"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes."
Way Overdue Update
12 years ago
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I have an addiction. It is called "buying books". I have nothing against libraries, but I much prefer to have my own copy of the book(s) I'm reading. I just bought Barnes and Noble editions of "Nicholas Nickelby" and "Tess of the D'urbervilles" from Amazon.com (the latter is a recent addition to my reading list which may have to take the place of "Nicholas..." temporarily as he is currently out of stock at Amazon). I am now fluctuating between having serious "buyer's guilt" and then justifying my purchases with the rationale that I need these books in order to successfully complete my reading list. I think Erasmus said it best:
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3 comments:
I can identify. Last year I bought perhaps dozens of books, ones I had no intention of reading anytime soon. But the prices were just right, and titles I wanted to read eventually. Besides, if I perished, these would be left to my friends, whereas my bank account would be frozen useless.
But as the pile looms larger upon the mantle, a version of the old adage comes back, "a book in the hand is worth two on the shelf." Let us buy many, and read more.
How is your resolution to read going so far, if I may ask? I think Graeme has slowed down compared to last year, while I'm more consistent than before. Ryan is probably rowing at the same strong pace. Where do your efforts find you, and what are you learning that the world should know?
Hannah and Michael,
I just wrote the post I wrote without having looked here first. Humorous.
I have no "buyer's guilt" because I have it fixed in my head that, yes, one day I am going to need these books when someone says to me, "I won't hear anything you have to say on the topic until you have read the book," and when they say that, voila there's the book on my shelf ready for me to mark up and write notes in. Also all of these books will be immediately donated to either a missionary society who value's books (like Heart Cry) or a library that needs it when I pass not so very long from now.
I see no reason to regret building a book legacy both in that you will grow culturally and in your knowledge of God as you go along. I grow in my knowledge of the world every time I read an author who is out in left field (like that fiendish dog Emerson and his friends) and am better able to speak to all walks of life for it. I grow personally in sanctification every time I read theology. I get a grander view of God's plan for life every time I read history and biography. I release endorphins every time I read a comic book or fiction. And hey, I like to buy books and collect books. So long as my wife and I eat, our bills get paid, and a proper portion of my funds go to God and His causes, I don't see a reason not to buy books!
Though it took me some time and honing of my book buying skills before I came to this place. One piece of advice, never buy books new unless you absolutely have to or have a hook up that can get them for you at cost. That is a quick way to feel awful about buying books.
"Never buy books new unless you absolutely have to or have a hook up that can get them for you at cost."
I break that rule constantly. And yet, the awful feeling has not come... but if you have hook-ups, let me know!
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