One of the downfalls of starting too many books at once, a downfall for me anyway, is that I end up spending more time staring at the stack of books trying to decide which one to get back to first than I actually spend reading the books. When I finally do finish one from the stack of unfinished books you would think I'd keep moving down the stack but nope, I have to go pull a brand new book out of one of the other stacks which then becomes yet another already started book.There are times I wish I had some sort of weird superpower that would allow me to read as many books as I want all at the same time while retaining every page of every book and storing it away in my superhuman memory. Well I can dream can't I?
My other problem with books has to do with having to finish a book regardless of how bad it is. I always hope that somewhere in the remaining pages the book will take a turn for the better and of course this has certainly happened. But for the most part if the book stinks right down to the last page I HAVE to read that last page and finish it off before banishing the book to my give away pile.
Space is another issue and I'm currently low on shelf space to the point that books are packed away in storage boxes. I've even had bookshelves collapse under the weight of the books. Apparently my bookshelves weren't meant to house my books three stacks deep on every shelf. So now as I finish a book I decide whether it's something I would ever consider reading again. If it was just a so-so book that I will never have the urge to pick up again even in the worst moment of boredom or has no sentimental value (given to me as a gift by someone I care about and possibly has an inscription) it's going to go in my give away pile.
Another exception would be any books from my favorite authors. I've read a few stinkers here and there from my favorites but I do keep their books for my own personal collection value.
2 comments:
Ahhh, the problems of the bibliophile. I think part of this sudden awareness of those stacks of books, and the TBR lists, and the reviews we need to write, and the many books we have started and then fluttered on to another and another-- is the dreaded New Year's sense of needing a fresh start.
I looked at my bookcases today and realized how awful they look with books crammed on top of books, no room to add any more so books are stacked on the hearth, on the floor, and on most available surfaces. The garage -- books that have been boxed.
I am past the stage, however, of feeling compelled to finish every book. I do finish the majority, and I finish many books that I'm criticizing all the way through, but I can close the cover on quite a few.
I too have stacks and stacks of TBRs...I can't even find books I KNOW I have. The next big earthquake in the Bay Area will find me buried under one of my beloved piles. It's so out of control. I love books, I love owning books, I love being surrounded by books. Nevertheless, this year I dust off my library card.
Cheers to you in 2008! May a priceless treasure emerge from your stacks!
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