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I swear, there is something in the air at this place.
Every time I walk in there with ONE particular book in mind, I come out with that book, plus eleventy billion others that I have no idea when I will find the time to read.
Take, for example, last week. I went to the library to pick up How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. I really, truly, try to limit my library books lately, because I have SO SO many unread books at home (not to mention on my Kindle). But I NEEDED this book for my Around the World in 12 Books challenge. So borrowing was imperative.
I was kind of in a hurry, so I walked in, located the book, and done. I was walking towards the checkout desk, thinking about my other book challenges this year, and remembered the Foodies Read challenge. And I thought, "Huh, I've only done one foodie book so far this year...maybe I'll pick up one of those too. JUST ONE."
I wander over to the nonfiction area and peruse the food/cooking section. Suddenly I am inundated with choices. So many good choices. I CAN'T HANDLE ALL THE CHOICES.
It was at this point that I blacked out.
When I came to, I was in my car with How Green Was My Valley, as well as The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain, Beaten, Seared, and Sauced by Jonathan Dixon, and Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. Also, Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson is on my holds list now, apparently.
Ah well, at-home TBR pile. We will meet again another day.
It's difficult, isn't it? And that they're free just makes it all the more so. I'm a bit better at it now (partly because the selection isn't great), but when I was a child I used to get to the check out and have to leave most of the books on the desk. Holds lists just make it worse, because you don't have to stop at the check out limit.
ReplyLove your library, so much space but obviously also so many books.
Yes, so difficult. This library has a much better selection than other libraries I have lived near in the past, which makes it even harder! And don't get me started about their e-book lending...
LOL! Love that meme! So true. *-*
ReplyI love the look of your library - and I have to admit more than a bit jealous. My local is getting a new building so at the moment all the books have either been moved a hundred kilometres away or are sitting in a demountable at the back of a supermarket.
ReplyI think you're lucky to have so many books your want to choose from! Much better to have a feast than a famine when it comes to reading.
And I love the concept of Library blackout. Doctors should acknowledge both the sneakiness of librarians and the power of libraries in general :P
Oooh sorry about your current library situation! That's such a bummer. I hope they get the new building opened up soon. Very true about feast vs famine with books though :)
It's so true! I always leave the library with my holds and a few extra.
ReplyIt's hard not to!!
This happened to me at Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago. I walked in to get coffee at the Starbucks and walked out with five books and a light wallet. This is probably why I request books through the online library system database. I get a notification when my book(s) come in/are ready, I go in, walk straight to the check-out desk, get the books I requested, and walk out. Less browsing = less impulsive book checking out!
ReplyB+N is so much worse because then you leave POOR! Haha. I do agree about the holds though. The key is to not turn my head and look in the other direction...
I do the same thing at the library and the bookstore. That's why I don't go to bookstores! lol
ReplyI completely understand. It's even worse at the Friends of the Library sales. I go in with one small box and forget that I can dump the load in my car and go back for more....
ReplyI can't even allow myself at those sales. I know it would get out of hand in minutes. LOL
We librarians are a subversive bunch.
ReplyYES YOU ARE!! No one suspects a librarian until it's too late!
Ha ha! This is hilarious ;) Mostly because I completely understand! When I go to the library my kids beg me to PLEASE JUST PICK UP THE BOOKS THAT ARE WAITING FOR YOU! They know if I start browsing we're all doomed ;)
ReplyHahaha it's good that they've learned. Poor Small Fry is too young to protest...
LOL! So true. In fact, I can only pick up 4 books at a time, so that bugs me, since I travel an hour to the library and another hour back. And then I end up getting fines when I can't return them before I read them. With the enormous amount of books on my Kindle, I can hardly read all those paperbacks lying around. *sigh* Story of our life, I guess.
ReplyHate it when you have to return things before you read them! Ugh.
Story of my life, man. I currently have about 15 library books out, and I don't think I can get away with quitting my job to stay in bed and read. It's a dilemma.
Reply15, now that is impressive. I bow to you.
Kelly,
ReplyThis is a known problem. You might want to seek some help. Let me know what you decide to do, because I suffer from this condition as well. Which is why I won't even step into a library unless I give myself permission to pick up a certain number, like 5, so when I grab 7, I'm still okay!
If I find a good medical specialist to help us, I'll let you know. But maybe I don't want to be helped...? :)