Can a person read too many books? Is the phrase too many books an oxymoron?
Have you ever bought the same book twice? I plead guilty, but I blamed it on the fact the publisher gave the novel a handsome new cover. Still, shouldn’t I have recalled the title by an author I liked.
A friend gave me some sound advice. A prolific reader, she told me she jots down every book title and author and indicates whether or not she enjoyed it. I started my own list several years ago, but somewhere along the way I forgot and am I’m back to my old haphazard ways.
Around my birthday in July, I decided to treat myself and I ordered several novels online. My sister kindly brought me more books as a present. Around at the same time, a book arrived wrapped in flimsy brown paper with only the return address, from a small town in Maine and the name C. Sonia. No receipt and no note inside. Weird.
Eventually, I noticed on an Amazon receipt that I’d ordered the book; apparently it was from an independent bookseller. Odd that the person didn’t wrap it with more care, put the name of the bookstore, or include a receipt. Still stranger is the fact that I’d ordered a book I’d already forgotten about. Not a good sign.
I use the public library but I often underline phrases and insert question marks, so I wish to hang on to the book. I do sift through my collection occasionally and put books I’ll never read again in the giveaway box. Yet it doesn’t stop me from accumulating more.
How about you? Have you developed a system for remembering what books you’ve read, including those you’ve borrowed from the library? Did you move into a house with a basement bookshelf you’ve managed to fill as we did? Still have your kids’ childhood books that hold sentimental value to you but not to them? Is there any use in hanging on to a set of outdated encyclopedia Britannica? These photos are just the tip of the iceberg!
Leave a comment and enter to win a book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. Three lucky winners may choose their choice of Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! USA and Canada. Winners have one week to respond.
Congratulations to last week’s three winners: Sharma D, Lois A, & Rose G! I will email each of you. Thank you everyone who entered. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments!
After having gotten my Kindle Fire for Christmas a few years ago I began getting books for it at a record pace. Now after finishing a book I will write down in a special notebook the title and author’s name. This way I can keep track of the books I read each year. I also keep track of things on Goodreads. That way if I lose my notebook there is always backup!
Very logical and helpful, Kristi! Okay, so I’m not very organized and need to get a system. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Would really love to win I am already reading Leaving Lancaster and would love to win either of the others. I plan to write a review when I finish. Thank you for sharing!
I’d love you to win another novel in the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, Donna! Thanks for your offer to review Leaving Lancaster, if you like it! Good luck in the book giveaway!
Looks like my two book cases ! There is NEVER a need to hide chocolate…. Just eat all of it !
I hide my chocolate so no one helps themselves, Rita! I know, not very generous, but I don’t ever want to run out. Fortunately my husband doesn’t like it. Thanks for writing!
Would so love to help you by taking some books off your hands.
Thanks for writing and entering the book giveaway, Bonnie!
I usually keep up with the books I read by using goodreads. If I’m at the library I always go to goodreads and see what I have I want to read and what I have done read. Thanks for the chance to win one of your lovely books.
It sounds as though you have an excellent system, Paula! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the book giveaway!
My bookshelves are very full but there’s always room for more! And, yes, just eat the chocolate!!
Another book and chocolate lover, Sharrie! Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
Wow, sounds like me. I have two bookshelves that are groaning under the weight of so many books PLUS a huge stack right by my night stand. Books to me are like old friends, why get rid of them when you may want to have more conversations with them, i.e. rereading them? 🙂
I like the way you think, Lisa! Many times I have wanted another conversation with one. Recently, I looked all over for something to read and realized I had given some good ones away. What was I thinking? Or are they hiding somewhere? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I always say I am going to thin down my books only to buy more. I can’t seem to part with them because I know I will read many of them again and again. The sad think is my husband bought me a Kindle so I could cut back on my book storing problem, but I just filled that up too. lol
My husband bought me an iPad so I could be downloading books too, Marg! I haven’t filled mine, but I just got it about the time my sister gave me several books and I also bought books … Thanks for your comment and for entering the giveaway!
