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.
