It has been three days since Easter came and went. My fridge is stocked full of all kinds of Easter treats, but that’s not the only thing the bunny was able to bring. Easter marks the end of Lent, which in turn means that I am now able to buy books once again.
Post Lent Splurge
Yesterday, I decided to treat myself by finally buying some books that I had my eye on for a while. For Easter, I not only got a book from my mom – Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver – but a Barnes and Noble gift card as well. Score.
I was originally intending to go to the bookstore to pick up some books. After all, there’s no better experience than actually going to the store to pick out some books. However, my plans quickly changed when I noticed that books were significantly cheaper online, and there was a 10 percent off your entire purchase coupon. I decided to change my plans and just get them online.
Best decision ever. I ended up getting five books – the first two books in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, the Infinite Sea, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, and This is What Happy Looks Like. The price? $33 for all five.
But, I didn’t stop there.
I still craved to go to a bookstore. So, I went to Books and Company, a used bookstore not too far from my house. The books are half off list price. And, to top that off, I had some trade credit. I bought three more books for less then $10 – Speak, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, and Something, Maybe.
It’s safe to say that I have a lot of reading to do. But, I am looking forward to reading each new book.
Reflection
It has been a long 40 days, but I was able to get through it. I only managed to slip up twice: Saint Patrick’s Day, and a week before Good Friday. Even though it does count against me, I’d like to think that I still made progress in kicking my book addiction. I managed to read 11 books in that 40 day time period, and am currently reading The Fifth Wave. Of those books, eight of them have been sitting on my shelf for years.
I also was able to figure out what books I wanted to part with, and ended up making room for some new books.
Not buying books for a period of time helped me realize just how much money I was spending on them. Sure, I could use the library. However, there’s something about owning my own books. I like having the option to read them again and again and my leisure.
However, I do realize that there comes a point where I should think before I buy them. That is something that I should apply to every time I buy anything, but I would buy a book every time Barnes and Noble offered a coupon or sale. Sure, I would read them. But, I would neglect the books that have been sitting around my house for years. And, that’s not good either.
From now on, I will try to read as many as I can — before being tempted to buy more. On average, I read about 1-2 books a week. Sometimes, I read books in a day. Sometimes, it takes me ten days to go through a book. With that being said, I want to be more mindful of what I haven’t read, before I add to the pile.
Overall, this exercise served its purpose – I managed to knock some of my books off of the to read list, and I was able to save some money. I am so proud of myself because of that, and so excited to get some new books.
Total books read: 11
Books: The Bermudez Triangle, Queen of Shadows, Charlotte’s Web, Career of Evil, Audrey Wait!, Beautiful Creatures, Between the Lines, The Magnolia Story, Fairest, Home to Italy and Killing Monica.
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