Summer Reading
June 15, 2008 | Do Something, Already, Exercises and Experiments
I love books; I love books so much that I suffer from a perpetual bookshelf problem. That is, I never have enough book shelves for all of my books!
Not only do I voraciously love to buy and read books, but I (generally) feel a need to collect them. It doesn’t matter that I have read this book before; I must still keep it and own it. Owning books makes me feel happy - even if it does press upon my bookshelf space.
This year I’ve been forced to do a couple deep and hard purges to clear room on our poor overburdened shelves. I can’t tell you the sadness that comes from letting the well-loved (even if not recently read) books go. But, it had to be done. Now that the store is open (and I’ve moved most of my professional books there) I actually have space on my bookshelves (don’t worry, it won’t take me long to fill them back up).
Still, old habits die hard. I’m still catching myself weighing and measuring a book: was it good enough/liked enough to take up valuable space on my limited shelves? Hmm…
Recently I bought and read a novel that I enjoyed - I mean, it was well written - but I was a little disappointed in (I didn’t like the story, not the writing). I always pre-read my books (at least the beginning) before I pay good money for them, but you can’t always predict what you’ll think halfway through can you?
I finished the book a few weeks ago, but it’s still sitting on the floor by my bedside table. The other day it occurred to me that I hadn’t put it away yet because I didn’t really feel I wanted it on my precious bookshelves… what to do? I had paid good money for the book!
That’s when it came to me. I’ve decided to host a Summer Reading Swap!. I’m sure there are other bibliophiles out there who have perfectly good books that just didn’t measure up to their snuff, or maybe you just need to prune some space into your shelves too. So why don’t we trade books?
Here’s the rules:
You will sign up to trade 1-2 books of your choice (they must be in good enough condition to be read and books you feel are still worthy of reading). I will collect all the names and then post the swap information on the blog so you know who to send to. You and your partner will then swap books. That’s it!
No need to buy new books etc… etc… If you have more than two books you’d like to swap let me know and I’ll put your name in twice. Also, be sure to indicate if you aren’t willing to trade outside of the US/Canada.
Next Sunday (June 22nd) I’ll post the partners list, so you have one week to comment and let me know you’d like to participate in the summer reading swap. Looking forward to hearing from you!
I can hardly wait to read my new book!
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On June 16th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Melba Says:
I love books too and would love to swap. I will swap two books and can send anywhere. Books are actually really inexpensive to send. You just have to tell the post office that you are sending a book and they will give you a special book rate.
Thank for a great swap Megan!
XO,
Melba
On June 23rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Tammy Says:
I would love to swap! I am a huge book fan!! I have several that I would love to pass on to someone else to read! (Megan - I’m pretty sure I received a package from you in one of Melba’s swaps not too long ago - it included a fun book!) Count me in!
On June 26th, 2008 at 8:09 am
EWian Says:
Oh, I was to late…
. And I have been so good cleaning out of my library… 100 books will no longer live there… they need new homes. I just wanted to say I know the feeling of a perpetual bookshelf problem, some bookshelf’s has triple the books that they are made to hold. When reading you blog I found my self smiling and nodding.
On July 4th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Jessica Says:
JUST FOUND YOUR BLOG through a blog I found through a blog of a friend (confused yet?).
I can swap two books (Maybe more), if you end up with a ODD number of people, you can put me in the mix twice