Let’s Talk Bookish: Reading and Buying Habits

I’m back this Friday participating in another Let’s Talk Bookish post! This weekly bookish discussion series was created by Rukky @ Eternity Books and co-hosted with Dani @ The Literary Lion. However, in April of 2022, Aria @ Book Nook Bits took over! For this week, our topic is: Reading and Buying Habits.

I think this topic might also be something that could be controversial? Even though I don’t think it should be in any way? I guess we’ll see with the comments. 😅

Let’s discuss!

Prompting Questions

Here’s a few of the questions to help with this week’s prompt. Do you buy a lot of books? Do you read all of the books you buy right away? Or do you buy more books than you can read? How do you choose which books you buy? 

Reading and Buying Habits

So, let’s just get this out of the way. Like I discussed before, I own more books than I read. And I will probably always be this way. It’s one of the main reasons I joined Kal @ Voracious Reader‘s Project Backlist reading challenge this year. Because I would like to have more of my owned books read. However, at this point, book collecting and actual reading should be two separate hobbies. 😂

Book Buying Habits

I don’t tend to buy a ton of books. Usually, many of the books I receive are either gifts from others (usually my Mom) during the holidays and my birthday. I also receive a large portion of new books as ARCs from Orbit Books. (Angela Man is a gem, scholar and amazing human, all in one.) Though I do love supporting my favorite bookstore, the Raven, so if I do allow myself to buy a book, I try to buy from them.

Sometimes, I wish I had a bigger budget to buy books. Because there have been some special editions that I really, really want, but can’t financially justify buying.

Reading Habits

Now, the reading part of my reading and buying habits leaves a bit to be desired. 😅 I went from like, 100-200 books a year in my youth to 60ish books in my college days to roughly 25 books if I’m lucky. This is due to a multiple of reasons, which I’ve discussed before!

But, my goal is still ambitiously 62 books this year, as I think that’d put me roughly at 80% read of my owned books. Which isn’t bad! But it also doesn’t account for any new books I acquire this year. And I’ve already gotten a few. Oops. 💀

Honestly, though? I’m trying to move away from any guilt that is sometimes associated with buying books or owning books without reading them. (Or reading them quickly.) I always do have the intention to read the books I own. But life happens. And that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be allowed to get another book!

In Sum

So, my potentially “controversial” take is that you shouldn’t be judged for how much you read or how many books you own. *shrugs* Shouldn’t be that controversial, imho. However, since the latest Twitter drama (a few weeks ago, now, by the time this post goes live) was how an author thought book reviews who don’t review books should be considered theft (honestly, wtf); there really is no way to tell what people will disagree with.

What about you? Do you agree with my take here? What are your own reading and buying habits? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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