I have a book-buying problem.
There are many reasons for this, chief among them my deep love for the written word and the preponderance of great bookstores in Boston (where I live) and specifically in Harvard Square (where I work).
Within half a mile of my office are at least five bookstores, including Harvard’s mammoth campus bookstore; a basement used bookshop full of scholarly titles; a foreign-language bookshop; a tiny bookshop devoted exclusively to poetry; and a big, eclectic independent bookstore with titles on hundreds of subjects and a basement bursting with used books. After living most of my life in bookshop-poor West Texas, I can hardly believe all these literary riches are at my fingertips.
I’m over at Jessica’s site, Quirky Bookworm, today, talking about my book-buying addiction. Click over there to read the rest of my post!
Well, Katie, I’d love to offer you advice, but, you see, I have the same malady!
One of my favorite bookstores was in Stockbridge, which is a wonderfully quaint little town, that we visited on our way back from Concord and Boston about four years ago. When I saw the sign, Toad Hall, I just had to enter, and did not come out empty handed.
Wonderful post.
A problem and post close to my heart!
One cure, if this is really a problem, for me, was relocating multiple times across time zones and always on the kind of budget that has me despondently looking at my beloved books to decide which can afford the trip with me. In that moment I feel like the most ruthless but loving editor. For my last relocation I bought a kindle, which I use fairly regularly, along with public libraries.
Unexpectedly, I still find I must own some of these books. Only when the urge is persistent and strong do I buy a hard copy, and then it comes down to cover art and paper quality. That I no longer live in a place with wonderful book shops helps, and hurts. Harder talk about books with someone who might recommend something I will love.
I will also admit to the same problem. I can’t resist the great bargains I get at the library book store. Plus, I just have to have many books on hand in case I need them :-). I need to buy more book shelves!
Thanks again for the guest post!
(And for making me feel better about my own book problem…) 🙂
Not only do I share this problem, I buy books when I have STACKS of books still needing to be read…should we start a 12-step group???