Book Chase

I stopped buying books on the spur of the moment- I have bought so many in the past, thinking them promising at first, only to discard them after the first few pages. 

But clearly, I am not alone in this. The building association has thoughtfully provided bookshelves in the dingy basement lobby to help people in this very predicament. There is an entire collection of rejects down there in that writer's hall of shame. I once found a book on strategy and game theory and though I wasn't mad keen on reading it, I felt it deserved more respect and that its rightful place was with me, so I brought it home (and shelved it after the first two chapters).. But I doubt if anyone really borrows from there.   

Personally, I banish low-quality mysteries and cringeworthy novels to the basement. Then I have a separate pile in my bedroom, my aspirational pile-- books that come highly recommended and exhibit good writing, but I simply cannot get into. And these just sit there, taking up space and making me feel guilty.

So, I am increasingly borrowing books from the local library, which has a nice selection of old and new. Firstly, it costs me nothing, they don't even charge late fees. Secondly, it feels nice, going to the library with a mission in mind (return books, get books!). I usually shortlist a few books before I go, and the hunt is fun-I like touching the books, seeing how old they are, and how they smell. Finally, I get to experiment without regret. I find that I am picking up books I wouldn't necessarily buy online and as a result, discovered some new mystery authors that I enjoy. And when I buy a book online, it is because I cannot get my hands on it any other way, and I am simply determined to get it.