I joke a lot that I need a 12-Step Program for my book addiction but it’s no laughing matter. It seems the more I try to downsize my book collection the more it grows. I see where I’m going wrong and yet I can’t seem to stop myself.

It’s funny how the addict brain works. I convinced myself that if I had a Kindle I wouldn’t buy as many books. WRONG. While I do love the Kindle it hasn’t necessarily stopped me from buying more books. It’s really not such a bad thing and yet it is. Not to mention, the books I’ve been compiling on the Kindle but at least they don’t take up space and collect dust.

My days are filled with various meeting and sometimes I don’t want to lug around a book or I forget my Kindle and that’s where my BlackBerry with T-Mobile wireless comes in handy. Yep, I also have the Kindle App on my phone. With all this reading going on, I really should be smarter by now. Maybe I am just a silent genius?!

My kids find me ridiculous; they just don’t understand my fascination with books. The only person that gets it is my kid brother. Every time I see him, he has a book with him – Bruce Lee, OSHO – like me, his list is endless. My mom is into audiobooks and try as I might I just can’t get into them. Oh and look for some reviews by her in the very near future

Book Stashes

Okay, so stashes of books, where to start… I have a decent sized wall unit in my living room, behind all the frames and knick knacks are books, rows of them. At first glance you might not see them. And in the cabinets below are more books. In fairness, they just occupy one side the other has my son’s Xbox games. The coffee table may or may not contain some books. And the table in the kitchen that has a hideaway in the bench may or may not also have some books.

In my bedroom I have a bookshelf next to my bed that is filled with books and right beside it is a pile of books as tall as the bookshelf. And some on the night table as well. Not having a man here anymore means books are consuming what used to be his nightstand and every time I look over there it makes me smile to see MY BOOKS. I really need to take some pictures one of these days. It’s on my to-do-list along with boxing up more books.

I have two big boxes of books that I cleared off my shelves to donate or giveaway.

I won’t even mention the many boxes of books in the attic. I’m moving soon and the sheer thought of having to deal with them makes my head hurt. The library is going to love me.

Okay, so tell me, where do you stash your books? Are they in plain sight? Or do you have places all over the house?  Or a mix of both, like me? This reminds me of a funny moment I had with my mom. Her addiction of choice is fabric. One day she ran around her house pulling out pile after pile of fabric from every room of the house. As she kept telling me, “shhh, your dad has no idea.” I guess you had to be there, but it was funny.

Chrissie Cole is a freelance writer for various blogs, including Speedy Incorporation, which helps new small business owners incorporate online as well as offering advice and information about running their business successfully via their small business blog.

As much as I am enjoying my new Kindle, especially all the free downloads, there is something that just can’t replace the feeling of holding a book in your hands; especially an old book with a long history and character. I’m learning to strike a balance – as much as I love books, I do like digital books too. The average person may not understand this feeling that I speak of, most even find it funny or odd, but a fellow book nerd/hoarder most certainly can and likely does.

I don’t lend or share books. They have post-it’s on the pages, highlighted passages and notes, especially if the book pertains to business. And I’ve since stopped using the library because what I spend in fines is ridiculous as is always having to pay money for late books.

I have a general bucket list which includes traveling to places I want to visit but I also have a bookstore bucket list which is exactly what it sounds like, a list of famous bookstores I want to visit in this lifetime.  My kids make fun of me for wanting to visit famous bookstores; it is completely lost on them. But, really, that’s good news for me because that means I can go alone but that is veering off topic and should be saved for another day… Below are the bookstores I want to visit, not necessarily in order.

Strand Bookstore – One of the only remaining book stores from the once famous Book Row – the center of book buying in NY – has been there since 1927. Amazingly it is still owned by a member of the founding family. Strand’s is known for carrying rare and used books, as well as new books. I visit their site often and enjoy it each time. I’m visiting New Jersey later this year, New York City hotels are also reasonably priced so I am going to make an attempt to do both!

Tattered Cover Bookstore – 41 years. Located in Denver, Co., it was founded in 1971. Some fun facts: TC has seven official book clubs, Book Club Happy Hour, special events and more. Who wouldn’t want to visit there?! That’s my question. The name alone draws you and makes you want to go visit their store.

