Sometime last December I was on my way home on the train and picked up a copy of Good Weekend, which someone had kindly left on the seat.  Good Weekend is a magazine insert in the Saturday edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.  This particular issue (December 19-21,2008) was subtitled The Summer Reading Issue.  The article in this issue which particularly struck me was “Once upon a time…” by Caroline Baum.

The introduction reads:

“When Caroline Baum declared 2008 her Year of No New Books, the many unread volumes on her shelves got a chance to strut their stuff.  Here she reflects on gems she’d long overlooked (and new titles she couldn’t resist).”

She finishes the article:

“There are still plenty of unread books on the shelves, waiting for me to be ready for them.  The discoveries I made this year have tempted me to extend this resolution into 2009.  Reading, at least, should remain recession-proof.”

Now most women have a weakness for shoes or maybe handbags, mine, however, is books.  I love going to a bookstore, browsing the shelves, and discovering something new to read.  I anticipate the arrival of a new book in a series, much like a child does a birthday or Christmas.  All in all, I love buying books, new books (for some reason I can’t really “do” second hand books).

After reading Baum’s article, I realised that I probably purchased 1 book a week (on average) in 2008.  Many of which I hadn’t yet read.  With all the economic gloom and doom, and the fact the company I worked for (and still do) was (and still is) in some financial difficulty, the prospect of losing my job at any moment was forefront in my mind.  So I decided to attempt Baum’s challenge and make my New Year’s resolution not to buy any books for 1 year.

I knew it would be difficult, but I thought there was no way I would be left with nothing to read, with the following repository’s of books close at hand:

  • My extensive collection of books, of which about 10% I haven’t read;
  • My youngest sister, who is an English teacher, moved in with me around the time I read the article, bringing with her her collection of books;
  • Also I am a member of 2 public libraries in my local area; and
  • I am a member of the TAFE library.

Therefore I had lot’s of books at my disposal, without having to open my wallet (except to show my library card!).  I made my last purchasing visit to Borders just before the new year, and told my friends and family about my resolution, all of whom thought I would not last a month!  I had received a $50 book voucher as a Christmas present, and as this was a gift, I decided the rules of my challenge would allow me to use this (for when the cravings got too much) without breaking my resolution.

Now halfway through the year, how have I fared?  Well, at times it has been extremely difficult, especially as I am always tempted into bookstores by the enticing aroma of paper and ink, however I have been very strong, and have not yet purchased a book for myself (I have purchased books as gifts for others, which although a guilty pleasure, does not count!).  I did, however, use my gift voucher in May to buy The sewing book by Alison Smith, after I purchased myself a sewing machine.

My wishlist of books continues to grow (and grow), and I know come 2010 I will hit all the bookstores with my credit card, for an instant hit!  My friends and family can hardly believe how well I am doing, and I must say, neither can I.  And I am enjoying the challenge, much to my surprise, as like Baum I am discovering gems I had long overlooked, and reading books that I told myself I would one day get around to.

A Year of No New Books.  Try it.  I dare you! Or maybe try A Month of No New Books.  Hopefully it will open your eyes to a new literary world, and help you to keep your wallet closed!

References
Baum, Caroline.  “Once upon a time… .” in Good Weekend, December 19-21, 2008 :  19-21.  Issued free in The Sydney Morning Herald, December 20, 2008.