My name is Patricia, and I have a problem

[pbray]

I collect reference books.

No, that's too simple. I crave reference books with a passion that most people reserve for illegal substances. This morning I added another book to my wishlist, after barely talking myself out of just giving in and ordering it.

Internet bookstores are the ultimate enablers. When I began writing B.A. (Before Amazon), research books were limited to what I could find in a physical bookstore, or through a trip to the local libraries. Quickly outgrowing the public libraries, I made full use of the nearby university library. This was also back when super-bookstores had not yet reached the wilds of Upstate New York, so a few times a year I'd make a trip to a major city to take advantage of their specialty bookstores.

Then came Amazon and other internet booksellers who offered any title in print, and many out of print titles as well. Suddenly I didn't have to keep renewing my library loan for The Regency Companion, I could buy a copy for myself. My small reference library began to grow.

And grow.

At first my internet shopping was limited to buying copies of books that I'd seen, or previously borrowed from a library. Then I started buying books based on reviews and recommendations from others.

Now I'm browsing descriptions, weighing reviews and citations, and trying to decide if one book on obscure topic A is enough, or whether I ought to get two so I can contrast their approaches. And it's not long before the dollars start adding up.

Having come across yet another book that looked interesting, this morning I felt victorious when I realized that the local university had a copy in their collection--only to discover that the book is on loan and not due back until January 2008.

Oh bother, as Pooh would say. It's not critical, so I added the book to my wishlist. If I could hold it in my hands I'd be able to decide if I need it, but I'm not yet ready to shell out the cash for it, sight unseen.

I've promised myself that I can buy one book off my wishlist--and only one--as soon as I finish the book I'm currently reading. And that I can go on a limited spree once I meet my writing goal for this month. Though for old times sake, rather than just shopping on the web, I'm thinking that a trip to NYC might be in order. After all, if I go in person, I can't buy any more books than I can carry, right?

Comments

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

Do you have a borrowers card from said library, because if so, y ou should be able to issue a recall, and then the book should be returned MUCH faster then that, and held for you.

If not, you could ask librarian/faculty member who works at the library to issue a recall in her name. I would then get the book, tell you I have it and either 1. generously let you borrow it from me (providing you don't do anything terrible to it - and I do have a ONE YEAR circulation period.

2. Coordinate with you to return the book on a date that is convient for you to just happen to stop in and pick it up, allowing you to check it out.

After all, I do like and support my local authors - especially if the said book would not otherwise be purchased (since then you could spend that money on another book!)

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

Ahahahaha!

You should be a writer who owns a second-hand bookshop.

It's death for sure. You can't IMAGINE the riches that cross my desk. and get taken home

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

I don't have your self control. It's like that song, they said I should go to rehab and I said no, no, no.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. A few years back I had a community library card, but that's long since lapsed.

I'd feel bad about recalling a book if someone was actively using it, though. I know I wouldn't want to have to turn in a book that I was using.

Then, again, I'd only need it for a few days....

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I'd probably cry every time I sold a book.

[gauroth.livejournal.com]

I am astonished that anyone (even a high-flying super-duper professorial type) is allowed to borrow a library book for so long! I did my pre-Library School training in a University Library, and nobody, but nobody, not even the Vice-Chancellor, was allowed to borrow on more favourable terms than the students.

We all got very good at expressions of sorrowful sympathy while explaining that we couldn't bend the rules for anyone: most saw the justice of that, but a few got a bit shouty and threw tantrums. (Ee, it was funny!)

I hope that you get hold of the book, by hook or by crook. Of course, I have a hidden motive because (I hope) research=new book=me being very happy!

[princejvstin.livejournal.com]

The type of reference books I collect the most, myself, are Historical Atlases. I'm always curious when I see a new one on amazon, although I've been good about buying those sight unseen.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Hee!

Self-control isn't my strong suit, but at a rough guess I've spent over $200 so far on reference books for this project--and that's not counting the tuition & textbook for the course I'm taking. So even I have figured out that a bit of moderation is needed.

Plus, of course, it will only encourage me to write faster now that there is the promise of shiny things at the end goal.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I was amazed too, when I first discovered this.

Faculty, staff and graduate students are allowed to check out books for up to a year--subject to recall.

Mere undergraduates must cope with a 6 week due date, though they can request renewals as long as no one else has requested the book.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Ooh, historical atlases are immensely cool. Do you have any favorites?

[princejvstin.livejournal.com]

Yes.

