(no subject)

[chelseagirl]

On my way to Philosophy Hall (and the law school) to hand in my chapter draft to my advisors. First draft, last chapter. Then, let the revising begin. Yay, me!

Okay, I've already broke my book vow. Since I was up here in Morningside Heights anyway, I stopped by Labyrinth to pick up a copy of Tzetvan Todorov's The Conquest of America, which I might use in a class next year. (Academic books don't count in the monthly total. ;-) ) And there, in the bargain books pile, was a stack of Zadie Smith's The Autograph Man. I know it wasn't reviewed as well as White Teeth, but it's been recommended highly to me, so heck, hardcover for $5.98, that's acceptable vow-breaking, yes? Or, er, I already own a copy of the genre book club book for the month, so there's wiggle room. Yeah, that's it.

I'm so bloody undisciplined.

Comments

[llhinkle.livejournal.com]

I was thinking when I read your book vow that it wasnt a vow I could keep. Maybe add an additional book to it :) I have been a little better lately because I force myself now to check the library for books before buying and only buy what I cant get in the library.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

I wish I could be a better library user for fiction. What's on the shelves in the NYC Public libraries is pretty unimpressive; I understand from friends that I can reserve the books I want but then my schedule is so random that I never know when I'm going to get to what.

[batdina.livejournal.com]

your book vow made me cringe. not because I shouldn't take the same vow and be a good only semi-employed person where money is concerned, but Books! I just couldn't do it.

Let me know about the Zadie Smith. My father said it was overly ambitious, but had some good stuff nevertheless. This is the one where all of the epigraphs are from Kabbalah, yes?

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's the one. I'll definitely post on it when I've read it. It got a very strong yes from someone I respect a lot; we'll see.

The problem with Cooper is that it's located within blocks of three of the best independent bookstores in NYC (including the Strand) and there are three Barnes & Nobles on/near my daily flight path as well. Then if I go up to Columbia, several more including Labyrinth. There's rarely been a week in the past couple of years when I haven't brought at least one bag of books home; admittedly that's probably normal among my LJ and academic friends. But when I've got lots stacked up to read, little money and less space, I thought temporary austerity measures might be a worthwhile experiment. Which I'm clearly already failing at. ;-)

[misskittytalks.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got sucked in myself yesterday - I had 2 doctor's thingys, only I didn't know that the first one would finish by 10, and the next not until 2. Even after I breakfasted, it was still only 10:30, so I went to Columbus Circle as I had threatened, where I dropped twice as much money at Sephora as I'd intended, but spent about an hour sampling and familiarizing myself with the new items in the product line. Then meant to go see a movie, even walked up to Lincoln Center, but it was hard to find one that would squeeze into 2 1/2 hours. So, I said, what the hell, might as well shop again. So I went back to the stores, and discovered the large Borders on the second floor (it's very nice); bought 2 new books; and went and sat outside the store on the mezzanine level, where I saw a very good exhibition of Tahitian dance (this was free). The city has multiple such schemes, all designed to suck the money right out of one's pocket, as T. often tells me.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Yup. "Oh, come into our bookstore and sit and have coffee." I imagine there are some people who can do just that, but I don't think I know any of them.

[milestogo13.livejournal.com]

We've got words in our bloodstream, it's an addiction that only books can feed. It's just a much more subtle one than heroin, one that leaves poor eyesight and the propensity to use big words in its wake, instead of raccoon eyes and track marks.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

I said not *buying*, not not *reading*. ;-)

The apartment's already filled with far more books than 99% of most studio apartments would/could hold. And that's despite regular donations to Housing Works.

[milestogo13.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know, but I've always found there to be a rush unique to the purchasing of a new book that's not found in rereading one of your old favorites off the shelf. The act of acquiring books is addicting in itself. That was the particular habit I was talking about, in reference to your vow.

My father and I, as part of spring cleaning, actually just went and donated 839 books we weren't reading anymore to a local library, and on the way home from there, stopped by Books-a-Million and picked up 10 more each, beginning the vicious cycle all over again.

[chelseagirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there have been times I've carried away as much from Housing Works as I've donated. Oh well.

I hope, by limiting my purchases, to value each one the more. Mostly, too much of my adjunct paycheck was going to the Strand, and Shakespeare, and St. Marks Books, and several Barnes and Nobles. Cooper is centrally located for maximum book temptation. ;-)