There’s a familiar scene that plays out in my life, again and again: I’m standing in a bookshop, cradling a new novel in my arms, heart fluttering with anticipation.
Cover art does me in often. Sometimes it pays off (a bright florescent pink cover that I couldn't resist turned into a book I couldn't stop thinking about). Sometimes it's just a pretty face 🤷♀️ Either way, I had the joy and privilege of supporting my local bookstore or bring a patron at my local library.
Oh this was a dangerous essay for someone who buys way too many books (but I so loved it). You summed it up exactly! Buying a book isn’t just buying an item it’s buying an unlimited experience!! It’s collecting life philosophies it’s very beautiful!!
I just can’t walk past a book shop without going in & buying at least one magical connection to another, nicer world! You said it all 📚📚📚📚
Exactly! It's just too tempting
This really made me pause... and laugh a little — in that quiet “oh no, she’s right” kind of way.
But hey — what about the book lover’s apocalypse scenario?!
The power's out, the grid’s down, the Wi-Fi is extinct…
And there you are — surrounded by actual books, like a wizard of paper and ink!
Jokes aside — book collecting is one of the most beautiful forms of conscious curation.
Some books sit on the shelf for years… and then one day — bam!
You open it and it’s exactly what your soul needed right now. That’s intuition, not impulse.
But yes — I agree: no shelf is infinite.
So maybe if we buy new books, we also ask:
"What can I gift? What can I release?"
Let the books breathe — let them move, not stagnate.
Circulation is wiser than hoarding!
Libraries and book shops bring my soul a lot of comfort. U love reading and also having unread books around me.
Yes! Books bring me a type of comfort I cannot find anywhere else.
Cover art does me in often. Sometimes it pays off (a bright florescent pink cover that I couldn't resist turned into a book I couldn't stop thinking about). Sometimes it's just a pretty face 🤷♀️ Either way, I had the joy and privilege of supporting my local bookstore or bring a patron at my local library.
Eeeekkk this was so nice and relatable to read thank you for sharing ✨🌹🕊️
Oh this was a dangerous essay for someone who buys way too many books (but I so loved it). You summed it up exactly! Buying a book isn’t just buying an item it’s buying an unlimited experience!! It’s collecting life philosophies it’s very beautiful!!
Thank you for articulating my own thoughts/feelings about this topic so well. I'm right there with you.
I felt so seen while reading this – I’m sure many fellow book lovers will feel the same ❤️
Aww that's so nice to hear, Amandine - I love hearing that I'm not alone in being a blood lover/obsessor ❤️ P.S. I love your Substack!!
I’m so glad you found my Substack because I’m completely obsessed with yours too! 😍
if the bookshop has staff reviews, 100% I'll find at least one. the last one is called Salt slow by Julia Armfield
Staff reviews are the best! Their entire job is to read and think about books - who better to trust for book recs!!
Love this and totally agree! Buying a book is one of my favorite treats :)
Yes!! Buying a book is such a treat