The Addiction

It's not like I learned something new yesterday, but rather that it suddenly disturbed me.

I have a bookshelf filled with unread books. Some I've won, some I've bought, most are authors I cyber-know. When I took the kids to the library yesterday, I told my husband I wouldn't get anything because I had too many books to read.

I came home with five books for myself.

Reading has always been a compulsion for me. But suddenly I'm feeling like that girl in Confessions of a Shopaholic. A little ashamed, even, that I had to check out books. That I'm so addicted to reading I want to be surrounded by as many books as possible. That I wish I could inhale them.

What makes me need them? Is it emotional? Do they make me feel secure? I have NO clue, but I figured I'd share with all of you because I think at least some of you will know how I feel.

What are you addicted to? What do you buy even when you know you already have it at home? Is there a cure? Do I even need a cure? (you know I'm hoping I don't *Grin*)

Comments

Melissa said…
I do the EXACT same thing with books. The Exact same.
July 7, 2010 at 5:38 AM
Tabitha Bird said…
Booooooks! I HAVE to have them. I have loved their paper arms that wrap around my heart since I was a little girl. I am an addict and proud of it. :) I don't think you need a cure. Why can't you have lots of books around you? I am sure you will one day get to reading them all :)
July 7, 2010 at 5:54 AM
patti said…
We are soulmates here!
Books, books, more books.

When I came home from China, my boys had built me a tri-part bookcase. Sigh. It is nearly full.

Fellow addict
July 7, 2010 at 6:16 AM
kathy taylor said…
Every book is a world in itself. How can we limit ourselves? You must have a great library.
July 7, 2010 at 7:08 AM
Jody Hedlund said…
My bookshelves are overflowing (literally!). And I hate having to get rid of books and keep telling myself, I'll just buy more and bigger bookshelves! But I'm running out of room. You are not alone in your LOVE of books!
July 7, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Wendy Paine Miller said…
I was just wondering this myself recently. Can you be addicted to books? I think I'd have to answer in the affirmative seeing as that I am.

And lotion. It's difficult for me to resist buying lotion.
~ Wendy
July 7, 2010 at 7:28 AM
Diane said…
Please don't end up on that show "Hoarding, Buried Alive"...... :O)
July 7, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Melissa, I KNEW I wasn't alone!!! :-)

Tabitha, I hope I do! I love how you say their pages wrap around your heart...*happy sigh*

Eeeek! Patti, a tripart bookcase, the thought of one almost makes me drool. Sounds like you have a very supportive famile (can we say enablers? Heehee)
July 7, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Kathy, I wish I had a library! I actually pass along a lot of the books to my sisters so I only keep absolute faves/favorite authors, signed copies, and unread copies. Maybe someday I can build up a library!

LOL Jody! I hope you get more bookshelves. :-)

Wendy, I think we can. I think books become a stimulant almost, so that even having their scent comforts us. lol
Lotion, huh? You must smell good! *grin*
July 7, 2010 at 8:03 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Diane, I better never end up on that show!!! LOL Actually, clutter upsets me so I tend to hide my extra books beneath beds, etc, until I can pass them along to family. :-)
July 7, 2010 at 8:04 AM
Jennifer Shirk said…
That's so funny because I do the same exact thing. I have books on my shelf that I haven't read yet I can go to the library and easily pick up 5 books too. :)
July 7, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Stephanie Faris said…
Office supplies. It really makes me feel inspired to write if I buy a new notepad and some pens. I write most of my stuff on PC because it's faster but I actually enjoy writing longhand more. I'll buy office supplies when I don't even need them!!! And planners...the old kind that everyone used before PDAs. I get a thrill out of having a new planner to use!
July 7, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Donna M. Kohlstrom said…
I see it's confession time! LOL!

I just ordered and downloaded five books from Amazon to my Kindle and then went to Barnes and Noble store and bought three more books! I've been know to be reading more than one at at time. Never can get enough!

