Hi, my name is Cat, and I have a book buying obsession.
Okay, it’s not really a problem most of the time. Any book lover will happily tell you that there’s no such thing as reading or buying too many books. But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?
The Reality of it
The real problem isn’t so clear to see. If I were to look at all the unread books on my shelves (bought with the sincere intent to get around to them asap), I know I wouldn’t be capable of reading them all this year. Or probably within five years. I hate having to say that, because I really do want to read them all.
And that’s not even counting the books on my kindle and ereaders…but let’s not go there. That way lay dragons.
I know that eventually I’m going to buy more books than I can hope to read in a lifetime. It feels weird knowing that, and still buying books. But every single book I purchase, I do so with the intent of reading it. I buy books with the intent of supporting the industry and the authors I love so much.
The Space
Right now I actually own more books than shelving space. It’s something I hope to rectify in the near future (with the purchase of new shelves as well as a heavily loaded trip to the second hand bookstore).
The other day my mom joked that my desk looked like it belonged to a book hoarder – and she’s not wrong. There are two stacks of books over three feet tall on it. And the only reason there aren’t more stacks is because I needed access to my keyboard. You know, to write reviews.
There’s also a chair that I’ve stolen and repurposed solely to stack up my TBR piles. It’s not practical in the least, and results with me shuffling books around on it like a twisted book version of musical chairs.
I’ve been tempted to buy one of those little carts to put my TBR books in it (only for the current month of course – there’s no way it’d fit them all). If nothing else than to prevent a repeat of the hilarious scene from Fullmetal Alchemist. You know the one, where the ex-librarian is found in her home, buried under all her books? Yeah. I’d like to avoid that happening.
My ‘Budget’
I actually try really hard not to let me book love get in the way. I set a strict book budget per paycheck. I won’t say what it is, because then people could call me out when I exceed it.
I’m really good at finding loopholes in my book budget though.
‘Oh, new releases don’t apply to the budget! How could I possibly anticipate how many of my favorite authors will be publishing a book in a given week?’ Yeah, I use that one a lot. In my defense I do review books…so having access to new ones is helpful. And that’s totally not an excuse or anything.
‘Oh look, a sale!’ Yep, that one too. After all, the best sites to go to for deals have a minimum purchase for free shipping. In the case of my particular favorite, when it comes to sales (Book Outlet) the minimum is over what I’d like to spend in a given paycheck (emphasis on like). So…I have to cheat. And cheat I do.
But it’s okay
I can easily justify all my book purchases. Honestly, I’m not even sure I have to go to those lengths. I love books, and I love reading them.
I love having my own personal library, and having the ability to loan books out to friends and family.
I love being able to donate books that I don’t find worth reading again, and I love supporting small bookstores in that way.
I love being able to support the industry, and being able to buy the books of authors I love.
I’m lucky in that I can afford to buy these books I love, and I refuse to take that for granted.
Hi, my name is Cat, and I have a book buying problem, and that’s okay.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks 
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