3.17.2009

My overflowing library

I have this obsession with buying books. I think it's worse than my beauty supply obsession, but much more educational. I have one bookcase that my husband bought me as a 'Congrats' gift when I left CPS in 2007. It is overflowing. I have books stuffed under the bed, in all 3 drawers of my nightstand, squeezed behind the doors of another table/chest, and in our study. I really don't need anymore books, yet....I just can't help myself.

There is just something fulfilling, enticing, and satisfying about meandering my way through a bookstore, letting titles catch my eye, breezing through the first couple of pages of an intriguing book, and then filling my arms to overflowing with these finds.

I have bought more than a dozen books in the past 2 months. I have read 2 of them (The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart and How To Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward). I give them to my mom to read first, and my dad's been borrowing books too. I'm off to Vegas for a long weekend, and I plan on bringing three books with me. Why? Because I can't spend every waking moment gambling, like my husband. Now I must decide which books to bring, and force myself not to enter a bookstore between now and Thursday.

Here is a brief list of the books I'm really wanting to buy right now:

Coyotes: A Journey Across Borders by Ted Conover

Consequences by Penelope Lively

Jesus Land: A memoir by Julia Scheeres

I'll Fly Away by Wally Lamb

Change me into Zeus' Daughter by Barbara Moss

Fierce: A Memoir by Barbara Moss

Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward

The Sweet In-Between by Sheri Reynolds

Honestly, this is just the first page of my wishlist on Amazon. I have 4 more pages. And that's just what I have on Amazon. I could spend my whole life reading, and am certain I would still miss a million fabulous books.
So help me out: tell me a good book that I can add to my list.

*****

In an effort to keep track of my books, I decided to go old school. I looked in a couple of bookstores, but didn't really find anything I liked. Then I fell into the black abyss that is Etsy. Sighhhhh. Here's what I bought:






These beauties are from CloverHollow. They are gorgeous, and they have two of my favorite things: aqua and birdies. I recommend Cassie any day. My bookplates came fast, and they are just adorable!

These sweet bookplates are from Jess at Vol25. This lady is so talented, I don't even have the words.....Her stuff is whimsical and funky and just...great! I recently bought some postcards from her too, just because I love the little birdies on them. (I know, I know, I'm gonna be that nutcake old lady)

Anyway, my hubby thinks I'm a nutcake already, since I have freaking bookplates in all my books, with my name written on them.

5 comments:

Sarah said...

ahhh I LOVE books and I, like you, get a euphoric high from buying books. Glad I am not alone. I may have to get some of those "this book belongs to" stickies, but actually I am too stingy to share my books ha!

Anonymous said...

I love books, too. LOVE them. I love the smell of bookstores, but especially the smell of libraries (the older the better). I have tons of books I've bought, have never read, but vow to get to "some day". How you can deny enriching your brain?? I have a few book tags but have never used them. Sometimes I'm weird about sharing books (depends on the book) and I have a hard time "defacing" books (like I would never bend a corner to mark a page). Is this weird?

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, see...THIS is why we click! LOL.

I got a reader's diary off etsy...feeds into the reading AND organizational addictions.

Some of my favs (lately)....

Hunger Games
The Historian
The Handmaiden's Tale
Into the Forest
Last Ship

Sooooooo, many. I have 6 book-cases in the basement, the top of my dresser, the armoire, and all over the house really. I have a bathroom book (I read in the bath), a work book (for at lunch) and usually a couple flip through books in the living room.

Anonymous said...

I am also a lover of the books. It is the bane of my husband's existence because any book I really love, I must own. I do go to the library occasionally, but I prefer to own the book, so I can read it again and again.

Anyway, here is my recommendation: The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose. I think you may have noticed my Tweet about this book. I finished it this week and it was fantastic! The author is actually a friend of mine, but the book stands totally on its own. It was insightful and entertaining. I laughed out loud many times and was very moved as well. If you get it and like it, I might be able to score you a signature on it! :)

CP said...

We're still swapping books right? I mean, come on, I take you WITH me to the bookstore when I buy the damn books. :)