City Lights – San Francisco’s famous bookstore was founded in 1953 as the first all-paperback bookstore. It carries all genres and is known for being a spot for political, literary and debate. I’ve never been to California but this is a one of many good reasons to get there.

Kepler’s – Also located in San Francisco, Kepler’s is known for sponsoring author events. It was founded in 1955 by peace activist Roy Kepler. It even has its own PBS documentary titled Paperback Dreams. In 2005 the store went out of business but it was reopened in October due to loyal customer support.

Powell’s City of Books – Founded in 1971 by Michal Powell, it is located in Portland, OR. The stores entire inventory is available online. They have seven stores in total.

And there you have it, my five top bookstores that I want to visit in this lifetime. My list is much longer than these five stores but these are the first ones I want to start with as they seem the most doable at this point and I want to keep my planning reasonable so that it really does happen!. I know I can pull this off and make it affordable to travel too if I plan in advance. My biggest worry is the cost of mailing myself all the books I know I will be buying. Flying with tons of heavy books just doesn’t sound remotely fun in anyway.

I know I want be able to travel to any of these, but you have to see the Most Interesting Bookstores of the World. The photo of El Ateneo Bookstore, Buenos Aires, Argentina is by far one of my favorite photos but there are many more.

Which famous bookstores have you visited or do you have included on your bucket list? I can’t be the only one with a bookstore bucket list. Right? Right?! Come on!

Chrissie Cole is a freelance writer for various blogs, including Speedy Incorporation, which helps new small business owners incorporate online as well as offering advice and information about running their business successfully via their small business blog.

It took me long enough but I am finally the proud owner of a Kindle Touch (thanks mom!). At first I was resistant to the idea because I love books. I love the feel and the smell of them and well, buying them. But the various piles all over the house are seriously out of control. And, I’m moving soon which means I need to get organized.

I’ve decided I really need to donate, giveaway and part with as many books as possible. I’m oddly okay with it now because I think my brain knows that while I won’t be buying any new “books” for a while I can stock up on digital books. My first download was “Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me.” Great distraction, she’s nuts. Love it.

I still need to buy Kindle Accessories, I carry it around in the box it came in. Suggestions welcome!

I’ve been sick and miserable all week. So I have decided that I am dedicating this weekend entirely to reading! And most importantly to writing reviews of some great books I have had the pleasure of reading.

My books are overtaking my bedroom. If I wasn’t feel so crappy I would get out of bed and take a picture. To my left is a bookshelf that is stuffed with books and right next to it is a pile of books as tall as the shelf. And then there are some on the night table too. There is also a huge bag of book MP3′s. This just happens to be the pile near me, there are several located around my house. #bookinsanity

Stay tuned, I will be writing this weekend. I promise.

Barnes & Noble is having a huge After Holidays Sale and I just ordered several books. Not that I need any more books. . . but it was too good to pass up. I guess I better hurry up with the library books I have out now. One of my resolutions this year is to stop spending so much money on library fines!

Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity: A Simple Guide to Unlimited Abundance
By: Edwene Gaines

Your Roots are Showing
By: Elise Chidley

If You Lived Here
By: Dana Sachs

Mrs. Perfect
By: Jane Porter

Everyone Worth Knowing
By: Lauren Weisberger

The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Managing Your Business and Your Life
By: Lama Christie McNally, Geshe Michael Roach

Driving with Dead People
By: Monica Holloway

Winter Garden
By: Kristin Hannah

The Front
By: Patricia Cornwall

Long Lost
By: Harlan Coben

For weeks, the same pile of library books has crowded my desk. In fact, my husband just paid my fines and then checked them out on his card to get me more time. When he found out that he paid nearly thirty dollars and I had only read one of them he really wasn’t too pleased. If you knew how close the library was (almost in my backyard) and how frequently this happened, you would understand his frustration that much more.

To his credit, he’s right to be upset. That’s a ridiculous amount of money in library fees. In my defense my work load has been insane and I really haven’t had as much time to read as I would like. But it also reminded me that I need to take more time for me. It shouldn’t be that hard to find 30 minutes a day to read, at least. I owe myself that. I also need to fit in more writing time but that is another post for another day. And this seems to be a constant issue for me so I need to make a change and stick to it.

