Horror Aficionados discussion
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Do you collect books?
It's hard giving away books you have collected and enjoyed. The first collection of about 2,500 books I gave away was when I moved to Alaska (too expensive to ship!). I traded them in to the used book store I always go to. When I came back to town 15 years later, he still had my credit on file! So very cool! It didn't take long at all to use it all up!
I've decided now that the only way I would give up my collection now is I were to become homeless!
Althea wrote: "Brett wrote: "Some people travel when they retire. I do my traveling in my mind. "I travel a lot - but I always bring books with me! It's fun to bring books that are appropriate to the trip... hi..."
That's cool too. Reminds me of another website I belong to. The main premise of the site os to release books into the wild. You place a label inside with a tracking number and othe info and hopefully the person finding the book will log in and register the book.
The farthest one of mine has gone so far is to Wales (I'm in the Pacific NW, USA). It's cool site and idea, IMO.
Check it out.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/
That is awesome Bret. I will check that site out later on. I was homeless once and it would be hard to carry books for any period of time. But I think I might drag mine in a rolling cart if need be.
There you go. Where there's a will, there's a way!I had to live in one of those silver bullet camping trailers for 6-7 months once and it was tough. I think it was about 25 feet long?
No running water and electric was a very long extension cord.
Nothing even close to homeless, but as close as I ever want to get.
I was only 19 years old and 8 months pregnant. It was just a few days but it was horrible. I moved into a one room apt with no heat in the middle of winter. That site looks awesome. I cheated and looked at it at work.
Brett wrote: "The main premise of the site is to release books into the wild.";-) I am a registered member!
I don't actually put the stickers on my books (lazy/weird issues about vandalizing books/some book traders don't like them), but I always go check the book in if I get a book with a bookcrossing sticker...
I only keep books which are autographed, our library is overflowing with unread books I keep purchasing new books.
Althea wrote: "Brett wrote: "The main premise of the site is to release books into the wild.";-) I am a registered member!
I don't actually put the stickers on my books (lazy/weird issues about vandalizing b..."
I don't always put labels in them for much the same reason. But older copies where it doesn't matter to much, why not. I like to see if anyone ever posts about it. Of course I am absolutely terrible about keeping up on the site myself. I don't think I'd been there for over a year.
Althea wrote: "Alondra wrote: "I keep every book. If someone wants to borrow, I will buy it for them instead; because you know they will either keep it too long, dog-ear it or spill something on it. ....ggrrrr "..."
Althea, you are a good, sweet person and strong too. I just can't do it. I have physically tried, and i feel the anxiety grip me; so i give up and go buy it instead. I will give you the shirt off my back, but not the book off my shelf... sorry. Need $20 bucks!?/ hehehehe
Brett wrote: "When I call myself a bookaholic, I mean it. Currently my library has over 7,000 books, mostly paperback due to size.In the past I have given away 2 collections when moving and ALWAYS regretted it..."
I love you... i mean it. hhehehehe; you are worse than me, thank goodness. nothing like a true bibliophile to put things in perspective. i have shelves that are double stacked with books now and i keep wondering where to put them....:O
jennbunny wrote: "Bret-I regretted giving away my books as well. I donated about 400 books to the library and friends. I just don't think I could do it again. I was getting into organizing mine when now we have to m..."Jennbunny, i had shelves built specifically for my main books (hardcovers only). each shelf was lettered and sized according to my books. the books follow us whenever we move, considering we were a military family for 20 years, that is a lot of moving. we are settled for right now, but will be moving within the next 3 years when my son goes off to college. my husband doesn't even bother with asking me to get rid of the books. :)
LOL...Alondra! My husband says I am going to be a book widow since he has to keep moving my books. He really does not care about it and likes to tease me. I have agreed to help my friend with paperback books if she opens a used bookstore. I figure I can giver her about 100 books to help her get started. It will be VERY hard to part with the books, but I really love her and want to make sure she gets a good start in a business if I can help it. I have no shelves or bookcases right now.....I am planning on just stacking them up in my office so I can at least see what I have because I have bought duplicates in the past (for shame). I added to my collection with 8 new (used) books today.
jennbunny wrote: "LOL...Alondra! My husband says I am going to be a book widow since he has to keep moving my books. He really does not care about it and likes to tease me. I have agreed to help my friend with pa..."thats sweet of you to help her; she better give you a great discount and coffee everytime you walk in :D
She would give me a great discount. But no coffee as I don't like coffee......LOL
doesn't...like...coffee...okay, i still like you; at least you get a discount.*walks away confused about coffee-hater*
hehehehe...:D
When I was going to college in Seattle, my apartment was one block off the 'Ave' (University Avenue bordering UW) and my daily was to crawl out of bed, stagger down to the coffee shop (1/2 block), Get a triple tall mocha and sit there with my book and wake up while watching everyone rush off to work. (all my classes were in the afternoon!)I miss that place so much. There were several used book stores in walking distance, my favorite being one where you could drink and play with the cats while getting into philosophical arguments with the owner.
