Do you collect books?

[Tressa]

Why not? Where would you travel in time?

[Larry]

I'd like to go back to Austria circa 1880s and hand a condom to Hitler's father!

[Tressa]

Good idea!

[Jerrod]

Tressa wrote: "Sometimes I wish I lived in caveman days. Yeah, it was a perilous existence and I'd probably live to age 30 if lucky, but the simplicity is alluring to me."

Yeah, maybe not that far... heck I was excited I almost got a fire started using the two stick method this summer; I've got the technique almost down.

[Tressa]

Now you can go on Survivor!

[Jerrod]

not quite, still got allot to actually apply, but that is one thing I love about summer... spending time with my buddies practicing some outright caveman survival stuff.

[Bandit]

this is awesome, I love reading about others' book collections. All of mine are crammed into two large IKEA bookcases and a LACK shelf. I try to only keep the paperbacks, they are light cheap and can be doublestacked, but every so often I hold on to larger formats. I'm estimating about 500 books in my collection and I occasionally trade in some, but mostly keep them. My last move to a fourth floor walk up nearly killed me. I think I have to stop collecting books or stop moving pretty soon.

[Larry]

Bandit wrote: "this is awesome, I love reading about others' book collections. All of mine are crammed into two large IKEA bookcases and is LACK shelf. I try to only keep the paperbacks, they are light cheap and ..."
LACK?

[Bandit]

LACk is a flat wide wall shelf, mine's too heavy to actually hang in the wall, so it's propped up by stacks of comics and National Geographics on top of a build-in radiator cover. I have no more floor space for a bookcase, so I have to get creative.

[Brainycat]

I got rid of most of my books during the last move. I'd carted a few boxes of them halfway across the continent about fifteen years ago, and hadn't opened them since. As well as accumulating hundreds more since. I was looking at this huge pile of boxes full of books, and not looking forward to lugging all of them in and out of a truck again, when it dawned on me: I was keeping them as if they were "certificates of completion", like I had some imaginary audience in my head that I was trying to impress.

I went through my collection with a critical eye and realized that of the books that I had gone back to, I had nearly every fiction book in ebook format and the nonfiction books were all science or computer programming texts. I decided that I would whittle my collection down to one shelf, plus computer books.

I got rid of ten boxes of books. Paperbacks went to Books To Prisoners and the hardbacks got donated to goodwill. I kept my computer books (except for documentation that was hopelessly out of date), science textbooks that I've referred back to within the last 5 years (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc), my signed Anne Rice vampire books, everything by Theodore Sturgeon, and a small handful of paperbacks that I haven't been able to locate in digital format yet.

I feel SO MUCH better after cleaning out my collection. I don't feel as weighted down, I don't have to worry about space, and I can locate the books that I actually use much easier.

On a related note, I'm a digital hoarder and have collections of files going back more than ten years...

[Bill]

Brainycat,

Books To Prisoners: I had never heard of that, what a great idea. I'm due for a book purge soon and I can imagine that would be a place where they would be greatly appreciated.

[jb]

I have never heard of Books To Prisoners either....sounds pretty nice. I donated a large portion of books to the library last move. Mostly kid/YA stuff my kids left behind. Some religious stuff my parents were always sending me and self help books my parents were always sending me.....I guess you can see the trend from my parents...basically I am going to burn in hell and need help with that as well...LOL.

I have started buying most of my books on my nook so now I am an ebook hoarder as well. I feel another purge coming on soon when we move again. I am going to be much more brutal this time.

[Larry]

Yea books to prisoners but rip the last page out!

[Tressa]

Ha ha. Good one, Larry.

Isn't there some charity where you can donate books to the troops?

[jb]

Yes there is....it is called Books for Soldiers

[Larry]

Tressa wrote: "Ha ha. Good one, Larry.

Isn't there some charity where you can donate books to the troops?"

Now that I believe in! '3

[Kathy]

I'm glad someone said it! I was just coming on and reading about the Books for Prisoners and wondering...."What about the solder?", but found it later on. Thanks! :)

[Tressa]

I've looked into mailing gifts to soldiers, too, but it seems so darn complicated since the packages are mailed to different countries. I wish there was a local organization where I could buy supplies/gifts and have someone else mail them off.

