After looking at the Sony Reader at Borders and researching the Kindle online, I asked my husband how many books I would have to purge from my shelves before he would consider buying me one. He just threw out a number to get me started: books with list prices totaling twice the amount that the e-book reader costs. (This actually is a good deal for me because I almost never pay the full price for any book, and many of my books have come from thrift stores or the book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library, and cost me between a quarter and a dollar each.)
With that goal in mind, I have been taking a hard look at my book shelves this week. I have come to the conclusion that I tend to keep books that tell me how to do something or become someone that I am not, but would like to be. For example:
- The five books on clutter and organizing are not going to magically get rid of my clutter ... in fact, they're adding to the problem.
- The stack of marriage books won't ensure that my marriage will remain a happy one. In fact, getting rid of the books would delight my husband.
- Owning several books about writing will not make me into a writer. I just need to sit down and start writing.
- Finally, my favorite: a book entitled The Millennium Problems: The Seven Greatest Unsolved Mathematical Puzzles of Our Time. The book describes seven mathematical problems that each have a prize of a million dollars offered for their solution by the Clay Mathematics Institute. What makes me think that I'll ever learn enough math to solve a problem that has stumped the most brilliant mathematicians?
4 comments:
This is your best post yet- I think it should be syndicated and sent around the blogosphere. Every one wants to read about how to fix everything, but then they don't take action. I don't know that you are addicted to books, but I have been there- where I have spent more time reading about things then actually attempting them.
Thank you for your kind comment. :)
Syndicated and sent around the blogosphere? How would I do that? (I don't really know much about blogging ... but I'd love to learn more. Maybe you could post something on your blog about it.)
I think you told me your name while back but I forgot it. I really think you need to blow the doors of your blog now and work towards a bigger audience. You are a good writer- and you have stuck with it. You have plenty of material to work with, you have Drew & Grace.
Ever think about getting a blog with your own domain name and off of blogger? Even if you don't and you want to make a few bucks- you could do pay per post. Your blog is old enough. Start monetizing this blog and make a little rainy day money for you the kids to spend. You should have my email address when I comment, feel free to email me if you want.
Thank you, Michelle! I am going to have to think about it ... just when I start to get into the habit of blogging regularly, something in real life pops up and throws me for a loop and I don't get back to the blog for a few weeks.
I looked for your e-mail address but the one on the comments is just "noreply-comment@blogger.com".
I'll have to check out pay per post ... a little extra money would be a good thing right now.
Thank you for your ideas and advice.
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