If you're new to The Hardcover Lover or just missed the first few posts, I'll fill you in. HCL Confessions are my discussion posts. Every few weeks, I'll post my thoughts on something going on in the book blogging world or just general bookish thoughts. I know some of the topics that I'll be discussing have been discussed before, but I haven't really had a chance to talk about bookish things on my blog.
I'm encouraging all of my followers to join in and discuss your thoughts on each topic with me and with the other bloggers/people who leave comments. Seriously... we'd love to hear what you have to say because everyone has an opinion! It's all about kindly expressing ourselves and making connections with other bloggers and readers while forming blogging friendships. Don't be afraid to reply to a comment made by someone you've never spoken to! I can promise you that all of my followers are kind and outgoing.
HCL Confession on Book Hauls
Back before I started blogging, I would go book shopping every few months and pick a few new titles. This was pretty manageable for me. If I finished those new books, I'd usually just go to a thrift store or Half Price Books to look for more books to read.
When I started blogging, I became completely immersed in the world of buying books. My first book haul wasn't so bad, but then I started buying books like they were going out of style. It was bad. I'd end up with a Book Outlet coupon and buy boxes full of books. Sometimes I'd even make two or three Book Outlet orders in a week. I'd go to my local Half Price Books and fill multiple baskets. I even went to a Half Price Books across town to look for books that mine didn't have. Why? Because everyone else was buying books and sharing them with their readers, and I wanted to do that too. I wanted to share my new books with my readers.
It's ridiculous to see the shelves and piles of unread books that I have now because I wanted to be in with the "in-crowd" in the Book Blogosphere. I'm not saying that I don't think people shouldn't post their book hauls, but I do think we've become a culture that is too obsessed with having the latest and greatest of everything. But seriously... when am I going to find time to read those books, especially when I have some ARCs to read? The truth is, that I probably won't, and I'll sadly end up parting with a few before I get to read them. I still buy books (and pre-order upcoming titles), but not as many, and I try to read about ten books before I buy any more.
Looking back, I was being wasteful. I spent money like I was rich, which I'm not, and if I could turn back time, I would go back and stop myself from buying all those books. I'd find a way to make myself more frugal.
I'm sure you've also noticed that I stopped posting "Stacking the Shelves" posts around Christmastime. I did this for personal reasons. I felt like I was showing off in those posts, and despite being a Leo, I don't like to be a showoff (but sometimes it's gets the better of me and I am a showoff). I also realized that I was feeling envious when I saw all the books that other bloggers and readers were buying or getting as gifts because I wanted to buy more and more. I didn't want to make anyone feel that way about me. I don't think "Stacking the Shelves" or book haul memes are a bad thing, but they aren't for me. To be honest, I rarely even read them.
Your Confessions
I know this HCL Confession was very personal and I realize that not everyone will agree with me, but I want to hear your thoughts on this matter. Have you ever felt caught up and bought more books than you should have? Are you a person who buys dozens of books at a time? Are you a person who only buys books as you can read them? Do you load up on eBooks because they are cheaper? What are your book buying habits?
Feel free to leave a comment, and take the floor and discuss your book buying habits (good or bad). Your opinion can be opposite of mine or others, but please be courteous with your comments.
I totally understand what you say! I too have a tone of unread books on my selves and I don't know where to start. So for now I decided not too buy many new books and read at least those I really wanted to. The themed read I do on my blog is a good way to short things out.
ReplyDeleteAeriko @ http://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.com
Right? I recently cleaned my room, and I ended up putting so many unread books in crates just to save a little space. I'm definitely working on reading them soon though.
DeleteWhat's your themed read about? That seems fun!
Great post. I do the Stacking the Shelves meme, but not every week. I’d probably be broke and crazy if I bought new books every week. I usually buy books every few months. I order a big box of them, read the whole box, then order another box. I don’t buy a book unless I know 100% that I will read it, and I don’t read ARCs if I have a bunch of unread books sitting around. This has worked pretty well for me so far. My biggest issue is trying to balance my school reading with my personal reading. I get really overwhelmed at times.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
When I buy boxes of books, I get in trouble. I think I've only touched a few of the ones that I bought, but I bought them because I really wanted to read them.
