Thursday, October 18, 2007

I resolve

On this day (mostly) spent away from the computer, I have come to a conclusion. I simply cannot, and will not buy any more new books for a long, long while. It is money I can't afford to spend. But even more importantly, I don't like the feeling that comes from buying, buying, buying when my shelves are filled with unread books. Too often I hear about a book, and think I simply must own it. Well, I don't have to own it. I can borrow it from the library, or I can put it on an ever-growing list of books I'm interested in reading. And if I don't want to read the books in my house, why, oh why did I buy them in the first place? This is a big thing for me. I've resolved to do this before, but didn't stick with it. This time I'm announcing it to the world, or at least the bit of the world who visits my blog. :<)

Here are a few glimpses of books patiently waiting for me to read them.



15 comments:

  1. And do you think, you'll stick to your resolution this time???? Congratulations! I couldn't!!!
    Have a good time with your books!!
    Barbara

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  2. I'm in exactly the same place as you. I have so many wonderful books on my tbr pile just waiting to be read. It represents quite a lot of money and not reading them is such a waste. So far I've managed to go a month without buying any new ones so am quite pleased with myself. I do have a list of books I've read about recently and would like to read but am thinking I could put them on my Christmas list or treat myself to a couple of them, but not until Christmas. Good luck!

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  3. I agree with you, Nan! I think those 'tbr' piles multiply when my back is turned. I am a great library user. If I start the book and do not want to go further than 25 pages - just return and no money has been spent! Good luck with the resolution!

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  4. I need to do the very same thing. We have so many books, wonderful books, that I haven't gotten to yet. Good for you, and good luck!

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  5. I can totally relate to this. But I consider books to be good friends and I like to go back and visit with favorites once in while. Yet I've had to start packing books away in boxes for lack of shelving space! Thanks to a friend, I've discovered the website www.goodreads.com where you can list books you've read, books you are currently reading, and books you have good intentions to read. This helps me keep track of what I would like to read without having yet purchased the book. I can also share my thoughts on what I've read and also see recommendations from others. Check it out!

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  6. I wish you luck. I need to do this too. Did I tell you that I have a book closet now as well as all the bookshelves. I feel really out of control sometimes. And I work at a library!!!

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  7. This is just what I have been thinking too. I can't understand why I keep buying books and borrowing yet more from the library and my son. He did find his copy of Fever Pitch and it's now in a pile waiting to be read.

    I have stopped adding to my wishlist(well nearly stopped, because I added one this morning).

    So, I'm joining you in resolving not to buy any more books for a while - at least until after Christmas. Having so many unread books around does make me feel hassled - and it's all self-imposed and unnecessary.

    You have some very interesting books waiting for you and I've refrained from adding any of them to my list. I've read Elegance but not any of the others. Enjoy your reading!

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  8. I'll join you in this challenge! I have so many wonderful books waiting to be read. It's just silly to buy anymore. I will, however, continue to borrow books here and there, just so I can recommend something "new/current" at work.

    Good luck, my friend!

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  9. Good luck with your resolution, Nan. I've tried and failed I'm afraid. Even when I borrow them from the library I find that I must add it to my collection. I don't even want to think how many books on my shelves are waiting to be read! ~ Lynda ♥

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  10. Good luck, Nan. I've just moved my tbr pile to right behind my desk where it's shelved (side by side), so it's easier to see what's there. It is quite modest, I think, and I am pretty disciplined about not adding to it without depleting it first, but still my Amazon wishlist runs to over 200 items and increases daily.
    Must read faster!!

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  11. If you can do this you are a better woman than I! I keep justifying it by saying I have this one vice. . . and my husband doesn't have a problem with it. Perhaps I can say, I won't pay full price for a book any more? I'll have to take a picture of my TBR piles/bookshelves when I get home so you can visualize the breadth of my problem. (I am in Olympia this weekend to attend an Iris Dement concert!!)

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  12. I'm guilty of buying books and adding them to the reading pile too. I collect books like some women collect shoes or skeins of wool. Everyday I tell myself, stop the buying and remind myself I can only read one book at a time. I am a step closer to some sort of recovery...I had my library card renewed the other day.

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  13. I did stop buying books for a couple of years after I decorated my sitting room (I had to get rid of quite a lot to make the space to actually get near the walls to be able to paint them, LOL!). Since then I have been buying DVD's instead (another addiction!), but have recently slipped back into buying books as well. I always have a fairly large pile of borrowed library books that I doubt I will ever get around to reading, so why am I buying more??? Sounds like I am not the only one with this tendency. LOL! Good luck with your challenge!

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  14. I just love all your comments! It's nice to not be alone. :<) I actually feel very good about the decision. I even put my library books into the bookbag and will return them unread. I really and truly do want to read from my own shelves. And I'm very excited to do so.

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  15. Ohh, I want to get into At Home With Beatrix Potter - what is the author's name please? I am just the same and it is a compulsion. I just like to have my own library full of things I've loved (and might possibly loved) and have lots of choice. Good luck, Nan, you are a stronger woman that I. (This would make a great challenge, personal or otherwise - the read from your own shelves challenge - how long could you do it for?? I could go years to be quite honest.)

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