The five books I must finish are:

Think Big and Kick Ass – Donald Trump

Rework – Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

POP! – Stand Out In Any Crowd

Delivering Happiness – Tony Tony Hsieh

The New Rules of Marketing & PR - David Meerman Scott

Whuffie Factor - Tara Hunt (the book I *did* finish)

The reason for all these marketing books is a new project I’m working on. So right after I am done with them I am going to start back on my fun reading, which is also backed up.

To further complicate my book addiction, I want a Kindle but I just bought my son a car so my budget is strained. While having all these jumbled thoughts I happened to read a post by my good friend Ann-Kat about trying Kindle for PC so I think I might start there for now.

As for the puppy, Sadie, while she is adorably cute, she is exhausting! I forgot how much work goes into taking care of a puppy. We got her two weeks ago. She is a Labrador / Golden Retriever mix. She’s definitely keeping my dog on the go which may be good for him but I also feel a little sorry for him at the same time. I caught her chewing on the corners of my books on the floor, time to relocate some of my to-be-read piles.

When I am impatient about buying books, my bookstore of choice is Books-A-Million. It’s a good twenty minute drive but its worth it. Despite Barnes & Noble being a mile away. It may just be me, but I seem to find better prices and books at BAM, but that’s another post for another day.

My excitement today is for the email I just got from BAM announcing new (or new to me) “MOBILE DEVICE FRIENDLY COUPONS” that you can present on your mobile device to the cashier at the time of purchase. This may sound simplistic but I can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten to print out my coupons. Too many to count..

I have a Blackberry [another addiction] and this makes using coupons that much easier. It’s the little things.

PS. BAM is having their Annual Summer Book Sale. More joy.

Notice the big banner in the window? This picture is from Christmas. To say I am late posting is the understatement of the week. But as they say, better late than never.

I love this picture for so many reasons. Obviously I love my mother and daughter. But what I love most is going to the bookstore with them. My daughter doesn’t like the book part as much as we do, she’s in it for the coffee, but to that I say whatever works!

I remember quite clearly the books I bought that day. Which were a few. And of those books I’ve read 1. The rest are in a pile on or near my desk. I am going to be making my way through all my book piles so I can relocate them and make room for more books. It’s a vicious cycle.

Sadly my daughter (15) doesn’t enjoy reading. In fact, she quite despises it. And that’s okay, but I do wish that she enjoyed it.

Thursday we had a parent/teacher conference and found out that she isn’t up to task in reading class. She is doing well on tests, but she hasn’t been reading a novel and keeping a journal as required. So we took a trip to the library after school that day. As we walked in she was moaning and griping about how she hates reading and it’s not fair blah blah blah <insert teenage drama here>.

Long story short, after dashing around the library and grabbing some books for myself I found her sitting in the corner with a stack of FIVE books. And she was so excited to tell me about them. I don’t know if she will start to enjoy reading but I am going to enjoy it while it lasts!

As for me, during my dash around the library, I picked up the following books:

Shoe Addicts Anonymous, Beth Harbison

Secrets of a School Addict, Beth Harbison

The Book of Joe, Jonathon Tropper

Write from Life, Meg Files – after the drama filled week I had with my extended family, this book found its way to me.

Three Writing books – the names escape me and they aren’t near me

** Tell No One, Harlan Coben (purchased today)

I have 67+ books in my TBR Pile in various areas around the house, but adding to the piles makes me happy (and hey, this batch of books are loaners, not keepers). My biggest challenge is returning them on time or remembering to renew them but that is another post in itself.

In other news, my oldest son was sick for 6+ weeks most recently with the flu, which I thankfully bypassed. But now my other son is sick and I think my luck may have run out… I am not feeling very good.  However a big juicy stack of books to take to bed does give me some much needed comfort.

The Harry Potter Reading Challenge is my first reading challenge on my shiny new book blog (thanks for the suggestion, Belle!) I’m so excited to finally start book blogging.

I loved the Harry Potter books when they first came out. But somewhere along the way I stopped reading the newer books (crazy, I know)… so this challenge is especially perfect.

Want to join the fun? All you have to do is read or listen to all seven books in the Harry Potter series, anytime beginning August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010. Does it get any easier than that?!

Sign up now at GalleySmith’s if you haven’t done so already!

P.S. Sign up before August 15th, for a chance to be one of two lucky winners to win all seven books! My fingers and toes are crossed!

P.S.S. My very good friend Ann-Kat at Today I Read made the banner above. Isn’t it cute? I love it!