OCD for Books - Support Group

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Stemmed from another discussion (PG thread). OCD about your books? Need them all to be pretty? All of one type (hardcover, trade, etc?)? All one print version? Post your stories here. We feel your pain :)

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I'm in. I am the same way. I bought all of the Twilight and Harry Potter books in hardbound because that is the way I started, but I bought all of my Goldy Bear mystery series in paperback since I started that way, even though I had to wait for the last few. Really bad. On top of that, I have the Mitford series of books, and had to search for a used copy of the 9th one in hardbound since they no longer publish it that way. Probably paid more for it than it was originally, but hey.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Robin, if you think that's bad, look at my collection of PG books. It makes me want to cry.

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AND, as if the covers aren't bad enough, they're all trade paperback except for the last two (obviously don't actually own TWQ yet but it will be hardcover when I do) Haha, I even tried to make them look 'pretty' here :)

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Lyn wrote: "I'm in. I am the same way. I bought all of the Twilight and Harry Potter books in hardbound because that is the way I started, but I bought all of my Goldy Bear mystery series in paperback since ..."

You're so lucky you have those series in hardcover. My sets are both half hard and half trade.

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Hard cover is over priced, mass-market pb is too common, and I cannot cannot stand the movie tie in covers. That's why I frequent used bookstores that are more likely to have one of the original covers.

There there Jennifer, try swaptree.com which works off of exact isbn so you can be sure to get exact copies you want.

Haha! My perserverance has seen me through! I just spotted the last Harry Potter book finally in the edition that will match the rest of the books in the series I can finally read that and TOQ now!

[Nona]

I buy used books 99% of the time but they must be in great to new condition and no movie tie ins however soft covers, hard covers and mass paperbacks all have a home with me, I love the variety in looks. I keep them or at least a hundered or so of the favorites on display. Last winter Sharon Kay Penmn gifted to me the Welsh triology first edition hardcover signed and personalized with words of encouragement, those are the center of my book shelf display.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Have never heard of swaptree. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Nona wrote: "I buy used books 99% of the time but they must be in great to new condition and no movie tie ins however soft covers, hard covers and mass paperbacks all have a home with me, I love the variety in ..."

Nice! Is the Welsh trilogy in a glass case with regulated temp and light? ;p

The only thing I have is a first edition copy of The Joy Luck Club my father bought me at half price books. I noticed one day someone scribbled on the inside cover but as I looked at it it dawned on me it is signed by Amy Tan (the author)!

[Nona]

lol, no I'm not that rich yet but my kids know not to touch mom's books just like not touching dad's hotods, in fairness we are informed we're not to touch their barbie stuff.

[Nona]

I loved the Joy Luck Club, I read it a few years back for a group read.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Nona wrote: "in fairness we are informed we're not to touch their barbie stuff."

LOL

[Robin]

I need to take a picture of all my books lined up. That poor Jean Plaidy book To Hold the Crown really stands out! :) I even have the books by the different authors in chronological order on the shelf!!!

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Uh oh Robin, I can see us all now: posting pics of our IRL bookshelves proudly showing them off like newborn a baby.

So how does everyone organize their books? I would think every OCD book addict would have an even slightly different way of shelving books.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

I think mine probably only make sense to me... I try to keep them by category and then by author and then, if a series, in order. If not, I try and fix them up by size sort of. lol I guess I just organize until I think it's acceptable.

[Thalia]

Ha, love this topic as it is SOOOO me! I always want the books in a series to match. I prefer trade paperbacks. I organize according to topic like all my Tudor fiction and non fiction are grouped together, sorted loosly by author, then King Arthur stuff is over here and then classics there....etc I'm ridiculously careful with my books and they are all in exactly the same condition as when they were bought - I even have a special box to carry around my paperback IF I'm taking it somewhere - I know, I'm pathetic *grin* , cheers!

