Yes, I am really making an official challenge out of this. Why? It’s because I am suffering all by myself and invite others to suffer with me. :)
For the past six months, I have gone flat out crazy. My spending has become so out of control. I have stacks of books that need to be read and yet, I am steadily purchasing more. Enough is enough. So here are the rules to help curb the spending madness.
Guidelines for the 2008 Ban on Spending Book Challenge:
1. No purchasing books for yourself until all the books listed are gone. No purchasing books for other people with the intention of reading them after they are finished. Library or other borrowed books can’t be listed.
2. Any books won in a raffle or given to me as a gift will be added to this list.
3. Books to be reviewed for promo companies, other blogs, authors, etc. do not count and are not added to this list.
4. Start anytime and list as many or as few books as needed. Once all books are checked off from the list, the ban is lifted and the spending can begin again.
5. The ending date for each person can vary to a few weeks or months as long as it doesn’t exceed December 31, 2008. This ban can be lifted earlier if all books listed have been read or donated.
6. If you don't have a blog and would like to still join, list your books in the comment section below.
Steve doesn’t believe anyone will join me on this challenge. He doesn’t think anyone is crazy enough. He might be right. I might be traveling this road alone. But if by some chance, you are up to your eyeballs in books and need a short reprieve from book spending, sign up below. List your books in the comment section or the URL where your list is located.
57 comments:
very good idea! count me in. I need to stop myself.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Sorry I'd love to join but I think I'd become too sad. I don't think I'll buy anything this weekend. But I will be going to Half Price Books by the end of the month. I love the picture! Cant wait to monitor everyone's progress ;)
PS I totally buy my sister books I want to read... like yesterday!
Annie & Sarai ~ I am so sorry about your comments! Mr. Linky was changed and those were lost. My apologies, but you are dealing with a techo challenged person...lol!
Hmmmm, great idea, J.Kaye!! I should join in on this one, but with xmas coming, I have such a love of buying new xmas/holiday books each year - especially if there is a new Richard Paul Evans. Does it count if you have a friend buy the book for you and just call it a gift?!?! ROFL!!!! I think I may need to seek help - is there a book buyers annon?
I just got an email from Books-a-Million this morning about $1 bargain books. I was browsing the email, and then I just told myself to stop, and closed the email and deleted it before I was even tempted. I'm definitely joining you on this one.
April ~ You set your own ending date. It could be as short as you wish just as long it doesn't go past 2008. :)
ALea ~ I totally understand. :)
WHAT? I want to sign up for this only because it would help me disiplined but i'm a freaking addict!!!! and with the Library Sale coming up i think in Sept. the thought of this makes me nervous and with school starting back i finally get my reading time back :) I'll have to get back to ya about this one. It sounds like a good idea I need to call the library first and see when the sale is.
Breeni Books ~ I saw the dollar sale Susan posted...lol! I actually clicked on forgetting all about the promise I made to myself. That's why I had to make this official. I am so blasted weak...lol!
Photoquest ~ I am not going to another library sale until all these are gone! I am too out of control. Once these are gone, I'll go crazy again. :-D
It didn't occur to me that I could shop at Books A Million via their website... going there now. Is there a link for the dollar sale? I'm horrible I know!
I'm in desperate need for something like this, but I just know I can't do it. Buying books relaxes me! LOL
I just thought of something... Is my husband paying you to do this Ban on buying books ? LoL!
I really should participate in this, especially since I'll be moving next spring and really don't want my library to grow too much between now and then. But six months without buying new books would totally break me. I admire your bravery and that of the other participants in this!
I like this idea and definitely will be joining. I'll work on the list here later in the weekend.
What a fabulous idea for a challenge and I should really join as I have 140 books on my TBR... but I just can't do it! I'll happily cheer you all on though :)
Alea, Yvonne, Ruth, Mrs. S, Photoquest, and the rest of the viewers who won't be participating ~ We are counting on you all to purchase more books until this challenge is over. We don't want to the economy to shift over this challenge.
Oh and Photoquest, I think this challenge has shocked the mess out of Steve.
justareadingfool ~ I am so glad to have you join!
Not a problem! I'll get started right away ;)
LOL @ Alea! I knew I could count on you.
