Developing Book Buying Self Restraint
I say this to a bunch of my friends, but I haven't bought a book since October. A lot of book friends go "what??? How do you live?" or something along the lines of that. I don't know. *shrugs* I just have a self control. And that isn't meant as an insult; if you like buying books, no one's judging you, but I have a self control or even self restraint that makes it so I just. don't. care. (anymore.)
Truth be told, I hate buying books. Probably the worst thing a biblophile like me should ever say, but it's true! Sorry, I had to say that! There's all those factors of "will I like this book?" or "do I have space for this?" It just scares me so I refuse to buy. And for me, a HC is 20 bucks and a PB is like 10, which is totally nuts. As a last point, it isn't my money. I don't want to be a freeloader to my parents and always use my money for college and not books. (My parents are firm believers of "libraries.")
But wasn't there a time where I just wanted to buy and buy?
Of course!
When I was younger or even when I go to a bookstore still, I have an urge to grab everything and run. My mom'll say "you can buy one" and I don't want to. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE? When I go to a bookstore or when I go to a bargain shop, I'll end up leaving with a bag full. It's crazy. I have self restraint on a day to day basis; I don't want to buy a Finished HC copy if I have an eARC or a physical PB ARC. A copy is enough for me, no matter what form.
I get irritated when I spend a lot of money on books. Usually I can buy a book every 3 months and spend 30 bucks max. That's like 3 books in PB, 1.5 HC or like 5 (both PB and HC) in a bargain shop. It's okay once in a while, but I really want to use that money for something other than books.
Self-restraint, I feel, is developed. If you're away from the bookstore a lot, like I am, it's very easy to let go of any urges of buying. But I still work at not buying books and try my best to not want to buy anything. It's a lot more fun to read the books I have to read instead of buying. I don't want to be like those people who have 200 books on TBR. I have close to 50, so that's already way over my head.
I think I'm happy with myself for now. I still buy when I can't fight it, but I'm starting to get so much better at the whole self-discipline thing. I'm really proud because there are so many books I used to lust over. I just don't care anymore
Truth be told, I hate buying books. Probably the worst thing a biblophile like me should ever say, but it's true! Sorry, I had to say that! There's all those factors of "will I like this book?" or "do I have space for this?" It just scares me so I refuse to buy. And for me, a HC is 20 bucks and a PB is like 10, which is totally nuts. As a last point, it isn't my money. I don't want to be a freeloader to my parents and always use my money for college and not books. (My parents are firm believers of "libraries.")
But wasn't there a time where I just wanted to buy and buy?
Of course!
When I was younger or even when I go to a bookstore still, I have an urge to grab everything and run. My mom'll say "you can buy one" and I don't want to. HOW DO YOU CHOOSE? When I go to a bookstore or when I go to a bargain shop, I'll end up leaving with a bag full. It's crazy. I have self restraint on a day to day basis; I don't want to buy a Finished HC copy if I have an eARC or a physical PB ARC. A copy is enough for me, no matter what form.
I get irritated when I spend a lot of money on books. Usually I can buy a book every 3 months and spend 30 bucks max. That's like 3 books in PB, 1.5 HC or like 5 (both PB and HC) in a bargain shop. It's okay once in a while, but I really want to use that money for something other than books.
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| "I can't believe you just said that" - Said every biblophile ever. |
Self-restraint, I feel, is developed. If you're away from the bookstore a lot, like I am, it's very easy to let go of any urges of buying. But I still work at not buying books and try my best to not want to buy anything. It's a lot more fun to read the books I have to read instead of buying. I don't want to be like those people who have 200 books on TBR. I have close to 50, so that's already way over my head.
I think I'm happy with myself for now. I still buy when I can't fight it, but I'm starting to get so much better at the whole self-discipline thing. I'm really proud because there are so many books I used to lust over. I just don't care anymore
How many books do you have on your TBR? What do you think about your self control?
I definitely agree with everything you've said! I haven't bought a book since October either. I've actually never been super into buying books. I used to only want to buy a book because I couldn't get it at the library and I never got review copies. But since I get most of my books through the library and don't have much motivation to read books outside my review copies (mainly because I have absolutely NO time to do anything else) I just haven't had the time to gather up my excitement over buying a new book.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd much rather buy new music on my phone. I just got Spotify and I've been making all these playlists that I'm insanely in love with. Seriously. Punk rock and indie music are the reasons why I love my life. Thanks for sharing, Nova!
I can't say I have as much self control! There's a book story right by my house, and I go in all the time, but I don't buy all the time. I absolutely hate spending money (I NEVER by hardbacks). It just seems crazy to spend 20 dollars on a hardback book that I may only read once and not even like (I make an exception for my favorite authors/series). I always try to restrain myself though and just head over to the library. Plus, my bookshelf is overflowing!
ReplyDeleteHaha wow...I can't imagine not having bought any books in that long! You have amazing self-restraint :) I guess it's a little different for me since I'm spending my own money and don't have to pay for college anymore, but it's always good to budget and not buy too many books. I like having a lot, but sometimes it gets overwhelming having so many on your TBR shelf.
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