I now have a journal that I write down the books that I read and I put an x by the ones that I don’t really like. I too buy books at yard sales, thrift stores etc. and i give books away and yes i get the same books sometimes. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Sharma Darby
I really am going to have to get a journal/notebook to write down the books I’ve read, Sharma! Sheets of paper are not working. Putting an X by the ones you don’t like is a great idea. Thanks for writing!
In answer to one of your questions. Yes, I have a list on my computer where I keep a lits of the books I buy, win, gifts given to me, in alpha order of authors, date I started reading it, date I finished it, and I have it printed out and take with me when I go shopping for more books. Otherwise I have purchased a book I had already had and read, but have read so many, had to do this. So I end up passing the duplicates on to relatives and friends. Every time I get a book it goes on my computer list. Thank you for this opportunity to win another book/friend. I have asked myself the question can we read too many and wear our brain out. Have read several hundred so don’t know the answer yet.
You will not wear your brain out, Juanita, just the opposite! Compared to watching a dumb reality show, reading is far superior. (I do watch TV sometimes.) You are obviously very organized and an ingenious person! I love your system. Thanks for your comment and for entering the giveaway!
I don’t have a system but do i need one. I am worst then you I bought same book 3 times. Glad I have family loves to read nice gifts. So was not a total loss. I don’t think we can ever have enough books to read. Love reading.
Blessings
Diana
You have outdone me, Diana! That book must of had a tantalizing cover or title. A publisher’s dream come true. Thanks for writing and bless you!
I weeded all my books out about a year ago and gave them to our book sale at the library. I thought I’ll just read on kindle and I do. Let me tell you the books are creeping back in and fast!
I have a mighty load of weeding a head of me, Vickie! Interesting that books are creeping back in … Thanks for entering the giveaway!
When I moved a few years ago I had so many books, I just didn’t know what to do with them. My daughter in law told me they have a book swap at work. That worked out great. Gave pleasure to other people. Now I have a kindle.
Your daughter’s idea of the book swap at work was super, Pauline! Sometimes I swap with the authors in my writing group. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
I have so many books and its like they are my friends i hate parting with them, i gave 72 too the church yard sale and it didnt make a dent, i share with my daughter and a friend, and still have 4 book cases full and double rows and now i say i sure hope i will this give away
Shirley Blanchard jcisforme@aol.com
I love to read and i just have a hard time parting with a book, and i would love to win this give away. too many books yep i do but they are my friends
Shirley Blanchard
I’m attached to my books too, Shirley! Thanks for your comment and for entering the book giveaway!
“Have you developed a system for remembering what books you’ve read, including those you’ve borrowed from the library? “
I have been using Word and Goodreads.com to keep me up to date. Word is getting hard to keep up with since it really is double work, so I might stop using it. The only thing I really like with it is that I can keep the series together easier. I love that in Goodreads you can make as many shelves as you need and you can have the same book on different shelves. For example, I have both editions of “An Amish Christmas” (the 3 and 4 story editions) by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron, Kelly Long listed under read, Amish, own, won, group-read.
Sounds like you’ve come up with a very good strategy, Barbara! I noticed an Amish Christmas book I haven’t read so I bought it last week online with the intent of reading it as Christmas approaches. But, how to remember? Thank you for your comment and entering the book giveaway!
I love to read and I love to collect books too! I have two big bookshelfs full of books and boxes of boxes in the closets and under beds.
In closets and under the bed too, Kathy? You’ve got me beat. Thanks for writing and entering the book giveaway!
Yes I’m guilty of having the same book because I’ve forgotten. Good reads is helping me keep track. Today I saw a book at the store and I couldn’t remember if I read it so I looked at publication date and decided I had read it. A lot of covers change or with the Amish stories covers are similar so it gets confusing.I also have no room on my small bookcases so now that I have an empty room New big bookcase is in the future
An empty room with a new big bookcase in the future, the Donita? Sounds heavenly! Thanks for writing, even if it did make me a little jealous. Good luck in the giveaway! I won’t hold it against you as winners are chosen at random. Thanks for writing!