I might look into adopting a soldier for Christmas anyway. My sister is well off and always participates in a Christmas Angel gift giving.

[jb]

That program is called Books for Soldiers....I am not sure how it works. A girl in another group was trying to get it started. There is a confidentiality thing about having their address, etc.

[Brainycat]

I've never donated to Books to Soldiers. They may have less stringent requirements than BTP, which would be nice.

When I was working at AT&T they took donated cell phones, put new SIM cards in them with a few minutes on the account and sent them overseas to troops. A lot of the troops have very limited access to calling back home, so being able to provide the means for some private conversation is very welcome.

[Tressa]

I like any idea that donates to our troops.

[Tyrran]

I try keep all the books I buy and avoid selling them or swapping them, I have a pretty sweet collection going but I think this might all change as my girlfriend has ordered a Kindle for me, goodbye dusty volumes on my bookshelves.

[Bill]

I love the smell of an old book. Years ago, a buddy loaned me his old hardcover of The Exorcist. The pages were beginning to yellow and there was a mustiness to it. It enhanced the creepiness of the reading experience!

I have tons of books, but there are many that survive the purges. There are those favorites of mine that spark memories just by glancing at the spines. Also, it's nice when someone makes a remark about one and I can immediately hand it over and say, "You HAVE to read this!"

[Lee]

Well put Bill. That's the way I feel when someone sees my "book room" for the first time.Since I got back into the reading habit, makes the last 5 plus years worth it!

[Kasia]

Bill wrote: "I love the smell of an old book. Years ago, a buddy loaned me his old hardcover of The Exorcist. The pages were beginning to yellow and there was a mustiness to it. It enhanced the creepiness of th..."

I love reading comments such as this one, they actually make me want to read more and remind me how much I enjoy the scent of my favorites bookstores myself, it's crazy but some of them smell delicious, pulpy paper, ah..

[jb]

Most definitely Kasia......I love to pick up a book I have read and loved. It brings back memories from the time I read the book, where I was, what I was going through at the time. When I get a used book, I often wonder who had it before me...what kind of reader were they.

[Ken]

I don't keep fiction after I've read it because I rarely ever reread a book. I usually trade it in at one of the local used bookstores for credit. I was using Paperback Swap for a while.

[Maxine]

I collect Stephen King novels. I have a book shelf dedicated to him only. I also have a 'shelf of fame' which is where I keep books that I have had signed at author meets.

[Phil]

I have a few Arkham House books and have some other Lovecraft books but I wouldn't consider myself a collector.

[Matt R.]

I have started donating some books to my local library. I have a couple authors that I like to collect but as time passes I prefer to have more room on the bookshelf rather than stacking books around.

[Lee]

For sure keep the series that I've read. ( When I'm gone the kids can sell them on ebay!!! ) LOL


But, mostly my collection is in my bookroom , waiting to be read.
Around 1800 books.

[Heather]

I keep all of my books. I want an entire book library. My husband thinks this is ridiculous though.

[Tressa]

My brother thinks books clutter up a home. But he's never been a big reader. I think they reveal a lot about who we are and it's interesting to scan others' bookshelves.

[Bandit]

Very true, I'm always weary to find out that someone has few or no books at their house. I'd almost prefer they read crap, than not read at all.
And Lee, 1800 books is VERY impressive. That's probably what my collection would balloon to eventually if I had space.

[Brett]

Any more I tend to keep most of the books I get. They have gotten to expensive to buy on a whim, so I am much pickier than I used to be
I would say that about 80% of my collection is in paperback. I like PB as they are just easier to deal with and take less shelf space.
I will buy special books in Hardcover though for permanence. Any books/series I read over and over need be in HC as the PB's wear out to fast.

I keep an online library at -
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/b...
- According to it I now have 6,250 books and yes, I have read nearly all, some more than once. There are around 500 or so that I have yet to read.
This is why I describe myself as a 'confirmed bookaholic'.

Also, I have them all on shelves in alphabetical order and sorted by genre. -grin-

Not to mention I just recently took 24 large boxes of books to the used book store. So now I have nearly $3,000 in credit! The first day I came home with 54 new used books!

