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Original poster

book hoarders anonymous

47 replies

katsnmouse · 13/01/2015 19:11

I can't help myself! walked into waterstones today and came out with 3 new non fiction books (used up my waterstones points and an xmas voucher), knowing fine well I have 3 books on my kindle to read, and umpteen more on my 'to read pile'. I have a full time job, and a 14mo so dont have masses of time to sit around indulging in my passion. I feel its almost an overwhelming obsession/compulsion to buy! If I left the shop empty handed I would have been upset! Anyone else want to join me in confessing there inability to resist purchasing literature, in all its forms?

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thelittlebooktroll · 13/01/2015 19:52

Yes me too. Today I actually did leave Waterstones without buying anything and I nearly got the shakesShock

spidey66 · 14/01/2015 20:58

Only 3 unread books on your kindle? Try well over 100 Blush

Original poster
katsnmouse · 15/01/2015 13:54

Spidey wow! thats impressive! I've also managed to order 3 books off amazon! at least my bookcase looks pretty ;)

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CoteDAzur · 15/01/2015 13:57

6 unread books on your Kindle? You are at best an apprentice hoarder, grasshopper Grin

Here, let me help worsen your condition. Try out eReaderIQ where you make a list of all the authors you like and all the books you want to read, and the website emails you when their prices go down. Also check out Amazon's Kindle Deals page.

BlueKarou · 15/01/2015 14:24

My 'To Read' pile is a genuine health risk... One of these nights it will fall on me as I sleep. The scent of unread pages will be the last thing I know in this world.

I'm sort of ok with this.

antimatter · 15/01/2015 14:30

BlueKarou Grin

I know how you feel!

CoteDAzur · 15/01/2015 14:35

BlueKarou Grin

skolastica · 15/01/2015 16:40

What did you buy?

Queenofknickers · 15/01/2015 16:41

Totally get what you're saying. I've had to hide amazon packaging from DH because he recognises my book buying is out of control!!

Tzibeleh · 15/01/2015 16:44

This is why I frequent charity shops and market stalls!

Original poster
katsnmouse · 15/01/2015 17:59

haha Queen i did that too, hid it in the recycling bin straight away, but wasn't quick enough to get the books upstairs to the spare room. DH just looked at me with a quizical, raised eyebrow look...enough said! My Amazon purchases were; Gone girl, Elizabeth is missing & Americanah. Three for £10...it would be rude not too :P

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Original poster
katsnmouse · 15/01/2015 18:01

oh cote...no, no no!!! books for under £1. With a helpful, easy 'get book' button. This will not end well!

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antimatter · 15/01/2015 21:37

We have free exchange books stall at our farmers marker. I need to donate some - but which one to part with Grin

fredfredsausagehead1 · 15/01/2015 22:00

I'm the same. I gave over 400 books on my kindle and piles threatening to suffocate me as I sleep, I even have a pile of paperbacks in the car just in case!!! In case they need a stroke Wink

thelittlebooktroll · 16/01/2015 12:41

Grinat library in your car

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 16/01/2015 17:49

fredfred One of the best reasons for having a campervan is that you can have a book shelf. So when you break down and have to wait for the AA you can just choose a book and settle down for a bit. Sometimes it's disappointing when the AA man arrives - I was once tempted to ask him to go and sort out the next person on his list then come back to me as I was reading Grin

We have bookshelves and/or bookcases in every room except the bathroom so it's easy to add a few more books. Don't think of it as hoarding, think of it as keeping the home library well stocked.

Original poster
katsnmouse · 16/01/2015 18:35

fredfred a library in your car....genius! I always have a book/my kindle in my handbag, because you never know when you might get an extra 5 min to sneak in some readinga book may come in handy to stave off boredome :D I also have books dumped in storage at my Mum's and my Grans.

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Original poster
katsnmouse · 16/01/2015 18:37

hmmm...some interesting strike through issues with my last post. Its because im so excited to be talking about books.

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FairlyUseless · 16/01/2015 18:41

I'm a librarian. Therefore I gave approximately 10,000 unread books on my 'pile'. I NEED to read them all. Gives me the shakes just thinking about it.

fredfredsausagehead1 · 16/01/2015 19:23

I actually bought it was normal to have a library in your car and now you have given me the idea of a bookshelfGrinGrin

Do you all have your kindles synced to your phones/iPad/tablet just in case??

Mocheenee · 16/01/2015 19:39

I am on a budget so would never consider buying from Waterstones etc - however absolutely love picking up books at car boot sales.
The going rate is around 20p per book, are often in excellent condition too. I have frequently come away with books still on the Bestsellers lists so felt I must recommend this method of purchasing to you all ! Even though car boot season won't be upon us for a few mpre months I have so many purchased last season that I don't think I will ever read them all. Have discovered many new authors this way too.

skolastica · 16/01/2015 20:04

You mean you haven't read Gone Girl and Americanah yet?

My copy of Gone Girl was given to me after someone else had finished it and Americanah was in our library. Please do read the Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna - similar theme, but a far better read.

I buy second hand - hardbacks if I can so I can keep them and I give all paperbacks away. This became necessary after I couldn't move for books...

Becca19962014 · 16/01/2015 20:23

I always have at least two books on me at any given time.

My kindle has, um, hundreds on it. Most were free at the time. It was so wonderful to read various classics again (arthritis in hands means I can't manage big books anymore).

I have books everywhere, including on the bed.

I was once admitted to hospital as an emergency with one book. It was awful, I was more upset at only having one book to read (which I'd read within a few hours) than why I was there. I swore never again so always have two on me now Grin

I've also got a huge collection of audio books as well as I get times when I can't concentrate enough to read.

I've zero intention of getting rid of any books. Ever. Grin (doesn't stop people trying to get me to though!)

elkiedee · 19/01/2015 14:35

I really enjoyed both The Memory of Love and Americanah. I'd also recommend Aminatta Forna's memoir of what happened to her father and how the conflicts in Sierra Leone affected her childhood and her family, the Devil that Danced on the Water.

I have thousands of paper books and thousands on my Kindle. I don't separate or distinguish between books I've read and TBR, I give away a few I didn't really like and some chicklit - even if I enjoy it I don't feel the need to hoard it. But I do keep most of my crime fiction, for example!

Glad to see so many others here share my priorities - books, books and books.

Jonquilly · 19/01/2015 20:26

Yes, I admit it, I am a book hoarder. I love the design of the jackets, the feel of the tome, the smell of the unread pages. My current read is "Do No Harm" by Henry Marsh and I honestly never knew that brain surgery could be so interesting. I always say that a book should be read at least twice; once to see what happens and once to admire the writing style. I love the idea of a library in a car! Am greatly enjoying reading to a 3.5 year old who asks such intelligent questions about the story that I'm beginning to think I should maybe read all the children's books again as well as whatever else takes my fancy!

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