Monday, November 27, 2006

This is a little embarrassing

So I finished my inventory of books I own but have not yet read. Let me just say that the results are a little embarrasing not to mention a bit disturbing. But keep in mind that it has taken me a good eighteen years of hard core bookstore browsing to acquire such a collection.

The tally is as follows:

Novels: 174
Short Story collections: 119
Classics: 18 (plus the one I just bought, making it 19...yes, I actually wandered into a bookstore even after completing my inventory. I willingly and totally admit I have a problem. Is there such a thing as Bibliophiles Anonmyous?)
Memoir: 38
Non-fiction: 17

Making a grand total of 367.

That's easily a year's worth of reading and that is at a good clip. After reading a friend's blog I realize that this challenge I have entered into has a name: From the Stacks. Quite appropriate.

The thing is- I love love love to read. People often ask me how I find time to read so much. Some have even said that they don't read. Ever. Period. I look at them with a look of confusion as if they are speaking a foreign language. Not reading is like not breathing to me. I have always loved to read. My favorite in elementary school was a series based on triplets named Flicka, Ricka and Dicka. Lots of Norwegain phrases peppered throughout. My mom says I brought those same books home week after week after week. My cousin turned me onto my first adult books- Agatha Christie. Of course, I read all the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. Imagine how thrilled I was when my fourth grader chose to read Trixie Belden for her mystery book report.

I remember the first time I bought mulitple books at once. My husband I were at the mall at a Waldenbooks (this was before I discovered my soft spot for Indie bookstores) and I had five books in my hand and couldn't decide which to get so I bought all of them. Five books at once although I knew I could only read one at a time. It felt so indulgent. Reckless somehow. If I had only known where it would lead.

As much as I enjoy reading, I also realize that I use books the way some people use food. To fill a hole of some kind. Usually it is the hole in my own writing. When I am writing and really in the groove I hardly read at all. When I am not writing, I gorge myself on other people's words and end up feeling just as bloated and empty as if I had inhaled a gallon of ice cream.

Now that my books are listed, I feel ready to tackle my own From the Stacks challenge. I really do love crossing items off a list.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo, another member of the challenge. Fantastic. I remember the first time I bought multiple books at once as well...it felt so decadent - exactly like eating an entire gallon of ice cream!

Kim Haas said...

Courtney- yes, it's good to know I'm not alone. I finished the first book I pulled from the stacks and when I went to cross it off my list I found that it hadn't actually made it onto my list. So, of course, I scribbled it down, then crossed it off.

Unknown said...

Kim -
I'm in M. Dunphy's 383 class and really enjoyed your visit last night. I love your blog and intend to become a regular reader--maybe even start up my own blog again!
Thanks for the chat last night!
Valerie

Kim Haas said...

Valerie-
Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed myself too. Like I said, I'm always for talking about writing and books. Let me know if you start your blog up again- it's another great way to just keep writing.

Writing Charlie said...

Kim-

It was fun to have you as a guest in our class. And guess what, today I started the NaNoWriMo challenge. I keep a blog about it but it's on myspace. First day, 1,706 words. You've inspired me.
Good luck with all of your writing, design, collage, and kids.

Charlie

Writing Charlie said...

Kim-

It was fun to have you as a guest in our class. And guess what, today I started the NaNoWriMo challenge. I keep a blog about it but it's on myspace. First day, 1,706 words. You've inspired me.
Good luck with all of your writing, design, collage, and kids.

Charlie

Kim Haas said...

Thanks, Charlie. Good Luck with the NaNoWriMo- quite ambitious to tackle it this time of year. I'm impressed.