Books - 5 Minute Free Write Challenge

in #freewrite7 years ago

Oh my, you're talkin' one of my addictions right here. Thankfully, I have been able to rein it in some. I made a pact with myself a couple years ago. One - I will only purchase books of a reference nature and two - I will not pay full retail.

So far, this has worked out splendidly. I'm building up quite the reference and how-to library. I've always been a tactile person. I feel slighted if I try to read a book online. I want to hold it, feel it, smell it. I enjoy turning the pages. I feel like I'm accomplishing something as I see the pages thicken in the front. I'm sure it's all in my head, but I don't care.

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(Pic is of 1/2 a shelf out of 36)

Something most folks don't think about is what if... the power goes out and you can't access your stored data. Living off-grid, I think about these things quite often. Having a hard copy to refer to is vital when a pressing situation presents itself.

My latest acquisition is: Henley's Formulas for Home and Workshop. This thing is choked full of 800+ pages of formulas and recipes. It has proven to be an invaluable resource to have on hand.

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Although I totally admire your commitment, why not add some other titles in there? Read some good fiction or biography to while away the time while you're waiting for the glue to dry or whatever. You don't want Jack to be a dull boy! Have fun and your homestead will be brighter. I hope your future will be bright too.

Oh, I read lots of fiction. My nightly routine involves at least an hour of reading before bed. Right now I'm reading, Nathaniel, by John Saul. I use our public library for any non-reference materials.

I imagine that you've been collecting the Firefox series?

Very good books describing how to do things that aren't done anymore and that have been replaced by the shopping center. The Survivalist Blog has lists of what each volume contains so that you only need to get the ones you want but even the ones that don't apply to your current interests are very interesting.

The entire set was handed down to me when no one else wanted it in the family. I was delighted and consider the set a treasure.

I would never even consider getting rid of my reference and how-to books! Having lived 3/4 of my life without Google, I know how valuable they are! Novels come and go.

I use my local library for entertainment books. The rest are staying put right here.

I had a huge collection of how-to books until quite recently. We decided it was time to start downsizing, and to give away to charity whatever we don't use anymore. When I need to figure out how to do something these days, I search online. The poor how-to books were stored in loads of boxes under the bed and throughout the house! I'm happy that our books have probably found homes where they are being used instead of stored. LOL!

While it pains me to say it, if they are just packed away, probably best someone else can make use of them.

Oh boy! I see we have the same book addiction!
Although, I believe you have a few more shelves than I do.

Haha, of all the things we could be addicted to, I think we'll be ok. Maybe not our pocket book though, lol.

I agree that having a paper copy of a book is best! I've said similar things about the feel and smell of books to other people and been given the response of, "Do you need a minute?" 😂
I have run into situations where my favorites have fallen apart. Sometimes, it is difficult to replace them (back order and the like). It is worth it, though!

Haha, you are either a lover of books or you aren't. Those folks will never understand. I have few that fell apart and are now in binders.

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Excellent reference! Thanks, I'll be looking for that one. Now that we have virtual book options I only buy 'hardcopy' books that I like so well I want to read or reference them again. I love having paper books - virtual books just don't seem like very permanent - like I won't lose them somehow. I've had my computer storage go bad and lost a bunch of stuff that I really miss. Now I have double backups but still... In a pinch, a full bookshelf would make an excellent insulation - the excuse I use for buying books I want!

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