January 29, 2010
Book Hoarding
So a few nights ago I happened to catch that show Hoarders. I normally wouldn’t have watched it, but HellHound had stolen the remote and I couldn’t be bothered to a. go looking for it, or b. get up and change the station on the box. Anyway, for those of you who have never watched the show, it’s basically about people who collect all kinds stuff that they can’t bring themselves to part with until they can barely move inside their homes, and their battle to overcome the compulsion. What shocked me, however, was level of anxiety these people suffered when their stuff–much of it would be considered garbage to most people–was thrown out.
By the time the show was over, I was fighting my own compulsion to clean out the basement at eleven o’clock at night. But it also got me thinking, could I ever hoard? My initial response was no. I dislike clutter too much. Then I noticed the stack of novels on the table beside me…and the books stacked on the shelves of the coffee table. I thought of the books jammed tight on my shelves. Tucked in the drawer on my night table. Many I haven’t even read yet, but I know I will likely buy more before I do. Gasp. I hoard books.
Granted, my book collecting is not quite to the same degree as these poor people I saw on T.V., but I’ve been inspired to get rid the books that have not made keeper shelf, and I’m going to make a serious effort to read a few of the books already on my self before buying anything new–this includes the e-reader. So am I the only person who suffers the particular vice?
Mood: Thoughful
Music: I Feel It All – Feist
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Not at all…in fact, I just had to get a hand-me-down bookshelf so that I can finally unpack all my books from my move…8 months ago! I did trim *some* a while back but I don’t usually buy books unless a) they’re ones I know I want to keep and reread or b) they’re really cheap! The latter category tends to be my problem because they get pre-empted by the ones in the former category…one of my resolutions for this year is to get organized book-wise and create a “pick from this shelf FIRST” shelf containing the large number of books I have that I haven’t gotten to yet (some dating back several years!). And to start choosing from this shelf and NOT buying new books (for the most part…the new Black Dagger Brotherhood book and Christopher Moore’s new book in the spring WILL be exceptions!)!
January 29th, 2010 at 5:26 pmP.S. Please bring a copy of the new book to girls’ night at the end of the month…all my good intentions aside, I’m not going to get to order this on-line and I really wanna read it! ;o)
I’m trying to make a serious effort to read books that I already have on my shelves too. It’s amazing how many I have that I haven’t read, some going back almost ten years.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:44 pm