Bookish Thoughts

Let’s Talk Bookish: Buying too many books?

Dini @ dinipandareads15 Comments

It’s been a minute since I wrote one of these so I’m sorry if I waffle on a bit too much in this post! 🤣

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits, and it’s where we get to discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! Check out all the past topics if you want to join in the bookish discussion fun.

Today’s topic is:

Is there such a thing as buying too many books?

[Suggested by: Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly]
Prompts: Is there such a thing as buying too many books? Do you limit the number of books you buy? Do you only buy certain types of books or books from certain authors? Are there any books you’re hoping to get over the holidays?

Is there such a thing as buying too many books?

I think this is a tough question to answer because it’s so subjective. Do I think there is such a thing as buying too many books? If you’d asked me a few years ago, I know I would’ve said a hard and fast “no, never!” But now that it’s been several years since I’ve been in my “book-collecting era”, I’m starting to lean a little more towards “yeah, maybe?” And there’s a definite question mark in that response.

It’s no secret that ever since joining the book community, my TBR has practically exploded in ways that I never expected. I’ve accumulated hundreds of books over these last few years and at last count (over a year ago), that number was over the halfway mark to reach the quadruple digits. I’m well on my way to achieving one of my life goals of establishing a home library but if I’m being honest with myself, as of late the number of unread vs read books on my physical shelf has started to overwhelm me. 🤭 And I’m not even counting my digital books yet (and thank goodness for Kindle being able to hide the total number of unread books sitting in my digital library cos otherwise I might just pass out, lol).

Many factors have changed the way I feel about constantly adding new books to my shelf but a huge part of it is space. I’ve realised lately that I quite like clean surfaces and clear spaces which don’t exist in my room anymore. While I plan to have a library room one day, today is not that day so my bookshelves are in my room. Granted, there’s still enough space but I’ve been starting to feel slightly claustrophobic and a bit too much like a hoarder for my liking. 😂

And *disclaimer* because people have commented before about my privilege and of course, it goes without saying that I understand what a privilege it is for me to be able to afford the books I want to read when I want to read them. As an international reader from a country where libraries don’t exist and English isn’t the main language, I have to buy all my books either from Amazon (digitally) or from one of two bookstores that sell physical books (that I like to read) in English. I also have limited financial responsibilities and a job that enables me to afford a book box subscription and special edition books when I want them. I am very very lucky, I know.

Generally, I think it all comes down to the individual! What is a yes to some may be a no to others and you can probably go around in circles for days talking about all the reasons why.

Do you limit the number of books you buy?

Because of said reasons above, I have started to cut down a lot on my physical book buying this year. I’ve unsubscribed from Illumicrate because I don’t even want to say how many of the books from the monthly sub that I’ve actually read, lol. I’ve also worked on my feelings of FOMO whenever a special edition would go on sale because, again, how many of the ones I’ve bought have I actually read? I’m not gonna say that I’ve stopped buying physical books or limited myself completely but I’ve lessened the “treat yourself” book sprees I’ve gone on this year and I’m quite proud of it, especially knowing how little shelf-control I normally have.

Also, I do specify physical books because I still can’t resist a great deal when it comes to ebooks—I am but a weak individual but baby steps and all that, right? 🫣 I swear that I’m aware digital books count for this prompt!

Do you only buy certain types of books or books from certain authors?

I’m pretty undiscerning when it comes to the books I buy though I tend to buy special editions of books or series that I have read or authors that I have tried and enjoyed. Sometimes though it’s just the FOMO that gets me if an edition is particularly stunning and the book is mega-hyped. 🤣 I also have auto-buy authors I don’t hesitate to purchase from but most of the time physical copies aren’t easily/readily available here so I just buy them digitally and they end up being cheaper (yay)!

Are there any books you’re hoping to get over the holidays?

Not particularly though that’s not to say that I won’t treat myself to any books, lol. I’ve always been pretty good at not being very aware of new releases though so I use that to my advantage by keeping the TBR wishlist or radar list as low as possible since it doesn’t take much to convince me to chuck ’em in the cart!

And what about you, dear reader? Do you think there’s such a thing as buying too many books? Do you limit your book buying and do you have any books you hope to receive/buy this holiday season?

15 thoughts on “Let’s Talk Bookish: Buying too many books?”

  1. We all work hard for our money. We should be able to use it to buy things that make us happy (as long as you are taking care of essentials/bills). If books make you happy, buy books. I am not one to collect things, but if seeing a full shelf give you satisfaction, then it’s money well spent.

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    • I mean, I can’t disagree cos even though I find it overwhelming to be so surrounded (I think that’s more an OCD thing than a “I can’t stand books” thing) I know that I’ll still be buying physical copies and I even have a whole bunch of points saved up for a year end splurge! 🤣 Life is waay too s hort to not do things and buy the things that make us happy! 💜

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    • Yeah, I think that’s one of the factors that’s making me really think about all the books I have—the fact that there’s no easy way to sell/buy secondhand books easily in Indo. I have like two suitcases of books that I want to haul off and I mean, I *could* just give it away to The Book Hive or something here in Jakarta but at the same time, I also still kind of want to try selling? Males banget foto2in bukunya untuk ngeupload ke Tokped and going through all the motions of selling 🤣 Wkwkwk I’m so lazy!

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  3. I used to buy a lot of books, I mean a lot. I had so many unread books on my shelves, it was ridiculous. Because I read digitally and listen to audiobooks, that is what I buy now. If I can find a book at the library or on Everand, then I don’t buy it. Getting older, I am downsizing, so am now getting rid of many of those books if my library has them digitally. I agree with what Sam said though. We do what makes us happy. I know I am very lucky to have several libraries to utilize and everyone doesn’t have that option.

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    • I know that if I had the library option, I would definitely buy fewer books and only focus on those that I really love and want to keep around forever. It’s the space thing that’s really getting to me right now cos I have a pretty spacious room and I love having all that space but it’s feeling a wee bit crowded at the minute! 🤭 And I also do read more digital vs physical books so I’ve been trying to be more “reasonable” about it, haha. I do fully agree with Sam’s point too though!

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  4. I used to by a lot of books then I moved twice and had to get rid of a few because of space. Now I have more space but with kids and a hubby who likes to collect things also — there is just too much stuff so I keep my books to one shelf. I read more ebooks now though so it helps with not buying so many hardcovers. If I could though, I’d have one room in my house as a library lol, filled with books!

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    • Oh gosh, the thought of moving when I have all of these books to consider honestly kinda makes me feel ill, haha. 🤭 It would be such a huge undertaking! I can see how with having kids and hubs who like to collect things it would be a “fight” for space. I’ve been trying to be more reasonable with the physical book purchasing cos I also mostly read ebooks but I do still treat myself to a book whenever I feel like it. One day, I definitely want to have that library room (or even a house full of books)… One day maybe we’ll both have it! 💜

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  5. Nope! My godmother as the most beautiful old house- she has books everywhere!! Library in the dining room, library in the living room, books in her bedroom, books on the stairwell, HUGE wall library in the upstair room.. loving it!!

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    • Fair enough! A huge part of me definitely still resonates with this but I think my anxiety and my OCD have been battling with that part of myself just cos I do like space and the clutter surrounding me has been getting to me as of late! 🤣 I think if I had a space that was only for me and that I could fill up any way that I want I would definitely be like your godmother with a house that’s just all books everywhere! It’s #goals, I think. Maybe one day! Hehe

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