What does this have to do with collecting books? Glad you asked. That bookstore is where I found several of my favorite books that I still have and of which the owner practically gave to me. These massive Illustrator Annuals, hard bound and so full of inspiration for an artist. They sell/sold for $50-75 each and I have 10 of them which cost me $10 apiece!
As for the coffee discussion, if it ain't mocha, it ain't coffee!
Brett wrote: "When I was going to college in Seattle, my apartment was one block off the 'Ave' (University Avenue bordering UW) and my daily was to crawl out of bed, stagger down to the coffee shop (1/2 block), ..."Mochas get me in trouble; love, love, love them. I just found out about 2 local (Charlotte) used bookstores that buy/sell/trade. I hope I can trade in some of these paperbacks and build up a little credit. I am so excited to have found them :)
I have greatly added to my collection in December......No coffee.......or mocha.... just Dr Pepper...yummo!
jennbunny wrote: "I have greatly added to my collection in December......No coffee.......or mocha.... just Dr Pepper...yummo!"
I have bought so many in the last month... they were stacked on the floor. Kind of just double-stacked the book shelf in the kitchen nook and left it alone. So many good deals at goodwill and the clearance rack at booksamillion and amazon ... :D
Yeah....I got some good deals at BN online so I ordered ten books. Plus a few dealson the nook too and then the used bookstore.
I collect books. Sadly I don't have enough bookshelves in my apartment to display them all. Hopefully that will change soon. I don't know why, but I just love the way they look. An entire wall lined with books is beautiful to me. I also have to keep everything I read. Right now I've been on an out of print 70s and 80s horror novel kick to, so everyday I seem to have them coming in the mail from Amazon. With those I love to display the covers face out so everyone can see them. Most of my friends think this is crazy but I don't care.
jennbunny wrote: "I have greatly added to my collection in December......No coffee.......or mocha.... just Dr Pepper...yummo!"
Oh yeah! I gave up the mochas, too much money, and now drink Dr Pepper exclusively. It's like a drug for me!
I know what you mean Brett.....it is addicting. My husband and I call it crack.
William....my friends think my book habit is crazy too.
jennbunny wrote: "William....my friends think my book habit is crazy too."And they always ask, "Did you really read all of these?" as if reading is some mythical skill that very few have.
William wrote: "jennbunny wrote: "William....my friends think my book habit is crazy too."And they always ask, "Did you really read all of these?" as if reading is some mythical skill that very few have."
Oh yes. I know that one. I have had people over that really, truly think the books are just for show. As if they are there to show people how smart I am!
Now there ARE people like that, sadly enough, but I'm sure not one of them!
jennbunny wrote: "I know what you mean Brett.....it is addicting. My husband and I call it crack."Starbucks is just that... crack in a cup. I usually am standing in line patting my foot, with anxious, bulging eyes wondering when it's going to be my turn to order. Then I smell it for a really long time. doesn't matter if its coffee of the day or specialty. i like it strong... My name is Alondra and i am a coffee addict..reading addict... gardening addict.. i need something.
I could never admit this while in Seattle, but I HATE Starbucks coffee! It's just nasty IMO.If I said that while in Seattle, I would have been run out on a rail!
But then I was pretty anal about my coffee. I bought various beans and ground and mixed my own blends. that was when I was REALLY into coffee!
Brett wrote: "I could never admit this while in Seattle, but I HATE Starbucks coffee! It's just nasty IMO.If I said that while in Seattle, I would have been run out on a rail!
But then I was pretty anal about ..."
i forgive you for not liking it..hehehe. many people don't like it; but i do like the fact that you mixed your own.
Yeah people act surprised by the amount of books i have (and it is not that many). We don't go to Starbucks at all. I like the green tea at Panera but it has a lot of sugar in it.
Mod
Oh yes I agree Kasia..... I love my nook but I love to collect books.
jennbunny wrote: "We don't go to Starbucks at all. I like the green tea at Panera but it has a lot of sugar in it."I love Panera, but we don't have any around here, so I haven't been for years.
