- Our local big chain of bookshops has finally caught on to the "buy 2 get 1 free" trend that has been going for many many years in the UK, and I'm guessing in the States, too. Just seeing the stickers makes my heart beat faster and sends a shot of adrenaline around my body. While normally I would buy one, maybe two books, I came out tightly clutching six. It is my only vice. (Honest.)
I have to love living in Belgium. The 3 for 2 section included a whole display full of English books. (Also French ones, and I think I even saw some Spanish.)
But sometimes I just have to have a book NOW even if it's in Dutch and the original was in English.
What? I'm going to read Yalom in Dutch? Yes, I am.
(Looking forward to it, ridiculous as it is. I do NOT have the patience to order the original from Amazon and wait just now.)
This next book cracks me up:
It was always my life plan to go get my MBA and become a cutthroat businesswoman. Seriously. It was.
Until I met Babes and also I realised that there was more to life than work. Or that being cutthroat is perhaps not the best quality to strive for. In any case, I don't need to bother now. I'll just read the book.
(The background in these pictures shows the colour of our brand new sofas. Nice, eh?)
- I finally started preparing for our forthcoming baby. I don't think I could have left it much later.
Babes is working very hard as well. We've decided to give Marie her own room anyway, so I'm giving up the study. For the next five months or so, I will have the nursery with all my books and a computer, but after that the baby will move out of our bedroom and I think we'll have to have the computer in our bedroom. For that very special romantic atmosphere.
My back and ankle are killing me just now. I'm doing all the "easy" jobs like loading the bookcases, sorting the laundry, hoovering and - later tonight (maybe) - painting. I'm so glad the children are at my mother's for a couple of days because I'm getting a real rest. Oh yeah. - What gets these stains out of my carpet?
That's right, baby: wet wipes!
(I swear I'm not being sponsored.)
(And yes, I know I should get off my lazy unecological butt and get a cloth and some water instead. I did tell you about my ankle.) - As part of the grand reorganisation of our house, I am throwing out a whole lot of stuff. Well, giving away and recycling, but it will be out of my face. We do have too much crap in this house. Getting rid of it feels so liberating that I'm considering doing it with my books as well. Looking at the bookcases I just filled, I realise I am hoarding them which is not a healthy thing. Do I really need several Dutch dictionaries, as well as English ones? Can I not throw out the chick lit I read about ten years ago? (I, too, am a mere human.)
I have some competing plans.
- I could get rid of only the horrible books - eBay or charity shop.
- I could just chuck all my books, keeping only the very best and memorable ones. Plus the essential reference works.
In this case, I could give the good books away in parcels as birthday presents, or to random friends who would enjoy them. Is this sensible and ecological regifting, or just being a cheap friend? I once got a CD from someone's collection for my birthday, and I was rather touched because it was a personal gift. - Some kind of middle road?
What do you think? Hoard or chuck? Regift, eBay or charity shop?
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Books, baby, bum wipes, books
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I don't know what you should do but I think you are nesting.
ReplyDelete@Ms. Moon - Yay! Finally!
ReplyDeleteI think regifting books is nice, actually.
ReplyDeleteWhen are you due, again?
Go to the osteopath!
@Jo - I'm due the 4th of August.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, thanks. :-) I just need to put my feet up and not be on my knees hoovering under the bed.
hm..throw out the crap and keep the good stuff..i give teh crap books always to the library book flea market ..they sell them and buy new books for the library with the money
ReplyDeleteI am a book addict too ;-) but I have sold 5 bookcases in advance of downsizing and so will not have enough space for all of them in new house :-( Most of my books in boxes ready to go but I still can't resist the lovely 2nd hand bookshop in town... may have to just start relying on library soon...
ReplyDeleteI keep all the books I might read again, any one that impacted my life in some way, anything I think might give someone insight into who I am, and I thrift shop the cheap romance novels that I am ashamed to have on my shelves. Since I rarely read those, I have a shit-ton if books-and I hoard them.
ReplyDeleteI would be over the moon to be given books from someone's collection...I think it's a lovely thought! We're book hoarders here too and even though we only moved here a year ago, and came with only our suitcases, my book collection is almost back to where it was.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing exactly the same thing. With the baby due to go in my study 6 months or so after arrival... and some books have GOT to go. It's too hard. I'm putting it off. Going to look for some more cake instead. Big hugs. xxx
ReplyDeleteIf you get rid of books I will be very proud of you. I will doubt your sanity but be very proud.
ReplyDeleteHah! The middle road - put all your rubbish in boxes, move the boxes to the garage, and leave them there for another two years minimum.
ReplyDelete@Danielle - Now define "good stuff" please. That's the difficult bit, I think.
ReplyDelete@Becky - Downsizing. That's what I want to do, but I have a hoarder for a husband.
As for the library - it's not really an option. There's a decent one in the city (which I don't often get to) but their English language section is too little, and I don't like many of the books they get in. Also, I am always paying too much in fines because I never remember to return the books.
@Kori - Yeah, that's pretty much what I want to do, but I'm starting to feel that the literal weight of those books is metaphorically weighing me down. Just one more material thing I'm attached to.
@Mad Woman - Moving only with suitcases? Now there's a serious downsizing! You should tell me how you did that sometime.
@PantsWithNames - Ah, we can share the pain. And the cake?
I always try to do the full six months, but after about four I tend to chuck them out the bedroom. Enough is enough.
@GingerB - :-) I must must must get rid of some crap though.
@Pueblo girl - Excellent middle road. If we had a garage. We really have exactly the space needed (in my spoilt Western mind, I realise) for a family of five. So something has to give. Also - I'm tired of THINGS. Now just to convince the other three. (Baby is still easy to dictate to.)
I've considered doing a blog post about my books, I never get rid of any. A good storage solution is what you need. Except we've now exceeded our good storage solution and need another one. Oh and baby wipes and carpet stains - a great combo! I've discovered this too. Wipes clean up wine stains no problem.
ReplyDeleteI love getting books, no matter whether they are new or old. So gift them away!
ReplyDeleteI think the cleaning for the new baby is always a good thing (even though it means less space). I love a good cleanse where I throw out a lot of stuff!
ReplyDelete