Confessions of a Book Hoarder
Posted by annastan on March 29th, 2010. Filed under: Books, Random Fun.As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a hard time reading while I’m revising. But now that my revisions are finally in good shape, it’s been a relief to be able to read again. Good timing, too, since my reading pile is about to tip over. You see, I think I might have a problem: I’m a bit of a book hoarder.
When I go to the library, I usually make a list of books to get. But then a few more titles always catch my eye, and I walk out of the library with an armload of books, more than I could possibly read in the allotted time. I’m usually good about not buying too many books at once, but if I ever have a gift card, I go a little wild. If I want people to buy my books one day, I should support others by buying their books, right? That kind of reasoning can sometimes spell trouble…
Here’s my current reading pile, comprised of a few books I bought, a couple I acquired, and (amazingly) only one library book:
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver – I’m about halfway through and so far it’s an excellent read, intense and thought-provoking. I can’t wait to zip through the rest of it tonight.
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy – My husband is reading this one first and he’s loving it. He says it’s dark and gory but intriguing. Even though I’m a wimp when it comes to scary things, he’s determined to get me to read it.
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard – I almost never win anything, so it was exciting to win this little book from Karen Schwartz’s blog. (Thanks Karen!) I’m saving it for when I need a bit of writing inspiration.
Ruined by Paula Morris – This is an ARC that one of my writing group members passed along to me. I’ve heard great things about this ghost story (and I just love the cover).
Ash by Malinda Lo and A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce – I’ve been wanting to read these fairy tale retellings for a while. Since I’m about to go back to working on my own retelling, it’ll be the perfect time to dive into both of these books.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher – Now that I can take a little bit of a break from revising my own dystopian novel, I’m excited to read this one. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.
And there you have it. Are there any fellow book hoarders out there? What books are stacking up in your reading piles?
March 29th, 2010 at 7:03 am
I do the exact same thing! And I work in a library, so it’s doubly dangerous. I will NEVER be able to get through everything I’ve bought and checked out. Here’s some of what’s sitting in my office right now: The Graveyard Book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, How to Say Good-bye in Robot, What I Saw and How I Lied, Flash Burnout, Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You, Last Night I Sang to the Monster, Before I Fall, and Paper Towns.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Well you know book twin, it goes without saying that you already know that I’m a fellow hoarder. It’s sort of eerie how all those books you have in your picture are the same books I’m reading and/or have read.
You definitely have to let me know what you think about BEFORE IF FALL — that author took a well-known premise and made it unique. And you will love RUINED — it was one my favorite books last year. And INCARCERON–that will be so up your alley–you’ll love it!
March 29th, 2010 at 8:18 am
I love your stack! Mine is so big, I have to keep it on a shelf, but I do try to organize into what I plan to read first.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:48 am
I just finished the Monstrumologist, and I loved it. I didn’t have a problem with the gore, because most of it related to a predator killing its prey, which happened to be humans. I get more unnerved with serial killers or stories about people who do torturous things to other people. Psychologically, it’s different. For me.
Loved Incarceron and its sequel, Sapphique. I’m going to have to check out those others. I’m currently reading Zahrah the Windseeker and the Maze Runner (one’s in my car, the other by the bed). And I’m itching to get my hands on Megan Whalen Turner’s A Conspiracy of Kings, because I loved the Attolia trilogy. And now I want to read Before I Fall.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Megan, I don’t think I could work in a library. I’d just drown in books! Your stack is filled with great reads. Good luck getting through them all!
Hi Book Twin! Of course we’re fellow hoarders.
You’re right about BEFORE I FALL – the premise isn’t new, but I think the fact that the main character feels so real makes it really unique.
PJ, this is what I’d call my A-list stack. I have some other books that have been kicking around for a while, waiting to be read. Hopefully I’ll get to them soon. Happy reading!
Sheila, you’ve made me feel better about MONSTRUMOLOGIST. I don’t mind gore so much, but if a book is too tense and creepy, it gives me nightmares. I might avoid reading this one at night.
March 29th, 2010 at 9:58 am
We’re leaving on vacation in a few days and I’ve already picked out the books I’m bringing along — and believe me, I’ve got STACKS to choose from!
March 29th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Such a book hoarder! I’m especially dangerous in the library. I keep thinking, they’re all free and if I don’t bring them home someone else will check them out and I’ll never see them again. Very obsessional. =)
But strangely, it’s almost as much fun looking at someone else’s hoard. Looks like you have some great reads in the future!
March 29th, 2010 at 10:51 am
I’m a fellow book hoarder, and I believe I’ve created one with my 10 year old son. He checked out THREE ya books from the library on Saturday. Oh my! Thanks for the fun post.
March 29th, 2010 at 11:44 am
My bookhoarding is so dangerous. I’ve got piles of must reads now, of must reads next, of must reads soon, and…well, you get the idea!
March 29th, 2010 at 11:51 am
I go the library weekly. My daughter leaves with about 10 YA books so i can always read from her stash, but we have didn’t tastes. I leave with 3 or 4, but I know I won’t read all of them. Some I want to get a taste for, read a different pov, or it looked interesting. If I get bored, I put the book back in the bag and go back to writing.
But usually one or two is good enough to read all the way through and then I have to renew.
March 29th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Sherrie, I always pack way too many books for trips. But you never know what you might be in the mood for, right? Have a great vacation!
Anne, I’m the exact same way! If I see a book I want to read at the library, I feel like I have to snatch it up before someone else gets it, even if I don’t have time to read it. I’m glad I’m not the only one with this disturbing compulsion!
Julie, I hadn’t even considered that book hoarding could be passed on. But when I have children, I’ll just be happy if they’re readers, even if they turn into hoarders like me.
Wow, Andrea. That sounds even more intense than my addiction! I’m seriously lacking in shelf space, which is one of the things keeping my hoarding (somewhat) contained.
Laura, I love that way of looking at books: you’re getting them not to necessarily read them all, but to get a “taste for” them. That makes me feel a lot better about returning library books that I’ve barely started!
March 29th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
It’s so crazy when I’m reading three books at once, AND writing.
Great post!
March 29th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I’m the same way at the library – like a kid in a candy store!
It’s nice that you don’t have to return the Annie Dillard book. I love it, and it’s inspiring to go back to every now and then.
March 29th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I haven’t read any of those! I’ve finally started to dig into my pile. This week I’ve read Magic Under Glass, The Earth, My Butt and other Big Round Things, The Sea of Monsters, and I’m almost done Unwind. All great reads! (especially My Butt – so good!)
March 29th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Lydia, doesn’t writing sometimes feel like juggling? It takes skill to write and read and keep up with life. Sometimes I feel like I have to choose; this week I choose reading!
Deborah, the Annie Dillard books sounds wonderful. I’m sure I’ll be posting some snippets of wisdom here once I start reading it.
Terry, I haven’t read MAGIC yet but I love the other books you listed. Isn’t it so inspiring to read a bunch of great books in a row?
March 29th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Me? A book hoarder? Heavens no! Well maybe. Let’s see, I just read: The Wish Stealers, Bleeding Violet, Guardian of the Dead, and A Great and Terrible Beauty and I’m just starting Dreaming Anastasia. I have a list a mile long besides and now that I’ve read yours I’m thinking I need to add a few…
March 30th, 2010 at 5:22 am
Oops, sorry to add more books to your reading list, Lisa! But I’m glad I’ve found so many fellow book hoarders.