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AIBU?

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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:
BePoisedPlumUser · 30/07/2026 15:17

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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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!

ThatsRoughBuddy · 30/07/2026 15:17

I’ve just bought 5 kindle books for just under a fiver! I used to read all the time but then had children and just stopped. Even once they were older I didn’t go back to it but this year I decided I would set myself a reading goal and now I’m back to devouring books! Almost hit my goal and still have months to go. Grin

declutteringonedayatatime · 30/07/2026 15:16

minipie · 30/07/2026 15:15

Get thee a library card! And if your kindle ever breaks, get a kobo - you can get library ebooks on the kobo.

Lots of lovely books all for free, and much less wasteful.

I think someone (maybe the OP) has said that their library doesn't get new releases for ages so that is why they buy books instead.

isthisaplum · 30/07/2026 15:15

There’s definitely an element of being somewhat argumentative for the sake of it on this thread! Buying and reading books is fairly benign when all is said and done.

minipie · 30/07/2026 15:15

Get thee a library card! And if your kindle ever breaks, get a kobo - you can get library ebooks on the kobo.

Lots of lovely books all for free, and much less wasteful.

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 30/07/2026 15:14

This was me a couple of years ago! I have had to buy two bookcases!

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 15:12

I do need to get back into my kindle!

OP posts:
Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 15:11

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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No need to be elitist! They carry some really good ones.

OP posts:
FeliciaFancybottom · 30/07/2026 15:11

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.

Show quote history

What an odd thing to comment. OP has bought 2 stacks of books at Asda, so to her, they are decent books. To call some books and authors proper is nothing but snobbery; let people enjoy what they enjoy.
For someone so well-read, you'd think you'd know that it's cheap as chips, not cheep as chips.

Johnogroats · 30/07/2026 15:10

There are many worse habits!! 😂. Better to binge on books than booze. Although there is a bookshop in Ghent called Books & Booze!

TheBlueKoala · 30/07/2026 15:07

YANBU since you are reading them. I buy some, borrow some, am gifted some and listen to some on subscription. Couldn't live without books tbh.

Lennonjingles · 30/07/2026 15:06

I read a lot of books, say 2 a week, so decided to get Kindlebooks, I love it, if you download a book and I don’t like it, I just browse for another. I refuse to pay £15 for a hardback book or £10 for paperback.

FuzzyPuffling · 30/07/2026 15:06

World of Books (WOB). Huge selection of second hand books, free delivery.

HollyhocksandPeons · 30/07/2026 15:03

cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 14:49

I really am. I’m devouring books at the moment

Show quote history

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.

Morepositivemum · 30/07/2026 15:03

Library, but also if you love them and reread or just enjoy having them- it ain’t a bad thing!!! Give me a book over the overconsumption of screens and stupid ai anyday!!!! Do make sure to pass them along if you don’t want to keep though- charity shops, little libraries etc!!

Bristolandlazy · 30/07/2026 15:00

That's great, better than scrolling.

You can order books into the library. A shame yours hasn't got a good selection.

WonderingAndOverthinking · 30/07/2026 14:58

Kobo and Libby/Borrowbox app. Join all your neighbouring boroughs online libraries. Access to tonnes of books 😉

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 30/07/2026 14:55

Devilsmommy · 30/07/2026 14:46

No advice just solidarity because I'm all up for buying books🫣🤭

This

declutteringonedayatatime · 30/07/2026 14:55

I don't see a problem here either.. you love to read.

I don't think I help my TBR pile either by signing up to a monthly book subscription 😂

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 14:54

xOlive · 30/07/2026 14:52

I’m so jealous!
I love reading but I have to ban myself because I will also sit there reading 5+ a week, ignoring absolutely everybody, barely sleeping, I have no self-control.

What genre do you like? If you like relationshipy-thriller-twisty books, I’d recommend B.A Paris, I thought they were so good.

In mainly a crime novel, or just a story for the sake of being a story. I love a love story too.

I just devour them, I have an hour commute every morning and then again in the evening so plus lunch and evenings I get through so many!

OP posts:
carkerpartridge · 30/07/2026 14:52

I have piles of unread books and I keep buying more, at least you are reading them! Don't feel bad, people spend their money on much worse than books.

BlueyDragon · 30/07/2026 14:52

Not seeing the problem here - you buy them and you read them! That sounds fine to me!

I love books though.

MrsShawnHatosy · 30/07/2026 14:52

Solidarity, fellow bibliomaniac! Nothing gives me more pleasure than browsing charity shop bookshelves and secondhand bookshops. There’s no harm in it, apart from a more cluttered house - it’s not going to bankrupt me.

xOlive · 30/07/2026 14:52

I’m so jealous!
I love reading but I have to ban myself because I will also sit there reading 5+ a week, ignoring absolutely everybody, barely sleeping, I have no self-control.

What genre do you like? If you like relationshipy-thriller-twisty books, I’d recommend B.A Paris, I thought they were so good.

Original poster
cantstopbuyingbooks · 30/07/2026 14:52

auntiemaryhadaredcanary · 30/07/2026 14:50

Try the charity shops if you haven't already done so.

Some sell 3 paperbacks for £1.00 so fill your boots !

PS I hope you re-donate the read books back to charities?

I sell them on to we buy books, each book sold to them saves 1kg of co2! I think I’ve paid back my holiday doing this!

OP posts:
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