I don't think I'll get a chance to start this weekend... Unless I break down and place one of my 4 for 3 amazon orders I have figured out. I have enough for 3 almost! I think for my birthday I'm going to also place one of those and get a few other things as well... I haven't bought anything on there for like a month and a half a believe. For awhile I was placing 1-2 orders a month.
Count me in!
I'll add my link later, when I've got my books listed. I was planning on organizing books this weekend anyway, so the timing is perfect.
Did ya tell Steve he's wrong? :)
Oh J.Kaye, this is a fabulous idea! I will definitely be in. But since Rich and I are dropping off the kids at my parents and going off by ourselves for a few days, during which time we will undoubtedly decadently lounge in the bookstore for hours, I'm going to put off my start date until later this month. And even though I could literally list hundreds of books, I think I'll start off with a fairly small list just so I don't invite failure from day one :)
It won't be easy, but it sure will feel good to put a dent in the stacks, huh?
LOL - Great challenge. I've posted it here. I should join, but I know I'm beyond help!
Ok, I have a confession. I knew I needed to join this challenge but I also knew my local thrift store was getting a new stock of books-5 for $1.00- so I waited until now (blushing). But in my defense I picked up 5 great books, LOL. Now I will join but I doubt I will have a list as huge as yours J. Kaye. I will have to measure out my choices but I will stick to it!
I've been thinking on this and thinking on this and really, really want to join but then become so utterly depressed at the idea of not being able to pick up a book at the bookstore if I'm there or if one grabs me online. I do need this though-I need more time to decide.
J.Kaye you are one strong woman to put your foot down and do this. I am giving you a big round of applause cause I just don't think I'm strong enough. LOL.
This is a great idea, but I will have to make it a short list, because I am a liberaholic. I think I will have to take this one in baby steps, so I'll list 4-5 on my blog tomorrow. Withdrawal would be ugly.
I know..I'm an invertebrate also.
wisteria, and Dar ~ The great thing about this challenge is each person can set their own personal goal and time frame. I have been working on how to balance library books, review books and this challenge, which are books I purchased. I think I have come up with a solution! :) Will be posting about this later.
Icedream ~ If I had known of a deal like that, I would have done the same exact thing! What I didn't count on is for books (that I purchased online) to trickle in after announcing this officially. I still don't know how many books I have pre-ordered and I am not looking to see either...lol!
Wendy! Thank you so much for your support!!
Debi ~ As busy as you are, I don't see how you have time to do any challenges...heck, I don't see how you have time to read!
Shana ~ You better believe I did...lol! I told him I wasn't alone in this. I had others to suffer right along with me. :)
Great idea and something I've been struggling with accomplishing all year!
This is a fantastic idea! I have a giant stack on my nightstand that is threatening to collapse.
Christine M. Parizo, R.P. ~ If only it was my nightstand. I am afraid it's my bookshelf that was about to collapse!
bookchronicle ~ Love to have you!
You are worried about it from a spending point of view, while I am concerned that it jsut ain't GREEN. Cut down no more trees.
Grilsgood ~ Good point! But since I raffle off every book I purchase, I think I'm giving back, even if it's just a little. :)
Okay, I said that I'd post last weekend-- and then told you I'd post earlier in week. Okay, finally, I'm caught up. :)
Unfinishedperson directed me here and I may just have to join this, but I will have to go away first and make a list. That's going to be hard!!
http://bookannelid.wordpress.com/
justareadingfool ~ That's a 24/7 state for me. I have promised an author I'd have questions for a Q & A twice. Guess what? I still don't have them.
:(
loopyloo100 ~ You don't have to list all your books if you don't wish to. You can list as few as you want. You set the time and amount.
I have now taken the plunge and I feel I've been gentle with myself and have added 20 books!
This is such a great idea. I really need to stop buying so many books.
loopyloo100 ~ Yeah! I found you at LT and added you as a friend.
N.Vasillis ~ I was talking with my hubby more today about this. I really believe this vacation from spending will help me next year. When the ban is lifted, I will only purchase books after the previous purchase has been read.
