How can I stop buying books?

Question

I am addicted to books! I cannot go a whole day without reading at least 1 page from a book, and everytime I walk by a bookstore, I am tempted to go in and buy books...Bookstores and books are like drugs to me! I spend a lot of money on books, and I just can't help myself! It also takes away from my studying because, instead of doing my homework and studying, all I do is read or think about reading! There are about 3 bookstores on my college campus, & whenever I have some spare time, I go to one of them & sit there reading!

Any suggestions on how I can "cut down" on books? Thanks :)

(Please, no rude answers would be greatly appreciated)

Answer 1

I know the feeling. I am the same way. They don't call it "book lust" for nothing. It just kills me to walk past a bookstore - but it's even worse to go inside and not buy anything.

For awhile, I had a "to be read" pile stacked about 10 deep because I couldn't read them as fast as I bought 'em - at stores, at library used book sales, etc.

What I wound up doing is telling myself I had to read all of those before I was "allowed" to buy anything new. I've also looked at what new releases are expected out in a certain season and pick ahead of time which one (and only one!) I'm going to buy.

It helps for me to actually write out a list of books I've been meaning to get around to reading. I try to get them out of the library or a used book sale if I can - and just steadily keep chipping away at it. (Of course, I'm always ADDING new books too. But sometimes, by the time it's been on my list a while, I find I'm not as interested in a title as I was at the beginning and I find something better to read.)

But, seriously, if you find that you can't go into a bookstore without buying anything, steer clear of them for awhile. It's like an alcoholic not being able to take a sip without falling off the wagon - it's sometimes easier to stay away completely from something that tempts you than to try to be moderate.

Answer 2

Continual shopping might be the problem. But if it's truly reading you're looking for then why not try the Internet. It's the biggest, free, and accessible library in the world. So instead of spending all that time and money sit down at you computer. When I was going to grad school I used to do the same thing. Shopping for books was my way of blowing off pressure and perhaps boredom. If it's a question of what you think your addiction is, I'd say the shopping; and that's a sign of deeper things ( as most addictions are). I hope your reading some good material. There's nothing the matter with reading but too much of anything over and over again might not be so good. Balancing many different things and getting variety in ones live and making sure it's not being used as an escape from something else is hard to do at first but with attention and self- care yo can work through it.

Answer 3

I don't know about cutting down on reading (I read an awful lot myself) but here are a few suggestions to cut down on buying books and spending so much:

1) Your college probably has a library, use that to borrow books instead of buying them.
2) As you've figured out, you can sit in the bookstores and read without buying the books!
3)Only buy second-hand books - that way you'll spend a lot less.

As far as reading having an impact on your studying, a love of reading should be an asset! Try and increase the amount of reading you do which is relevant to your course, even if it's not assigned material it will help increase your overall knowledge. Ask your professors for book recommendations, think beyond the textbook! Ration out your reading and use it as a reward for meeting study goals. If you read short stories or chaptered books you can always allow yourself to read one chaper/story for each assigned reading you complete, each problem set, each page of a paper you write.

I have the same problem, and I graduated from college just fine, don't worry! :)

Answer 4

Hey I totally sympathise with you. I too spend way too much money on books - and yes I love reading as well. It doesn't help that there are several remainder shops around my home & work place. Books in excellent condition and at 1/3 normal price.
The only time I don't buy books is when I have no money. *sigh*.

I do have a library card, but I've read all the books I want to at the local branch, and some interloans can take weeks to come in. Also I've noticed that a number of specialised books I want to read, are not even listed in the library catalogue, so I usually end up buying them. By specialised, I mean specific topics - usually historical or scientific.

I'm just writing in support of your addiction. When you find the cure to overspending on books, please let me know.

Answer 5

This is a suggestion to stop book buying.... I can't help you stop reading. Think about a big purchase that you have been wanting to make for a while, (a nice pair of boots, a trip to Hawaii, paying off a high intrest credit car eg) Just add up the amount you spend in books over the course of a year, lets say $10.00 per book, buying 1 book a week that's $520.00. Try getting your books from the library. If you want to read it again, just go back and get it. A lot of libraries let you request your books online (even brand new ones) In my town if the library doen't have a book that you would like to read, simply ask the librarian, and they can order it for you. Hope this helps

Answer 6

I used to think like you during my college years some 30 years ago and what I could do then was by making a practical plan of reducing the visits to bookstores or buying only the essential books in the long run.

I know every good bookstores always entice us to have a look inside and, of course, there must be a book or some you've been waiting for a long time. As for me today I went to Bookazine Bookstore at Ploenchit branch in Bangkok and a hardback entitled "An End To Suffering: The Buddha In the World" by Pankaj Mishra was on sale there, it cost only THB 199 (about US$ 5) from its original price of US$ 25.00! I've been waiting to buy and read this book since last year but I kept telling myself I could wait, and I'm lucky today.

I also bought "The Story of the Stone Volume IV" by Cao Xueqin and Gao E (translated by John Minford) to complete my five-volume paperback set published by Penguin Books.

As you can see, buying books to read is part of our enjoyment and, of course, we collect them in our private library. A suggestion from me is that you might set a goal to finish doing like your reports or homework by the deadline, then you can reward yourself with a book written by your favorite author. However, you might extend the deadline to 2 weeks or 4 weeks as you wish.

It's a good addiction, therefore, it's a matter of apt timing, wise judgment and practical plan.

Answer 7

Hmm...reading. I think you were gifted. I'd like to be able to pick any book off the shelf and sit down and read it...but my styles are picky. I never heard of this question in my life but I think what you need to do is just hold back. It's hard to break off an addiction, but ultimately in the end you can force yourself to do or not do something. Maybe you can turn it into a reward? If you study and get a high score on a test treat yourself to a brand new book!

Answer 8

Try a used bookstore. You can purchase your books at a very discounted rate. That way you can own lots of books and it won't break the bank. Also make a list in order of the books that you really want to read. Limit yourself to only reading the books on that list and allowing yourself to only add one book every so often. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I additionally purchase books everytime i bypass out the place there are books. in basic terms this month I even have spent over $2 hundred.00 on books!!! I even have not examine all of them yet yet i will!!! I dont understand the thank you to stop lol yet i like to envision so as which would be why. contemplate whether there's a place to get help with no longer procuring books each and every time i bypass someplace the place there is books! lol

Answer 10

Don't bring any money or leave a note in your wallet reminding you not to.

Go to the library often. Or just don't go into the bookstores. It's great that you like books that much! You might want to write a note on your hand.