[rec.arts.sf.written] Re: You know you're a book addict when...
Petrazickis
From: El Capitan <pir...@airmail.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
In article <g9oapv4efid5khu64...@4ax.com>,
Louann Miller <loua...@yahoo.net> wrote:
> You know that you own books 2 and 3 of a trilogy, but you wind up
> checking them out of the library anyway because you can't find your
> personal copies even after 30 minutes of moving one full bookcase out
> from in front of another full bookcase to scan spines.
>
> Louann, the chastened (but well-exercised).
You know you're a book addict when...
You've got a huge Excel spreadsheet that's been your primary method of
keeping track of the 1000's of books you own, as well as serving as a
lending checkout sheet, and when printed out and shrunk down to 30% of
actual size, is carried in a small notebook whenever you
go bookshopping so you will no longer buy duplicate copies of books you
own, but last read 15 years ago.
You know you're a book addict when...
You're upgrading to a professional cataloging database that records ISBN
numbers, then downloads the info from online, including book cover
photos and current value. (wonderful for insurance purposes!)
Since manually entering the aforementioned 1,000's of books makes your
fingers hurt just looking at the stacks o' books, you invest in a USB
barcode scanner to help the process along.
You know you're a book addict when...
You have a storage room rented just so you have more space to store
books. This is after culling the collection down to make moving easier.
You wish for a winning lottery ticket, not for the fancy houses and
exotic cars, but so you can buy a used bookstore with a loft apartment
on top, and never have to worry about turning a profit or ever having to
move all your books again.
El Capitan (who wonders if Overreaders Anonymous is available nearby)
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Petrazickis
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
In article <g9oapv4efid5khu64...@4ax.com>,
Louann Miller <loua...@yahoo.net> wrote:
> You know that you own books 2 and 3 of a trilogy, but you wind up
> checking them out of the library anyway because you can't find your
> personal copies even after 30 minutes of moving one full bookcase out
> from in front of another full bookcase to scan spines.
>
> Louann, the chastened (but well-exercised).
Self-test for literature abuse How many of these apply to you?
1. I have read fiction when I was depressed, or to cheer myself up.
2. I have gone on reading binges of an entire book or more in a day.
3. I read rapidly, often 'gulping' chapters.
4. I have sometimes read early in the morning, or before work.
5. I have hidden books in different places to sneak a chapter without
being seen.
6. Sometimes I avoid friends or family obligations in order to read
novels.
7. Sometimes I re-write film or television dialog as the characters
speak.
8. I am unable to enjoy myself with others unless there is a book
nearby.
9. At a party, I will often slip off unnoticed to read.
10. Reading has made me seek haunts and companions which I would
otherwise avoid.
11. I have neglected personal hygiene or household chores until I had
finished a novel.
12. I have spent money meant for necessities on books instead.
13. I have attempted to check out more library books than permitted.
14. Most of my friends are heavy fiction readers.
15. I have sometimes passed out from a night of heavy reading.
16. I have suffered 'blackouts' or memory loss from a bout of reading.
17. I have wept, become angry or irrational because of something I read.
18. I have sometimes wished I did not read so much.
19. Sometimes I think my fiction reading is out of control.
LITERATURE ABUSE: AMERICA'S HIDDEN PROBLEM
Once a relatively rare disorder, Literature Abuse, or LA, has risen to
new levels due to the accessibility of higher education and increased
college enrollment since the end of the Second World War. The number
of literature abusers is currently at record levels.
SOCIAL COSTS OF LITERARY ABUSE
Abusers become withdrawn, uninterested in society or normal
relationships. They fantasize, creating alternative worlds to occupy,
to the neglect of friends and family.
HEREDITY
It has been established that heredity plays a considerable role in
determining whether a person will become an abuser of literature. Most
abusers have at least one parent who abused literature, often beginning
at an early age and progressing into adulthood. Many spouses of an
abuser become abusers themselves.
Most important, remember, you are not alone. To seek help for yourself
or someone you love, contact the nearest chapter of the American
Literature Abuse Society, or look under ALAS in your telephone
directory.