Mariel suggested this week’s question:
Book Gluttony! Are your eyes bigger than your book belly? Do you have a habit of buying up books far quicker than you could possibly read them? Have you had to curb your book buying habits until you can catch up with yourself? Or are you a controlled buyer, only purchasing books when you have run out of things to read?
This is an easy question to answer! I am a Book Glutton, not only are my eyes bigger than my book belly, they are bigger than my house. Of course I buy books far quicker than I could possibly read them – I’m a Bookaholic, a Bookworm, irrideemably hooked, no hope for me until I’m penniless and then I’ll have to live at the library. I can hear my husband saying “You already do”! He twittered one day that he was overrun by books – they were taking over the world! They are in this house.
Actually all is not lost – yesterday I went into Waterstones and came out without one single book! And I returned three books to the library and didn’t borrow any more! What has come over me? It don’t suppose it will last very long and I was able to resist because I’d received two books in the post in the morning from newbooks magazine and felt it was just too over the top to buy or borrow any more.
I’m full of good intentions to read the books I own that are in piles waiting to be read and every now and then resolve not to buy any more until I’ve read them. So now seems a good day to make that a real resolution – I WILL NOT BUY ANY BOOKS FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS.
Maybe I should take it one day at a time and resolve …
NOT TO BUY ANY BOOKS TODAY.
BooksPlease 
Wow, that’s a lot. I don’t really have a TBR pile as I can easily finish a book in one sitting, but I do have gobs of read books in the house. I love books!
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Not buy any books for 3 months, huh? All the best, I’ll be praying for you 🙂
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I did last six months at one time. That is more due to moving house than anything else. I had no time!
Today I sorted out my bookshelves taking out 56 books which I gave away to the very tiny library run in our apartment blocks. Classics, YA and children’s books are much sought after. I am glad I made a little space in my shelves.
http://readbookswritepoetry.blogspot.com/2009/05/booking-through-gluttony.html
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I do sometimes go for several months without buying any books, but I only manage by avoiding secondhand shops, book stores, and by being perennially broke! But then I’ll bust out and acquire a couple dozen. I’m a book binger.
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Coming out of a bookshop emptyhanded! You’ve got more willpower than me!
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I’m with you gluttony is my sin. I have also put myself on a diet, however, and am doing quite well with it. The only new books I buy are those that are part of an on-going series. I even managed to look over the books at KMart when I was there the other day and walk away without one. So, it can be done.
cjh
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I don’t think I could resist buying books for 3 months. What if there was a good deal? I just try to read faster. 😀
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It’s not easy to come out of a bookstore empty-handed!
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I’m also a Book Glutton! The lack of space and moving house are the main reasons why I’ve switched as much as possible into getting ebooks which I read on my computer.
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Three months is a long time!!! Actually I think I am getting restrained by a severe lack of bookshelf space. Well, it won’t restrain me it will just induce me to get more creative in coming up with places to stash them (yes, closets and garage already in use!)
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I am the same way, but instead of buying I borrow from the local library. I always borrow too many though and always have to bring back books that I haven’t read. But I keep them on my TBR list with the hope that I will borrow it again or break down and buy it!
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What a fun post to read – and the comments too. To avoid buying books for three months would also mean staying away from the on-line sellers. I’m afraid I’m addicted to Amazon.com as well as Barnes and Noble’s website. I think three weeks would be a great feat.
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3 Months? You must have great will power! My TBR pile is huge, and new ones arrive every week, adding to it. And then, I have this habit of reserving too many books at the library and not having enough time to read them all before they need to go back. The library has definitely helped my budget though.
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I posted about not making it out unscathed this last weekend! They just all look so good.
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I was just on a book-buying ban! Take it one day at a time and use your library system a LOT! =) Good luck!
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Wouldn’t that be cool to live in an old library? Anyway, I don’t think I could go on a book buying diet. What about the .50 books at the library? Good luck!
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I enjoyed reading your post. My house is to small for my book collection too. I have to limit myself to going to the book store once a month. Happy BTT!
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Such willpower I am in awe! Happy BTT!
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Proud to be one, but I try not to buy. I grab the ones that I’m most desperate to read and leave the rest on a list.
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Haha, best of luck on the ‘no books for three months’ resolution. I’d never be able to do it.
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You must have a fever or something that caused you not to purchase or borrow! ;o)
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One day at a time is generally a good way to go. I have also decided to try to implement a way to cut down on the books coming into my house.
My answer is here.
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I’m a book glutton too and occasionally try to refrain from buying books. I can only do the one-day-at-a-time “diet” which does allow me to make some progress, but judging by my book piles it is not enough! Good luck :o)
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I’d do better with the (1) Day at a Time Deal than “no books for (3) months >> too painful 🙂
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Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I’m so glad you did because now I’ve found yours! My house is small and overrun with books. Now and again I take a bunch to the charity shop, only to wish (such as after reading your review of Iris Murdoch’s “A Severed Head”) that I hadn’t because I want to re-read them!
Give your arm-sitting cat a cuddle from me. It’s such a challenge to write, type or read with cats around – and lots of fun too – isn’t it?
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let’s put it this way… not buying books is up there with “going on a diet” or “giving up smoking”.. it’s not impossible… but I wouldn’t bet against the odds! heh…
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Oh, you made me laugh! I am a book glutton too. It’s a good thing books aren’t fattening! I think resolving not to buy any books today is a good idea. You need to always leave room for revision tomorrow! 🙂
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We are all in good company. Erasmus said, “When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.”
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It really isn’t so bad if you just look at your shelves as if they were the store or the library. I’ve had enormous fun walking around choosing – just as much as I would have in a store or library. It absolutely can be done – I’m living proof. :<)
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How could anyone only own books they’ve read? I’d love to meet the one person in the world who buys one book a time. Actually, I wouldn’t!
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3 months without buying at least one book is a tough one. You are braver than I. Good luck with that 🙂
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Yes, I too am a book glutton. I have a stack of books I’ve bought to read, and then have to keep them waiting while I get through the ones I order from the library! And then, I’ll read a great review of a book that I have to read RIGHT NOW, and the pile must wait a little longer… Still, that’s less scary than having no books waiting!
I say just work at it one day at time. Three months? That’s crazy!
🙂
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