Gerry Wolstenholme
Summer reading list? Any reading list? I pose these questions rhetorically for I am sorry to say I don't have any reading lists. If that sounds odd, just let me explain ...
Like probably most of our goodreads readers, I have a huge collection of books and even though I am rapidly running out of room, I do keep adding to it. For instance my daughter visited a couple of weeks ago and we went on buying sprees to car boot sales and various shops with the result that, during her week's stay, I added a further 86 books to my collection.
And that is the reason I do not have a reading list. Every lot of new books that come in (and believe it or not, hardly a day goes by without at least one purchase - and normally many purchases) I peruse and often decide that there is at least one that I must read next. In addition, when I look over my shelves (sadly some books are in wardrobes and are more difficult to get at) I always see something that I think 'I must read that next' - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, it depends on what has come in. Hence no planned reading list!
I realise that perhaps this is an odd way to go about my reading but it seems to suit me and with such a random way of dealing with the problem, I never do know what I am likely to be reading next ... and again that suits me as it probably ensures more variety.
I do know that my book collecting habit is a disease; it comes from all those years of being a secondhand and antiquarian bookseller when, I must confess, when I attended book fairs and my Dad helped me, he used to say, 'I don't know why you are a bookseller for you never want to sell anything' - he was nearly right! I did sell the books, but reluctantly for I considered all the stock mine!
So, as a disease, I realise I do need counselling but I also know that it would do no good for my book buying habits help keep me sane and give me a great interest now that I have lost my beloved wife and in addition my daughter, also a collector, lives 250 miles away. I should mention that I did collect when Linda was alive and what is more, Linda also collected to acerbate the storage problem.
I do hope that this answer gives you an idea of why there is no planned reading list and I should say that I will carry on adding to the collection come what may. Forget that counselling.
If I do change and create a reading list, I will let you know but I doubt that that is going to happen ... it is as likely as me stopping buying books.
Finally, what a joy to be on goodreads and share stories and reviews with other people.
Like probably most of our goodreads readers, I have a huge collection of books and even though I am rapidly running out of room, I do keep adding to it. For instance my daughter visited a couple of weeks ago and we went on buying sprees to car boot sales and various shops with the result that, during her week's stay, I added a further 86 books to my collection.
And that is the reason I do not have a reading list. Every lot of new books that come in (and believe it or not, hardly a day goes by without at least one purchase - and normally many purchases) I peruse and often decide that there is at least one that I must read next. In addition, when I look over my shelves (sadly some books are in wardrobes and are more difficult to get at) I always see something that I think 'I must read that next' - sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, it depends on what has come in. Hence no planned reading list!
I realise that perhaps this is an odd way to go about my reading but it seems to suit me and with such a random way of dealing with the problem, I never do know what I am likely to be reading next ... and again that suits me as it probably ensures more variety.
I do know that my book collecting habit is a disease; it comes from all those years of being a secondhand and antiquarian bookseller when, I must confess, when I attended book fairs and my Dad helped me, he used to say, 'I don't know why you are a bookseller for you never want to sell anything' - he was nearly right! I did sell the books, but reluctantly for I considered all the stock mine!
So, as a disease, I realise I do need counselling but I also know that it would do no good for my book buying habits help keep me sane and give me a great interest now that I have lost my beloved wife and in addition my daughter, also a collector, lives 250 miles away. I should mention that I did collect when Linda was alive and what is more, Linda also collected to acerbate the storage problem.
I do hope that this answer gives you an idea of why there is no planned reading list and I should say that I will carry on adding to the collection come what may. Forget that counselling.
If I do change and create a reading list, I will let you know but I doubt that that is going to happen ... it is as likely as me stopping buying books.
Finally, what a joy to be on goodreads and share stories and reviews with other people.
More Answered Questions
A Goodreads user
asked
Gerry Wolstenholme:
Hello Gerry, I have read your review of One Rain Night by Pelagie Doane, a book I received as a child for Christmas many, many years ago. Could I ask you if you have the book in your collection and if so, how on earth did you get it and from where and was it difficult to find? Thank you, Gerry, Clare
A Goodreads user
asked
Gerry Wolstenholme:
Thanks so much for your reply Gerry, appreciated. By some miracle I have managed to locate One Rainy Night in California through Abebooks and it's winging its way to me as we speak! I've had to pay a very high price with shipping, tax etc but in my heart I feel it'll be worth it, don't you? All the best, Clare
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