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Okay seriously Thalia, if you're pathetic, I am too. I HATE lending my books to people because they always come back with the binding broken, pages ear-marked or covered in dirt stains. How that happens, I have no idea. I don't have a special box but I am now honestly considering it. I couldn't believe it when I was reading the 2nd Outlander book... I pretty well destroyed it myself. I kept dropping it, etc. Honestly thinking of getting a new copy. :) Still looks good on the bookshelf though and there are so many other books to buy. We'll see LOL.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

You guys all make me feel so much better, maybe even normal, although as my son says "Normal is over-rated". My books are listed by size, then series (in order of course). Hence the needing to buy all books in a series the same type. How would it look if I had a bunch of paperbacks, then at the back of the series there were a few huge hardbacks. Since size is my first shelving classification, this would seriously mess up my routine!!

[Robin]

I don't like lending my books unless I really, really trust the person. I like my books to be in tip top condition and looking as new as possible.

Mine are arranged on the shelves in alphabetical order by author, then within each author, I have them arranged in chronological order (so for my PG books, Constant Princess, then TOBG, BI, Queens Fool, and Virgin Lover).

Anything that is NOT historical fiction, is NOT in this special bookcase. Lol!

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Lyn wrote: How would it look if I had a bunch of paperbacks, then at the back of the series there were a few huge hardbacks.

It would look like mine :)

And trust me, you wouldn't like it!

[Colleen, Mod #3]

I prefer trade paper by far to me HB is too expensive and PB is just too mass-market. Classics though I prefer HB, especially if it is an old or older looking binding. My order of books make sense only to me also. Without my books to look at (stupid movers) I have a shelf for schoolbooks, reference, to read, to read and get rid of, childhood reads, classics, by author, by subject, by series, and every catagory is by size L to R tallest to shortest unless it's a series. I get rid of a PB immediately after reading and if I liked it I search for the trade paper edition.

I hate lending books too so I only relinquish a book if I am prepared to never see the book again if it isn't returned. I don't even like people touching my books, I literally cringes when someone plucks a book off my shelves worse yet if they bend the front cover all the way around the book. WHY??? I don't even like seeing anyone do that to their own books! Those people tend to wrap each subsequent page around the spine too... no go!

[MAP]

What's the difference between paperback and trade paperback? The only time I've ever heard that term used is in the comic book world, when a story arc is collected into 1 book, so you don't have to buy 8 or 9 separate comic books to read the plot.

Um...not that I'm a 25 year old that reads comics or anything...*shifty glance*

[Tanzanite]

Mine are divided into fiction and non fiction and then arranged by size - that way I can stack more books on the tops of books.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

MAP wrote: "What's the difference between paperback and trade paperback? The only time I've ever heard that term used is in the comic book world, when a story arc is collected into 1 book, so you don't have t..."

Trade Paperback are usually the same as the hardback, but they have a paper cover, like the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. They are also cheaper. The smaller paperbacks are usually called mass market paperback.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Colleen wrote: "I prefer trade paper by far to me HB is too expensive and PB is just too mass-market. Classics though I prefer HB, especially if it is an old or older looking binding. My order of books make sense ..."

Definitely prefer trade paperback too. I find they're easier to read too (i.e. easier to hold up in bed than hardcovers). It's also easier to read trades without breaking the binding than it is when reading a regular pb.

Colleen wrote: "I literally cringes when someone plucks a book off my shelves worse yet if they bend the front cover all the way around the book. WHY??? ..."

Ugh, I know! Why would you do something like that?????

[Thalia]

MAP wrote: "What's the difference between paperback and trade paperback?

A Trade paperback's pages the same dimensions as the hardcovers and are made using the good quality paper. If I recall correctly page 146 of the hardback and the trade will be the same (if from the same publisher). A mass Market Paperback is smaller (so the pages won't correspond) and printed on cheaper paper. They're more affordable but not as good quality. hardcovers will be the most expensive, the trades then mass market. Not all books will be published in all formats.

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Jennifer wrote: "Colleen wrote: "I prefer trade paper by far to me HB is too expensive and PB is just too mass-market. Classics though I prefer HB, especially if it is an old or older looking binding. My order of b..."

Thank God it's not just me Jennifer!

