My Addiction

Okay, it’s time to admit it; I have an addiction.  There, I said it….. phew!   

No, it’s not booze or drugs or cigarettes.  It’s books. 

I can’t help myself; they are everywhere!  It seems like there is always a new book out from one of my favoured authors or from somebody I’ve never heard of that piques my interest.  I have a member card from Chapters/Indigo so, of course, I receive regular emails with suggestions of “books you might like” or sales both online and in-store.  I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been sucked in by those.   

As you know from past posts, I am an avid reader and absolutely love the feeling of a book in my hand.  I can’t imagine moving to an e-reader just because I love turning pages.  You know how calm and happy a smoker looks when they take that first haul on a cigarette after not having one for a while?  Well replace that cigarette with a book and you’ve pretty much got the look of contentment on my face as I open a new book to the first page. 

Time for a clean-out maybe?

It’s my form of escapism that is not self-destructive.  Okay, maybe I don’t get out as much as I ought to because there are days when I’d rather spend time on my balcony with a good book and a cup (or two) of tea but, still, it’s not the worst addiction that I could have. 

You want to know how bad I am?  Let me tell you…. 

The other day, I stopped at the mall on the way home from work to pick something up and my path took me past the book store.  I literally had to walk by with my gaze averted chanting a little mantra; “I am not here to buy books…. I am not here to buy books….I am not here to buy books…..”  I was like a crack addict trying to walk past her dealer without caving in and buying some.  I am absolutely incapable of walking into a book store just to “browse” without walking out with at least one book.  As a matter of fact, walking out with only one is considered showing restraint in my world. 

I’d say that I need help but I’m not sure that this is a “problem” that I want help with.  As long as my kids are fed and the bills are paid, I’ve pretty much got things under control.  That being said, if you ever see my kids on the corner holding signs that say “will work for food”, you may want to plan an intervention.  

Kathy