Too many books, not enough time

[Papergirl1968]

I love books and I have far too many, as apart from the odd one I might have in duplicate, I can’t bring myself to send any to charity. I probably have several hundred books but don’t buy many these days as I prefer to borrow from the library instead of filling the house with yet more books.
I’m quite a slow reader as I’m a single parent and time is limited. And I admit I spend far too long faffing about on mumsnet.
So I try to have one library book and one of my own on the go at the same time, with the idea being that at least some of my own can then be chucked. Not my favourites, just the ones which are only ok. But it’s a slow process as it probably takes me a fortnight or so to read the average book.
I recently turned 49 and I’m now thinking that I’ll never read them all before I die!
Am I overthinking it? Does anyone else have similar worries?
I don’t really like reading ebooks before anyone suggests getting those instead!

I have just read two books by Steve Higgs they are part of a series called Blue Moon Investigations. They are really good a bit like the Stephanie plum books by Janet Evanovich . The characters could be people in any village and they are very funny. So if you want something different to try have a read of these. 😺

I stopped reading much a few years ago but this year I have given up telly. I don't seem to have the time to immerse myself in a good series and I am fed up with lightweight shows e.g. Bake off, masterchef and I have started reading again. And the more I read, the easier it gets and the more I want to read. Just finished station 11 in 3 days ... because it was such a good read (unlike pillars of the earth which took me forever)

I think about all my books that I haven't read A LOT! I also worry about all the books I'll never be able to read because life is not that long... when I'm dead and on the otherside will I be thinking about all the books I didn't get round too? Hopefully there's libraries there

Anyway, I now don't buy new books unless I can't stop thinking about them. I can buy books from charity / second hand shops because it's charitable, recycling and cheap! I have loads of books unread, some I've had for 5 years or so. I try to think of it as my personal library, and I always get excited when I get to chose my next read.

As long as you're not putting yourself in debt buying books, then don't worry about it! If you don't want to give them away, don't do it! Unless I really enjoyed a book I try to give it to charity, but often I like to hold on to them. It's not something worth feeling guilty over.