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

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

I must also admit that some of the books in my library I have yet to read. Others I have read numerous times. I hope to read them all.....eventually, but I, like most of you acquire books faster than they are read. In the summer vacation before my freshman year in high school I read the Encyclopedia Britannica (the Internet in book-form for all of you younger members). Most of the facts contained therein are long forgotten but one lesson stays with me to this day. There is more knowledge out there than anyone can eventually assimilate. Books are the same......but I'll do my best to put a good dent in them!

Paperbacks are generally most readily available. I have no preference for them over hard-backed books. Hard backs feel more substantial than paperbacks. I do have a problem with people that fold paperbacks double when they are reading them. I would no sooner do that than drag the US flag through the mud!

I can identify with that! I often refer to my books as my children. They are always there when I need comfort or companionship. They don't ask much from me but never cease to give me all I need. I worry about them when they are out of my sight or control just like I did with all four of my children. It may seem strange to many people to feel this way about a book but I suppose the members of this group aren't like many people.

I have one room in my house with shelves from floor to ceiling. That, I officially consider my library but eventually books find a home in other rooms. I guess it is an inevitability that the number of books I acquire would exceed any house I would buy.

Many of my friends think I have too many books. I can't imagine what constitutes too many books. If my collection could rival the Library of Congress I wouldn't feel guilty about it. Proud; yes but guilt; never! I realize some very avid readers aren't collectors. My brother reads as much as I do but has relative few books at his home or office. When I asked him what he did with his books he said, "I generally leave them in my hotel room and hopefully someone else can enjoy it as much as I did."

The world doesn't stop.... or even standstill, for that matter. I am a true collector but plan to try an e-reader soon. I don't think it will change my collecting or reading habits but I think it would be better to read on the go.

I wonder if there are people out there like me that have multiple copies of the same books? Joseph Heller's Catch 22 is one of the best books I've ever read. I have at least four copies of it as I tend to wear them out.

This book was recommended to me by a woman. When I first started reading it I could see what a woman could or would see in it but she had recommended it to a man. Not being one to give up easily, I continued reading and even actually enjoyed it......if, for no other reason, the thought of actually taking a trip as described. I understand that a second book has been published. I don't have it and haven't read it but if I ever come across it I am sure to buy it.

I have read practically all of Stephen King's books. Admittedly some outshine others but as a rule I consider him a true master of the horror. Truth be told, I enjoy King vastly more than Dean Koontz. Stephen King has a way of making the unbelievable, believable. He gives his characters memorable personalities and gets the reader involved. These are essential goals for a good writer to become a great writer. My first Stephen King novel was The Stand. The first half of the book had me on the edge of my seat furiously turning the pages. When the good and bad head for their confrontation I started losing interest as the stark reality of a mass epidemic changed to something from the Twilight Zone.
The good start of The Stand encouraged me to try another. Carrie, Christine, Pet Sematary, Misery, The Dark Half, Green Mile and last but far from least Cujo were all far above average and were very enjoyable reads. I guess I can call myself a Stephen King fan.

Thom wrote: "I often have a problem with space and have thought about getting an e-reader but I don't think it would keep me from buying regular books. I suppose I'm proud of my book collection. Unfortunatly my..."

I put the different writers together as generally the subject matter follows. I don't have a card or file system but have a general idea where I should look.

I often have a problem with space and have thought about getting an e-reader but I don't think it would keep me from buying regular books. I suppose I'm proud of my book collection. Unfortunatly my children aren't as attracted to books as I am. That could be why I look for people outside of my circle that have like interests.
Some of my best friends pride temselves on not reading a single book since school. I don't press the point but can't imagine life without the rest and comfort reading gives me. As an American in Europe I read different languages at work but my home library is almost exclusivly English.

As a rule, I save all of the books I have. I consider them as children; some are better than others but they are all equally loved and cared for. Only once I threw a book away. It was so bad I couldn't honestly add it to my family and afford it the same love and protection I gave and give the others. Today I went out and again came home with books; 17 books to be exact.
Fat books generally catch my attention. Any writer that can pour so much into one theme deserves a chance to be read; as do most others. I started the Outlander series this way and have now grown quite attached to the works of Diana Gabaldon. Actually the same applied to Pillars of the Earth and the works of Ken Follett.