Thom’s Comments (group member since Mar 28, 2011)

Thom’s comments from the Book Buying Addicts Anonymous group.

as a temporary break from

I don’t know Sherri but he has been living his books behind for more than forty-five years. When he came to visit he made thankful use of my library. When he left he was still in the middle of a book so with both hesitation and apprehension I finally said goodbye to my copy and bought a new one after he left.

I've just started a reread of CentennialJames A. Michener this is a book of 1100 pages but well worth the time, weight and effort.

It is a strange world…..I am the youngest of three children. My older sister isn’t a reader but she is a collector. My brother (the oldest), by far my intellectual better, is an avid reader but insists on leaving books he’s finished in motel rooms in the hope of pleasing others. His home library consists of one partial shelf. I am both an avid reader and collector. Our world is made up of all kinds.

Julia, a large majority of my books are also fiction and , in all likelihood, available in most retail book stores. I think the big difference is that these are MY books. When I pick them up and open them again, I remember our first meeting. I recognize all the oddities and defects and remember when they were inflicted. I have often used the analogy that my books are like my children. This applies in both a figurative and literal sense. I recognize MY Books as surely as I recognize MY CHILDREN. Call me crazy…. Or call me a book addict…. I’m probably both!

Hi Julia, You are definitely better than I would be with a move. I doubt if my book collection would fit in a single sea container (much less six banker’s boxes) and the thought of parting with any of them is a constant horror to me. I plan to return the U.S. (after a forty year stint in Europe) but haven’t even considered reducing my library.

These are my first buys for February

Next I'm 100 pages into it and going strong.

I love to read but I hate to lose. Last year I read 250 books and my goal was 200. This goal was achieved in phases. This year’s initial goal is 150 and thus far I have read 32 books. I don’t know if the year will see me increase it but I feel certain I will achieve it.

I bought a 1644 printing of a Dutch East Indian atlas that cost me 1500 Euro (about $1800) and I consider it money well spent!

90% of my book buys are bought on impulse leaving 10% from my TBR list. I use this list to serve as a reminder of books that have caught my interest but aren’t necessarily in my library. As with most of the Book Buying Addicts Anonymous members, my buying crave outdoes my reading ability. There are sooo many books out there! New, old and all of those presently in the making, our addiction is being thankfully constantly fed with new books. I don’t realistically believe I will ever read all the books I have but this won’t keep me from trying.

Three jewels to close off the month of January.

Among others I am now reading The Russian Concubine

I can’t help myself when I see books (old or new) being sold. Invariably I come home with more. One bedroom in my house has been set aside for my library and every available space has shelves full of books. When the shelves are full, stacks of books begin to grow in the corner. My wife consistently finds new and inventive ways to accommodate this overflow. She always reminds me of these innovations with “I cleaned your library today and magically found you more room.” I know she goes through all of this in the hope of saving the rest of the house from a manuscript invasion but even her “magic” has its limits. In all the years of our marriage she has never even breached the subject of my book-buying addiction. I can only conclude that it is part of me and she loves me. Her endeavors on my part are highly praised by me as I feel very lucky to have her.

The hidden female side of me caused me to walk away with these first two books and then I found this third to reaffirm my masculinity.

Karen, you may have to adjust your reading posture to take on a hardcover Michener but I assure you that Caribbean is well worth the inconvenience.

All for 12 Euros....... not a bad buy in my opinion.

The Swiss Family Robinson Without a doubt this is the worst book I've ever bought. When I finished it I tried to take it back and get my money back. I was refused and that only confirmed my belief of its undesirability.

I read 1000 plus books at every opportunity. Most of James Michener's books are in that area and I have loved them all!