[Wen]

Well not sure if this is OCD ish or not. I do not have all PB or all HC.... but I do have all in order per author and then in published date. I have novel size PB romance novels in cases under the bed and the larger trade size historicals on a big shelf.
My only I guess odd thing is in the picking of the Next to read. I tend to read many at once and as I get done with those it becomes a big deal to pick the next group to read. I will end up with books all over my bed to pick and choose which I next want to read. Then have to reorder all the ones Not Picked for that time. I will spend an hour or more at times choosing the next books. My son thinks it is insane.
What makes it funny is my dad mentioned not long ago how my mom gets excited when she finishes a book cause means time to pick the next to read and well she does the same thing in speading them on the bed and going thru them to pick which is next to read.
I have Never seen her do this and Still do the same thing... can giggle that be genetic???

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Wen wrote: "Well not sure if this is OCD ish or not. I do not have all PB or all HC.... but I do have all in order per author and then in published date. I have novel size PB romance novels in cases under the ..."

Must be genetic, Wen!

Picking out a new book is so exciting and frustrating. When I'm reading a book, I can't wait to finish it and find out what happens. When I'm finished a book, I wish I wasn't because I miss it. Then I'm excited because I can't wait to pick out a new book but frustrated because I can't pick just one :D

[Robin]

Jennifer wrote: Picking out a new book is so exciting and frustrating. When I'm reading a book, I can't wait to finish it and find out what happens. When I'm finished a book, I wish I wasn't because I miss it. Then I'm excited because I can't wait to pick out a new book but frustrated because I can't pick just one :D
"

Oh I totally agree! I want to get to the end to see what happens, but then I'm sad because I've gotten so into the books and connect with the characters that I don't want to leave them! And then I get excited because I can choose another book...and then it takes forever to do that because I want to read them all at once!

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I'll join that list. Yesterday I went onto Amazon to order the Edward book since the library would not get it here before I left for the cabin on Friday, and of course I had to order three more books while I was there. Just can't seem to stop myself. Now I want to read them all!!!

[Robin]

Lyn wrote: "I'll join that list. Yesterday I went onto Amazon to order the Edward book since the library would not get it here before I left for the cabin on Friday, and of course I had to order three more bo..."


Edward book? Which book is this? :)

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

The book on Edward VI that a bunch of us are starting to read together on August 1st. Details are in the Thoughts on Edward VI? thread.

[Susan C]

I'm new to this group, Misfit invited me to join. SHe knows I'm into European History. I admit I'm OCD about books (I also used to work in a library, so you know my books are grouped appopriately). I have a library/office in my house so what my books look like is extremely important to me. If I buy a series that I plan to keep, they all have to have the same cover design. I prefer hardbacks and trade paperbacks. Even though I worked in a library I do not want used library books. I know what they really look like.

I just really got into European history and spent the last month reading threads to know which authors and books were good choices. I bought between 30 and 50 from alibris and amazon, but I now have a good collection covering the 1100s thru today. I'm like Nona they had to be either new or like new. I fortunately got a lot of great deals. They're grouped by fiction and nonfiction & of course by author's last name.

I only lend out books I plan to trade on paperbackswap.com. The ones I'm keeping forever, I just can't trust that they will come back in the same condition. Even best friends are hard to trust.

I also cannot imagine ever owning a Kindle. I love the feel and smell of a book im my hands. Kindles are so sterile. We're adding a sunroom onto our house and I can't wait to be sitting in a window seat curled up with a good book and my sweet dog by my side.

[Susan C]

Nona wrote: "I buy used books 99% of the time but they must be in great to new condition and no movie tie ins however soft covers, hard covers and mass paperbacks all have a home with me, I love the variety in ..."

Nona how did you get those books from Anne Easter Smith. Are you friends?

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Susan C. welcome to the group!

I agree on the kindle, I considered it for a while but I just love the feel of a book in my hands.

I am all about book swapping too! Have you been to swaptree.com? I have gotten a lot of my hard to find wishlist books from there, you should check it out.

[Susan C]

Thanks for the warm welcome!
I did swaptree for awhile, but I didn't think they had a good system set up for bad swaps. Maybe you understand the system better than I do, it seemed to me like it was all up to you and the swapper. paperbackswap.com has a much better system in that they help you get the issue resolved.