DeleteI do read my ARCs first (or push them ahead) just because I hate missing deadlines. Unfortunately, it cuts into some of the time that I have to read books that I already own.
I hear you on this. I don't buy or borrow books nearly often enough to post regular book hauls or "Stacking the Shelves" posts. I also don't read quickly enough for it to make sense for me to be buying a lot of books all the time, as much as I do love buying books. I really only ever do book hauls on holidays, or if a bunch of preorders come out at once.
ReplyDeleteThat makes complete sense. Like why make a big post for just a few books?
DeleteIn the summer, I buy books like crazy, but it's because I'm reading more. But to buy so many just seems ridiculous to me. Like why? It's fun to buy books, but sometimes, I feel like I'm wasting money if I don't get to read them right away.
I tend to avoid 'Stacking the Shelves' posts, partly because I just don't find them that interesting and partly because I know it'll make me want to buy more books which a. I can't afford and b. I don't need as I have tons to read.
ReplyDeleteI've just started blogging and had similar problems with wanting to read what everyone else is reading, but I think I've mostly managed to curb the urge to go out and buy everything. I also feel like there are so many books I want to get round to reading that I don't need the 'latest thing' straight away because I know I'll get round to it eventually.
I usually avoid them, unless I see someone post about a book that I've already read. But most of the time, they seem show-offy.
DeleteI would definitely recommend reading what you want to read and reading for yourself. It's sometimes no fun when you're trying to keep up with everyone else.
I really understand what you mean! Being as I am just a student with no job, I am limited to the amount of books that I can buy. That usually results to buying more e-books because they are cheaper. If I get carried away, I need to tell myself to calm down a bit.
ReplyDeleteI can relate! I barely bought books for fun when I was in college because I needed my money for groceries and textbooks. I'd sometimes splurge if I was able to get a lot of work study hours, but I was more concerned with being healthy and having some money during those years.
DeleteE-books are great for students, especially when they are like 99 cents or free! They are a great way to save money.
I had to make some serious changes to my book buying as well, right around the new year. I was spending way too much and now I have all these books that are going unread! I couldn't quit entirely, because the releases this year are insane, but I limit myself to a certain amount each month and I just have to keep myself to that. It was hard at first, but I think I'm finally getting used to it :D
ReplyDeleteAs far as posting hauls... I really don't mind. I love seeing what everyone got and as long as they're not showboating then I'll be excited with them!
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who feels like I was going crazy with buying books. I've already bought about ten new releases this year, but at least I'm not ordering boxes of them any more. That was crazy!
DeleteSome bloggers are great about their hauls, and I don't mind those. I just get so annoyed when I keep seeing the same people posting about all of the books that they bought, especially when they just seem so condescending with their posts. :(
What? Why?? I mean yeah, don't live above your budget, but there's nothing wrong with buying books. They are an investment. I plan on giving my books on to my children and teach them to love reading just like my mom taught me. Don't spend money you don't have, but that's in general a thing you should live by. Spending the money you can spare on books instead of something else is pretty alright.
ReplyDeleteHey, it could be cocaine.
I don't think I ever said that there was anything wrong with buying books - just about buying books because you're trying to fit it. That's the problem I was addressing.
DeleteBelieve me, I have thousands of books, but I got caught up in all of the hauling that it became a problem. I'd never tell anyone not to buy books.
I totally agree. When I first starting blogging my book buying got out of control. I feel like it breeds this desire to be up on the latest and greatest book of the moment. That usually means getting new releases or books everyone has been talking about, there's a total FOMO and I've felt that way from time to time. I recently put myself on a book buying ban and I've been pretty good later but I tend to be hopeless when it comes to cheap e-books which then litter my kindle unread.
ReplyDeleteI also feel like I don't do stacking the shelf or book hauls because they're usually not that exciting. I maybe get one or too books a week. And honestly, it's probably one of my least favorite posts I see in the blogosphere. I would rather see a review or a discussion post to a stack of books any day. Sure I have gotten some recommendations through them but it's not what will draw me to a blog.
