Let me make myself clear. I didn’t want to do it but I am weak. At least I’m honest about it. Would you steal a man’s water in the desert or would you let him drink and live? Enjoy his life?
OK, so my situation isn’t the same and it has nothing to do with water. It’s the best example I can think of that might grab your attention. An ad in the newspaper yesterday just jumped out and hit me between the eyes. It was about a book sale. So what? Don’t I already work at a bookstore? Sure, I admit it and we have a sale coming up in a couple of weeks too. But…I’ll not be able to make it to that one. Anyway, I already know what will be on sale so I can’t get all that excited about it.
I’m running out of shelf space it’s true, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Before I entered the lair of temptation, I promised I would only buy what I NEEDED and had to HAVE. None of this, ‘hmm that sure sounds good, I’ll put that on the next reading pile leaning tower of books stockpile awaiting attention.’
I bought five children’s books for my granddaughters and five books for me (5/$1.00 cheap but in mint condition). A mighty fair deal, right? Three of mine are novels; one is The Arctic Grail (The Quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole 1818-1909) See, deep reading by Canadian author Pierre Berton. The last one is Devil’s Knot (The True Story of the West Memphis Three) by Mara Leveritt of Little Rock. All good and only fifty cents each! How could I say no?
I’ve heard there are some who abhor hoarding. I don’t know anything about THAT and I’m NOT one of THEM. You’d be surprised what I don’t have to run out and buy…wait for it…I already have it on my shelf. I’ve belonged to a book club for eleven years. What’s wrong with being prepared and on top of things? Am I wrong? I also have lots of choices when I can’t sleep at night. Not true anymore. I sleep like the dead.
I’m not admitting to anything, but maybe I have a certain—je ne sais quoi—-something in my DNA. I love running my hands over my friends books as I pass by. I like the way they smell and feel. When I sit down to read, it’s nice knowing they’re watching me and enjoying that I am smitten by one of their own. See, it’s a two-way street. We respect each other. It’s been a long relationship and I want to give each one of my full attention. To get to know each one well. Some have been passed from hand to hand but I don’t care. Only rarely have I been known to give up a few but mostly I am loyal. And YES, I DO peruse many over again. I’m better than a boyfriend. I’m true blue.
Why isn’t there enough time to enjoy MY rapture here on earth ?
How the Cookie Crumbles 
February 29, 2012 at 1:30 am
Meesees, yu crezee. As an addendum to the above confession, I must put in my own two cents (it might be worth more). Everything this crazy lady has said is true, sadly true BUT she DOES share and along with her ‘stockpile’, she also has a few bags on the go, which when full, she sends off to… well me….at which time I send back to her, books I have read and don’t wish to keep. So just to put this all in perspective…YES she is addicted to buying and reading books but it doesn’t stop there, she also exchanges books with others…… OMG!!!!! she IS a hoarder!!!
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February 29, 2012 at 3:33 pm
It’s so NICE to see you here. Big surprise! I was up half the night making sure I got my post out before Wednesday morning.
So now I’m a bag lady—with BOOKS. I guess that’s OK. I feed the world (you) with books and they (books) feed me. Ha. I am NOT a hoarder. Maybe you meant to say I am getting HOARSER trying to make myself clear!
Thanks for coming by T. Appreciate your input (giggles with glee).
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February 29, 2012 at 1:56 am
Good Blog! I Love those bookcases and another good thing is that you don’t have to constantly redecorate. When I visit somewhere new I always check for a bookcase – it tells me nearly everything I need to know!
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February 29, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I can’t imagine what my living-room could look like without the books and cases. Empty and forlorn, I guess. When I first moved in with my daughter and her family and finally unpacked all my books (truth be told, there are still in boxes), my 5-year-old granddaughter asked me if she could sit in my LIBRARY. I guess that’s what she saw and she whispered it. Reverently. Imagine that. Chip off the old block, what? At least I hope so. Thanks for taking the time to comment Andrew. Nice to hear from you.
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February 29, 2012 at 6:06 am
If you haven’t, you need to read the children’s book called “The Library.” (can’t recall author). I can relate to you and this book quite well, There will never be a substitute for a real book.
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February 29, 2012 at 3:10 pm
You’ve got my interest. Will be checking it out before the day is out.
