twinglesMom

How much is too much?

Posted on 07/07/08, 04:49 pm

I read constantly - and I do mean constantly. I will finish a book in a day if it's too short (i.e. - normal size) or two - three days if it's huge (i.e. - Stephen King's "It" or "The Stand" or "The Talisman") and I am ALWAYS running out of books to read. I can't stand not having something to read. I am unable to sleep if I am close (within 100 pages) to the ending. I am pretty sure I'm showing some addictive behaviors, but is there a cure? Is book reading a terrible thing if done in excess? I will often neglect myself in favor of a book, but not my family. At least it's not drugs, right?

• Reply #1 07/07/08  6:30pm
  
  Rissa
  You are too funny! What a great addiction! Enjoy your love of reading and know that you have a lot of company here>
• Reply #2 07/07/08  7:54pm
  
  79pounds
  when i have the leisure time i'd rather be reading too! enjoy it while you can.
• Reply #3 07/09/08  12:34pm
  
  Louisiana1976
  I'm hooked on books, too--I've done a lot of the things you mention! Also, unless a book is slow-going, I can read it pretty fast. It's a good thing I get my books from the library--otherwise I'd probably be spending all my money on books.
• Reply #4 07/10/08  6:12pm
  
  angelndisguise
  I like you HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO READ!!! If not, I'm miserable. A fun day for me is scouting all the thrift stores, bookstores, on the weekends. I love books!!!!!!!!! Can't get enough of them!!!!!!!!!
• Reply #5 07/11/08  6:25pm
  
  skeeter337
  I was just telling my friends in work that when I was a kid I wouldn't go anywhere without a book. I'm still the same way. I try to use the library so I don't clutter up my life w/too many books. I did that once or twice in my life. It gets out of hand, although I do have a few shelves.
• Reply #6 07/15/08  2:04am
  
  sweetdawn
  I'm in the same boat as you. I don't know how many times I've stayed up all night just to finish a book or gotta back up in the middle of the night because I couldn't get the story out of my head to go to sleep.
• Reply #7 07/18/08  2:05am
  
  Suev
  I can't go anywhere without a book...cause that will be the time I get stuck somewhere waiting for a long time and no book!!! Got to always pick up a new book just as soon as I finish my current book. I fall asleep between pages sometimes :)
• Reply #8 07/20/08  5:36pm
  
  katherine8504
  I'm the same way, and I told my therapist about it. She said that as long as it doesn't interfere with necessary daily obligations (work, school, health, normal social activities, etc.), I should embrace it. And I have. :) And that's what I tell my therapist every time we talk about it...at least it's not drugs or alcohol (especially since alcoholism is rampant in my family).
• Reply #9 07/21/08  8:13pm
  
  elFauno
  I was like that before I fell into this wicked depression. Slowly crawling out of it though and been getting stacks of books from the library. I start to feel reallyyy bad when I haven't got a book to read on the train, start getting anxious.. It's summer hols now so doesn't hurt to read all the time. I don't think there is such a thing as excessive reading, not unless you're reading absolute shite and not literature. Remembering to eat and sleep is always nice though :P

A book is a gift you can open again and again. Garrison Keillor