Comments for PWxyz

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by sharon

sharon — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:21:43 +0000

Harlan Ellison has the perfect reply to everyone who asks, “Have you read all these books?”

“Hell, no. Who wants a library full of books you’ve already read?”

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Kate

Kate — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:14 +0000

My kryptonite is matching sets. There’s a lovely boxed set of everything by Dickens and another set of Sherlock Holmes…and I don’t even want to read them. They just look really good.

I’m never going to be one of those people who buys paintings. I’m going to have maps, and 12 different versions of LotR, 10 of which I’ve never even opened. That, to me, is loving books (which is different from loving reading).

Comment on Read With Caution! 9 Books That Cause Irrational Phobias by Radcliffe

Radcliffe — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:44:02 +0000

On the other hand, if you have a fear of bees and want to cure it – try Robin McKinley’s “Chalice.” Great book – never thought I’d enjoy bees so much – : )

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Alex P.

Alex P. — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:11:58 +0000

Gabe, I found your post fascinating and spot on. As someone who also collects books (read and unread) I relate to your “addiction.” There is definitely something to be said about obtaining and owning books. The simple act of having them on one’s shelf has its own sense of fulfillment separate from that of actually reading them.
I, too, have books upon books that I purchased over the years that I have never touched, although the intention to is constant. At some point I will pick up the book I found so intriguing at the store three years ago and enjoy it as if it were brand new. Along with that, I find that I cannot go to a bookstore and only purchase one book, unless I am buying a present. It is almost impossible that I could browse the stacks at Barnes and Noble and come away with only one book that caught my interest. It is usually three at time, and I will purchase them all, knowing full well I will only read one, and the other two will be put away on the shelf. The thought of not purchasing them, and not owning a written work that I feel attached to seems absurd to me. And afterall, I will eventually get around to reading the other two.
I like to collect information. I like to surrond my desk and my room with books that I love, want to read at some point, or simply look nice. I’m serious about the last one. I know one shouldn’t judge a book by it’s a cover, unless of course it only desires it for its cover. This may seem shallow, but having an interior decorator as a mother has taught me that nothing makes a room brighter and better than books. My mother will buy books if they are beautifully bound or have a gorgeous spine. Although the content could be just as grand as the cover, the point is mute. She will stack them in the corner of the living room, or on a shelf in the office and it makes all the difference. Being a huge reader, I tend to make purchases based on content, but occasionally, at book sales and such, I will throw a gorgeous copy of Vanity Fair in my bag.
So, even books that I never have an intention to read can be aesthically pleasing to my environment. I’m with you. I do not feel ashamed of my addiction. I like to surround myself with knowledge, even if it has yet to be absorbed. I agree with your point that a library of books waiting to be read far out beats one that has already been devoured.
Lately, my “collection” has been more focused on coffee table books. The large, heavy, beautiful books filled with photographs that are just fun to look at. They’re also quite expensive. Nonetheless I find myself addicted to them. I love putting them on my shelf and pulling them down just to flip through.
Even more peculiar than my collection of books is my collection of journals. Blank journals. I write of course, and many of them are in use, but that does not prevent me from purchasing another one at the store. I like to have them, just in case. It’s the same concept as buying books, really. It is far better to have a blank journal on hand, ready to go, then to have to scuttle around with a brillant thought in my head that I cannot find a home for. Journals also look very lovely on shelves and on desks, regardless if they are blank or full. In my room at school alone, I currently have four blank journals. To be honest, they serve no purpose other than comfort, because when I do have the inkling to write for fun I turn to my blog. Or one of the three journals I have that are already in use. Yet, without fail I also venture over to the journal section at bookstores. I like putting them on my shelf, knowing that one day they could all be filled with thoughts. The anticipation or hope of filling them is enough for me to justify spending $19.95 on a blank journal as a broke college student.
Speaking of being a broke college student, I’ve noticed how a lot of my “miscellaneous” books have come to be permanent dwellers on my shelves. It is all thanks to the misconception that textbook buyback is a terrific thing. Why on earth would I sell back a book (specifically novels/memoirs for my English classes) that I spent at least 20 dollars on to just get three back in return? When the cashier offered my one dollar for my copy of Robinson Crusoe, I was halfway through taking the cash when I realized that Robin Crusoe is a classic. Sure, I hated it, but why one earth would I lose money when I could just keep the book—forever?! And who knows, maybe someday I will reread it and find that my taste in literature has evolved. Doubtful, but how could I part with a book that is a necessity for any home library?
So, I have accumulated a mini library, if you will, at college. It consists of about twenty books, all of which I refuse to purge myself of, because they are great books and could come in handy one day. I will not lose out on excellent editions to my growing personal library just because it will cost around $30 to ship them all home when I graduate. I agree with you, how could anyone throw away their books? Trust me, I know I have far too many, but I don’t have the heart, or the intelligence to discard little bundles of entertainment and comfort.
You’re absolutely right. If the worst problem I have is that I have too many books then my life is looking pretty good. Libraries should be changing all the time. Afterall, change is the only constant, and my library likes to grow.

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:15:27 +0000

This is so me. I have so many books I haven’t read but I keep buying more. I love books.

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Sara

Sara — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:49:48 +0000

Though not a Christian, every year I give up buying books for Lent. Every year it hurts. But it gives me a small breathing space, a little catching-up time.

(I do not allow myself a Mardi-Gras of book-buying)

Comment on Harper Perennial Courts Blogger-Reviewers by John

John — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:40:18 +0000

Excellent post. And so actually what I thought. Surely more will visit this site.
Regards

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Rosemary

Rosemary — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:51:08 +0000

After my husband found 27 banker’s boxes of books in the basement that I “was going to read after I retired”, he suggested that I open a used bookstore. I did and am now surrounded by 3 floors of books and can talk with other people who love books as much as I do every day!! Before any of you run out and do the same, those boxes are still in the basement. Those are MY books! I’m working my way through them – very slowly, since I see new ones every day. I wake up with a smile each day knowing I’m going to see my “friends”.

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Michelle Eging

Michelle Eging — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:46:14 +0000

I moved a lot as a kid and my family used to tease me that I had more boxes labeled books and papers than toys or clothes. That still holds true today. I still move a lot as an adult and I still have more books than anything else. And it’s glorious.

I’ve found when I am trying to control my book buying habit, avoiding temptation is the best way to go. If I don’t know what’s out there, I won;t buy it.

Comment on The Wonderful and Terrible Habit of Buying Too Many Books by Margie

Margie — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:55:13 +0000

Libraries have this nasty way of weeding books–getting rid of those that haven’t circulated in a long time or beginning to show signs of wear.

Since when does a library have to look like a new bookstore?

That old book on the shelf could be just the one you’ve searched for years.

I’m so glad that there are many of you who love books as much as I do.