Mod
It's one of those good addictions hehe
We have a Panera pretty close by. True....Kasia....a good addiction (except for the wallet)....LOL
Mod
True....Kasia....a good addiction (except for the wallet)....LOL"
Don't even talk about my poor wallet haha, I seemed to treat myself at least four times this Christmas, between books and cookbooks I got I'm shocked that everyone else got their presents but it's nice to walk over to my shelf and see some of my babies sitting there to be read, makes me happy.
I love collecting books (obviously for anyone looking at my place or my pics) but there are some that give greater pleasure than others.For a long time DAW published books with a yellow spine, now called the DAW yellow spine collection (gee!) and when I find a copy I don't have or one in better condition, it makes my day. It isn't that they are extremely rare, it's just that they tend to be rather beat up.
My next fave is collecting the Ace Double books.
They are the ones with 2 books in one. You finish one book, flip it over and read the other.
The spines are divided white and blue, so they are pretty noticeable on the shelf.
Almost all of them have stories by the older masters of science fiction and fantasy. The kinds of books that are ALWAYS good to read.
Plus they usually have great cover art from some of the best artists of the day. Kelly Freas, Gray Morrow, Jack Gaughan, etc.
Then I absolutely like finding books on ancient history dealing with the British Isles, Stonehenge, Easter Island (ancient mysteries) and archeology in general.
And then...
Ace Double westerns were popular too. I found, http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/wF-ser... with this on the other side http://www.paperbackswap.com/Man-Rope...I remember seeing the Ace Doubles as a kid.
I've had this copy since the late 60's...
Lee wrote: "Ace Double westerns were popular too. I found, http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/wF-ser... with this on the other side http://www.paperbackswap.com/Man-Rope...I re..."
I have 3 copies of that one plus the single copies since it's Andre Norton. I usually have multiples of these as I am always trying to find better copies and then I give the duplicates away.
I'm not sure, but I think the western and mystery doubles are harder to find than the science fiction and fantasy ones.
Being a avid reader I have a collection of over 400 hardcover books (my preference). I like the look, smell, and feel of the book in hand, but I have begun to drift towards and appreciate the electronic reading world. I agree with Kasia's comment about the books waiting to be read, nice and neat on the shelves. One way or another they will all be read and for the ones I have read, they are slowly being added here on Goodreads.
In my case I dont really mind if its a paperbacks or Hardbounds so long as its readable haha!. I also have an array of ebooks,though ebooks are more convenient to carry around, my heart is still on the "tangible" ones.
Have either almost - or a little over - a 1000 books right now. I prefer paperbacks - easier to store, prettier to store (they're basically the same size, unlike hb's), and I find them much easier to hold and read. Love books in a home, I don't think theres anything else warm, creative,and inviting. I find it peaceful to be surrounded by books. Ah,books...
Erin wrote: "Have either almost - or a little over - a 1000 books right now. I prefer paperbacks - easier to store, prettier to store (they're basically the same size, unlike hb's), and I find them much easier ..."wow! that's a lot of books you have there Erin. I feel the same way about books too, I always get that feeling of calm and coziness whenever i am surrounded by books, almost like a safe haven or a world of your own :)
Yes. A house without books is not a home. Cold and sterile in my opinion. I DO have friends that don't read much and that's fine, we just don't have so much to talk about though.
I do collect books. Mostly paperbacks. If I have a series, all the books have to be the same size. I hate it when they switch publishers and they are a different size. Drives me crazy. Also don't like when a book becomes a movie and they out the actors on the cover. That is one thing I love about the HP books. they never changed the covers. At least that I saw.I have issues with space, why I bought a nook. To try out a series then decide to collect or not.
Of course, I'm a bookaholic! My most favourite one addiction. :)
I love to collect books, sort of got a kleptomaniacs approach with it! Hardback or paperback if it is a good enough read to keep in my collection then onto the book shelf it goes, unless its a James Herbert then it automatically goes onto the book shelf never to be given away! The only books that I consider swapping are the books that I haven't enjoyed and there has been a few!
Yes I do and I keep them unless after I've read them I didn't like it. My two biggest collections right now are Stephen King and Comic Books. Lately I've also gotten involved in dystopian novels. I prefer hardback since they hold up better over time and if you hold off on buying them you can get them pretty cheap. I will buy paperbacks though if that is all there is.
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I travel a lot - but I always bring books with me! It's fun to bring books that are appropriate to the trip... historical fiction or fantasy that will mesh with the sights I'll be seeing...
I always bring books that I won't mind leaving behind, so when I'm done I can leave them on the hotel's book-trading shelf for the next guests...