The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Number of unread books on your shelves
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So,how many do you have,Nancy ?"
My "to read" books are listed on goodreads as just over 3,000, but as I said in response to Bill's post here, I've just done a major cleanout. My tastes have changed a lot since I started on goodreads, so a lot of the "to read" books are now gone because I don't think I'll read them. When I have time, I'll be going through goodreads and deleting them.
I daren't count, I bought 3 books this weekend and have found 13 in the monthly deal - I could get that down, but book buying is one of my few pleasures at the moment. I am making an effort to read more though
My wife and I share kindles and many of the books on my kindle are books that she reads and I don't. If she likes an author, I buy all the books in the series.
32 actually on my shelves/in my kindle, plus another 320 on my 'To Read' list.
Nancy wrote: "W wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm embarrassed to say how many unread books I have, but it would make you all look like amateurs. I'm not even counting the Kindle books."So,how many do you have,Nancy ?"..."
I did a bit of a vet last month and deleted a few and put them in my Little Free Library.. I've since added more I think... Got two today.. :)
I've promised myself that I won't buy anymore until I have read all the unread ones I already have.
Mod
Plus,there are lots I'd like to read again after several years.I'm glad I still have them.
Nancy wrote: "LOL. I tell myself that every Jan 1."Jan 1st, Jan 2nd, Jan 3rd.. ad infinitum.. :)
Well,it's been ten weeks since I bought any new ones.
Mod
W wrote: "Well,it's been ten weeks since I bought any new ones."Thats quite a lot of self control. I don't think I could go that long without a new purchase. I currently belong to a subscription book club, so I at least get a new addition every month.
On here 221, physically in my home? I have no idea lol
Tara wrote: "W wrote: "Well,it's been ten weeks since I bought any new ones."Thats quite a lot of self control. I don't think I could go that long without a new purchase. I currently belong to a subscription ..."
Tara,the biggest temptation I have to guard against right now is to purchase all the Agatha Christie books still missing from my collection.
Wow, 10 weeks since you bought a book, I'm impressed. I want 13 in the monthly deal this month, I have only read 5 this year so not good odds on getting through them!
Mod
Now he works from home so I can't just let things go.
I just keep buying books. It sounds interesting so I buy it. My Kindle has 3,872 unfinished books and my shelves (closets and floors) have 1,852 unfinished books. Admittedly, some aren't even started but others have been started. I have at least one book that I have been reading since I was in college (never mind how long ago that was!). It is a big book.
I have around 80 books on my TBR-list, but that doesn't stop me from bying more. I'm afraid that when it comes to books I totally lack self control. The trouble is that all our book cases are full and there's no room for extra shelves anymore. Whenever a new stack of books arrives, my husband (who doesn't share my addiction) always asks me where I'm going to put them. Fortunately I can store English books on my Kindle nowadays, and that helps.
I have about 600 books on my “to read”, but at my age I know there are many I won’t get to, but thankfully Goodreads keeps me from reading the same book twice. With COVID, I have only been reading ebooks. Even though I don’t live in New York City, as a NY resident I can borrow ebooks from the NYPL - they have a great selection. And I have noticed now that I don’t hesitate to return a book that I just cannot get into. Even though I managed to read 100 books last year, there are so many books and so little time. Anyway, I am glad I am not the only one with a long “to read” list!
W wrote: "Tara wrote: "W wrote: "Well,it's been ten weeks since I bought any new ones."Thats quite a lot of self control. I don't think I could go that long without a new purchase. I currently belong to a ..."
I have this same issue! I manage it by not allowing myself to buy more than 1 Christie a month. Of course it doesn't stop me from buying other books....
Just one Christie a month ? When I see a pile of Christies,I have to buy them all.I bought 16 Christies recently,that helped me last the ten weeks.
W wrote: "Just one Christie a month ? When I see a pile of Christies,I have to buy them all.I bought 16 Christies recently,that helped me last the ten weeks."I purchased a lot more when I initially started buying her books, but now that I have a decent collection, I can be more discerning in my choices. I try to find either Dell Mapbacks or other cool vintage paperbacks to collect. But if I saw a pile in a bookstore, I would probably scoop it up!
At this moment, precisely 565 but then the Humble Book Bundles keep tempting me.... Right now, I have 198 unread SF&F books from them (I added 23 today for under $20. Tor is another one as they offer free short story collections every two months and usually a free book to download every month (SF&F again) but I only have 19 TBR in that category. Ditto for StoryBundle (also 19 TBR).
I used to have self control, then I realised that I was depriving myself for no reason, so I allowed myself £5 a month, then that quickly went up to £10 a month, and now I just think there isn't much to spend my money on, so this month will be £13. However, that is only the kindle monthly deal, I don't include anything in daily or big deals in that, so if they do a big deal on an author I like, I scoop up all I don't own.
In 2016, I bought 200+ books, approx $900In 2017, 230+ books, approx $750
In 2018, 240+, approx $1200
In 2019, 180+, approx $950
In 2020, 180+, approx $1500
so far in 2021, 40 books, $450
Usually a mix of used and new, bought locally and on line. Last year was the first year I didn't attend the local Rotary Club book sale or go to Victoria to visit the used book stores down there. I know I'll probably never read them all but books are my basic vice.... My wife tolerates it... :)
W wrote: "So,you don't use any libraries ?"I know I should, but no, not since I was in school.. I do like to own books and fear also that if I sign books out, I'll feel pressure to read quickly.. Silly really.