[Colleen, Mod #3]

I will check that site out Susan, thank you.

I have had some good trades so far except one where I never recieved the book. I reported the user of course but so far nothing has come of it. I think swaptree is pretty much putting your trust in a stranger that they will send your swap promptly. I had one where I recieved my book and the tracking label on the book I sent says the book was delivered months ago but still no rating. I wrote customer service and complained that I couldn't get a hold of the other user to urge her to rate me, which resulted in me being limited to one trade. Swaptree wrote back and said they couldn't establish contact with the woman either but agreed it was unfair for me to be limited to one trade when I came through on my end. They upped my trade limit to ten so I am happily trading again.

[Susan C]

It took me three months to quit the site. Someone did not rate me so they gave them 60 days from the date the swap was placed. It was ridiculous.

I honestly enjoy paperback swap much better. It's very proconsumer. I hope you enjoy it, if you join!

[Susan C]

My OCD is way out of control. I just counted my European history books and have close to 100, but I've only read 1 and I'm 1/8th through the second. My biggest OCD problem obviously is giving in to the urge to buy when I already have a huge TBR list. I have to stop the buying period!!!!!!

[Thalia]

I hear you Susan C. I've got the same problem. With the exception of group reads I'm not letting myself buy any more books until the end of summer! I'll have cleared off about eight or ten by then. I'm drowning in unread books. They stare at me, taunting...guilting me...as they languish on my book shelves, unloved.

[MAP]

I've recently switched over to taking advantage of my university library and its awesome ILL system to keep me from spending so much on books. I kept very close watch on my spending last year, and I spent more on books than on FOOD.

Very bad.

[Colleen, Mod #3]

That's great MAP, sounds like that would be on a list: you know you are book fanatic when you spend more money on books than food
LOL I love university libraries... heck I love all libraries!

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

LOL This thread really makes me feel better.
When all the other kids were going to the beach or the playground, I was heading to the library first. Okay to go do other things once I had a book (or two) in hand :)
I have figured out that, since April, I've probably spent at least $500 on books. My biggest problem is finding either an author, a series or a favorite subject and then going insane. I can't rest if I don't have all the books waiting for me. I was halfway through the first Outlander when I bought the next 5. Same with Twilight. And the Tudors.... well, that's just getting crazy! I love this group but I feel that I need to have all of these books that you are all talking about :)
I can't just put one down when I find it... what if I never find it again? heehee

[Susan C]

I hear ya Thaila and Laura. It should probably be a condition listed in the psychiatric book of disorders. LOL!

[MAP]

The DSM-IV-R is about to be obsolete, and the DSM-V is coming out I believe in 2012. You should petition to have it added; God knows they throw everything else in there, no matter what research has been done or evidence there is for it.

*is frustrated at the medical model that runs the DSM*

[Susan C]

LOL!

[Colleen, Mod #3]

I know MAP and they are taking out some good ones too, or at least debating which disorders to take out last I heard.

[Colleen, Mod #3]

Jennifer wrote: "LOL This thread really makes me feel better.
When all the other kids were going to the beach or the playground, I was heading to the library first. Okay to go do other things once I had a book (o..."

haha Jennifer in your case if you put a book down you may have a hard time finding it again! ;)

I was totally that kid, going to the library and leaving with all I could carry. Toting a book everywhere (which I still do, you never know when you might have to wait around!) and climbing trees reading until there was no more light. Getting introuble for staying up reading under my covers with a flashlight. What can I say? I have a life long passion for books and reading.

[Jennifer, Mod #5]

Colleen, I've decided when I have children, I won't be able to get mad at them for either ridiculous library late fees or reading under the covers when they should be sleeping. I'll tell them they're going to be tired and I don't want to hear a word about it in the morning but that flashlight is still going to be on when I leave the room. Or in my case, if the flashlight was taken away, I positioned myself and my book perfectly and uncomfortably so that my book was in line with the moonlight :)

[Susan C]

You two crack me up! I wish I developed my passion that early, I was 23 when I really became addicted to books. But I've read a ton in the last 15 years. 1 year was over 100, which I was very excited about, but know is not an oddity on Goodreads!