On Not Buying Books

After I bought or received an excessive amount of books 2 weeks ago, I declared a book buying ban for the rest of the month on January. With overflowing bookshelves, stacks that are about to topple over and reviews that need to be written, I thought that it was necessary. So far it has been a success, but it has been a struggle too. I'm not purchasing books, checking books from the library or making any requests from NetGalley. Swapping is an option, but I'm trying to not do that either. Let me say that it has been difficult. This is probably the longest I have gone without buying books. But there have been temptations.

Yesterday, I worked overtime to try to dig myself out of the mountains of paperwork. It is probably one of the busiest times of the year for me and there is so much to do and not enough time to do it. I have a feeling I will be spending the next several Saturday's in the office. What does this have to do with my buying books? Well the entire time I was at work, I kept thinking about how great it would be to check to see if there were any book sales at the local bookstore. I was sure that buying a few books would make me feel better about working the long hours and that I deserved a little treat. I thought that I needed a little retail therapy and of course books are my go to remedy. I'm proud to say that I didn't even go to the bookstore, but I wanted to. Oh, did I want to.

Then late last night, I was looking at Barnes and Noble website to see what books I might want to buy once the book buying ban is over - I've been making a list. When I'm not buying books or reading books, I'm making lists about books. Anyway, my husband walks into the room (having just come home from work) and all I say is, "I want to buy some books." No, "Hi honey, how was work?" or "I'm glad your home." Just "I want to buy some books." Then he asks me which ones, I name the first two that came to mind and he says, "OK, pick out 3 and I'll get them for you." I start to waiver, as I do every time he does this. I feel guilty when he buys me books when I have so many that I still need to read. Sensing my hesitation, he then said, "Pick them now or I'm taking back the offer." I frantically (yes frantically like I'm on some soft of a binder) start to add them to my online shopping cart. It's so easy to just click, click, click and I'll have some new books on the way to my house. But even though I want some books, giving in to the ban really wasn't what I wanted.  I truly want to see if I go make it to the end of the month without buying any books. So I emptied the online cart and I don't have any books on the way to my house.

So, even with need for fulfillment and enticing offer, week two of the book buying ban has been a success. I only have one more week to go. I just hope that I don't go all crazyboots and buy every book that I want. I really want to start being more thoughtful in the books I do decide to buy. I'm hoping this is something I can gain from this whole experience.