well sticking to the plan. I did cave and go browsing on the library website but did not check out a thing. I did reserve a book that comes out tomorrow (7/31) but I'll wait until 8/1 to grab it so I can be official. I had made decent progress in my TBR pile. I traded anything that was not a keeper but of course in trading I just got more books that are now unread so I really didn't help myself.

I'm going to try to start a rotation of one library book, one owned book, one kindle book in the future which I'm sure will work out just fine until there is a mass of new releases but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Well done Shannon, and good idea about the rotation. If you can stick to it then you should be able to make some in-roads into the pile.

I love this group-- it lets me know that I'm not the only one with 200+ unread books yet I keep buying more ....
I've always tried to do the rotating books thing, one new one old and now since I started going again, one library book -- though I've already stopped going to the library because I keep taking home too many.
And I too have the 'not in the mood' problem at times. I'll put something aside as my next read and when the times comes, pick it up and think meh not in the mood ..... these days I'm mainly glad just to get anything read and not worry about it too much :)

It has been about 5 or 6 weeks since I have bought a book. :( - I have about 200 or more books that I haven't read. Also I have not had the compulsion to get any as none have appealed to me. It always seems that this time of year there aren't many fiction books that I like. The book stores start putting out lots of table top books and childrens books for the holidays. Maybe I can get a few of the ones that I already own read.

I was doing good being broke and avoiding temptation, but this month that's changing again. I have enablers! My friend loves to go book shopping with me and my fiances work was doing a charity used booksale he wanted me to check out. I got away with just three, thankfully there wasnt much there I wanted. But, overall have gotten over ten this week

I haven't bought any new books in a month, too much to read that I own already.

As of today - I t has been another month since I have bought any books - I have read 4 books since then - I am now working on my 5th. My pile of 200 or more books is only dwindling a little - but better a little than none at all. I have been tempted several times to buy more - but so far so good!

I need to go into rehab too I think, I'm not spending a lot of money on books (I've not bought any New Naturalist books since August), but am still buying a lot more than I'm reading and I'm finding myself being a bit obsessive about checking all the local charity shops for any goodies. Maybe I should put my buying on hiatus until after Christmas and try to keep out of the bookshops...

Today I was really having a hard time. I wanted so badly to go and buy a book. As you already know I have at least 200 books I haven't read. Sooo - I went to my book case and looked at some of the books I already have - It worked! It was like going shopping and I didn't spend a cent!

I've been finding that looking at my bookshelves works too, but more because I see all the books I've yet to read but really want to and I worry that buying more will see those getting lost in the mass! As it is I know it'll take years to work through the books I've bought recently, but there are just so many wonderful books out there!

That said, I've broken the back of the list of books I own that I really wanted to read this year, have just got four left on the list and I've started three of those already:



Am only a few days into my self-imposed book-buying fast and I'm finding it tough not going looking for books in the local shops (what treasures I might be missing!) but I know it'll get easier - I had become quite obsessive about checking the shops and some weeks checked the local charity shops daily for new arrivals!

The problem is not so much spending outside one's monetary means, but beyond one's ability to absorb!

Paul wrote: "I've been finding that looking at my bookshelves works too, but more because I see all the books I've yet to read but really want to and I worry that buying more will see those getting lost in the ..."

Just wanted to add this thought - Since I am not at the store looking for more books I have more time to read!

Well, I blew my self imposed rehab. I bought a book! Just one though, but now I want to buy more! Help!

I got 377 books on my kindle fire .. And I have a few that I started reading and decided I wasn't in the mood .. I go find another book!! I love reading .. Especially now where the weather is bad here in Ohio..and I am going on a cruise in 2013 and I gotta have books for it .. I always try to get free ones off amazon

Mary wrote: "Well, I blew my self imposed rehab. I bought a book! Just one though, but now I want to buy more! Help!"

Must admit I bought one book for myself last week... I'd had a truly dire day and really needed a lift badly and found a hardback of the last book I was missing out a series I'd been collecting. I felt better but also very guilty! At least I've put a temporary crimp in my trend towards buying lots of books.

Paul wrote: "Mary wrote: "Well, I blew my self imposed rehab. I bought a book! Just one though, but now I want to buy more! Help!"

Must admit I bought one book for myself last week... I'd had a truly dire d..."

I just went on my Goodreads book list for the year and I have read 12 books since I started my rehab - so now I don't feel bad. Maybe I can buy 1 book for every 12 I read. Surely I will get caught up someday.

Good going Mary. We had the Book People at work today and I went along 'to look for Christmas presents' (yeah, right!) and came away with one book... for myself. I guess I'm really not cut out for cold turkey, I've failed to completely stop buying books at least twice now - but at least my book buying rate has been drastically cut back and I'm thinking very carefully before buying books. I went to some shops after work today and successfully resisted buying quite a few books I fancied, including a very cheap Bernard Cornwell book that was the last book I was missing from a series (Harlequin).

I just put together my book collection library a few weeks before hurricane sandy hit.

I can't stop buying books for my kindle ...I got almost 400....help

Paul wrote: "Good going Mary. We had the Book People at work today and I went along 'to look for Christmas presents' (yeah, right!) and came away with one book... for myself. I guess I'm really not cut out for ..."

