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

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

I think that the Goodreads Challenge should serve as an inspiration to meet and not become a shackle around the reader’s neck to lead them to the quick and easy as opposed to the long and satisfying. I, however, read everything and anything, making 250 more of a mark than a challenge.

Prefer the smell of fresh printer’s ink to the musty, mildew and dusty smells of older books. The same applies to the crisp and clear lettering upon pristine paper to faded and indistinguishable lettering on yellowing, brittle pages. Don’t get me wrong, old books have a mystic and mystery that can’t be found in newer publications and I love and appreciate these traits but a book isn’t just an object of awe and beauty but it is also an object to be held, used and loved. A simple cold fact is new books are easier to read than old ones. Another simple truth is that few people have an empty barn to convert into a library so the lack of room eventually comes into play with an avid bookophile. This is where digital books shine. When your physical library is filled and most of your house is filled with piles of overflow, an unlimited cyberspace for boundless new titles is a tempting picture. I guess I can sum up my feelings like this: I love the written word in all its forms and in this day and age I no longer have to pick and choose what I have due to physical restraints. I will continue to collect and read to my dying day and hope to leave thousands of yet unread books to the next generation of reader.

Things, other than the author, may not make a difference but do influence my choice of books. For me size matters, it always has and probably always will. When perusing bookstores, I instinctively look for the big ones as I feel that the author has a lot to say and I’m more than willing to listen. Subject matter and genre influence my decision on what to buy and what not. Occasionally, but I really hate to admit this, I buy a book for its cover. Now I come to familiar authors. There sex, race, religion, sexual orientation or brand of toothpaste means absolutely nothing to me. The only thing that counts is their talent to write. I generally stay true to favorite writers (this doesn’t mean that I enjoy, rate and value all their works equally as some will always outshine others). I am constantly on the lookout to increase my list of favorite writers. As a footnote I would like to add that these opinions extend only to authors in the 20th and 21th centuries. All prior centuries were, in my opinion, male dominated. Give me Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Thomas Hardy over Elisabeth Gaskell, Jane Austin, Emily Dickinson and the Bronte sisters any day. This isn’t meant to be or given as a sexist statement but merely an opinion in quality of style, content and general readability.

I'm back!! Every year many people start off with resolutions, things they're planning to change. Last year I felt that my efforts on this particular subject were a waste of time and effort. Many members pointed out to me that my assumptions were wrong so I've decided to resume my notifications of expansion.

What can we say in support of you and our affliction? Opposites attract?

This year I feel lucky! I will start this year off with a 250 book goal. I generally start out at the 200 mark and increase it after the summer vacation but I have been acquiring so many great books lately I think I won't be able to contain my urges to read them all!

I’ve not added new books for the last few months. The reason for this is that I spent hours listing new acquisitions (which few took note of) and cutting into my reading time. I still acquire approximately twenty-five new books per day (much more than I could ever possibly read but who cares….I have them, just in case). Kindle Buffet is a major source of these acquisitions and I highly recommend the site to all.

When I was young (many, many, many years ago), friends would come to my house and my mother would tell them that I was at the library. Not one believed her (they thought I was with some new girl and wanted to keep it quiet) but she was right and they were wrong. Peer pressure can be pretty high as an adolescent and the impression I radiated kept the real me hidden and protected me socially. My life-long love of classical music was similarly hidden from friends and acquaintances alike. After my return from Vietnam I no longer cared what other people thought of my likes and dislikes. To this day I proudly state my love of classical music and the printed word. An old idiom holds (in my opinion) true. Opposites attract. A majority of my friends are actually proud to state that they haven’t read a book since they’ve left school. I don’t understand them, as they don’t understand me but we accept what we are and live with it.

I believe that any outside influence can change or alter your mood. Music, books and even company can affect your inner feelings so it is maybe a good idea to change your reading genre occasionally to avoid from landing in a rut.

You never know what the future holds. I have more than 3000 books on my Kindle Cloud and would happily double it.

My daily email from Kindle Buffet provides me with both the latest publications and loads of free books.

I went on tour (five flea markets) today and found some hidden treasures.

Keep it at 250 and add some whipped cream with a big red cherry on top. No pressure, just pleasure.

Billy StraightJonathan Kellerman

Second HoneymoonJames Patterson

PLUS