'No More Buying Books Until I've Read the Ones I've Already Bought' Thread

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I sincerely hope Library Building is regarded as MSE it will be a sad day when such a key resource, when Libraries are being shut down, when Public Provision for Adult Education and Extra Mural university courses are slashed, that Mr or Ms MSE does not grab the bull by the horns and engage in a little anarchic Library Building of his or her own.!!!

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I am currently reading Philip Lopate 'The Art of the Personal Essay' which is one of the Texts for MIT OCW Course 'Writing and Reading the Essay Fall 2004'http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/writing-and-humanistic-studies/21w-735-writing-and-reading-the-essay-fall-2004
http://writingandreadingtheessayfall2004mitocw.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/the-essay-on-the-essay-assignment-1-writing-and-reading-the-essay-fall-2004/
It is a 600 pages meaning it is taking extra effort to read. But go gallantly forth as I have David Richters 2000 page Book'The critical Tradition' to plough through as part of keeping this Challenge.

coppers

Hello everyone, I'm new to MSE, I saw this thread after I had decided to read the books I've got before I buy anymore in my efforts to be a dfw, I'd like to join please. I think it takes another book lover to understand the contentment you get from the whole book thing, browsing around, choosing a book, losing yourself in a book. I'm starting to sound like an addict now but I'm sure you'll know where I'm coming from. I've always enjoyed books, as a child I loved to see a pile of books on Christmas day, whereas others might have felt a bit let down by Santa. Nowadays I have books on my bookcase, in boxes, even some sadly waiting in the garage. I don't have much time to read so the piles keep growing. Everywhere I go I find the temptation to buy books and I would usually give in. I've always been quite good passing books on to people, charity shops and I started bookcrossing so could clear my books, but I would always add to them too. For the past week I haven't added anything to the book clutter which for me is quite an achievement. At the minute I'm halfway through Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella and I have a new home waiting it for when I'm done.

Observer

Hi Flat Eric. I'm still not convinced either. I was considering buying one but have decided I much prefer having a physical book in my hand. I like Jo Nesbo books though saying that I haven't read one for months and months and I have got a new one gathering dust on my shelf. Maybe I'll try read it over Christmas!

Hello to coppers and anyone else new. Though I have to say that we are generally all currently in agreement that this thread is giving us more ideas for books rather than helping us to stop buying them!! But feel free to contribute and I do hope that we help in some way

blindtoast

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver wrote: »

I sincerely hope Library Building is regarded as MSE it will be a sad day when such a key resource, when Libraries are being shut down, when Public Provision for Adult Education and Extra Mural university courses are slashed, that Mr or Ms MSE does not grab the bull by the horns and engage in a little anarchic Library Building of his or her own.!!!

My dream is actually to have the library in Beauty and the Beast with two floors and a ladder - not too sure where i'd put it in my house but its nice to have ambition!!

blindtoast

Amazon's Black Friday has been quite a bad week for my book resistance and have ended up with many more books - though some I won't get until Christmas! They were just so cheap and were also books that I've been looking to buy for months and keep being good in shops - not so easy when they rush you with a bargain!

Itsadogslife wrote: »

If I had to pick one author who I could only ever read again, it would probably be him (fictional author). I have read nearly all of his books, the recent purchase was What the Night Knows. I think it is one of this years books. I found my love for him when I read my first book of his when I was about 20. It was called Hideaway and was later made into a really bad film with Jeff Goldblum. Another one of his that I liked was Dark Rivers of the Heart (another older one). One Doorway Away From Heaven was great and I particularly like Watchers. It is really sad but I quite like a few of his books as being a "dog" person, the odd dog turns up in the stories. Watchers particularly is about a golden retriever I think, that is far too intelligent for its own good

I've read Velocity and The Husband, which were both very good - the lady at the jumble sale I bought them off told me about one with an intellegent dog - I assume that is Watchers. I have about 6 others on my shelf - not sure which - think Odd Thomas is one but I couldn't work out if that was the 1st in the Odd series because I've seen others with Odd in the title and I assume they all join up?

klfairy

blindtoast wrote: »

My dream is actually to have the library in Beauty and the Beast with two floors and a ladder - not too sure where i'd put it in my house but its nice to have ambition!!

I haven't seen Beauty and the Beast, but I know the kind of library you mean. I would LOVE one too. I want one of those ladders on wheels. And a big solid wood desk with a green lamp.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

blindtoast wrote: »

My dream is actually to have the library in Beauty and the Beast with two floors and a ladder - not too sure where i'd put it in my house but its nice to have ambition!!

I think, consider your Library with care. Nab the best book bargains commensrate with your Reading Goals. If at all possible aim for the rare and the scarce to get extra kick when you spend your pennies.
Nabbing fabulous books is both an Art and a Science and most MSE.
Are you a member of Goodreads?
I am
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2071616
We should open an MSE Group on it with a challenge to nab the best books, uncommon volumes at stupendously low prices with enough quality to be ok ie annotations page folds etc.:beer::beer::money::cool::A

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

*There are some wonderful examples of Private Libraries on the Internet* Drool...
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=685&tbm=isch&tbnid=glDohjWiMtdsoM:&imgrefurl=http://www.topdesignmag.com/20-design-ideas-for-your-home-library/&docid=PSRA04PrV22ocM&imgurl=http://www.topdesignmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/236.jpg&w=1200&h=883&ei=s8DTTu7SJ8uq8AO3sqEH&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=288&vpy=243&dur=28&hovh=193&hovw=262&tx=125&ty=69&sig=100535150143533112633&page=1&tbnh=135&tbnw=166&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0
Example Image.
I am sure the rest of you can come up with more. *temptation Temptation*!!!

Itsadogslife_2

blindtoast wrote: »

I've read Velocity and The Husband, which were both very good - the lady at the jumble sale I bought them off told me about one with an intellegent dog - I assume that is Watchers. I have about 6 others on my shelf - not sure which - think Odd Thomas is one but I couldn't work out if that was the 1st in the Odd series because I've seen others with Odd in the title and I assume they all join up?

I quite enjoyed the Odd Thomas books, I think I have 2 left and I would say yes, read them in order. Each one is its own individual story, but the background will make more sense if you read them in order.