Andrew Bowman wrote:-
>
> Continuing the collecting theme - does a compulsion to buy interesting
> (and interesting-ish) books, usually non-fiction hardbacks, strike a
> chord with any of you? I probably buy several hundred books a year, and
> typically read, say, 50 books per year (cover to cover, as opposed to
> reference use).
I recorded all spending for 2 years: Books were by *far* the largest
expense after food+lodging. I've stopped recording spending now.
I try to avoid hard backs and the last few years have managed (sometimes)
to wait for the standard format p/back: space is becoming an issue!
Though many of the non-fiction are h/back (and non-standard sizes WHICH
TAKE UP TOO MUCH SPACE!!).
A quick check shows .... 91.3m[0] of full bookshelves :-} unfortunately
many of them double stacked.
> Whilst I'm aware of this disparity between acquisition and consumption
> this has little effect on my rate of acquisition (although space and
> money have a varying degree of constraint). I tend to buy remainders,
Likewise: there are 2 shelves reserved for "my-not-yet-read" books.
They are full -- stacked flat 2 deep. Next Saturday will bring a dilemma
I'll need to read several books or find a new shelf :-( The GF has her
own to-read shelves ...
> second-hand and review copies, or, if I'm desperate, new books at
> whatever discount I can get (the Scot in me learnt long ago that most
> new books, however good, are remaindered and or sold second-hand at some
> point).
The GF works on that principal, I prefer to get them while they are fresh,
if they haven't been read by the time I see them in the remainders I still
feel good 'cause mine are (usually) in better condition!
But that reminds me to go up to Barter Books in Alnick again ... there
is a Brian Stapleford that was never returned that I'm still looking for
(2nd of the Black Swan series) and a book of short stories by Theodore
Sturgeon and the middle one of the James P. Hogan Giants trilogy (yes
I know it's availble as an omnibus but I don't want to buy parts I and III
again), and the middle one of the Steve? Perry Matador trilogy which (from
clues in part 3) has some erotic bits :-)
> Every book I buy is something that I'd like to read in due course - but
> at the current rate I hope I live long enough and retire early enough to
> do them all justice.
Amen :-) And then there's the GF's books!
--
Chris Benson
[0] This excludes floors and tables which are not so easily measured,
as well as "loose books" in bedrooms and bathrooms and on the stairs.