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally
That's what I think it is, too. Everybody just wants the latest and greatest, and there is nothing wrong with that if you can afford it from month to month.
DeleteI put myself on book buying bans all the time, and I just wish that they would work. I do treat myself to a few new books when my grandma lets me sell some of hers, but other than that, I'm pretty much limiting myself to one to three books a month. It makes everything much more manageable.
I love seeing reviews or discussion posts over haul posts. Like sometimes I never know how to comment on a haul post, and then I just end up feeling awkward for visiting a blog and not leaving a comment.
I submitted this before but it didn't go through so here is the (likely less profound) resubmission:
ReplyDeleteI think this is a process that a lot of bloggers go through whether due to trying to "keep up" or just being more aware of availability. For me the book buying got really bad when I was working at an indie bookstore (hello, employee discount!) and has gotten better since I've had less access.
I also work at a library that gets arcs so I try to be mindful of that and only request (or buy) that which I can realistically read. I used to only buy books I had read--that doesn't always happen now but it's a process.
I don't do stacking the shelves (no time) but I do track my reading/book buying/arcs received in a monthly reading tracker. I'm not sure it's interesting to anyone else but it's been super helpful to me to keep track of what I am reading and acquiring.
OMG. Emma - I just Tweeted you this, but it's been kicking me out when I try to reply to comments, so I think Blogger has a bug. (Again.)
DeleteYou were able to get a discount at your Indie? I asked about that a few months ago when I was looking for extra part time work, but mine doesn't offer employee discounts. It was a bummer, but I do get 10% for being a teacher. That helps.
I'm definitely working on that. Luckily I don't request too many books, but there are a few that I will have to work on to finish before they actually come out. I just don't know what to do about all of those books from Book Outlet. Oops.
I keep track of what I buy so I don't end up with doubles, and I do update some feeds on Goodreads for purchases. I've just lost interest in Stacking the Shelves or weekly hauls. I just hate feeling like a showoff or a loser. lol
I fall into the minority of bloggers who do not buy many books. I do not go on book buying binges. I honestly do not have the time or money to make that happen. Normally, I will do borrowing binges from the local library. But, I have never posted a book haul on my blog and I do not plan to. I think they can create jealousy in the readers, which is not something that I want. I do not want to flaunt the books that I do (or don't) get.
ReplyDeleteTessa, I love that! I tried so hard over the summer to be the type of book blogger who does that, and it really hurt my bank account.
DeleteLibrary hauls are the best because you get all these great books, and you don't have to pay a thing for them (unless the library is out of county).
I agree - I used to get so jealous when I'd see people with books that I wanted, and it's so much nicer when I avoid those posts. I'll still check some out if I see a book that I've read in a thumbnail, but that's pretty much it.
I don't bother with book haul posts anymore either, the way I see it, if I get new ones, I'll post them on Twitter on Instagram or mention them, but I rarely focus on them, I have better things to post you know? BUT, I do notice that I went from hardly buying loads to buying LOADS to then buying hardly any and it's so crazy, but it works for my bank balance, so that's good! Great post Erin!<3
ReplyDeleteThat's what I do, too. I just feel like book haul posts are a waste of space on my blog now.
DeleteMy bank account balance is happier since I've stopped buying books in bulk. I'll get what I really want, and then I'm happy.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Amanda!
I understand where you're coming from with this post. I've been feeling a similar way lately, because those posts don't really have much point, do they? I do share the books I get on Instagram, but I feel a bit weird about it. I had the same experience, I bought SO MANY BOOKS last year that I don't even know where to start (so I'm on a book buying ban!)
ReplyDeleteBut this year I'm trying to be better. I would rather save my pennies, and get books on special occasions :) it allows you to be more picky too, since not every new book is a good one. And I suppose, there is always the library too!
I do occasionally make posts though, because I know a few people who do like them; but it's certainly not a regular occurrence anymore.
- Wattle @ Whimsical Nature
I am definitely okay with seeing book haul posts once in a while, but some people post them every other day, and I'm just like, "Really?"
DeleteAnd yes... the library is always a good place, especially if people are unsure about a book. Like my pap always says, "If it's free, it's for me."