my sainted schoolteacher grandma once told me that books count as essentials so you never have to feel bad about buying them. if you got a problem with that, take it up with Nancy
I have the upstairs book wall in my office, books taking over what was supposed to be a greenhouse shed room but is now my winter reading space, and ... um ... a nonconforming basement room that is a "storage library".
God. I'm going to have to die in this house.
Well obviously having that many books indicates that you are Of Privilege™️ and therefore unfit to advocate for the working class-- *I am forcibly shoved out of a window and directly into a dumpster*
What's like the rough estimate of how many of these you've read? I'm up to like five bookcases now but I've somehow managed to keep my unread stuff to only two shelves
I hate to think how much I've spent on books in the last 40yrs.
I'm not sure I have my reading addiction under control yet. I've only bought 6 books so far this month and usually have 5-6 books on the go at any one time
But yeah, buying books and reading them are separate hobbies. Taking pictures of covers helps remember the book or topic and then I can shop around while resisting impulse purchases.
I'm seriously going to try and see if I can read only books I own next year. I like doing book challenges so I read outside my comfort zone, so I have a lot of miscellaneous books that I've bought throughout the years with potential book prompts in mind!
I checked my bookshelves & found l have 21 books to start with a value of £283....not including second book or 'work related' stuff.
Better sit down later with a new book!
I’m a fellow addict.
Most recent acquisition:
American Exception: Empire And The Deep State by Aaron Good
I think I paid $18.95 for this book
The poor quality of the binding &
paper is a bit shocking.
Cover art by Abby Martin
It's a disease where the progression feels so good though. Plus it doesn't kill you, just damages your bank balance. I quite like my Buying Too Many Books disease and it's quite advanced.
Like myself, you suffer from Tsundoku, the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them. The term is also used to refer to books ready for reading later when they are on a bookshelf.
I sent him your pic, and he was impressed by your choices especially his 😂. I’m now trying to get him to join Bluesky and leave the toxic pit of Hades that is X👿
If you are going broke with your book buying, may I suggest you search through the Internet Archive. You can find some great books for free in there. Oldies but Goodies.
But I must agree with you. My disease is also progressing rapidly.
If it helps, my mother has struggled with this condition her entire life and she is doing fine. Well, she’s not dead. But the quality of her life is not related to her excess of books In fact, I think the books give her purpose. They’re like her Pokémon, really.
This disease can manifest itself in other ways. Such as having a Steam library that is full of games you've bought on sale, but that you'll never find time to play.
I was scrolling through BlueSky, avoiding the fact that I need to organize the too-many books I have and tucking my tail because I HAVE TO BE the only one who does this. And I hit your post. Solidarity.
Also, these look like great reads and I will NOT go to the store today.
Very true. EXCEPT I really should read the too-many books I have first! But I shared/saved your post so I can come back to these books in 25 years or however long it takes me to get through my TBR stack.
*opens TBR list*...*licks pen tip* (for good measure, it's a stylus, though...🤷♀️)... A History of Delusions by...
Wait... did you say "disease"? Shit. I'm doomed. 😳🤒 *sigh*
Where was I... *licks pen tip*... Victoria... 📚
The Wooden Shoe, A Novel Idea, Making Worlds, Lot 49, Iffy Books, Mostly Books, Harriett’s Bookshop when they’re open, and our B&N is really well-curated
I've chosen to re-frame my Buying Too Many Books disease as Philanthropy to Benefit Authors, Publishers, and Independent Booksellers. I'm way less anxious about it now.
It's a tiny shop but instead of using Amazon I just order anything we want through them and pick it up. I feel like they don't have a lot of customers that do that.
I’m worried @burgessct.bsky.social that we too may have this disease. Symptoms include towering stacks of unread books and denial about needing a cure. I fear I’m terminal.
"It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones."
You do not have a disease!
You, like myself, are a Book Dragon!! We have a hoard of books that we have started reading or are yet to read. And they sit in our pile until we need to move them to make more space in the pile for more books. And we won’t get rid. Because it’s our precious!
If you haven't read it, William Broad's The Universe Below is a fascinating book that describes the history of ocean exploration and how the space program built on the technological advances required for work in the deep sea.
Comments
Don’t give up hope, you can survive this.
God. I'm going to have to die in this house.
I'm not sure I have my reading addiction under control yet. I've only bought 6 books so far this month and usually have 5-6 books on the go at any one time
I'm like you re: reading. And I like that same genre. So which one of those pictured blew you away the most?
I'll read it.
My Wife's now a writer. Her Novel "Dark Glasses" should be available soon....
I'm a Rock and Roll musician now and haven't read a book since 1988. Don't have time.
But yeah, buying books and reading them are separate hobbies. Taking pictures of covers helps remember the book or topic and then I can shop around while resisting impulse purchases.
https://www.amazon.de/dp/1479897639
How sugar, tea, cotton, the potato, quinine, and the cocoa plant have shaped history.
Buying-all-the-books-you-can-carry is like chicken soup or italian hot chocolate or Mochachino, it's good for your well-being.
And it's cheaper than drugs ...
At least that's what I tell myself.
#keepgoing
#Booksky
Better sit down later with a new book!
Most recent acquisition:
American Exception: Empire And The Deep State by Aaron Good
I think I paid $18.95 for this book
The poor quality of the binding &
paper is a bit shocking.
Cover art by Abby Martin
Just 15 ?
I got over 50’s in my TBR pile
Buy more books
#Tsundoku #books
Sorry but not sorry!
But I must agree with you. My disease is also progressing rapidly.
Also, these look like great reads and I will NOT go to the store today.
Wait... did you say "disease"? Shit. I'm doomed. 😳🤒 *sigh*
Where was I... *licks pen tip*... Victoria... 📚
But whatever floats your boat! Hard copy books can also be used when the power grid/ network is out (not just for reading!)!
📚📚📚
📚😂
Keeping in mind treason/betrayal depends on which side or at what point of the equation on sits.
Mole - William Hood - written many moons ago, discusses the "first" spy within post-worldwar 2 Soviet Union.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44981013
https://www.treehugger.com/tsundoku-practice-buying-more-books-you-can-read-4857967
I think there's a book you can get that......oh wait 🤔
You, like myself, are a Book Dragon!! We have a hoard of books that we have started reading or are yet to read. And they sit in our pile until we need to move them to make more space in the pile for more books. And we won’t get rid. Because it’s our precious!
it’s about sanquivores and is really very good :)
👀👀👀
if so
i’ll have to check that book out!
Totally reframed the way I think about the Pacific. Or, perhaps, actually made me think about the Pacific.