Confessions of a book glutton, day 1.
According to my bank account, I have spent approximately $500 on books in the fourth quarter. I say fourth quarter to make it sound like spending hundreds of dollars on books is my business instead of my addiction. Otherwise the perception might be that I have a problem. Which I don’t. No problemo here, friends. Nothing to look at. Move on….
Confessions, day 2
Today I discover the Japanese word Tsundoku in my Facebook feed. Tsundoku means acquiring reading materials to let pile up, then never reading them. As in: I am guilty of Tsundoku, as evidenced by the $500 worth of books piled around the house.
I have to be in the mood for a book on Saving Capitalism or a best seller about a middle-aged working gal who has suffered heartbreak. Today, for example, I’m in the mood for a good page-turning mystery. Unfortunately, my Tsundoku is sans a mystery novel. Tsundoku normalizes my reading pile. How is having a pile of books not instant comfort?
Confessions, Day 3
Look here! A monthly subscription book service where you get a cloth book (that’s pub speak for “hard back”) and a packet of tea! I could use some tea. Picture this: me, snuggled under a blanket, steaming mug of orange blossom tea sits on the radiator while a Noreaster blows through city streets. If not for my Tsundoku I would go hungry. It’s not like I have piles of tea…
Confessions, Day 4
I’ve got five books going at one time. Is this normal? Google informs me I’m a poly-reader. What?! Maybe I should watch TV.
Confessions, Day 5
On TV I see Jimmy Carter talking with Oprah about his latest book, A Full Life. He’s such a smart, compassionate man. I’ll just sample a chapter in iBooks, take a read before I make a commitment. Wonder if there is a word for piles of chapters stacked in the iCloud?
Confessions, Day 6
Looks like Icelanders do a book exchange on Christmas Eve. And Barnes and Noble emailed me a coupon! Feeling Nordic.
Confessions, Day 7
Sat in the chair I bought for book reading, cat curled up in my lap, books all around. My husband has asked me several times if I want to go to get a coffee from a shop which is located two doors down from a bookstore. Think I’ll pass, I said, the cat is asleep and this book is fantastic. Been hours since I’ve seen him, but I don’t wonder where he’s gotten to. I’ve got so many good friends to keep me company.
