I buy 3-5 books a week. I make a weekly trip to Barnes and Noble. Sometimes with a list of recommendations or books that I’ve found on online list. I’ll grab books that look like a good read, seem interesting, or simply because they look really cool and I want them on my shelf. I buy books on eBay and used book stores/thrift shops, etc. My dilemma is I am only reading about 1 a month ( depending on size and complexity, of course, so that’s a rough average) I justify this as my crutch, as I don’t drink or do drugs. Also by telling myself that there may come a day where I won’t be able to afford to buy books, and I’ll be freshly stocked on new reads by then.
Anyone else have this issue? Thoughts?
Wow people have money to spend on books I just am in my Libby app like twice a day.
Buying and reading books are two different hobbies as far as I’m concerned. If you don’t go over the line and buy more than you can realistically afford, I don’t think it’s an issue. I had a period when I bought books non-stop until I started running out of space and I took a good look at my bookcase to realise I had everything I was interested in so far. Just like that. When I browsed through various lists, videos, bestseller sections, etc. I just saw that there was nothing there that I wanted to read that I didn’t already have. I read according to my mood. I can go months without reading anything and then devour more than ten books in a month. It works for me because I have something I’m in the mood for at the moment, so I can just pick up a book and read it. I honestly don’t feel any guilt or regret about that book purchases of mine. Plus, seeing all those books every day brings me so much joy!
Conspicuous consumption at best, shopping addiction at worst. In any case it’s your money and life you’re impacting, and no you are not the only one who exhibits this behavior.