WOO HOO!! The Sixth Month Book Buying Freeze is OVER!!
All in all, the experience was a success and I wanted to share what I've learned about myself as a reader and how I plan to be a better consumer of books.
First off, I have to be honest.
During the last six months I did buy several books.
1. For my classroom.
Fart Powder #2 and #3: Obviously, NOT for me. A student I had fought with reading all year long finally found the first book of the series and wanted to read the others. If you are a teacher, you know that I could NOT turn this opportunity pass... book freeze or not.
Blood Will Tell: This is the second in a series by April Henry, an author my kids are OBSESSED with year after year. Her books are middle grade reads about kidnapping and murder mystery solving. Of course, I will be reading this one myself! But it belongs to my classroom library!
2. For gifts.
ESV Journaling Bible: Not just a book, but THE book. My best friend since childhood had been looking for a journaling bible, but they were all sold out everywhere. (Which is awesome if you think about it!) So when these came back on the market I had to snag one for her as a surprise/"I'm proud of you!" gift.
3. A lapse of will power... which were returned.
Yes, I gave in 7 weeks ago. I had a week moment in Hastings and found 3 books I thought I just had to have right then and there. Luckily, I think, my boyfriend used a "stern" voice and told me I couldn't give up and I should take them back. So I did. I plan on buying the devotional Savor today, check out The Martian from the library before the movie comes out, and I'm not sure when I will get around the the huge Iles novel.
That all being said, I still think that this was a successful trial of not buying new books just for myself.
Here is what I learned:
1. Read books I already own!
You know I already have a whole library of my own. My book buying was an addiction, so I had plenty of my own stash to get through... and I have plenty more left! (See how I plan on cutting this down in the section below.)
2. Use the library and Interlibrary loan.
I don't use the word "duh," ever... but DUH! I love the library, I work at the library, my dream job is to be a librarian. So why on earth would I not use the library?! The library was my saving grace in this process. Whether it was checking out books from my local library, requesting books from Interlibrary loan, or putting books on hold from the library in town, I was never short on books. (There was one problem with the library though, see below.)
3. Borrow books from friends.
For some reason I found myself having more conversations about books with my friends, neighbors, and coworkers in the past six months. Doing so, we started letting each other borrow books and I've loved each and every one of them I've been loaned! The great part about borrowing from fellow book lovers is that they understand that books are like your baby, treat with care!
4. Track books you want to read.
With more book conversations and reading of book recommendation lists I found myself with so many (also read: too many) new books I just thought I needed NOW. Instead of hoping on Amazon and making impulse buys, I began to record my To Be Read list. It usually starts off with a screen shot or adding a book to my Amazon wish list. Then every once in a while I add them all to my books to check mini-notebook, as seen below. (I believe I found it at Target.) I am loving this process because if the library doesn't have a book that I want yet, I can always come back to check again later. It is also a great thing to carry with you so you don't miss any good books. (Oh, the horror!)
Although I have learned a lot, there is one major flaw in my library usage.
What I Still Need to Learn:
Self control at (library) checkout!
I can feel my public librarian nodding her head right now! ;)
First of all, isn't that picture insane?! I know it is. But that didn't stop me from getting them all... and honestly probably TWENTY others. It's embarrassing! I guess I have this fear that the next time I go to check out a book it won't be there. And by golly, no one else can have fun with that book while I read ten others.
Get real, Audra.
I love the fact that the library in town does book holds, but when all of your new books come in at the same time it gets to be too much, very quickly. I'm not quite sure how I want to crack down on this issue.
But I think a safe (and realistic) place to start is no more that FIVE books out at a time.
Oh boy, someone will need to hold me accountable to this.
FIVE books. That's it. FIVE only. F-i-v-e.
I think that I will take a lot of what I learned during this book buying freeze forward with me. However, I know better than to deny myself of buying books completely.
My NEW guidelines for buying books (for myself):
I will only buy books when...
1. They are books that I want to highlight and use for self and spiritual improvement or professional development.
2. They can not be found in the library OR interlibrary loan.
(Possibly donate after reading)
3. They are written by my absolute favorite authors and I know that it will be forever before I can get a copy from the library that has 2,313 holds on it.
(Like Jodi Picoult. Not James Patterson or Nicholas Sparks - those can wait)
4. Books for a book club that aren't available in time from the library.
Keeping those guidelines in mind, here are the books I am buying (FREEDOM!!) as soon as I get home from vacation:
1. The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner
2. Savor Devotional by Shauna Niequist
3. Restless by Jennie Allen
4. None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio (book club)
Depending on Interlibrary Loans:
5. It's You by Jane Porter
6. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
Phew! What an interesting SIX MONTHS.
Do you have any tips on how you control the book beast?!
I would love to hear them!
Ready to Raid the Bookstore,
Audra