And yes, I suppose you could say I am a tad bit crazy! -grin-

[Bandit]

Tad bit crazy? no way, I'm so incredibly impressed
I think if I stored 6250 books in my apt. I'd have to sleep outside in the hallway :)
sounds like an incredible personal library, Brett

[jb]

Oh I would so find a way to keep all those books. I am working on organizing mine this year. I am not sure how i am going to do that yet. I like the by genre, but I am thinking of putting mine in some to read order.

[Matt R.]

Wow, some impressive collections. My dedicated space can fit my current collection of 229 books and will likely max out around 250. I'll keep my collection around this number for now and probably continue donating the books I do not plan to keep.

[Brett]

Thanks. I'm lucky as we have a split level rancher and I have the entire lower floor. Fully half of the floor is my library/office. A room about 20 x 30 with shelving on all walls and several large bookcases.
Even then I had to install shelving in my bedroom and all my Horror and Thriller books are in there.

I actually have a lot of fun going through my books and integrating new purchases. This is about all I do anymore. I am on disability and can't work, so I have 24 hours a day for reading (and taking orders from my cats!).

[Brett]

Bandit wrote: "Tad bit crazy? no way, I'm so incredibly impressed
I think if I stored 6250 books in my apt. I'd have to sleep outside in the hallway :)
sounds like an incredible personal library, Brett"

When I was in college in Seattle, I had a studio apart. in the U-District. I didn't need a bed frame. I just threw a futon over the boxes of books! I was about 3 feet off the floor! -grin-

[jb]

I am finally starting to organize mine. I am just doing by alphabetical order by author name. It makes it easier as I cannot reach my bookshelves. My husband has to get my books on and off shelf for me. I am hoping once we move we can have a better system.

[Brett]

Good luck jennbunny. The cool thing about owning books is being able to go through them whenever you want.
I am constantly looking through my books and rereading all the time. That's the main reason I keep them all out. I have to be able to browse just like at the bookstore or public library.

[Tressa]

I like to group my books by genre, and then in alphabetical order.

[jb]

Well I am running out of shelf space very quickly. I have tried to rearrange to fit them all, but I will be keeping some in my bedroom (I pretty much have books all over the house). The ones I am keeping in there will be the to read ones for 2011.I have one shelf left and still have M through Z.....NOT gonna all fit. DARN IT! They will have to move to the floor until I can redo shelves or find more space.

[Lee]

Impressive collection Brett. Where my bookroom is now down stairs, I would like to someday knock the wall out to a small bedroom next door & make me a nice size bookroom!

Tressa,

I group mine by.. series, in order ( 2-3 bookcases ). One bookcase, horror,one my 'ol noir, one HB's. The stand alone's ( not horror ) I have in alphabetical by author, on the other 2-3 bookcases.

[jb]

Wow you guys are really organized! I was not able to fit all of my books S through Z are in the bedroom. This is how it will have to be until I come up with a better plan. I cannot reach most of my books.

[Brett]

It's taken me a long time to get to this point. Lots and lots of shuffling books around and building shelves. I build custom shelving that is just the size for paperbacks. I have figured that they average 1 book per inch of shelf space.It doesn't sound right but I have checked and rechecked. It always comes out to within 1 or 2 books.

I haven't figured out hardcovers yet though. they just take up so much space, but I have to have certain books in HC. So they stay on their own shelves. Also organized alphabetically and by genre. I even divide the HC from the oversize paperbacks.

I have a LOT of free time. -grin-

[Bandit]

Most of my collection is paperbacks for space/size/price purpose/reason and because they are living in two IKEA bookcases, I was able to double stack them, but sadly that only leaves half of my collection visible. In a perfect world/more spacious apt. I'd have them all visible, which would require two more bookcases. As far as organization goes, I try to group them by author, I have "female horror writers" shelf and I have a small wall shelf just for zombie books.

[Phil]

Lee wrote: "Impressive collection Brett. Where my bookroom is now down stairs, I would like to someday knock the wall out to a small bedroom next door & make me a nice size bookroom!

Tressa,

I group mine by...."
LOL! Lee, that's not a book room it's a library! What are you going to do with all of those books someday?

[Lee]

I call it my bookroom, because that's what the kids called it as it was getting bigger.I look at it as my own little library!

When someday comes.....let them sell them on ebay!!! :)