I don’t think you can have too may books! I love to read and love a good Amish book especially!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the book giveaway, Sheila!
Well I wrote a post but it didn’t seen to go through . If it did just forget this one . No I don’t think you can have to many books and yes I have gotten some more than one tine . I cleaned out and had a yard sale and got rid of a lot of my older books .. I just can’t seem to do that now . I wNr to keep my books from my favorite authors and most are signed . I love this series , have started the first one and it is good . I would live to win the second in the series .. Thank you for all your give always .
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Now I see the other one . Sorry please just delete one . Thanks . I tried to but would not let me .
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Leaving Lancaster! Thanks for your comment and entering the giveaway, Elizabeth!
My husband tells me I have way too many books. Is there such a thing? They are everywhere. Bookshelves, floor, chairs, stacked almost to ceiling. I love to read and am now reviewing every book as I complete it. Amish stories are one of my favorites.
It’s hard when your spouse finds an abundance of books annoying, Gail! Sounds like you do have quite a collection. But books are a lot smaller than cars. I know men who have car collections … Thanks for your comment and for entering the giveaway!
in my book you can never have to many books.i love to read and have read the same book more than once.i’m also bad about buying the same book .some books i read more than once by choice a eally good one
You make me feel better about my massive accumulation, Debbie. But I really am going to try to get more organized. A woman asked me yesterday if I had read several books. The titles were all familiar but I couldn’t quite remember … Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
We can never have too many books, because there is always time to read a book at one time or another…
It seems I don’t have enough time to read, Rose. I do most of my reading in the evening and then I get sleepy … which is a beautiful thing, but it means I read slowly. And I often have more than one book going at a time, since I’m doing research. Thanks for commenting!
I would love to have a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork! Yes, I have books, books, and more books! I keep a listing of newer books I have that I haven’t read. After reading, I remove it from the list. Offer for library book sales in the Fall, or sharing with friends. I like your shelf of keeper resource books and those beautiful bound classics. Most of all I would like quilting scraps for my stars! Hmmm… guess I’m off the subject, heehee. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Quilting scraps are always a good subject, Kathleen! Great idea to keep a list of books you have not read. Sometimes I’ll think: What was the name of that book someone recommended? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Guilty, I don’t have a system except for that tiny little DS I put inside the front cover. Many times I realize I’ve read the book but it’s so good I read it again anyway. My ereader does mark them as read.. And yes, my bookshelves look just like yours 🙂 Would love to read another of your books….
I would love you to read another of my books, Deanna! I re-read a novel recently and it had been long enough that I couldn’t remember the ending. Perfect. And well written too. thanks for your comment and for entering the book giveaway!
One can never have too many books! Love going back and re reading them. I dont have much of a system to remember them all, but i do take time at looking what new books are coming out to buy for reading and normally carry the list of new books released before hitting the book stores.
Wonderful that you love going back and rereading books, Chrissy! I wonder how long a person should wait before rereading a novel. Good for you for carrying a shopping list before hitting the bookstores! Great idea. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
One can never have too many books although my youngest son says I do.
My sons would probably say the same thing and they are most likely a lot older, Virginia! Actually, our older son has turned into an avid reader of sci-fi and fantasy. His mother-in-law enjoys reading it too. Not my cup of tea, but it is reading, rather than being glued to the TV, and I know many enjoy it. Thanks for your comment and entering the giveaway!
When I moved last year I donated most of the books I had read to the library or gave to friends. I am thankful for my Kindle which enables me to have hundreds of books without taking up any space. I do still have a few paper books but not many.
I have a friend who is moving today, thus she has given away many books. I called her last night to see if she had a copy of one and she chuckled. Not anymore, she said. She also uses the library often as do several of my friends, who rave about how easy it is to download books. My problem is I like to underline and make notes in the margins for future use. A question, Jean: If you lose your Kindle what happens to the books? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I have a small house and I have books stashed everywhere,bookshelves,drawers,tables,and even storage containers.I ham in the process of having to downsize because of the fact I have nowhere else to put them.There are many that I just cannot part with.I love meeting people that loves books as much as I do.I have always told my children that they can learn anything through a book.
