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Not buying anymore books this year! Whose in?

31 replies

splothersdog · 26/08/2023 21:23

I have a huge TBR pile, both physical and on Kindle. Buying books is my absolute addiction but I really need to cut back, for the sake of space and my bank balance.
So I am going to try and not buy any more physical books until the end of the year.
A couple of disclaimers/ exceptions:

  • have a birthday in the autumn and will get book vouchers
  • might indulge in 99p Kindle deals if there are things I have my eye on.
Anyone want to join me?
OP posts:
Hawkins009 · 26/08/2023 21:24

I usually get the free ones on Kindle and read them as and when especially as they are free.

whirlyhead · 26/08/2023 21:27

I keep adding new books to my books to buy list on Amazon then when the price comes down I buy them.

I have over 100 unread books on my kindle but I keep buying them and will continue to do so.

the mantra in my house growing up was “you can never have too many books”. I still believe this. I will never stop buying books!

Mindymomo · 26/08/2023 21:29

No sorry I love a book as I read a lot in the bath, have read some on kindle, but prefer to pick up second hand books, read and then give them to charity shops as they are really grateful.

EmmaCB1 · 26/08/2023 21:33

I buy from charity shops too, but tend to order most books from the library. This costs 50p where I live, although I think it’s free in some counties. It’s good to support libraries or they’re at risk of disappearing. Sometimes there’s a very long wait but that’s ok.

splothersdog · 26/08/2023 21:35

For me although the cost is a big part of it at the moment I am feeling the need to get through a bit of the back log.
Believe me I love buying books and don't intend for this to be a forever thing.
Totally agree about library's too.

OP posts:
Exloony · 27/08/2023 21:18

But but... its Double Stamps this weekend at Waterstones! Maybe after that...

BaconAndAvocado · 02/09/2023 14:06

I'm in.
TBR pile is causing bookshelf to almost give way!!

I'll never finish them all by Christmas....then I can make a bookish Christmas list 😃

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 02/09/2023 14:10

Anyone want to join me?

I should, but the mantra in my house growing up was “you can never have too many books”. I still believe this. I will never stop buying books!

So no. I've cut down lately, that's about as far as I can go. In fact, I'm already planning purchases for winter reading.

JaneyGee · 02/09/2023 15:14

I will never use a kindle. I love actual books too much. They are beautiful objects to me - I even love the smell. Most of my books are covered in notes as well. And I ring any passage I love in pencil.

But I won’t be buying any more for a while. I have a TBR pile that dates back three christmases!!

Merlin Sheldrake: Entangled Life
Thomas Halliday: Otherlands
Harold Bloom: Take Arms Against a Sea of Troubles
Harold Bloom: Shakespeare
Yuval Harari: Sapiens
John Higgs: Blake
Ted Hughes: Collected Letters
Virginia Woolf: Orlando
Jane Austen: Emma
Thomas Hardy: Mayor of Casterbridge
D H Lawrence: Women in Love
Robert Graves: Collected Essays
P G Wodehouse: Blandings novels

Those were the books I earmarked to read this year. Guess how many I read! Two…and I’m halfway through Emma. At this rate I’ll be retired before I even get through that lot, let alone anything new.

WorseDecision · 02/09/2023 15:31

I don't need to buy any this year, I have around 150 in physical books and 40 odd on my kindle to read.

Trying to get through my physical books first.

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 15:37

I need to join you but it's so hard! I probably have a good year's worth on my kindle alone and I have a pile of yet-to-be read books on my book case, along with ones I tell myself I'll read again!

ManchesterLu · 02/09/2023 16:16

I have so many books that they could keep me busy for about 2 years (I typically read 80 books year).

So I don't buy books anymore. If I do want any, they have to be gifts for birthday/Christmas, and I have to read those first.

Stops me from just hoarding more and more, so the pile gradually does go down.

splothersdog · 02/09/2023 18:39

I am doing pretty well - haven't bought a book yet!
The kindle daily deals were tempting!!
I am actually enjoying books I have had for ages and not got round to.
Also making a big list for birthday and Xmas!!

OP posts:
Jackydaytona · 02/09/2023 18:42

Oh god, yes
My tbr pile is verging on load bearing now 😫

Missey85 · 03/09/2023 14:38

I mainly borrow from my library's app haven't bought new books in awhile

Lillianofthevalley · 03/09/2023 16:37

Please please stop buying and support your local library....use them or they will be lost

frozendaisy · 03/09/2023 16:45

I have made tentative steps in this department, I have been in 4 bookshops these summer holidays but stopped thinking no, I have plenty to read.

So I'm in, but if OP is claiming book tokens for birthday I will have one disclaimer, new Strike is out this month, I read it with a friend so that doesn't count surely? Plus I give it to a charity shop almost immediately so someone else will get a hardback cheap as chips copy in October.

splothersdog · 03/09/2023 18:14

frozendaisy · 03/09/2023 16:45

I have made tentative steps in this department, I have been in 4 bookshops these summer holidays but stopped thinking no, I have plenty to read.

So I'm in, but if OP is claiming book tokens for birthday I will have one disclaimer, new Strike is out this month, I read it with a friend so that doesn't count surely? Plus I give it to a charity shop almost immediately so someone else will get a hardback cheap as chips copy in October.

Definitely need some disclaimers!

OP posts:
splothersdog · 03/09/2023 18:14

Lillianofthevalley · 03/09/2023 16:37

Please please stop buying and support your local library....use them or they will be lost

I do use the library's. But equally if we all stop buying books authors are going to make even less of a living

OP posts:
BrandyandGinger · 03/09/2023 18:28

I need to buy Demon Copperhead and I'm going to a book fair this month but apart from that I don't plan to buy any more books before Christmas.
I can order books through my local library for free and it's my favourite thing. It can take months to get really popular ones but I don't mind. The library saves me an absolute fortune every year.

merrymelodies · 03/09/2023 18:31

Nope. They're the perfect gift. And everyone I know, myself included, loves books.

MermaidEyes · 03/09/2023 18:43

I've just literally bought Demon Copperhead! I tend to get down to 4 or 5 TBR and then start panicking i haven't got enough (despite having a ton I could always re-read) and start bulk buying from charity shops or offers on at The Works. I still love proper actual books over a kindle.

TabbyM · 04/09/2023 11:10

Thanks - just put a request into library for new Strike and I am only no 11 on the list, think I was 30 something last time.

Lilolilibet · 04/09/2023 11:14

Definitely not.

What a terrible idea.

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