Book Stack Overwhelm
A feeling I'll never get bored of...
This month I promised myself I would NOT buy another book.
Not even a book from a charity shop, which is a tough ask, as there are lots of great charity shops in my local town, with shelves stacked high of books that are on my 2023 wish list.
I have come to the conclusion I simply cannot fit another book into my life. (What a big fat lie!). In all honestly, there is literally no space left on my funky scaffold board bookshelf or on my bedside table or in my weekend bag or in the boot or my car or under my desk or in my ease retreats storage cupboard. If I have a slither of space available, guaranteed there would be a book or three in it.
What does this say about me?! Yes, I have a book problem, but is there such a thing? Can you seriously have too many books in your life? I have a lot of catching up to do, as I was never a big reader as a child. Come to think of it, I found books, or books found me after my second divorce when I turned 41. Best form of therapy!
So I’m wondering if I have a book buying problem? Am I feeling infatuated with book stacks as a form of procrastination? Basically a distraction. Fill my time with finding new and interesting books, so I don’t have the time to write my own book, because I’m too busy reading everyone else’s book. Which is really ridiculous! Get a grip Tanya!
However, I do have to have keep up with ALL the latest publications. Especially as my work involves hosting writing retreats and journaling workshops - even in the name of research - books, old and new, are an essential tool for my job, so I can actually make a living.
I was pondering over the fact earlier, that all I buy these days is food, fuel and books. I can’t remember the last time I bought a new item of clothing, a new pair of shoes, or a beauty product. I’ve even stopped going to the hair salon (but that’s mainly because I want to grow my hair really long and my hair stylist, who is also a very good friend, says I suit shorter hair). So I’m avoiding an appointment with Little Miss Scissor hands!
This doesn’t bother me one little bit. The lack of consumerism in my life. I could quite happily avoid the supermarket and avoid having to food stop, but I do have 2 hungry boys and one very hungry man to feed. So it’s probably best I don’t give up on supermarket sweep just yet.
Books make me happy. End of.
Do I even need to explain why I have so many books in my life?! As nobody is on my case, my family don’t seem to comment. They just roll their eyes when I’m not home on time, because they know I’m either in a book shop, library or book shop cafe hiding behind a stack of books.
My happy place is with a book, even more so, if it’s on a beach with a book.
I love the variety of books I own, the broad spectrum of subjects, the eccentric mix of writers I’m interested in and the bright wash of colour that my books bring into my morning.
Who would'n’t get a kick out of glancing over shelves and shelves and stacks and stacks of books?! Oh dear, maybe I do have a bit of a book problem.
But, this is the thing, recently I have felt a little overwhelmed. Is there such a thing as book overwhelm?! And I wonder why I feel like this all of a sudden? Do you suffer from this feeling at all? Do you ever feel guilty about the amount of unread books you have on your book shelves or coffee table? Or do you manage to read every book that enters your home? I’d love to know what you think about this all? Do you have a book buying habit and if so are you considering a book detox?
Truth be told, I don’t think my book stack is going to shrink. This month, so far I haven’t bought any books, but I have been gifted a few. Mainly from friends and family, from a book club I’m a member of and from the local library box down the road. So whatever I plan to do, to reduce the amount of books I buy, I think books will find me whether I make an effect to avoid them or not.
The best book that I was gifted this month is a belter!
You might know this already but… my lovely friend Sam Baker, who is a writer and broadcaster and the ex editor of Cosmopolitan and RED magazine, is coming over to Substack. Sam is a remarkable women and you’ll love her newsletter! I’m not sure which date she launches, but in the meantime you should check out her brilliant podcast The Shift - which aims to tell the truth about being a woman post-40! She also hosts a brilliant book club which is super fun, our book of the month is the BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin, I literally cannot wait to dive into this book. It sounds like the perfect juicy read for an alfresco Summer evening in the garden with a G&T. Who’s joining me?
Now I best go and sort out some of my recent ‘book bags’ that I take with me on my writing retreats. Ooh and if you’re interested, I’m collaborating with Nell Frizzell in September, where we shall be hosting a writing day retreat on a boat steamer along the river in Oxford. Nell will be hosting masterclasses about Writing Motherhood with ease. I cannot wait!
Until the next time, take care and stay safe xxx
Books are probably my biggest expense but they make me happy!
I admit, I am a book addict too. And the more I read, the more books I put on my list. I often sell them again, so I don‘t feel too bad to spend so much money on books. But we could do much worse than just being book junkies, right?