Sage advice, Jackie! I think kids are so used to looking up everything on the Internet these days. Wikipedia is not considered a viable source for information, as most teachers will agree. So no use putting an article from it as a resource in a school term paper. And I have found that the majority of information about the Amish on the Internet, save a few websites, is not true, when I ask Amish people themselves. Thanks for writing!
I also love books and have many books. I will read a book more than once if it is an interesting book.
I also reread books, Terri! An author told me yesterday there are some she rereads often. So, all the more reason to hang on to books I consider interesting and well-written. Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
I had a flood in my basement so that took care of a lot of books stored there. However, I now have a Kindle and have made a folder on my Kindle of books read. I also try to share books with friends/family after I read a book unless it’s autographed by the author. It is easy to re-buy a book that you’ve read ’cause it’s an author you like or the cover is appealing. I think if the pictures on your post are an indication of how many books you have, I can say–You win! I would love to win Forever Amish, thank you for the opportunity! Linda
Oh, dear, Linda! Losing books to a flood would be awful. I didn’t know you could make a folder on your Kindle. I hate to admit that I did not photograph all our books. I seem to have them stacked under every coffee-table. I would love you to read Forever Amish. Good luck in the giveaway!
Too many books? No way!
I’ve started keeping a list of book titles and authors as soon as I’m done with the book.
Blessings!
Thanks for supporting me in my ever accumulating books stash, Emily! Who needs to live with this guilt? I will get my old list out and update it the way you do. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I have already won FOREVER AMISH but would love the 2nd one in the series! I have the first one on my Kindle! But as of right now I keep all my books! I have 2 bedrooms that I turned into libraries! I got all of my books wrote down in 2 notebooks alphabetical order according to the authors! I leave room for the new books and always mark the ones that I’ve read! When I go shopping I take my notebooks with me!
Oh, my, two rooms turned into libraries, Brenda. Wonderful! You are so smart and organized. I can see I need to emulate you. Thanks for writing with this great advice!
I love to read, and you can never have to many books. My one grandson is always telling me to get my nose out of my book, or if he calls me he will ask me what I am doing, and if I say I am reading he will say Grama you always have your nose in a book. My answer to him is that my books take me on adventures.
How fun that your grandson tells you you read too much, Deb! Your answer is perfect. Books do take us on adventures, places and people we’d never ordinarily meet. I hope he discovers that someday. There are so many other distractions for kids these days. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Really want Forever Amish, have read the first 2, and I just cleaned out my book stash to make room for it!
I want you to have a copy of Forever Amish, Loretta! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I would love to have a big room with a lot of shelves to put books on. I love to read and have several books but I also borrow books from my sister. I would like to help take some of the “extra” books from you. Thanks for this giveaway!
Me too, Donna! I’d love to have a big room, the walls covered with shelves. My sister also lends me books And is a great resource. I’m not sure you would want any of my extra books unless you’re looking for an outdated set of encyclopedias. Really, why do I hang onto them? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I love to read and have many books. Some I ‘he read and some still waiting to read. Plus I have a kindle so I have a lot of books on it as well. I have never made a list of books read and the authors but it sounds like a good idea. Will try it.
Much reading pleasure awaits you, Polly! Thanks for writing and entering the book giveaway!
Yes, I have definitely bought the same book twice – I really need to start making a list! Thanks for the great contest.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Rachel! Good luck! Let me know you do on your list. I’m going to try to update mine.
my shelf is starting to look just like that. hope i win so i can add another one.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Valerie! Good luck!
Yes, I have bought the same books twice. I loan my books to an elder lady from church & forgot to write down which ones she had! Thanks for another opportunity to win one of your books Kate!!
Thanks for writing, Lorraine, and entering the book giveaway! Usually when I lend out a book I don’t expect to see it again … which may be just as well as I already have so many. But I should write down the titles too!
