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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Much as I love my local library...


I have made a vow for the moment to refrain from darkening its doors. At least for a few weeks. I simply have to catch up with books that are already here, lying fallow and unread - books that belong to me. I feel like I need to find some sort of balance. For the moment I am through feeding an out of control desure to read every book in the world all at the same time (that's how it feels) - playing some sort of catch-up game. It AIN'T working!

The pure fact is that I will never read everything that everyone recommends, much as I would like to. And the second pure fact is that I refuse to feel stressed or even the pressure to do so. I will read what I can and write about whatever book I feel needs writing about.

In an overabundance of zeal, I was just bringing home too many books from the library and often forgetting to return them at the proper time and too often losing track of what I really wanted to read. Many books went back unread. Where's the fun in that?



I know that I can never really organize my reading, I'm just not made that way, but I'm damn well going to stop bringing coals to Newcastle until I put a reading dent in my own home library. Maybe then I'll feel like I'm in control again.

"Books will not rule me!", she said, meaning it at the time.

Ha!

Note: Illustrations at the top and middle of this post are by the one and only Edward Gorey. To read about Gorey and his work please go here.

32 comments:

  1. I sympathize completely. I have a whole list of books I want to get at the library (some of them are your suggestions)..but I've also got 5 here at home I want to read! Happy reading to both of us!

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  2. Becky: Yes, happy reading. That's the point. Ha! We're both in the same boat. It's getting rocky. :)

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  3. Hah, that sounds like a book that fits every book blogger out there!

    Also, I sympathize. But it is hard to resist the allure of shiny new books on the shelves of shops and libraries!

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  4. Now I no longer work at the library I'm out of temptation's way! I only borrow non-fiction items these days - and I'm slowly picking my way through my TBR pile of fiction! ;-)

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  5. My very first trip to the library at age 7, I took out too many, read too few in the time allotted, had to pay a fine. The habits of a lifetime were formed.

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  6. Iris: That's why I'm doing my best to resist the temptation by staying away. At least for now. :)

    But I've got three great books I'm woking on now.

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  7. Sue: I'm the opposite. I'd rather borrow fiction and try and buy my non-fiction which takes me longer to read usually. Although I do occasionally buy fiction as well. It all depends on the author.

    Glad you're commenting again. I thought maybe you were still traveling.

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  8. CaftanWoman: That's been my lifetime habit as well. Ha!

    It's really too bad of us. :)

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  9. Boo! Just wrote a very witty comment and it zipped off into the ether! commenting via iPhone is too fiddly - will have to get the laptop fired up tomorrow! Yvette, I've been busy with DIY but trying to keep up with blogs as and when I can ;-)

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  10. You do not want to feel owned by your library books (or by the library as the overdue fees escalate). I usually spend a few years with library books and then I buy a whole bunch and spend some time reading from those. I think I am on the verge of going back to the library now - maybe - because your post makes me nervous - as I have lived what you are describing too.

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  11. I'd bet every book lover can sympathize - I know I can. There is nothing worse than feeling pressured to read too many books. It takes all the pleasure out of reading.

    Now you just relax for a while and feel virtuous, because before you know it your car will be making an unscheduled stop at the library and the whole thing will start over again.

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  12. Reading should only, and always, be fun, fun, fun! I used to volunteer at the library and I always came home with piles of books, and would get maybe one read. :<)

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  13. I had the same problem with my library books. It reached a point where I had some many books and was so unable to keep track of what was due when that I was racking up pretty good late fees. Which was just silly--I could have bought several books with what I paid in late fees on books I never got around to reading!

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  14. Yvette: I go to the library but walk quickly and only look for what I specifically need and leave. It keeps the book count down but is not as much fun as browsing around the stacks.

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  15. So much to read and yes, so little time!! I do need some sleep!!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  16. Sue: Just good to know you're still around the old homestead. :)

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  17. BookBelle: Yesh, those fees add up. But it's still worth the bargain. It's just that my horde of books had gotten out of control and I felt too much pressure. Wasn't enjoying my reading as much as I ordinarily do.

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  18. Carol: I probably won't stay away too long. Once I've read a few of own books from my own shelves, I'll be taking a stroll over to the library - it will be like, oh, how did I get here? Ha!

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  19. Nan: It always helps to know I'm not the only one with the problem. :) Libraries can be such an embarrassment of riches.

    Occasionally I just go overboard.

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  20. Lisa: Yes, exactly. That was beginning to happen around here. I hate that feeling of not being in control. :)

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  21. Bill: My problem is with online reservation of titles that look good or someone has recommended. I place all these titles on reserve because it's just so easy.

    Then I have to face the music. :)

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  22. Karena: Yes, occasionally we need a break for sleeping. :) Speaking of which, I was up half the night reading an excellent book I will be talking about in a few days.

    Thanks for dropping by.

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  23. When I feel on library overload, I just let the reserves expire on some books, then renew them when I feel a book gap coming. That's so I'm not staring at a huge pile of books at home, worrying about when I'll read them and the fees.

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  24. I have all the same problems you do. It's too easy to reserve books on line! I have been trying to read the books in my personal library that I don't plan to keep because I hope to move back to Boston in another year or two and don't relish packing and moving all those boxes again! One of the nice things about book / reading blogs is that we bibliomaniacs don't feel so alone!

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  25. Kathy: I occasionally do that. But more than likely the books usually find their way home with me. :)

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  26. Joan: Yes, exactly. It's nice to be able to share the angst. Especially booky angst. :)

    I know about moving with books. Yikes! That's when you really find out just how many books are actually living in your house.

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  27. I depend on pro movers these days...my back can't match my library.

    What I've had to back away from of late is burdening my friends with extra books...

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  28. Todd: I know. Moving boxes and boxes of books is the pits. Bad backs are the price we pay for our love of books. :)

    My problem is I don't like giving books away. Books tend to find a permanent home with me.

    It's a curse. Ha!

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  29. Good luck!

    This summer I have actually done it. I haven´t borrowed library books for many months, and with the exception of a handful of ebooks, I have not bought any since May. And I plan to go on in this way until I feel I am in control of my TBR, and not the other way round.

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  30. Dorte: You are made of stalwart stuff! Good for you. My problem is that my TBR pile is all helter skelter. I can't seem to organize it so I just do the best I can.

    Right now, I'm reading what's in the house except for three Mary Roberts Rinehart books that I bought second hand recently.

    But that's it!

    For now.

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  31. About five years ago, I rearranged my living room bookshelves, having watched a few home design shows. I moved books in different directions and piles, put pottery and baskets among the books, and -- Voila! The shelf unit actually looks good.

    In the process, I took two shopping carts full of books to the library.

    It felt cathartic, like I'd cleaned the whole apartment--not a chance for that.

    So I enjoy looking at the shelves while I'm at the computer. It's restful and attractive.

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  32. Sounds good, Kathy. Moving books around and getting things in order always makes me feel virtuous. :)

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