Oh Paul, If we only do a little better. My husband isn't a book reader. He needs a website that is for people who have a clothing fetish. He just loves to dress up. So many clothes, hats and shoes. Oh well, we must have fun.

I looked up Bernard Cornwell - looks interesting. I love historical fiction. I read Philippa Gregory and Cynthia Harrod-Eagles.

Well, here I go, back to reading. Do so want to buy another book. What's up with that? Am I never satisfied! Ha!

Sorry for putting temptation in your path Mary! Bernard Cornwell books are very good and he does seem to work hard on maintaining historical accuracy, though I'd probably start by borrowing one from the library to see if it's your kind of thing (they can be rather 'blokey' books!). My favourites are the Saxon series, starting with The Last Kingdom.

Paul wrote: "Sorry for putting temptation in your path Mary! Bernard Cornwell books are very good and he does seem to work hard on maintaining historical accuracy, though I'd probably start by borrowing one fro..."

I'll keep that in mind, but right now I am just going to try to behave myself. I checked Long Beach Public Library though and they do have it. Are his books filled with a lot of wars and such?

Mary wrote: "Are his books filled with a lot of wars and such?"

Yes, they do often have a lot of battles in them and looking at the book listing for the authors you mention they're probably far from the historical books you're used to reading! These are definitely male-oriented books, just as those appear to be quite female-oriented.

I like Cornwell for his ability to tell a story and craft interesting characters in a believable historical setting rather than for the wars... war books are a genre I usually steer well clear of!

Paul wrote: "Mary wrote: "Are his books filled with a lot of wars and such?"

Yes, they do often have a lot of battles in them and looking at the book listing for the authors you mention they're probably far fr..."

Sounds interesting. I will probably try them someday. Thanks for the info.

I have failed Rehab! I have bought 6 books in the last 3 days! - I have got to just settle down and read!

Ellie wrote: "I'm trying to quit buying books for a while. I own nearly 200 books that I haven't read yet. I've ordered myself not to buy anything new until I get my TBR list down to under 100. I've been avoidin..."

Your post was on June 30th - Are you still doing it? If so, how? I was good for awhile, but have failed miserably.

I honestly haven't been too bad. Did buy five new books the other day from the Dollar General for 1.25 each. The store finally got new ones in and they looked interesting. Two Hard Case Crimes and some other cute stuff. The week before spent 27 on a new book that I got autographed in person at a signing.

Mary wrote: "Ellie wrote: "I'm trying to quit buying books for a while. I own nearly 200 books that I haven't read yet. I've ordered myself not to buy anything new until I get my TBR list down to under 100. I'v..."

Yeah, I didn't buy any new books between June and September. I brought 2 or 3 new ones recently but they were for monthly reads in the group I'm a mod of. I'm really proud of myself. :D My TBR list is around the 170 mark now. I promised myself I'm going to allow myself to buy any books I want in the new year if I keep this up. :P

I have bought 6 books in the last 8 days - It took me 3 months to read 12 books. Must stop now while I'm ahead.

I just buy ‘em where I can get ‘em. I don’t think I (or for that matter anyone in this group) needs to curb their ways. Reading and books are a blessing and we are all blessed. I don’t think that the time will ever come when I say “I’ve read enough” and never pick up a book again. Why should I (or you) say I’ve got to stop acquiring books? I consider books my lifeblood and would no sooner stop than I would breathe. Every book has something unique to say so embrace them all and give them loving homes.

The problem is when it becomes an obsession, as my book-buying had become. I was buying well within my means, which should mean it's not a problem but buying a book for pretty much every day in a given month is not really good when it might take me a year or more to read them... and yet continuing to buy at the same rate. I guess from Mary's post above she feels the same?

Sure, it's not a 'big' problem and as habits go it's hardly a bad one to have, but if someone is concerned about their own behaviour and tries to correct it then that is to be applauded. We can probably all benefit from a little moderation somewhere in our lives (in my case books and food... and am making some modest progress on those).

Friends of Library sale is next week and you can count on me going. I will not feel guilty for buying at all. I will probably be in a very good mood.

Thom wrote: "I just buy ‘em where I can get ‘em. I don’t think I (or for that matter anyone in this group) needs to curb their ways. Reading and books are a blessing and we are all blessed. I don’t think that t..."

Paul wrote: "The problem is when it becomes an obsession, as my book-buying had become. I was buying well within my means, which should mean it's not a problem but buying a book for pretty much every day in a g..."

Thom - If I didn't have so many books it wouldn't be a problem. I have not counted every one, but I estimate I have well over 200. My Goodreads chalenge tells me I have read 63 books so far this year - so maybe 70 for the year. That would take me at least 3 years to finish the books I have. I would be happy if I could get down to just the books that fit on my shelf - not double rows on each shelf and not 3 plastic bins in front of my shelfs filled with books. I understand what you are saying, but for me buying 6 or 7 books in one week has become a problem. My living room looks like a bookstore.

Paul: Thank you for understanding.

I did not borrow another book tonight left at the laundrymat

I'm happy to say that I've actually been managing my book buying habit as well. For the past month, or so, I've actually gone to the library/bookstore with a book in hand and simply left after a session of reading. I have, however, been buying/ checking out books after completing a book.
I'm trying to keep my physical as well as online TBR pile down. I hope I can keep it up!