Now, I know the very idea of a book-buying ban might fill some readers with dread. I confess I'm a little apprehensive about what I'm getting myself into. But at the same time, I am also quite excited. I think this could be really good opportunity for me (not only to save money!) and nearly two weeks in I am feeling very positive about the whole thing (whether or not I will feel the same come June, only time will tell...) So far, these are the main thoughts going round my brain as to why this might be a Good Thing:
- I want to support my local library service more. Public libraries are a special kind of magic I have just recently rediscovered and they are currently making me very happy. Sure, it's more convenient to order book online and get it delivered to my door than walk a mile or so into town to pick up a book from the library. But during those moments of weakness, I'm going to repeat to myself the following mantra: "I'd much rather my patronage went to the libraries in my community than money-grabbing, tax-dodging scum like Amazon, anyway." And then feel all self-rigorous and smug... just kidding ;)
- I have a lot of unread books on my shelves awaiting the love and attention they deserve. I made a list yesterday of all those TBR titles I have lurking on my shelves (getting rather dusty). I have over 40. No, there I no way I'll be reading them all in the next few months. I'm just not that speedy a reader and some of them are rather long. But I am going to aim to read my way through at least a quarter of this list.
- Diversifying my reading. By reading only those books I already have on my shelves and those I can find though my local library service, I hope I will be forced to read a little outside my comfort zone and discover some wonderful new books/authors I might otherwise have overlooked.
So far, I have read one library book (the wonderfully original First Book of Calamity Leek by Paula Lichtarowicz - review coming soon), have started reading a second (The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick) and am also reading Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast trilogy as part of Iris and Ana's Long-Awaited Reads Month. This book has sat on my shelve for a very long time. Ten years at least, possibly up to fifteen. I've always meant to get round to reading into, but somehow never have... Now's my chance! So far I am finding it as slow, strange and dark as I expected. Great book for curling up with for a long period, though hasn't been the easiest commute read as it demands quite a lot of attention. Very glad I'm finally reading it, though.
What the next few months will bring I am eager to find out. It really is an adventure into the unknown for me, as I probably haven't gone even two weeks without buying a book for quite sometime. I will write about my progress, thoughts and experiences on this blog. And please do share your own experiences if you have ever done (or are doing) something similar. Any tips or wisdom to impart? What were your greatest temptations? Did you find it worth it and how has it impacted long-term on your book-buying and reading habits? I'd love to hear from you :)
I do a three-month book-buying-ban every year - my shopping 'de-tox'. During that time I read from my massive TBR stacks - there's never a shortage! I also make notes on books that grab my attention during that time - not surprisingly, once the ban is over, the desire to read all of the books I listed is fairly low.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and sharing your experiences. I think a yearly de-tox sounds like a good idea. I've not made much of a dent in my TBR list yet (I've mostly been reading library finds), so I need to get back on track with that. I tried having a "book jar" last year, to help me work my way through them, but didn't have the will-power to stick with it. Probably need to dust the jar off and try again :)
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