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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can’t stop buying books!

213 replies

cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 14:43

Help!

I picked up a huge stack in Asda for my holiday, which I then started to read.

Then I got some more on Amazon, which I’ve broken into.

Then I got even more in Asda today! I just can’t help myself! I’ve read five in five days!

OP posts:
Auroraloves · 30/07/2026 17:15

I am with you OP. I tend to do book swap at work as we all like the same type of books.

do you have any particular authors you prefer and recommendations

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 17:14

eskimoomikse · 30/07/2026 17:03

Historical fiction isn't all crap.

Georgette Heyer - what a hoot
Mary Renauld - proper storytelling and literary with it
Recently I read a Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster - what a super book!

I buy off ebay. By far the cheapest

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Yeah calling it crap might be a little harsh, but it’s just not my cup of tea at all! Although I have just ordered Emily Wilson’s translation of the odyssey, so I might appease those who dislike contemporary fiction

OP posts:
TheIdlerReturns · 30/07/2026 17:14

Our local Tesco has a free book library. You offload your own books there and take someone else's. Some books I won't part with, but I still leave plenty there.

Doyouknowdanieltiger · 30/07/2026 17:11

Kindle?

BauhausOfEliott · 30/07/2026 17:11

PensionPTake · 30/07/2026 16:46

Well my dh claims it's a hobby in and of itself....

Of course it is.

BauhausOfEliott · 30/07/2026 17:10

HollyhocksandPeons · 30/07/2026 15:03

It is a gift to be an avid reader, but please don't buy from Asda - I have not seen one decent book there. There are proper books and proper authors - try second-hand book resellers online - true treasures - like all classical world literature, most French, German, Italian, etc. translated into English. Cheep as chips as well.

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Get over yourself, eh?

BauhausOfEliott · 30/07/2026 17:08

LifeBeginsToday · 30/07/2026 14:45

It is just overconsumption. Do you struggle with over buying on other areas?

She's read five books in five days, so she's not over-buying or over-consuming. She's just an avid reader.

eskimoomikse · 30/07/2026 17:03

cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 14:49

Sadly it’s pretty crap. Just historical fiction, and it takes about four years for them to get the new releases!

Show quote history

Historical fiction isn't all crap.

Georgette Heyer - what a hoot
Mary Renauld - proper storytelling and literary with it
Recently I read a Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster - what a super book!

I buy off ebay. By far the cheapest

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 17:02

HollyhocksandPeons · 30/07/2026 16:52

Here is the best crime thriller, translated from German, for you, by Duerrenmatt, you won't be able to put it down -

The Pledge

Please give it a try!

Show quote history

Stop. Nobody asked for elitist recommendations.

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 30/07/2026 17:02

Oh I love them! Not even necessarily to read, I just like having them!

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 17:01

TwinklySquid · 30/07/2026 17:00

My name is TwinklySquid and I too have a problem with buying too many books 🙈.

What I’ve done is:
-Sell read books on Vinted. Price them at £1, upload a bunch and they go quickly.
-Use the library. I’ve got into the digital books the library offer too!
-Turn to drink as it’s a cheaper addiction.

I might do Vinted!

OP posts:
DoesItEverGetEasier · 30/07/2026 17:00

Well at least you are reading them as quickly ad you read them, my buying books hobby and reading books hobby are not at the same pace! 🫣😂 Vinted is good for second hand or around here Tesco have second hand books on way out 50p each and money goes to charity…..also good way of getting rid of old ones if you don’t want to keep/reread.

TwinklySquid · 30/07/2026 17:00

My name is TwinklySquid and I too have a problem with buying too many books 🙈.

What I’ve done is:
-Sell read books on Vinted. Price them at £1, upload a bunch and they go quickly.
-Use the library. I’ve got into the digital books the library offer too!
-Turn to drink as it’s a cheaper addiction.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/07/2026 16:57

Absolutely nothing wrong with this OP

Crack on!!!

YoQuieroVino · 30/07/2026 16:53

PensionPTake · 30/07/2026 16:46

Well my dh claims it's a hobby in and of itself....

It is

BeardofHagrid · 30/07/2026 16:53

I overcame this by getting a Kindle and downloading books for free from Project Gutenberg, the library and the Libby app also help.

HollyhocksandPeons · 30/07/2026 16:52

BePoisedPlumUser · 30/07/2026 15:17

What a snobby comment. I buy and read loads of books but a German classic translated into English sounds dead boring. I’d rather have a good crime thriller thanks!

Show quote history

Here is the best crime thriller, translated from German, for you, by Duerrenmatt, you won't be able to put it down -

The Pledge

Please give it a try!

Cantwaitforwinter · 30/07/2026 16:48

Wish I could read that many that quickly! It generally takes me a week to get through a book if ignore all my other hobbies.

I have about 20 I want to read at the moment.

PensionPTake · 30/07/2026 16:46

Well my dh claims it's a hobby in and of itself....

Bjorkdidit · 30/07/2026 16:29

cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 15:45

I have one, but I’m a not a huge fan of the fact you can’t sell them on after. At least with we buy books you can get a few quid back!

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I only read on Kindle. I have hundreds of unread books (I've had a Kindle since about 2011) so now I only allow myself to buy books when they cost 99p.

Many books, even new/worthy ones that book snobs would consider appropriate are 99 p sooner or later and I'm never short of books to read, because I just read what I already have and wait until the ones on my wish list are 99 p. Therefore, seeing as I've paid so little for them, I don't feel I'm missing out by not being able to resell them.

But if your TBR pile is growing, you're practising the Japanese are of Tsundoku, which has got to be good.

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 16:13

nocoolnamesleft · 30/07/2026 15:52

I’m sorry, but I don’t see a problem here?

I’ve bought 18 books in the last week 🤣 (and read 4!)

OP posts:
Epoisses · 30/07/2026 15:57

Ive read 80 books so far this year...probably 30 from library , 20 from charity shops and rest from ebay/ amazon.

StrawberryMatchaLatte · 30/07/2026 15:54

I'm similar but I feel less guilty if I buy on vinted then resell. Most books sell for £1.

declutteringonedayatatime · 30/07/2026 15:53

cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 15:47

Reminds me of when my nan got given 50 shades of grey by a joking cousin.

It was found, 17 pages in, next to her bedside when she was rushed to hospital with a stroke! We still laugh ow 🤣

Show quote history

Your poor nan! Hope she recovered from the shock of it all.

nocoolnamesleft · 30/07/2026 15:52

I’m sorry, but I don’t see a problem here?