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A Mighty Purge
Aug. 20th, 2008 08:22 amI had to do it -- do a purge of the bookshelves, that is. We only have a limited amount of space for books (although I'm looking to buy another set of shelves), and way more books than space. So now there is a pile of "discards" in the living room. Most I will not miss (thank you very little, Vernor Vinge; Happy trails, Brandon Sanderson), but a few were more from necessity than actual desire to get rid of them (GGK's Sailing to Sarantium, Iain Banks' Consider Phlebas, etc). And some, I just couldn't do it: I've stalled at Memories of Ice in the Malazan series, but I can't rid myself of these books because I'm damned sure I'm going to pick up the series again some time in the future.
One thing I've really noticed about myself lately -- I resent series. Book series aren't as bad as TV series -- at least with books you can turn to them when you are good and ready (as long as you ignore the intertubes), whereas with TV either you see it, or some jackass has spoiled it for you by day 3. But I gave up on BSG early in season 4, mostly because I resent being shackled to the TV once a week. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it's the obligation. Anyway, I was reminded of this when I saw 8 or 9 unfinished book series on my shelf, and I got the same "oh fuck" feeling. Instead of obligation to sit down in front of the Tee-Vee at a set time, it's valuable shelf space that these books are eating. Of all the problems one could have, I suppose this is definitely one of the most desirable.
One thing I've really noticed about myself lately -- I resent series. Book series aren't as bad as TV series -- at least with books you can turn to them when you are good and ready (as long as you ignore the intertubes), whereas with TV either you see it, or some jackass has spoiled it for you by day 3. But I gave up on BSG early in season 4, mostly because I resent being shackled to the TV once a week. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it's the obligation. Anyway, I was reminded of this when I saw 8 or 9 unfinished book series on my shelf, and I got the same "oh fuck" feeling. Instead of obligation to sit down in front of the Tee-Vee at a set time, it's valuable shelf space that these books are eating. Of all the problems one could have, I suppose this is definitely one of the most desirable.