I've accepted your friendship request at LT - It seems we enjoy some similar tastes! :)
We'll see if I have the self control to stop buying books. What's the penalty if our will power isn't strong enough? :) There are so many good books coming out this fall too. I need to save money for Christmas and I can use my book spending money towards Christmas instead.
Heaven help me, I'm in.
I definitely need to do this one!
I will be putting my kids' future high school tuition in jeopardy if I keep buying so many books.
I'll get my list up by the end of this week....I'll probably keep in in the 5 to 10 range, but if I really listed all the books I ought to read on it, it would be a pretty darn long list.
By the way, I'm Quenby, a.k.a. Gaijinmama, and my blog is http://hikaruthedragon.livejournal.com/
loopyloo100 ~ My reading is so widespread. Lately though, I have been sticking with the same three genres.
Jackie M (Literary Escapism) ~ None. Not completing the challenge is bad enough without the added ridicule. What I suggest is to make a short list. I'll be doing this again next year too.
gaijinmama ~ My list is close to 100 books! :)
This is a really good idea. I have tried it many times in the past and have failed every time. Then I feel guilty, but keep on buying.
I cannot put myself through this again.
Good luck!
Patricia ~ This will be my first time. :) I need to do something. I have too many good books here to read!
I just registerd. The only books I have been buying are Doctor Who books, as my library or my library's district (practically the whole state of IL) hasn't been buying them in at least 15 years. Judy
Here is my list!
13 books and I will not will not will not buy more till I've read them!
http://hikaruthedragon.livejournal.com/11549.html
Quenby/ Gaijinmama/HikarutheDragon
I've been very good so far - I've only been book browsing and have only been tempted to by one book, but fortunately the guilt crept in and I walked out of the shop emptyhanded! :)
I just increased my list to 15.
Some of these have been on my shelves for 10 years or more, I really do have to get them out the door or at least read!
Did I mention I'm addicted to making lists as well as buying books?
http://hikaruthedragon.livejournal.com/11549.html
Intergalactic Bookworm ~ each person can set his/her own guidelines. This challenge isn't that strict.
gaijinmama ~ I had to add to mine too. Books I had on pre-order that I'd totally forgotten about arrived.
loopyloo100 ~ I can't believe you are able to browse without giving in. I found I am too tempted. I hear the voice "No one will know but you..." LOL! It's hard for me to do the Releasing this Week post on Sundays.
J Kaye - Browsing is certainly difficult, but I've had a few review books coming through the mail lately and so the temptation to keep buying more is held at bay, as my first priority is now reading and reviewing these books!
loopyloo100 ~ Shortly after Gustav, I cleared a lot of books off the shelf. I can see there is no way I will finished by the end of this year. I think I removed a third. Even with that many gone, I might not be finished by the end of the year. Guess each month, I'll take a look and remove more...bummer.
I've learned my lesson, I hope. When this ban is over, I won't be so excessive in my spending.
Thanks J. Kaye for the push here. While I only have 3 books that I can acutally read before 12/31/08, it's helpful to list them. Here they are:
1. Autobiography of Upton Sinclair
2. Conversations with Philip Roth
3. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint Exupery
Jan in Edmonds
Anyone reading this is going to giggle or at least smirk...or perhaps nod smpathetically in understanding.
I've increased the list to 75 books.
http://hikaruthedragon.livejournal.com/11549.html
That may well take me all through next year. Which will be good...a lot less dust on my shelves, aggravating the allergies, and a bit more money in the wallet.
I hope you'll make this perpetual, because I am making it a serious goal here.
We have four people, one income, a tiny Tokyo apartment, and way too much clutter. Something has got to give, and for now it has to be One-Click Ordering at Amazon!saz
gaijinmama ~ Your list looks like mine did...I have removed some...lol!
I'm sorry I didn't find this earlier. If you continue it, or hold it again, please count me in. I need the discipline. lol
Sandra ~ Nope. I will need to purchase books this year for the challenges, so I can't. I'll be posting for volunteers to take it over though.
Just wanted to say I've officially completed this challenge & have read 5 eligible books. See the reviews visit my site -
http://jottingsfromjan.blogspot.com
Thanks for hosting J. Kaye.
aka Jan in Edmonds
Post a Comment