I totally agree with no substitute for a real book. I had an optomotrist appointment last summer and while I was in the waitingroom, a lady sitting next to me was reading her Kobo (? = electronic version of what real people call REAL books). I felt I was on Star Trek or something (lost between worlds anyway). Plastic is colder than cardboard and paper.
Thanks for commenting. I appreciate your opinion.
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February 29, 2012 at 6:12 am
This is not something to be ashamed of, unless you were spending so much you had no money for food, or it took you half an hour to crawl your way to the front door. In the era of electronic books, I would rather hold the book in my hand also. That may change someday, but for now I am defying all the people who claim I am too young to be so old.
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February 29, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Bingo. Another REAL person who understand REAL books and what they’re meant to be. I was just telling another commentor that even though I’ve had $100 worth of gift certificates to our bookstore (Chapters.Indigo.ca), I’d rather visit all the good secondhand stores. Why? It’s an enjoyable journey and then the books have another story and a new history to tell. Thanks for making your views known (especially because we don’t differ). Yay.
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February 29, 2012 at 6:29 am
You are my soul sister! Love the bookcases…love them. I have books in every nook and cranny of my house, I would have more but my other half put his foot down and explained in loving terms that books were not decoration (really?).
I like you love the smell and feel of books. Love the heft of them, the feel of them in my hands. I haunt the Half Off Book stores for great classics in the original cloth covers (do you remember those?).
Wonderful post!
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February 29, 2012 at 3:01 pm
I sure do remember the cloth covers. Times sure have changed as has the writing style. Authors used to take their time to describe every little thing they felt moved the story along but nowadays, people are into technological stuff (Kobos, Sony Reader, e-books, i-phones etc. and are impatient), they’re not interested in those details anymore. The one thing that makes me want to cry is the paper used years ago has yellowed so quickly, eventually making the page of books brittle. I haunt ALL the secondhand bookstores when I’m looking for a title. I belong to a bookclub, as I mentioned, and while I’m looking for me, I also pick up extra copies for the other readers in the club. At times it takes forever to get to the top of the list at the library for a popular read. If I can pickup a copy of a title we’ll be reading, I save the members lots of $$ and I enjoy the hunt. For my last birthday, I received gift certificates ($100.00) for a popular bookstore but I just haven’t been able to spend the money there. It’s more fun getting them secondhand because then they have another story and a new history. Thanks for stopping by Valentine. Love talking with you.
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February 29, 2012 at 8:11 am
Oh yes! And going to the library is like going to church. And you work at a bookstore? Heaven.
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February 29, 2012 at 2:43 pm
You bet. It’s my private little paradise. Well, it is except for all the other bibliomaniacs who work there whom I have to elbow REAL hard so I can grab the books I NEED before they do. I’m turning into a freak but so are they. Thanks for stopping by Nancy. Nice to hear from you.
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February 29, 2012 at 10:14 am
What an amusing, and relatable, piece for me to read this morning. I love the cross-outs: funny and another window into your world. Excellent!
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February 29, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Thanks so much for stopping by. Admittedly I had fun writing this blog. I felt like Stephen King writing his scariest with the music going and egging him on. He writes that he gets giddy when he gets going. I was more giddy last night.
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February 29, 2012 at 11:25 am
I am jealous that you work in a bookstore! No such thing as book hoarding. Hoarding is a collection of useless junk. Books are valuables! Enjoy the book sale!!
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February 29, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Lucky ME. It’s a used book store but some of the books are practically NEW. I drool over them everytime I go to vounteer. Today I came home without buying ANYthing because I just bought five at the OTHER booksale yesterday. Sometimes it’s hard walking out empty-handed but other times, it’s brutal especially when something comes in that I have on my list (and my list is ALWAYS growing). It really is paradise. Of course, I’m not the only queen of book haven, all the other ladies are as bad as me. Well, almost. Thanks so much for commenting. Nice to hear from another bibliomaniac (it’s a real word, I looked it up).
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February 29, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Love this post! I have stacks of books all over my house, and I too prefer the ones I can touch and flip through. My one consolation when my oldest son leaves for college next year will be that I plan to turn his bedroom into a library! When we build the house two years ago, the builder suggested a nice window seat because he knew about my book addiction. How sad to be known throughout the community as the book hoarder. Oh well, I guess it could be worse!
