The first step is admitting one has a problem.
I have a problem.
I am a book hoarder.
I buy books with the intention of reading them. But I have the bad habit of:
1.) Reading only half the book
2.) Skimming it for fun parts and pictures
3.) Looking something up quickly
4.) Saying, “Oh, I have that book,” casually in conversation, adding, “I haven’t had the chance to start it yet, is it any good?”
My weaknesses are thrift stores, yard sales, church bazaars, boxes of books left on the street corner marked FREE, used book stores, independent book stores, and of course, Amazon.com. I CANNOT pass up a book marked for less than a dollar. The collection I have amassed does not include library books, which thankfully, I am able to return (although not always on time) or schoolbooks that I have sold back (to buy more books).
I’ve decided to teach myself a lesson, and not buy or rent a single new book until I have read ALL of the books I own.*
This includes my husband’s books—even his sniper/wizard/Star Wars paperbacks. And children’s books, a collection I amassed for when my nieces visit.
The Bible. Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales. How To Not Write A Screenplay. The Alcoholic In Your Life. White Teeth. Ojibwe Waasa Inabidaa. Develop Your Psychic Skills. English Grammar For Dummies. Mysteries of the Unknown: Mystic Places.
Yates. Hanna. Hemingway. A.S Byatt. Russell. King. Palahniuk. Meloy. Fitzgerald. Frost.
And, oh god, the classics. Why did I ever buy the classics? What was I thinking?
I hope to post once a month. Please click on some of the links embedded in posts. Not clicking on links is like reading David Foster Wallace and not reading the footnotes.
*Unless I have required reading.
That Girl Who Reads Books 
this is so awesome. I can’t wait. The classics are awesome and often have illustrations!! OLD-TIMEY PICTURES MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER esp. if they are woodcuts 😉
i know what you mean about reading all the looming stacks. and now i’m reading your blog as well!
Charlie! Thank you for stopping by my blog tonight so I could find you. I’m supposed to be editing, but I’ve taken the time to read all of your posts so far, and I even clicked on Jim’s Apple Farm. I love that you are reading all of the books in your house. 🙂 I wish you could come to my house and read the stacks that are waiting to be read here, too. Great idea for a blog, and I’m looking forward to more of your posts.
You’re welcome Maddie! This is going to be a huge commitment, but so worthwhile. I try to post on Mondays and Thursdays. Thanks for the follow, and good luck with the edits.
I found out the hard way that I tend to take forever to read the books I own whereas I breeze through the ones that I loaned from the library. 🙂 So enjoy your reading. Your blog header image is marvelous by the way. Is this your collection?
A *bit* of my collection . . .and my writing desk. I’m the same when it comes to library books- that pressure of giving them back forces me to read.
Charlie, Great ambition. I’m excited to see where this project takes you. I have had this thought many times, but I still can’t resist buying new books. Some day, some day, I will read them! Bon voyage on your literary adventures! –Alida
Thanks! I’ve got some crazy books in my stack.
This is a great idea! Love it. I too fall victim to the used book sales at libraries. Oy vey.
I suppose I shouldn’t say that I just found another bag of books on the sidewalk with no home. I’m not sure how I stumble upon these things!
I can completely identify with your book hoarding as I am am a fellow hoarder. I once bought the same book twice having forgotten that I owned a copy. I simply love books and find something comforting in bookshelves jam-packed with goodness.
I am fascinated with your project and look forward to your writing!
I, too, am a victim of the same book twice. Or, I buy a book thinking I haven’t read it, get ten pages in and realize that I have. 🙂
Splendid goal, and I love the ISBNs as post titles…. I just set out some books for a charity pick-up because I have finally been able to admit that these particular books don’t have a place in my [or my spouse’s] life anymore. And doesn’t _that_ just open up shelf space for more books?
That’s how it goes – get rid one one book and suddenly you have nine more to take their place.
I am a book hoarder too. I keep telling myself someday I’m going to have the time to read them all. I think I’ll have to retire from my day job first.
