Sunday, January 2, 2011

A Book and a Confession

Waking up this morning I was full of resolve in my personal challenge to read from my shelves for as long as possible this year.  Once The Heiress was packed up and driven back to school today, a blog post declaring my intent was going to be written.

The only thing I have to declare at this moment is that I AM WEAK!

This was not an indiscriminate purchase, plucked from a shelf out of greed...it's a Folio Society publication for goodness sake!  Costing the same as a mere paperback there was really nothing to think about.   More Pick of Punch will add another layer of knowledge to my education in 20th century authors and is full of just the sort of humour I adore.  Flipping through the pages I spied snippets by EM Delafield, PG Wodehouse, Graham Greene, Kingsley Amis, Antonia White and even a bit of Diary of a Nobody.  Off to the cash register!

I'm not planning to don a hair shirt or anything and there are no feelings of guilt, I just wanted to share my folly.  But just for fun, as of right now, I am going to see how far into 2011 I can go without adding to my bookshelves.  It's not that they are groaning, it's to see how disciplined I can be in enjoying the books I already own.

Is anyone entertaining the same idea?
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13 comments:

  1. maryJanuary 2, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    I tried (quite hard) last year, Darlene. Can't claim that my Amazon impulse habit is cured but I have been using the library more.

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  2. Anbolyn (Cousins Read)January 2, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    I am going to give it my best effort. I was tempted yesterday when I took my niece to Barnes & Noble and passed by the clearance tables - but I was strong and didn't even browse (very much).

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  3. DarleneJanuary 2, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    mary, Well done and storage does become an issue after awhile doesn't it.

    Anbolyn, Just being in a bookshop and having a good browse is good for the soul I find. Let me know how long you hold out for and thanks for stopping by!

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  4. lynJanuary 2, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    I also plan to try to stop buying books for a while. I have so many to read now. But, one of my last purchases for 2010 is on its way from the Book Depository to me right now. I hesitate to mention it because I don't want to tempt you but you've just read Vere Hodgson & you obviously love Punch. Punch Goes To War ed by Helen Walasek. There's probably some overlap with your new book as this sounds very similar. Cartoons & articles by our favourite middlebrow authors.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Oh Darlene! Well we all know I fell off the wagon, but I did last a fair few months. Sometimes you see those gems and you just can't resist! Perhaps you could try a REDUCED book buying scheme, like Simon's Project 24? It might be easier to stick to, knowing you can treat yourself sometimes?

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  6. kristinaJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    You would have been crazy to let that one go. You did the right thing! K x

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Darlene, you have done nothing wrong. That was clearly a book in need of a good home, and I am quite sure that you are the woman to provide it.

    I never resolve to give up book buying, just to sometimes limit myself to the out of print that I may never see again.

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  8. DarleneJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    lyn, Oh my goodness, that does sound right up my street doesn't it! Something to look forward to down the road...off for a peek!

    bookssnob, Your efforts were outstanding, Rachel, and you had a great incentive in your move to New York. I've been on a reduced book-buying scheme for a little while but unread books from a few years ago do haunt me in a silly sort of way. Ooh, a storyline idea...

    Kristina, Absolutely...and the fact that R is standing there saying 'just the one, that's it?' doesn't help.

    fleurfisher, Random Jottings sent me my first Persephone, Consequences, from a book sale table. She just couldn't leave it to an unknown fate! And no worries, if I want a book badly enough I will be whipping out my wallet in a flash! Let's just see how long that will take....

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  9. verityJanuary 3, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    My TBR only numbers 20 books and it is mainly the dregs...I shall be going to the library when it reopens tomorrow!

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Alberto Manguel said: "I have no feeling of guilt regarding the books I have not read and perhaps will never read; I know that my books have unlimited patience. They will wait for me till the end of my days." That might give you comfort. :)

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Happy New year ! I definitely am..I am living in the US temporarily and cannot carry the books that I buy here back to my home country..so I have for the first time in years literally stopped buying

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  12. DarleneJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    verity, Only 20! That's only a few days of reading for you...dire indeed!

    kissacloud, '...the end of my days.' I actually have fleeting thoughts of coming down with a terminal illness and madly whipping through my tbr pile before the end! I must learn to embrace the book and not the guilt.

    shadesofwords09, Happy New Year to you and thanks for stopping by! Buying even one book on an outing is my favourite souvenir so hopefully there are at least a few in your luggage when you return home. All of the best on your adventure!

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Haha! I've had similar thoughts!

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