Book Talk: What happened to my bookshelves?!

Why don't I have any bookshelves?! Is the more accurate question.

Once upon a time, in a place far, far away, I thought this to be a silly question. I had an 8ft book case (seemingly small, now) stacked with my most recent reads, boxes galore of books from growing up, and whatever was left in spill-over crammed on night stands, TV stands, and dressers, taking the place of lamps, TVs and clothes (…priorities…). Once I moved into my own luxurious 860 sqft apartment with one bedroom, a shared kitchen-living-dining-room, and not enough storage (first world problems, I know) I had to leave my shelves/stands of books behind in storage.

Now I look around my apartment and I’m saddened as I realize that I don’t have that beautiful ceiling high library that I’ve always dreamed of. In fact, I don’t even have a shelf. A single shelf! I have a couple of books from the 30’s and 40’s displayed next to the dog treat box, a handful of books stuffed on the only available foot of space in my closet, and a couple of randoms that have been shoved along the side of the bed.

What do I have instead? Multiple kindles…which is kind of sad that I felt the need for more than one but we won’t get into those issues…

I didn't really get into eBooks until about 2012. Now, I find it kind of funny that I had a Kindle for a good year prior and never used it. One day I decided to buy 50 Shades of Grey and I didn’t want to drive across towns to a bookstore that would have it. I remembered I had a Kindle and that was that.  It’s funny how some seemingly small change in pace changes the way you go about things. After that, I realized how much I liked having just about every book title at my fingers rather than driving 25 minutes to the nearest full-sectioned book store. 

Gradually I got used to reading press for hours on a computer screen. I still purchased my favorite authors when they came out with new releases (because I felt obligated to be a true fan – if being true meant buying physical copies). Over the course of that year I started waning from bound purchases all together without really realizing it.  Part of that had to do with the economical savings of an eBook versus a bound book as a college student. Then I had one of those realizations that happen when you casually glance up from your Kindle adorned with dozens of new reads and then glance at your non-existent book collection in front of you.

I still love bound books and I make an effort to purchase them every now and then so that I can keep adding to my collection. I love the look of books on a shelf. But I still don’t have that shelf. The books remain -- stacked in my closet until I have a space to put them out. Some day.

So how about you? Do you still have a loaded bookshelf or have you noticed yourself relying on technology more? Vote in the December Poll at the top of the sidebar and leave your thoughts below!

December poll results: Do you still have loaded bookshelves?

Yes, but mostly older reads	0 (0%)
Yes, and I frequently purchase books to add	6 (60%)
No, I used to but use more eBooks now	2 (20%)
No, I don't have any room	2 (20%)

November Poll: Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

YES!! And it's my first - 13%

YES!! And I'm a vet! - 6%

Not this year, but I have before - 20%

Nope. - 60%