Why I should be banned from bookshops?

That’s why:

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I just went for a Sunday walk in the park, when I was coming back home I innocently thought ‘I have some change, so let’s change it into books’. I ended up spending double that and pretty much filled my next month reading 😉

That’s why I’m starting to think that charity shops and bookstores maybe should have my picture pinned on the wall under the label ‘We do not serve those clients’… The only way I got off with only 7 books was the fact that I only went through three shelves and closed my eyes as I was going to pay for them (not the safest thing in a cluttered charity shop). Of course I have a logical explanation too – my bookshelves were recently rearranged and I took some books away to my family home and the bookshelf just looked empty/hungry, so I had to feed it (ok, now I’m not sure it can pass for a ‘logical’)

Do you have those innocent thoughts sometimes? Did you like/hate any of those books?

 

25 thoughts on “Why I should be banned from bookshops?

    1. Thanks! Good luck with the detox! I did it in the first quarter and this happened as soon as it ended 😉 I just love books, but I’ll try to steer clear of bookstores at least until I finish half of this haul.

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  1. A Bookish Girl

    My innocent thoughts come in a few flavours: The I have plenty of books and need to pass some time, I could just peruse for a bit one; The I just got paid and despite having bills and such I earned a book after all this hard work; The let’s go for a walk downtown to enjoy the sun…oh! the bookstore is open?

    It seriously has become a bit of a problem. I have a pile of new-to-me, completely untouched to-date books in every room. It might be a hoarding issue, but I blame it on the two empty bookshelves my in-laws called and said we could have…

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  2. You are not alone! I spend a ridiculous amount in charity bookshops. I’ve never used the ‘hungry bookshelves’ excuse before but I will keep it in mind if mine ever reach a stage where they’re not stuffed full 😀

    Great haul – I’ve not read the Tyler although I did pick up a copy (in a charity bookshop!) but the others are all great!

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    1. I’m just reading Taylor and I think I may finish today or tomorrow, very quick read! Or maybe the rest of my haul motivates me to read faster 😉
      Hungry bookshelves definitely need help! (Mine got hungry by just being reorganized smarter, magically empty space appeared! I may reorganize more…)

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  3. The only one I’ve read is Beloved and it blew me away – but I’d like to read all the rest. What a great haul! I try to stay as far away from charity shops as possible – when I take books to them I try to run in, throw them at the poor counter clerk, and run…

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    1. That’s exactly why I take my books to charity shop quite rarely ( that and the hoarder instinct), last time I was procrastonating it for so long that I had a full backpack and 2 bags, it was not light at all 😉 looking forward to reading Beloved.

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  4. I had mixed feelings about White Teeth and Cloud Atlas – but I know many people who loved in. Kate Atkinson’s short stories are gorgeous, and as an erstwhile charity finance office I have to applaud you. I try to be selective, but I shall always buy books because if book-lovers don’t support the book trade who will?!

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    1. That’s so true! Now I feel it’s my duty to buy more books this weekend 😉
      I only read Life after Life, so I was really curious about the short stories and it’s a lovely edition and looks like new!

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  5. Oh yes, this happens to me a lot. I have learned that it’s good for me, so now I don’t have to feel guilty. 🙂
    Looks like you got some good ones – most of them are on my to-read list. The only one I’ve read is On Chesil Beach, which surprised me in a good way.

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    1. Haha, it’s good to me up to a point when I hoard so many books they end up in piles on the floor and make moving around difficult, that’s why I’m trying to get it under control. But you’re right I can always say I did something good for my mind!
      McEwan will be my second read, I’ll probably start it today just after I finish Tyler.

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  6. Sarah

    Nice haul! I love the idea of feeding your hungry bookshelves (bookmarking that excuse for later 😉 ) I’m another who didn’t get on with White Teeth, although I’ve been bowled over by some of Zadie Smith’s other novels. I look forward to reading your reviews!

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  7. sunroseclear

    Thumbs up to Cloud Atlas, which I think you’ll appreciate? And I’ve been on a Wodehouse spree lately. Always cheers me up and gives new scope to my slang. What ho, what ho!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. sunroseclear

        Hah – actually, I thought I was commenting on a good friend’s blog – no idea if you’ll like Cloud Atlas! Hope so. But I challenge anyone not to be charmed by Wodehouse.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. The Reading Bug

    I thought Cloud Atlas was really cleverly constructed, and very original – I have made a point of reading whatever Mitchell publishes since, although so far he has not made the some impression. Beloved is wonderful, powerful stuff – by coincidence I read it earlier this month. I think On Chesil Beach is one of McEwan’s best – he can be hit or miss but for me this was a definite hit. Hope you enjoy them.

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  9. I’ve never found a way of stopping my To Be Read pile from growing.

    “Spool of Blue Thread” disappointed me. Wodehouse always works. I’m in love with anything by Kate Atkinson (although this one is part of series so I’d make myself read them in order.

    Zadie Smith has been on my shelves forever but never opened

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  10. Well I /think your haul was full of winners. Cloud Atlas is special. The only problem with Mitchell is his hardbacks are tall and thick and take the space of two paperbacks and more. He has elbowed others into the charity shop to make space for himself, as he is worth keeping and re reading for sure!

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