I only have two of the set, I wish had the others but they are out of print and expensive.

B&N once sold a set of large historical atlases done by time period by John Haywood. I love to flip through those.

Second place goes to the small Penguins, especially by Colin McEvedy.

[kythiaranos.livejournal.com]

I saw a book at Borders a couple weeks ago about the history of gambling, and I immediately started thinking of stories I could write that would justify buying it.

In other words, I know where you're coming from.

[jandersoncoats.livejournal.com]

After all, if I go in person, I can't buy any more books than I can carry, right?

Two words: book rate. Or media mail.

Okay, that's five words.

There's your enabling.

[elizabeth-welsh.livejournal.com]

I laughed and laughed. My dear, this is no problem at all. In fact, since reference books are key to your career as an author, they are tax deductable. You can budget a certain amount to spend on them every year and then say to yourself, of course I can have that reference, it's in my budget.

Look into Amazon's used books. Okay, so they lack that lovely new book smell. But even wayward orphan books need new and loving homes. Plus, two references for the price of one -- we're talking a serious bonus point here.

If you ask me, a book fettish makes much more sense than a shoe fettish (probably you know a woman or two with those). At least your fettish bears the gift of knowledge. I'm all for that.

My public library has used book sales every month. Everything from the friends of the library book store that you can pack into a paper sack for ten bucks. I love those.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

Back when I was in high school and borrowing books from the University of Calgary library, there were two due dates per year (1 January and 1 June, or something like that). Unless someone else requested the book, you got to keep it until the next due date after you checked it out. It was awesome. Imagine my distress when I arrived at York U as an undergraduate and discovered I could only keep library books for two weeks and could only renew them twice. Crikey, even the public library lets you keep things for three weeks!

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

That's precisely the problem with having an Internet connection and a credit card: there's nothing to stop you buying all the books you want, except your own willpower ...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

You must have it! Share the addiction.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll be sure to include you in the acknowledgments when the walls of my house begin bulging out :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, the tax deduction is one of the best parts about being a professional author.

Sadly my current wish list has gone beyond mere reference books into the realm of pricey textbooks.
Used copies are possible, but I can only use the most recent editions and so far the used copies are nearly as expensive as the new ones. But I persevere!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Wish I could use the internet to order more willpower :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of the Penguin series that Haywood edited--the Ancient civilizations and Medieval world ones, back when they were issued as trade paperbacks. I haven't seen the small Penguins, but will keep my eyes peeled.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

If they its due back in Jan 08, they have had it out since Jan 07, so its not like they havent had the time to use it. So really, your concern is nice, but I bit misplaced!

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I've spent $200-$300 on reference books for a book that I believe may never be written. I have no other ideas set in this particular time/location. It's irritating.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

We need a swap shop for writer's where we can swap reference books that we no longer need, or have purchased for projects that we're no longer pursuing.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

*eyes light up*

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

*yup*

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It would be like the clothing swap at Wiscon--except, of course, that books are heavier and harder to lug around. Hmm....

Wanders off to ponder this some more.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

this is actually a good idea

my problem is the old "i might need it someday for something' syndrome. oddly, I have no packrat tendencies, except with books.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

If only ...

Or some free money ;^)

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

::sits up very straight and looks eager::

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

Oh, I get it! That song is about books! And here I've been thinking it's about drugs, or something, and wondering why she doesn't just go to rehab ... Suddenly it all makes sense!

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah. As a song about drugs, I can't identify with it. But about books . . . !

[miladyinsanity.livejournal.com]

LOL! That's exactly what I was thinking.

[jtglover.livejournal.com]

In addition to others' comments, it's worth pointing out that many grad students & faculty check out (and keep out) books for ridiculous amounts of time that they simply want to have on their shelves, or which they're using for one (1) paragraph or so. Alternatively, get thee to thy interlibrary loan office!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to see if I can get the book recalled at the university, since I only need it for a short time. It's not available through ILL through my local library (which is part of a 4-county ILL system), though I'm not surprised, since it's a fairly specialized textbook.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

Oh, it can get worse than that. For complicated reasons I won't go into here, my fiance bought a one-year Amazon Prime membership.

. . . so now it isn't just the lure of Amazon, it's the lure of having the books show up the day after tomorrow, and I don't even have to pay for shipping.

Mind you, this came in very handy when I was buying what seemed like every book ever written on the Elizabethan period for Midnight Never Come.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It's addictive, isn't it? Like Christmas but it happens over and over and over again.