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thenerdygirl) wrote2022-02-28 02:19 pm
thenerdygirl) wrote2022-02-28 02:19 pm
I think I have a problem
My problem is I borrow more books from the library than I can possible read at once. I currently have 16 books borrowed from the university library I work at and 13 books borrowed from the public library that's a 5 minute walk from my workplace. So, in total that is 29 books which is a lot but my justifications are:
1) Borrowing books helps library usage stats and higher amounts of borrowing can help libraries when they seek funding.
2) If anyone else wants one of the books I've taken out they can always place a hold. This also helps stats and I'm very quick to return books that have holds.
3) I usually read most of the books I borrow.
4) Borrowing from the library helps me resist the urge to buy books. This helps lower the number of unread new books on my book shelves....a little but still, a little counts.
I know I am one of those stereotypical people that makes their love of books a big part of their personality and you know what? I whole heartedly embrace it. Books help me feel joyful and after the last few years I happily embrace it. There are worse obsessions.
Anyway, the books I'm currently reading are:
1. Don't Believe Everything You Think: The 6 Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking by Thomas Kida
It's a book about critical thinking and the fallacies we all fall for. The topic is fascinating and for obvious current world event reasons it is a topic I want to further my education on. The book is on the dull side and some of the examples to illustrate the fallacies rely on out of date stereotypes. I've been working through it a while so this may be a DNF soon.
2. Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer
The book description totes itself as a guide to more meaningful and mindful conversations. It's interesting, more so than the book previously listed and I picked it up because I do want to be more mindful in conversations. Some parts are helpful and some parts I'm critical of. I will finish it but it's on the back burner because it's a book I own and I have a bunch of library books to get through first.
3. How to Break Up with Your Friends: Establishing New Boundaries for Modern Friendships by Erin Falconer
This one caught my eye at the library because I am currently working through a major friendship loss at the moment. It's painful and find reading books about managing painful experiences helps, it gets me out of my ruminations and more into an analytical state of mind. Plus it always helps to know you're not alone when you're going through something.
4. Belgarath the Sorcerer by David & Leigh Eddings
I adored the Belgariad & the Mallorean fantasy series by David & Leigh Eddings when I was teen. I've recently re-read Polgara the Sorceress, Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and, Magician's Gambit. While I'm waiting on my library holds for Castle of Wizardry and Enchanters' End Game I borrowed Belgarath the Sorcerer. I still enjoy these books even though as adult I'm like "Wow, some of this shit is problematic as fuck". They're not the worst offenders in the fantasy genre but yeah, there's a lot of reliance on stereotypes for genders and each of the fictional countries which you can see some obvious correlation to stereotypes in our real world. I feel like the Mallorean does address and challenge some of that though so knowing that makes it easier to revisit for me.
5. Daily Magic: Spells and Rituals for Making the Whole Year Magical by Judika Illes
My calendar read for this year, it's a largely a book of folklore in my opinion though it does have spells & rituals. I read a book similar to this format last year and enjoyed it so I picked up this book to do the same for 2022. Each day of the year has a page or two dedicated to it. February was a bit of a wash but I'm hoping to get back on track with it for March.
1) Borrowing books helps library usage stats and higher amounts of borrowing can help libraries when they seek funding.
2) If anyone else wants one of the books I've taken out they can always place a hold. This also helps stats and I'm very quick to return books that have holds.
3) I usually read most of the books I borrow.
4) Borrowing from the library helps me resist the urge to buy books. This helps lower the number of unread new books on my book shelves....a little but still, a little counts.
I know I am one of those stereotypical people that makes their love of books a big part of their personality and you know what? I whole heartedly embrace it. Books help me feel joyful and after the last few years I happily embrace it. There are worse obsessions.
Anyway, the books I'm currently reading are:
1. Don't Believe Everything You Think: The 6 Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking by Thomas Kida
It's a book about critical thinking and the fallacies we all fall for. The topic is fascinating and for obvious current world event reasons it is a topic I want to further my education on. The book is on the dull side and some of the examples to illustrate the fallacies rely on out of date stereotypes. I've been working through it a while so this may be a DNF soon.
2. Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer
The book description totes itself as a guide to more meaningful and mindful conversations. It's interesting, more so than the book previously listed and I picked it up because I do want to be more mindful in conversations. Some parts are helpful and some parts I'm critical of. I will finish it but it's on the back burner because it's a book I own and I have a bunch of library books to get through first.
3. How to Break Up with Your Friends: Establishing New Boundaries for Modern Friendships by Erin Falconer
This one caught my eye at the library because I am currently working through a major friendship loss at the moment. It's painful and find reading books about managing painful experiences helps, it gets me out of my ruminations and more into an analytical state of mind. Plus it always helps to know you're not alone when you're going through something.
4. Belgarath the Sorcerer by David & Leigh Eddings
I adored the Belgariad & the Mallorean fantasy series by David & Leigh Eddings when I was teen. I've recently re-read Polgara the Sorceress, Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and, Magician's Gambit. While I'm waiting on my library holds for Castle of Wizardry and Enchanters' End Game I borrowed Belgarath the Sorcerer. I still enjoy these books even though as adult I'm like "Wow, some of this shit is problematic as fuck". They're not the worst offenders in the fantasy genre but yeah, there's a lot of reliance on stereotypes for genders and each of the fictional countries which you can see some obvious correlation to stereotypes in our real world. I feel like the Mallorean does address and challenge some of that though so knowing that makes it easier to revisit for me.
5. Daily Magic: Spells and Rituals for Making the Whole Year Magical by Judika Illes
My calendar read for this year, it's a largely a book of folklore in my opinion though it does have spells & rituals. I read a book similar to this format last year and enjoyed it so I picked up this book to do the same for 2022. Each day of the year has a page or two dedicated to it. February was a bit of a wash but I'm hoping to get back on track with it for March.