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March 1, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Can you imagine being a wine hoader or a stamp hoarder or maybe a pen hoarder. Where’s the payoff? I can’t see it. You can’t drink the wine; can’t mail a letter and how many pens do you need to write at one time anyway. I’d rather hoard bookers but I am NOT a hoarder. Really. Neither are you. Good luck on your new library. When I moved here three years ago, my 8-yr old granddaugher was five. Once the books were unpacked, she whispered, “Can I sit in your library?” What can be better than that? So nice to know I’m in such good company: BIBLIOMANIACS (a real word; I looked it up). Oh happy day and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
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March 1, 2012 at 10:35 pm
Sadly, I have had to downsize some of my collection :*( I love my books. My husband does not like my books 😦 Ah well. Everyone that goes out the door probably has another sneaking in 🙂 Angie
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March 1, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Hi Angie: I don’t understand how it impacts spouses. I’ve been a ‘seller’ at my charity bookstore booksale and let’s say the husband is buying a bag of books for $2.00 (or whatever). The wife reminds him there’s no more room for that many. Why can’t it be the responsibility of the husband in this case, to deal with storage. Mostly, my experience has been with women buying books and husbands not liking it. How does it affect THEM? I must be blind. Some years ago, I had to go out and buy more bookcases. My significant other at the time was willing to put them together but felt strongly that I should STOP. I couldn’t figure out how it affected him so long as I had room for the books. Yes, the bottom line was it was MY house. No he was definitely not a READER. But why the STOP? Why / when does it become a problem for the ‘other’? At the moment I have LOTs of room but will run out soon (one of these days I’ll post pictures). Shouldn’t I have the right to decide how I manage my STASH? I cannot handle anyone trying to tell me how to live my life let alone how many books I can keep. Sorry, I’m a glutton. You have negotiated but I feel what you’re saying. I’m alone and still cannot negotiate with MYself. The best friends I’ve ever had are my books. That’s not to say I don’t have REAL friends. Anyway let me say that you are a strong, brave woman who has downsized—because…so long as they can sneak back in again. BRAVO. Thank you for sharing and taking time to comment. This has been a great subject for discussion. I always knew there were others like me but it’s comforting to hear the stories. See you on your blog. I enjoy your posts, especially the most recent one about ‘types’ and ‘why’ that I absolutely loved.
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March 2, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Because SO knew you were getting smarter by the page 😉
Red.
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March 2, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Stay tuned for the made-for-TV-movie of the ‘smarter-by-th-page-person. Oh, I forgot, we don’t WATCH TV. Keep smiling, Red. It looks good on you.
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March 2, 2012 at 7:34 am
Hilarious Tess! I am in awe of how much you like to read! I find it valiant! Isn’t that funny? Best wishes 🙂
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March 2, 2012 at 10:46 am
W-e-l-l . . .lately my lament has been that I have NOT had time to READ. Too many things take up too much of my time. Not that I’m complaining about the other things but things have had to change so I can keep up with the blogging community. I haven’t been a good Facebook fan. Just couldn’t get into it but here, I’m fully involved and it takes TIME to keep up. I used to wonder about some of my friends spending half their day on FB. Now I’m doing the same blogging, reading and commenting. Used to be Sundays were my ‘make soup and read all day if I want to’ day but no more. Too many deadlines. BUT, I keep buying books. Just can’t help it. I fully INTEND to read them ALL. Can’t have my cake and eat it too, I guess. WHYever NOT? What do you read? Who? When? How? And…why?
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March 2, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Hahaha! Funny1 I read magazines! And a bedtime book. My favourite author is EM Forster. But am reading a PD Wodehouse at the moment and loving it, laughing my head off! But I am not much of a reader!!!! Thanks for the chat! Fb never worked for me either. I wasn’t very popular! hahaha! i hated it. 🙂 Kind regards to you. It;s lovely to hear your cheeriness!
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March 2, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I am another one jealous of your great job. I can throw out most anything except books. We have shelves in every room.
