Bibliophile in a Bookstore
I have a confession to make. I am a bibliophile.
As an extreme lover and collector of books, I have issues every time I try to leave a bookstore. I have a large pile of unread books on my coffee table that represent the next five or so books that I would like to read. In addition to that, I have a large quantity of to-read books taking over my bookshelves. At the moment, I’ve managed to keep the number of read books greater than the number of unread books in my apartment. But I don’t expect it to stay that way for long.
Despite the fact that I have enough books to last me at least six months, I have the uncontrollable urge to continue shoving new books into my already overflowing bookshelves.
Today, I went to Barnes and Noble. I should have just never stepped foot in the door. I had no plans on buying anything. I just wanted to browse and enjoy the scent of books, and maybe find a few to put on my list of books to pick up after I’ve gone through some of the ones at home.
Silly me. I don’t know why I keep thinking I can go into a bookstore without buying at least three new books. At least. And that is exactly what I did today. I almost managed to get out of there empty-handed, but I traipsed on up to the fantasy section and discovered a book I’ve never heard of and a author completely new to me.
Then, on my way to the checkout counter, I passed two novels I’ve been wanting to read for awhile, and I could not keep my hand from moving to that shelve to pick up the books. I told my hand not to do it, but it wouldn’t listen.
Don’t get me wrong. I am happy about this. But at the same time, I am slightly overwhelmed. I am absolutely never going to be caught up with my reading.
And then next weekend, I’ll tell myself I can go into the Strand without buying anything and leave with fifteen new books.
Filed under: reading
I am too.
I love books…and am a real nerdy cat.
Ahhhh, books. I won’t mention the number of books clogging my house right now. Suffice it to say it’s cllimbing toward a couple thousand. :shudder: I love the smell of books, the feel of them, the colors and textures of their covers. I’d throw them all on the floor and roll around in them if I wasn’t sure I’d damage them in some way. Lucky for me, the closest real bookstore is an hour away. I only have to stay out of the book section of the grocery store every week. And of course, I have to keep myself from stopping at the thrift store and leaving with bagfuls of books. *sigh*
Hi. My name is B.E. and I am a book addict…
I know the feeling. The first time I went to the USA, I was like OHMYGODCHEAPBOOKS! Bought about thirty, completely forgot I would have to fit them in my suitcase somehow…
The worst one is charity shops. So many books - and only 50p! How can you not buy them?
I sympathise entirely. I keep on purchasing book after book after book, and I fear that soon I shall have so many I will not know what to do with them all.
One possible solution is to build a brand new house, made entirely out of books.
Welcome to the club! I have more books than I can ever read, and I just keep buying more. At points in the past I have worked at, at least, three different book stores mainly so that I could get employee discounts on everything I wanted.
But don’t books just make you feel good? They are good to have around, just to keep you company…
Sad that the original Scribner’s book store in NYC is gone - that place was amazing. Full of history.
Nice to see I’m not the only crazy one!
@ Lord Likely: I like the way you think, A house made of books is a fantastic idea!
@ Michael: I never had a chance to go to Scribner’s, but I certainly do love the Strand! Except that I get lost in there for hours.