I have a very tall TBR pile. In fact, it is more than one pile, it is several. I have more than enough books to get me through the rest of the year.
Yet, I want more.
I want more books. I am a book-a-holic. I should add that I am a voracious reader, so it’s not like I don’t read a lot or that I read slowly. There are just always more books to want. I have a wish list of books. Some of these are books that are next in series I am reading, some of them are my auto-author buy books, some are just random books I’ve chosen after seeing a cover or reading a blurb. I shouldn’t even be adding to the wish list, because I’m sure I have enough on there to get me to the middle of next year. Or, at least, until Easter. Then someone will Tweet about a book. “Oh, that sounds so good†and off I go to check it out and, yep, you guessed it, 9 times out of 10 it will be added to the list. Author friends of mine have releases and those get added.
I’m not a snob. I add a wide variety of books, across many genres. Although, I do admit to not adding certain things, just because there’s been too much buzz (Dan Brown, anyone?), but that might be another story (or it may just prove that I’m stubborn – it did take me a while to finally read Harry Potter and then, of course, I loved it.)
I feel sorry for the first books I put on that wishlist because they keep getting pushed further down. When I do make my purchases, I buy whatever I’m in the mood for at that time, not necessarily what was the oldest on the list. And even then I can be found adding more books to the list as I browse away with the links that suggest “If you like XYZ, then you may enjoy ABCâ€. My husband would be appalled. When books arrive at the house he just shakes his head. “What? It was a good deal,†I say, then proceed to explain if I buy x amount I get free shipping and why not just spend that money on a book rather than on shipping. Or, how if I buy these two books together I get a discount. You’re with me, right?
And, look, on this very blog, there are covers tempting me—calling me! Um, sorry, talk amongst yourselves, I have to go add these to my list. Am I insane? Please tell me you do this too. Even though you have books? Is there a Books Anonymous?
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I’m one of those that are going to read Dan Brown in 20 years when the hype is over and want to kick myself for not reading it earlier.
TBR? Overwhelming. And same as you, I keep adding to the list.
I wouldn’t worry about ever kicking yourself for not reading Dan Brown.
Too many books? No such thing!
In my house, there are books everywhere: in neat piles and messy, tipsy piles; beautiful tote-bags, plastic grocery bags and sturdy shopping bags. They are falling from the top of the refrigerator and sliding from book shelves. I have them stuffed into the trunk of my car. And as if I don’t own enough books, I need to borrow them from the library too!!! The woman who runs the used book sale at my local library knows me as someone who buys more than she turns in (I’m very popular because she gets some space freed up). Kimber is correct, there is no such thing as too many books, just too little space. I’ll crack open a book later and toast our common addiction!
I always have books around. I wouldn’t be able to function if I couldn’t always lean over and grab something to read.
When I’m working my way through a TBR pile, I tend towards the Lead Me Not Into Temptation school of management. I don’t let myself go into bookstores or libraries. Instead, I make sure I always have a book from the stack with me and remind myself, “You don’t need to get that now. You’ve got a whole stack of books at home.” It’s oddly like dieting.
Since my husband and I bought our house 3 years ago, I’ve purchased 3 new bookcases and will likely scrap them all and start over with some custom-built ones. I have books stacked on every surface. The worst part is that I’m in a challenging and time-consuming fiction program right now, so the TBR bookshelf keeps growing.
You must be so easy to buy presents for!!
Cait
Hello, my name is Genella deGrey and I have a book buying problem–OK, not really a “problem,” more of a fetish.
And then there is my eReader fixation. . .
Ah, two mediums to obsess over . . .
Hey, it’s either books or shoes, and I choose to read.
G.
Yes, yes, yes! Agree with you, with Kimber An, and just bought five more books yesterday when I went in only intending to buy one; because (a) my Borders Bucks were going to expire and who lets “free money” that could go towards books be wasted? and (b) the store was having a buy five books and get the cheapest one free sale. It would be criminal – criminal I tell you! – not to take advantage.
I use Library Thing for my addiction, it helps me put the books in order by by date. For instance I had books tagged that were suppose to come out, On Tuesday Oct 27, so I went to 2, yes 2 bookstores to find my books. And yes I did wait while they went into the back to pull the books. I LOVE books, especially romance, so I need to be fully prepared when I go out. I leave home most days with 2 books, in case I finish one while I am out. And I always have my list in case I pass a bookstore, you know peek in to see if there is a book I have been thinking about. It’s nice to know I am not alone in my addiction.
You nailed the feeling! I have whole shelves (plural) of TBR, but I always end up buying more. It’s especially rough when I’m in a thrift store. Some how “this is such a bargain” becomes “I’m going to get as may books as I can find!”