I would LOVE to win this set of books.. They look like they would be so GOOD..<3
I hope you get a chance to win one of my novels soon, Janice! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I buy a lot of books at thrift stores and bring them home. I made use of all the free address labels that I get in the mail. When I read the book I put the date on the label. When we started a library at my church I donated a lot of the books that I had read. I have had people ask me if I had really read all of those books. I had. My hubby is the only one who thinks that a person can have too many books. I would love to find a program to list all the books I have or have read. Now I list reviews on Goodreads.
Putting the date on the address labels is a clever idea, Jan! I’m smiling as I envision people asking you if you really read all those books. I doubt your husband is the only one who thinks a person can own too many books … Thanks for writing and entering the contest!
No you cannot have too many books. I read Pennsylvania Patchwork and I have Leaving Lancaster on my Tablet. I like holding a REAL BOOK to read. But taking my tablet on trips is a lot easier.
Thanks for the give away.
I like holding a real books too, Christine, but need to get with the program and start downloading books for trips and waiting for appointments or standing in lines. Thanks so much for reading Pennsylvania Patchwork! I hope you enjoy Leaving Lancaster. Good luck in the giveaway!
Reading is a newer passion of mine. I have several hundred books waiting in my Kindle but I also have a couple of book cases full, too. Thank goodness my bookcases have doors on them, though. 🙂
Looks like you have quite a bit of reading ahead of you, Darlene! Bookcases with doors … an idea I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for entering the book giveaway!
I love the Amish books I have a few of them but would love to have many more thank you
Thanks so much for entering the giveaway, Christina! I’m glad you enjoy Amish books. Good luck!
I have books every where, Large brown grocery bags full of them, and piles falling over;) The dog runs by them and swats them and then we have a book slide. One book is too many and 100 is not enough;) Kate Lloyd is a new author for me but we will be well acquainted soon.
You have written such a delightful description, Jan! I’ve never seen a book slide, but can envision your dog. I hope you get acquainted with my writing soon. Good luck in the book giveaway!
Love your book stash. I donate mine to my church, or give to friends. Kate I have never read one of your books, but I would love to.
I would love you to read one of my books, Ellen! Thanks for entering the book giveaway and good luck!
Hi Kate, I don’t think anyone can ever have to many books but my heart tells me that there are so many others who could enjoy them as much as I do. I developed a system on my bookshelves where I keep unread books together; books that I would never part with on others. reference books on another. If I need to go back to one I will lay it sideways. I also keep library books on a different set of shelves. Since our district library had funding cut I take all the newer books there after I read them. I also donate books to a hospice facility and nursing home.
Yes I still have most of my adult children’s books that my grandchildren enjoy.
Thank you
Sounds like a very intelligent and organized way of keeping your books, Jackie! I’m afraid some of my unread books have gotten mixed with my already-read books … I’ll try to adapt your system. Thanks for writing!
I love to read.would love to win.i only read Christian books.thanks
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the book giveaway, Denise!
Definitely had too many books. A friend started a second hand book store in a small town. Within two weeks her shelves were almost bare. She called me for help. I took her over 2,000 paperbacks and she was calling again in another two weeks. We were moving to another state & hubby said he wasn’t taking all those books. I sold all that I had read and decided weren’t keepers. I kept my favorite ones and sold her the others for pennies on the dollar. She was thrilled, I filled up her empty shelves and Larry wasn’t unhappy either. Books are my hobby, friend, entertainment. I never get rid of an autographed book nor a favorite authors’ books. Also, if the book is Five GOLD Stars I keep them. Those are my ratings on the book. I have some from favorite authors dating back to the 1950’s (my mother’s old books). When I’ve reread a PB until its ragged, I usually give in and look for a hard back. Some books I have reread over 15-20 times and rebought at least 3 or 4 times due to the wear & tear. I have books that are over 30 years old & still look like new. Others you can tell are older. What can I say – I love books. I have a notebook of the ones I’m reading & I mark them off when I finish. But stars next to them if I left reviews on the net.
When you say you love books I have to believe you, Pat! The story about filling your friend’s store is amazing, Your notebook idea sounds smart. I’ll have to try it. Thanks for writing!