Get a day job that lets you read!!! 🙂
I have a thousand books all through my house. I read most of them. To me a book is a friend when you need one. I like the story in the blog. Thank you.
You’re welcome, and you’re right- a book is a friend, a companion, and a place to rest your heart.
Awards ceremony at my blog yesterday, Charlie! http://breezybooksblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/after-watching-the-emmys/ I nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! If you choose to accept, the usual rules apply – seven things about yourself; nominate others! 🙂
Thanks again for this Maddie- I hope to post about it on Monday!
I realized I might have this same problem recently. Ah well when Armageddon hits we can join together to form a library!
Hopefully I don’t give all my books away by then, but yes, I’d team up with anyone for the Armageddon who has books . . . and you know, survival skills. . .
haha!
I can’t hoard books! I don’t have enough money to buy the entire library and bookstore yet 😦 but I’m saving up for them! One day I will own a giant library plus bookstore!
I’m starting to see that it’s more important for me to pass the books along. There’s no point to having a book the a shelf that isn’t going to be read again.
hahaha you reminded me of my own weakness too…i buy books but never get around to reading half of it….so i end up keeping books that are all brand new looking and never been used lol….thanks for following my blog gasm travels at http://www.maedetera.wordpress.com….i will check on yours and find out what you have added on your book collection 🙂
Isn’t that the truth! Nothing is sadder than a book with a pristine spine.
I have a stack of unread books from the thrift store as well! I’ve managed to read a lot of them, but my problem is that once I start a book I have to finish it, even if I don’t like it. So I find myself reading books very slowly because I am not getting anything out of them, but I have to finish once I start. Cool blog!
I skirt around that problem, “finishing a book even if I don’t like it” by reading multiple books at once. This way, when one gets boring I can just jump to another. Eventually they all get read. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Hi Charlie! Awards ceremony at my place today. You have been awarded the Liebster Blog Award. http://breezybooksblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/overture-curtains-lights/ 🙂
Awe! Thanks!
I am a book hoarder as well.
You’ve heard of Flannery O’Connor! More people should be reading her works.
Yes. Everyone should read Flannery O’Connor and Lorrie Moore, too!
haha story of my life
🙂
Thanks for following..for your likes..etc etc Have a great weekend!! 🙂
Ditto.
^__^
Cheers from Italy,
Sam
Hey, have you read the Ice and Fire series? Currently reading and addicted.
And that’s and awful lot of books you have there…….
Hello fellow book hoarder! I have the same issue, but am slowly tackling all my books… with a bottle of wine… yes a bottle, because they are very thick books, I might be on my couch for a while 🙂
Hi there! I just was nominated myself, and now I’m nominating you for the Liebster Award. It recognizes up-and-coming blogs, particularly those with less than 200 followers. Visit my blog for all the details, and thanks for inspiring me. Congratulations! —Jadi
LOVE the idea and LOVE you blog! I’m a fellow book hoarder myself.
Just started my first blog a few days ago. Hope you find a chance to check it out.
Happy reading. -Leanne http://www.kindofmind.wordpress.com
Hello! I really enjoy reading your reviews, so I am nominating you for the Sunshine Award!
Thanks!
Merci de suivre mon blog cher. Ciao!
Hi! I’ve nominated you for an award, I hope you’ll accept it. http://thewritingmonkey.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/super-sweet-blogging-award/
Pingback: Meet: Charlie « True STORIES.
Hi, Do you accept author submissions to review books?
If I am interested in the book. You can send me a link or synopsis through my E-mail ThatGirlWhoReadsBooks@gmail.com
I have always believed I am the only one with the hoarding-but-hardly-read-books syndrome until I read your post. The knowlege that there is someone with same habit doesn’t make me feel normal, just gives me a relieving sense of not-alone.
Hello! I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! You’ve inspired me to try to read all the books I’ve collected (hoarded)!
https://thewritingmonkey.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/very-inspiring-blogger-award-2/