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March 2, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Ah, another biblioMANIAC! I just love this. So many bloggers know what it’s all about. Nice to be in such good company. I only have five walls covered in bookshelves and they’re holding UP my house. Yes, the bookstore is like a drug. Every week I have to try to talk myself out of bringing any more books home. Most books are $1.00 all day, every day. How can a body say no to that? Love talking with you. When it comes to books, I can talk my head off. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like your house is held up with books too. Every room eh. With me, not yet but I have about 2500 or thereabout.
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April 1, 2012 at 11:44 am
True blue, indeed! 🙂
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April 1, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Yes, INDEED! Ever loyal. Thanks for commenting.
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April 1, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I totally agree! I never have enough books, I bought three today in a wonderful charity shop called bookcycle where you pay what you want for up to three books a day and they plant trees and sent books to Ghana. I gone past the point where I could say I’ve read every book on my shelves because there just aren’t enough hours in the day 🙂
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April 1, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I hear you. It’s tough saying no because every single book I buy, I have EVERY intention of reading. Thank you for sharing. Tess
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April 2, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I absolutely agree with you, books have a soul, and I’m convinced that my books love me just as much as I love them. 🙂
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April 2, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Can you believe that SOME people actually don’t underSTAND? I want to shake your hand fellow bookworm.
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April 2, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Yes, I loathe ungrateful folks, too, especially if they don’t treat books respectfully. 🙂
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April 3, 2012 at 8:12 pm
HAHAHA! Awesome post! Is your kindle dusty? Mine is! I too, love the shape, feel, and dang it, the sitting on the porch with tea and rocking with a BOOK in my hand phenomenon. My husband was a confirmed bibliophile as well. He collected all kinds of dusty history tomes until Death, (the rat bastard) put and end to that. I keep them all, though, and can see the dear man rocking away reading about Truman. Keep it up!
Much love,
Victoria
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April 3, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Hi Victoria. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Nice to meet you.
Haven’t gone the way of the Kindle yet so don’t have to worry about the extra dust. Don’t want to go there either.
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April 6, 2012 at 4:45 am
I have always had a great relationship with books – when I was young I learned to read early, and was at the Library every chance I got to check out more books to read. And I too have hundreds of books hoarded, dozens of which I’ve not yet read, lol. Only problem now is my vision is getting bad. I did the awful thing, I switched to a kindle, not for the technology, but because I can make the text readable. Still, I keep my books, open them now and again, just to feel the paper, and smell that lovely scent that evokes imagination.
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April 6, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I hear you loud and clear. One of my biggest worries has been: What if I can’t read anymore. Boy, that’s something that puts a huge lump in my throat. I don’t blame you for switching. In your case at least it’s an opportunity to continue reading. I guess in it’s defence Kindle is good technology in your case and others who can benefit. Most likely I am repeating myself (somewhere). I don’t know how I found the library when I was eight but I got hooked like a moth to light. Nobody in my family read. We were immigrants and my parents barely spoke the language after four years in Canada. I started school at six so had only about two years of English but kids learn awfully fast. Another worry is disaster. What if something happened and I lost all my books. Just thinking of it makes me want to cry. I feel the loss and it’s worst than death. Crap. Here I am bawling. Of course my family comes first but my books are a close second. I wear glasses and I’m not so young anymore either. In the past few weeks I’ve been glued to my monitor screendaily, all day. I always said it would never happen to me. Some days my eyes hurt. Better stop now so we’ll have something to talk about again. Thanks for coming by, Judee. Always nice talking with you. Tess
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April 7, 2012 at 3:36 am
Ha, another library rat. I can still remember the feel of walking into that hushed place – it was like walking into a holy place.
As for glasses and such, if reading becomes difficult, you can try bifocals or progressive. They don’t work for me due to some other problems, but there is always a solution that can help you. Do think to rest your eyes from the computer, though, avery hour or so, just go look outside, focus on something distant or even close your eyes and let them rest.
And don’t give thought to “what if’s”. You have your own personal beloved library and there is no reason to think that will change. It’s here, it’s now, so just enjoy. 🙂
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April 7, 2012 at 1:44 pm
I have progressives. It’s just staring at the screen that does it to me. I’ll live though. I have never spent so much time in front of my monitor before. I said I never would and called all those Facebook people silly etc. Now I’m just like them except in the blogosphere. Anyway, this is so much fun talking about books, and reading and our glasses and whatever else comes up. Nice talking with you Judee. Glad you’re feeling better. Tess
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