69 replies to this topic

[lady narcissa]

I only keep books that I have enjoyed and will want to reread.  I donate the rest to a local library which has an annual book sale every summer.  But even keeping only the books I've liked over the course of multiple decades has added up to well over a thousand books in my permanent collection.

But I do revisit them frequently.  And more often than not the urge to do so occurs in the wee hours of the morning.  Just this weekend in fact I felt compelled to reread a novel I haven't read since 1992.  It was near midnight but luckily I had the book just sitting there on my shelf, easily accessible.  So its for moments like that, that I keep them.

[AverageGuy]

I keep the previous books in any ongoing series I'm still reading around.  Any books which I particularly liked.  Some nonfiction reference.  I don't keep a ton of books I read - I use the library when possible, which goes a way toward solving the issue - but I definitely have a couple bookcases full.

I do reread relatively often.  I tend to read a book every 2-3 days, but I probably only buy ~20 new/year.  Never rereading would get expensive.

[dornish prince]

personally, i just like having them.  i'm really just regurgitating what others have said but there ya go.  i do rid myself of the ones that i didn't enjoy however.

[Lord-Kail-Stark]

i keep mine because even in the worst books there is usually at least one thing i like about them enough to reread. I have never had enough money to buy alot of new books, i'll maybe buy 2 a year and the rest of the books i get are ones i ask for on my birthday or christmas. so anytime i want to read something i have to reread the books i already have or go try to find a book at the library.

[Grack21]

edit: ahem. ignore that. nothing to see here

Edited by Grack21, 23 April 2012 - 10:39 PM.

[SkynJay]

I will also admit that collecting books helps calm any other hoarder instincts I have.  I have my shelves, and I know they are bigger than they need to be, but I really only feel the need to collect books.  I have no problem filling the goodwill box with most other collectables that come my way over the years.

[sologdin]

i marvel that it remains unmentioned that the presence of shelves and shelves of books, at least among a very specific subdemographic, is a positive selective factor, leading inexorably toward mating.

[Gillio]

I'm sorry, its late,and I'm very tired. Are you telling me books are sexy?

[Tropxe]

I'd say the unusual thing isn't that you don't want to keep them after you've read them, but that considering that's your preference, you don't just get them from a library rather than buying them. Maybe it's different where you live, but in the UK libraries are free; you become a member and then you can take books out without charge. People only buy books if they plan to read keep them, the library is for one-off reads.

[Skunkbelly]

sologdin, on 24 April 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

i marvel that it remains unmentioned that the presence of shelves and shelves of books, at least among a very specific subdemographic, is a positive selective factor, leading inexorably toward mating.

Just for you.

[Apoapsis]

Tropxe, on 24 April 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

I'd say the unusual thing isn't that you don't want to keep them after you've read them, but that considering that's your preference, you don't just get them from a library rather than buying them. Maybe it's different where you live, but in the UK libraries are free; you become a member and then you can take books out without charge. People only buy books if they plan to read keep them, the library is for one-off reads.

We do have public libraries. They usually don't stock the books I want to read though. They will order them if I ask, but that means waiting, probably for weeks.Also, if I drop too many library books in the bath they won't let me borrow any more for a while...

[Apoapsis]

sologdin, on 24 April 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

i marvel that it remains unmentioned that the presence of shelves and shelves of books, at least among a very specific subdemographic, is a positive selective factor, leading inexorably toward mating.

Surely, once they're in your home the issue of mating or not mating has already been settled? Or do they finish their drink and go home if your library is too small?

[Arthmail]

Apoapsis, on 24 April 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

Surely, once they're in your home the issue of mating or not mating has already been settled? Or do they finish their drink and go home if your library is too small?

Maybe your library is old and smells of mildew. Maybe the bookshelves lean funny, or don't really stand up on their own anymore without support.


What are we talking about again?

[Grack21]

Arthmail, on 24 April 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

Maybe your library is old and smells of mildew. Maybe the bookshelves lean funny, or don't really stand up on their own anymore without support.


What are we talking about again?

Privilege and agency and bakker, of course.

[jdp13]

I'm guilty of "hording" my books eventhough I'm not a re-reader of books (although I've been re-reading each ASOIAF books before each HBO season).  In a way I think I look at them like they're trophies or something.

[GoodGuyA]

This is actually a very intriguing question. I guess the best answer is that it's difficult to get rid of them, especially given the content that some read. I really don't feel an attachment to my books but I find it more trouble than it's worth to go down some place and sort them out. There's no simple "Used books" container you can toss them in, at least that I've ever seen, because I'm not completely distraught with giving up books. At the same time though you do want to get at least some return, and selling them is an even bigger hassle.

It's mainly the logistics for me, though obviously the problem is rather multilayered.

[Skunkbelly]

Doesn't your local library have a big donation bin? Mine does.

[genegirl]

I am a book reader as well as collector.  I have collected graphic novels before they were popular and some novels are beautifully presented.
ASOIAF is a good example, the Subterranean Press is wonderful.  
I don't usually reread books but some do beg for a return.  I am currently rereading ASoS.
I tend to donate most of my books ( not the collectable ones of course)  to a senior community center.

[Kv0th3]

MinDonner, on 22 April 2012 - 05:37 AM, said:

I reread. A lot. If I don't plan on ever reading a book again, then sure, I'll take it to the charity shop, but a book has to REALLY suck for me to rule that out.

I agree completely... Rare is the book I never wish to see again (First Law series being the only one so far)... Besides sometimes when I finish a series it is easier to take something I know I like of the shelf and enjoy, than looking for something that is worthwile and I have not read yet. Finding a new series would not be such a big problem, but once I start a book I am loath to stop reading before I get to the end... I wanted to stop reading First Law after 30 pages, but I am retarded so I ended up reading the whole series... And it was torture. Also if I dont have it on a shelf I am likely to forget I read it until I start reading again, and then its "oh, so thats why the name seemed fammiliar"... (applicable only to mediocre books).

[Grack21]

Ow. My brain.