Like writing...reading is an addiction and I hope there's no cure!
July 7, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Terri Tiffany said…
Raising my hand down here. I have so many books to read and told myself I won't buy or borrow another until I either try to read them or toss them. But I did recently take two boxes to a senior citizen library to give away! Does that count?
July 7, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Sherrinda Ketchersid said…
Oh dear. We should join a book recovery group. I have banned the library from my list of errands because I have so many books stacked by my bed, begging to be read. I refuse to go into B&N and I won't let myself go into the book aisle at Walmart. Nope. Can't do it. I am not strong enough.
July 7, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Nancy said…
I can totally relate. Not so much having lots of books and not reading them as having lots of books and reading them over and over. I read my husband's library book the other night and was up until 5:30 a.m. finishing it. The birdies were already singing. That's pretty bad, especially since I need sleep. I read to get sleepy and then get to a good part and can't stop. It is just such a pleasure. I love meeting all the characters in books and seeing all the places and times. I have to pull away for a week at a time once in awhile just so reading takes on its rightful place.
July 7, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Glynis Peters said…
Books? Never touch them myself...OK, I lied.
Books, notepads and pens are my vice.
You are not alone. :)
July 7, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Emily Conrad said…
Yup. Me, too. It's funny because I have some I haven't read, yet I've been thinking I should make a trip to the library.

At least you didn't buy five more books. The library's free. :)
July 7, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Mary Curry said…
I don't have any answers for you, Jessica, but I sure have the same symptoms.

There's a Barnes and Noble a few blocks from my house and honestly - they should pay me for all the time I spend in that store. Actually my daughter interviewed for a summer job there and I told her she should tell them her parents spend enough there to pay her salary.
July 7, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Lisa Jordan said…
At last count, I had over 50 books on my To Be Read shelf. And I'm still checking out books from the library. Going there tonight, in fact.

For me, reading provides a wonderful escape from reality. For a couple of hours, I can focus on someone else's troubles instead of my own.
July 7, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Deb Shucka said…
You're probably asking the wrong audience here. Or maybe it's exactly the right audience. :-)

One of my agreements this year of living on one income was that I wouldn't buy books. I managed to work my way out of that by buying only books that might help me as a writer. Which, it turns out, is every book.

So, yes, it probably is an addiction, but one I have no interest in 12-stepping my way out of.

Great post.
July 7, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Erica Vetsch said…
Books. Overflowing bookshelves.

I love the look, the feel, the smell, the IDEA of books, and I can't get enough of them.
July 7, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Kara said…
Books are my weakness too!! I love buying books to read and I really love childrens books. Bookstores are dangerous for me:)
July 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Cindy R. Wilson said…
Oh my gosh! I can totally relate to this post. I have so many books that I haven't read but I always want more. I win more or buy more or check out more. Eventually I get to them but there are always more!
July 7, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
It's so reassuring to read all of your comments!!! Thank you! :-)
July 8, 2010 at 7:38 AM
Karen Lange said…
I do the same thing with books. My TBR pile is tall, and includes other books scattered about the house. I find comfort in knowing there are books waiting in the wings to be read:)
July 8, 2010 at 8:59 AM
Linda Kage said…
Hello, my name is Linda, and I'm addicted to books too. It started when I was young, probably fourth or fifth grade and slowly grew until I have an entire room filled with nothing but stories. I call it...my library.

But seriously, I don't want to go to any Books Anonymous group. I like my addiction!

And Jessica, if you decide to sell your books like she did her clothes on Confessions of a Shopaholic, give me a call; I'll be one of your crazy shoppers.
July 8, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Nancy J. Parra said…
LOL- the last time I moved I donated 27 boxes- yes, boxes of books to the library- most hardcovers. I understand the addiction. cheers~
July 8, 2010 at 5:26 PM
Jolene Perry said…
HA! This is when I LOVE reading the comments. We all have the same glorious addiction. Maybe we help make up for all those non-readers out there...
July 8, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
You guys are hilarious!!!

Jolene, love your pic!
July 8, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Susan J. Reinhardt said…
Hi Jess -

If my TBR stack drops below 10, I MUST get more. The thought of running out of books sends me into panic mode.

I usually have two to three books going at the same time.

Blessings,
Susan :)
July 8, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Tana said…
I'm addicted too and yes there is a slight cure, the kindle. You see with the Kindle the books are out of sight and you don't feel bad for having so many because nobody really knows. ;) It's a wonderful thing at the end of the day. Also, I do a lot of library visits. I like to keep some books at their house. ;)
July 8, 2010 at 8:55 PM
Angie Muresan said…
I am like that as well. I have so many I haven't read, and I keep buying them. I get such joy from having them around me, though.
July 10, 2010 at 12:38 AM
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