books, books, books
I just spent the last half hour or so in incredible nerdiness, and now feel compelled to share it with you all. First, since I was putting away my new book purchases, I thought it would be as good a time as any to rearrange my bookshelves. I've been feeling a sense of shame over them not being properly organized* so I had at it. Paperback fiction in order by author, then title. Hardcover fiction, children's paperbacks, children's hardcover, ditto. Picture books, poetry, ditto. Non-fiction grouped by subject, in no particular order. Some paperbacks aren't in order because they're stacked on the bottom, dusty shelf so I can squeeze more in. I realized I own a shocking number of books that I've never read (either given to me or picked up at the library booksale for $1 each) and am determined to do something about that.
Then, while I was on the subject of reading, I thought I'd tally up how many books I've read recently. I started writing down each title in my notebook around December of 2004, I think, maybe a bit sooner. Anyway, the grand total for 2005 was an even 80. Forty-seven were children's items (not counting picture books, I'm not that bad) and 33 adult. Thirteen were books I was rereading. That's a book every four or five days, if I do the math right. In the first three months of 2006, I've got 37 titles - 23 juv, 14 adult, and 5 of those rereads. A book every two or three days, I believe. In other words, as long as I don't slack off, I'll beat my 2005 record.
The funny thing is that I know some people will read this and think, "oh my God, she spends so much time reading." And other people will think, "so what? I read 365 books last year." Some people will roll their eyes at the fact that I 1) keep track of what I read and 2) spent the time tallying it up. Others will think, "ooh, I should tally up what I've read!" Please proceed with whichever reaction is appropriate. Have some chocolate, while you're at it.
Has anyone read The History of Love? Should I make an effort to get into it?
*Totally, completely, 100% kidding about this.
Then, while I was on the subject of reading, I thought I'd tally up how many books I've read recently. I started writing down each title in my notebook around December of 2004, I think, maybe a bit sooner. Anyway, the grand total for 2005 was an even 80. Forty-seven were children's items (not counting picture books, I'm not that bad) and 33 adult. Thirteen were books I was rereading. That's a book every four or five days, if I do the math right. In the first three months of 2006, I've got 37 titles - 23 juv, 14 adult, and 5 of those rereads. A book every two or three days, I believe. In other words, as long as I don't slack off, I'll beat my 2005 record.
The funny thing is that I know some people will read this and think, "oh my God, she spends so much time reading." And other people will think, "so what? I read 365 books last year." Some people will roll their eyes at the fact that I 1) keep track of what I read and 2) spent the time tallying it up. Others will think, "ooh, I should tally up what I've read!" Please proceed with whichever reaction is appropriate. Have some chocolate, while you're at it.
Has anyone read The History of Love? Should I make an effort to get into it?
*Totally, completely, 100% kidding about this.
posted by Jess at 12:43 PM
7 Comments:
i read that and thought "oh, i need to update my 2006 books i've read" list. :)
i haven't yet had the urge to reorganize my shelves, though. that would require effort and much standing on a chair and/or dresser.
Am I really a nerd for organizing my bookshelves???
I started reading A History of Love a few months ago. I had a hard time getting into it (only the first 20 pages or so). I eventually moved on to another book. I plan on giving it another shot - maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind for that type of book. This probably wasn't much help...
No, no, we're not nerds. Everyone does it, right? SOME people even catalog them.
hey jess! nerdiness abounds.
i reorganized my bookshelves while i was home this vacation, and entered them all into an excel spreadsheet. the grand total, including poetry, non-fiction (inc. literary criticism & art history), travel, teen, kids', and the all-consuming fiction, was 758.
now the question is, do i have too many books? and if the answer is yes, then i'm screwed for the rest of my life, because i can't seem to stop buying them.
sometime today, i'll post a photo on my livejournal of all my bookshelves.
by the way, congratulations on getting into your school! when do you start?
You've totally got me beat, Laura. I spend much more time in libraries than bookstores. Please put a picture up!
I start school in September.
Whomever can you be speaking of, Jess? : )
Wow, do I feel like and under-achiever
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