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

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

The subject matter of what I read doesn’t change with the seasons. I seldom have a plan as to what I read but generally go upstairs, upon completion of a book, and cast a lambent gaze over the books in my library. I seldom read the backs of books prior to buying as I’m afraid the information will spoil the story. I generally buy books because of the particular author or (more often than I normally care to admit) purely on impulse. This whimsical shopping has introduced me to some very good books and writers. The amount of reading that I do is very dependent on the season. Winter is my most prolific reading season. I hate cold weather and unfortunately Western Europe has four much defined seasons and the winters are usually both cold and wet. I love to snuggle up by a fireplace and lose myself in a book. Spring follows and sees my reading giving ground to other outdoor chores and activities. Summer is much like spring although I try to fit in some reading whenever possible. The fourth and last season of autumn is invariably my least fruitful season. The reason for this is both simple and direct…….football season. I have always loved football and of all the American foods, traits and traditions I left behind so many years ago with my migration across the Atlantic, football has been (by far) my biggest loss. Over the last few years, with the continual improvements in internet and cyber development in general, a steady diet of American sports has suddenly become accessible. I don’t have the ability to watch (and enjoy) a football game and read at the same time. I do, on occasion, read through the ever increasing number of commercial breaks on television.

What are chick-lit books?

I can truthfully say that I have never bought a book solely based on its cover art. I guess you could say I believe in the old saying not to judge a book by its cover. I have, however, bought several books for its binding (leather) and age (18th century). I have even bought a few books I never will possibly read (the languages are far removed from my repertoire). I have been guilty of buying based on mass (anyone spending that long on writing must certainly be worth reading). This idea has often backfired on me but the few times the book turned out to be a jewel make the occasional disappointment is well worth it.

Well, I think congratulations are in order. Making a big decision like that doesn’t occur every day! I will be happy to make some suggestions to make your dream a dream for everyone.
1.) Your bookstore should have cheap (secondhand books) as well as new, rare and possibly signed books. The last three categories should be fairly priced, as you should make a profit and a real book collector would see the value of the book in spite of the price.
2.) Books have a smell of their own. Nothing really compares to the new and old smell of a book. This smell shouldn’t be covered with the smell of dust and neglect. In other words, keep your store and books clean.
3.) A chair (or more) to allow clients a place to test your wares is a great idea but you shouldn’t forget about good lighting so they can read. Most stores prefer clients to move through their store, buy lots of what they see, pay and leave. You seem to want your customers to stay awhile. That is a new and possibly successful twist to retailing.
4.) I think someone mentioned coffee……that could also bring new customers back on a more regular basis.
I plan to make a trip stateside and to your neck of the woods (Clayton, Ok.) around that time and would love to drop buy and explore endless shelves of printed inspiration.

Sofie, start with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and next month you can add the rest of the series to your library an mark them as June buys.

I just bought these on the recommendation of one of our members. She says it is even better than the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

Amber, I think you need help. I love books and take one with me whenever I think I’ll have an opportunity to crack it open and read. If one of these occasions arises and I don’t have a book with me, I think of a few choice words for my oversight and look for something else to do. If I misplace a book I’m reading, I will methodically tear apart my house in a high state of agitation. I have even been known to drive to the nearest bookstore and buy a new copy, later to find that the book I missed slid under my back seat. When I finish a book I don’t sing but make a b-line to my library with one thought in mind …..What’s next?

Ellie, how can you possibly read ten books at a time? I know women are known for multi-tasking but that seem to me to be a bit much. I am now reading TWO books at the same time and require a time of adjustment btween books. Tell me how you propose to read ten.

We are all members of this group. Here we can keep track of what we've read and what we want to read. I keep my TBR list managable and use it when looking for new books. Simple...

Last Of The Breed

I give my TBR book the most prestigious place in my library. I do sometimes feel a pang of guilt toward my other (ABR books) but like the good friends they are I never hear a single complaint. I do try to keep my TBR books to a manageable number. After reading some of the other posts I must be doing something right as I keep them to under 100. This does require me to read daily and I sometimes hesitate to re-read. I haven't thought of converting TBR books into furniture yet but they are starting to take up space outside of my library and study. Initiative space management has almost run its course and I have to admit that I no longer have limitless space.

and The Campanion Guid to The Loire, in preparation and anticipation of a well deserved vacation in France.

I'm a firm believer in using book markers. They keep my place without damaging the book's spine. I am unfortunately constantly misplacing the book markers. Instead of doing something positive to alleviate my forgetfulness, I regularly raid the wall paper samples and cut them down. The aren't just pretty but also helpful and FREE. In this time of ever increasing prices, you have to try to improvise.

This was another unexpected day's shopping.

I passed a book store and just couldn't resist taking a look. Two hours later I carried out.... , , , , , , , , and Shipwrek at St. Pierre by J.P. Andrieux

I must be far out of the loep as I have never hard of Kindle. We Europeans are always the last to know!

As a change of pace.

I have always read slowly but I agree with you Ellie that some books seem to flow better than others. I do, however, remember what I read. Sometimes, after a few years, names tend to fade (then it is time for a re-read) but that could also be attributed to age. I'm the first to admit that I'm not as sharp as I once was.