That makes me feel so much better Bill!! I would like to use the library more, but I feel the pressure by doing it too.
I'm doing well. I have only 6 unread books on my shelf. Sleeping Cruelty- Lynda LaPlante.
The fire baby- Jim Kelly
Mr Murder- Dean Koontz
Adept- Robert Finn
The numbers game- Chris Anderson
The mind game- Hector Macdonald.
Any recommendations for which one I read next????
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "That makes me feel so much better Bill!! I would like to use the library more, but I feel the pressure by doing it too."In high school, I was in the Library Club. As a youngster when I didn't have the wherewithal to spend lots of money on books, I spent so much time wandering around the stacks in the school and local library. Now I'm a bit lazy.. lol
When I was young and didn't have much money, as well as the library, I'd use second hand book shops and car boot sales, as the library didn't let me have enough books, I had to go pretty much every day, so weekend was always an issue. I've never been a big fan of brand new books, and now I still get them as cheap as possible. As it's world book day, I'm now going to buy a book or three :-)
Mod
I know I should, but no, not since I was in school.. I do like to own books and fear also that if I sign books out, I'll feel pressure to read quickly....."
That's why I don't use libraries. The nerve of them wanting their books back by a certain time!
Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "W wrote: "So,you don't use any libraries ?"I know I should, but no, not since I was in school.. I do like to own books and fear also that if I sign books out, I'll feel pressure to r..."
lol.. exactly!
I don't use libraries as going there,I would get stuck in traffic jams and would have trouble finding parking spaces.Plus,the number of books they issue is too limited.
physical books from libraries often have "interesting" items in them like coffee spills, smashed bugs, photos used as bookmarks, the odd ketchup splotch, etc.
I find such things more in used books,the signatures of previous owners and long ago dates,when they read them.
I purchased a book on certain battles of WWI, I think by AC Doyle and inside was a post card from a soldier sent home. It had his picture and one of his mates on the card..
Even before the pandemic, I primarily used my library for audiobooks, of which they have a huge selection. Audiobooks are super expensive, and it gives me the opportunity to "read" during times I couldn't be reading a physical book--such as cooking, cleaning, exercising, or shopping. I used the library a lot as a kid when I was poor and had no bookstores nearby. Now that I can afford to buy books, I consider them to be my one vice, and feel no shame in acquiring more than I will probably ever read (although I do empty the shelves of ones I will not reread and/or are not collectable.) The mere presence of books bring me joy, so I consider them to be much needed stress relief from the anxieties of life.
Bill wrote: "In 2016, I bought 200+ books, approx $900In 2017, 230+ books, approx $750
In 2018, 240+, approx $1200
In 2019, 180+, approx $950
In 2020, 180+, approx $1500
so far in 2021, 40 books, $450
Usually..."
I don't want to know how much money I have spent on these books. Although, I do try to limit myself to sales on kindle and used book stores and sales. Last year we didn't have our local AAUW sale, but I noticed they started putting the boxes out this week to collect the books we want to get rid of.
I remember how much I spent this year so far,and it is rather exorbitant.That has helped me apply the brakes for now.Bill,do you think you're spending too much or are you staying within a certain limit ?
W wrote: "I remember how much I spent this year so far,and it is rather exorbitant.That has helped me apply the brakes for now.Bill,do you think you're spending too much or are you staying within a certain ..."
I don't have a planned spending amount a year. I'm probably spending too much but we are still able to pay bills and enjoy ourselves so we're pretty lucky. I try to continue with ongoing series and books that strike my fancy....
That is what I figured Bill, I was stopping myself buying books when I could afford them, so at least buying them now while they are cheap means that if things change, I'll at least have plenty to read.
Another thing that keeps me from buying even more books is that my other hobbies include music,film and TV shows.And there are too many of those to watch and listen to,as well.
W wrote: "Another thing that keeps me from buying even more books is that my other hobbies include music,film and TV shows.And there are too many of those to watch and listen to,as well."A full life.. :0)
Yes, I have that same problem - I've had to stop myself getting Netflix, not because of money, but a lack of time!! I also read more before the internet, which is worse as thanks to some of the people on here, I've found more authors I want to try!!
Bill wrote: "W wrote: "Another thing that keeps me from buying even more books is that my other hobbies include music,film and TV shows.And there are too many of those to watch and listen to,as well."A full l..."
Health issues,otherwise life would have been a lot fuller.
Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Yes, I have that same problem - I've had to stop myself getting Netflix, not because of money, but a lack of time!! I also read more before the internet, which is worse as thanks to some of the peo..."I finally got Netflix.One good thing is one doesn't have to spend as much on it as on books.The bad thing,too much content.Helps to set daily time limits.
Jan C wrote: "Bill wrote: "In 2016, I bought 200+ books, approx $900In 2017, 230+ books, approx $750
In 2018, 240+, approx $1200
In 2019, 180+, approx $950
In 2020, 180+, approx $1500
so far in 2021, 40 books, ..."
I'm going the other way. Stopped spending (mostly) as don't need to own. Now a member of 6 libraries, periodically Kindle Unlimited, and relentless search of free material from various sources now has my TBR above 2000. Down to over 2000 physical and we are talking about downsizing which means some more of the bookshelves have to go.
Any others going this way?
Oh gosh! I have quite a lot of unread books.
Same here. If they're listed on goodreads, they're on my shelves, but in the last few weeks I've done a major book cleanout, sending many to friends of the library, thrift stores, neighborhood friends, etc.