Book Fast

[julieandrews]

Starting after Wiscon, June 1st, I'm going on a book fast. For two months. The rules are as follows.

1. If it's in the house already, I can read it.
2. If it's a book to read for Triple Take, I can borrow/buy it to read it.
3. If a book I have on hold at the library comes in, I can check it out, but it has to stay at the library.
4. No other books can be checked out, even if left at the library. Unless it's for work.
5. If books come in the mail, well, what am I going to do, leave them outside in the rain?!
6. I cannot order any new books. Exceptions may be made for pre-orders for books coming out in August or later. We'll see.
7. If I need a book for class, obviously I can acquire that.

All of this above also applies to ebooks and audiobooks. It does not apply to DVDs. I may later regret that.

What I'm undecided on is if I should return all the library books I currently have out before I start this. Or at least return the overdue ones. I could easily live off the ones I have for 2 months, without even digging into my own personal books.

What does the peanut gallery think?

ETA: I forgot to add why I'm doing this. It's because I borrow books from the library faster than I can read them. And I buy books from all sorts of sources. It's bad, me having some money! I have more duplicate books than I probably even think I do, just because I would buy it, not read it, then forgot I bought it, and buy it again.

Bonus points: Bonus points for me if I actually get rid of some books!

Comments

[chiieddy.livejournal.com]

I think you should return your overdue books, whether or not you're done reading them by a certain deadline date. Give yourself a week or so to finish them off and that's it. You can check them out again another time.

I think you should go through your collection of books and anything you haven't touched in 5 years, put up on Paperbackswap. You might want to do this in batches due to potential postage costs.

In the future, duplicate your Amazon Wishlist on PBS and see what pops up. The credits you have from your book purge should last you awhile. If a book is high demand on PBS, repost it when you're done reading it and spread the love!

[julieandrews.livejournal.com]

I may not be a book collector, but I am a book hoarder. Just because I haven't touched it doesn't mean I'm not going to (re)read it!

When I said get rid of books, I meant duplicates, or ones that I look at and go 'why the heck did I buy that?'

I also, I think it was last year, threw out a couple of books that were in bad shape. Working in a library at least did that for me. Books can and are thrown out on a regular basis. Just because you _can_ read it, doesn't mean it's worth saving from the trash. Especially if it's got mold. That'll just infect other books.

[tomomi.livejournal.com]

I think this is a good idea.

Especially if you combine it with examining your current collection with the express idea of weeding. Weeding wtf books, or ancient textbooks, duplicates or even triplicates. I wouldn't be surprised. :)

[julieandrews.livejournal.com]

That stack of textbooks.. man. I know those were so freaking expensive. Yet no one would want them now. So it's either keep them for potential usefulness or toss them.

I would not be surprised by triplicates. Quadruplicates might surprise me.

[tomomi.livejournal.com]

I know. It's why I still have so many of my textbooks. :( It makes me sad to toss a book that cost me $75.