Face Your Addiction
A ten step program for Bookcrossers
by VysionJune 15, 2004
I got caught up in the wonder of Bookcrossing. I registered many, many books I haven't read yet but I won't let myself feel pressured anymore. Although Mt. TBR (to be read) is huge, I want to read and enjoy these books.
My self-intervention ten step program:
1) I will breathe. My breath would always catch when walking into a library or bookstore. Books are great, but I must not forget to breathe.
2) I will be realistic about the book wish forum. It is fine to ask for books or fulfill wishes, but I won't ask for more books or join more bookrays/rings/boxes than I can handle.
3) I will organize Mt. TBR separating the books I can immediately release, those I received from other Bookcrossers, and the remaining books I want to read. This should help my mental management of what I will read next.
4) I will read first those books that have other people waiting (via catches or trades). This will lessen the pressure of "must-read-books" syndrome that frequently causes the opposite, periods of no reading at all.
5) I will explore all parts of the Bookcrossing website. I will read the forums on a regular basis (regular meaning not every hour but at most twice a day). I will try to give detailed reviews of books through my journal entries to help those who encounter the books on down the road.
6) I will resist impulse book buying. I will still buy books that interest me and are great deals. I will select my books to buy and then look at them closely so I can give myself time to overcome the "impulse" and truly pick the best ones to purchase. I will not buy a book solely because it is cheap. I can leave a bookstore without buying anything and still support the store another time.
7) I will not feel guilty for skimming a book. I will not feel guilty for taking my time enjoying a book.
8) I will have fun releasing books but not worry about the "stats" by my name nor rush to release everything I own. I will put thought behind my release locations.
9) I will attend Meetups when I am able. I will be sure to give away or release more books than I accept in trade.
10) I will not freak out when I do not spell a word correctly in a forum post. Mistakes happen.
That's my program. I do not advertise this list as a cure-all for every Bookcrosser. I am hoping those reading this will think about how they approach Bookcrossing so they get the most enjoyment out of it.
If you want to stress, that's ok. I am choosing not to.
Read and enjoy. :)
My self-intervention ten step program:
1) I will breathe. My breath would always catch when walking into a library or bookstore. Books are great, but I must not forget to breathe.
2) I will be realistic about the book wish forum. It is fine to ask for books or fulfill wishes, but I won't ask for more books or join more bookrays/rings/boxes than I can handle.
3) I will organize Mt. TBR separating the books I can immediately release, those I received from other Bookcrossers, and the remaining books I want to read. This should help my mental management of what I will read next.
4) I will read first those books that have other people waiting (via catches or trades). This will lessen the pressure of "must-read-books" syndrome that frequently causes the opposite, periods of no reading at all.
5) I will explore all parts of the Bookcrossing website. I will read the forums on a regular basis (regular meaning not every hour but at most twice a day). I will try to give detailed reviews of books through my journal entries to help those who encounter the books on down the road.
6) I will resist impulse book buying. I will still buy books that interest me and are great deals. I will select my books to buy and then look at them closely so I can give myself time to overcome the "impulse" and truly pick the best ones to purchase. I will not buy a book solely because it is cheap. I can leave a bookstore without buying anything and still support the store another time.
7) I will not feel guilty for skimming a book. I will not feel guilty for taking my time enjoying a book.
8) I will have fun releasing books but not worry about the "stats" by my name nor rush to release everything I own. I will put thought behind my release locations.
9) I will attend Meetups when I am able. I will be sure to give away or release more books than I accept in trade.
10) I will not freak out when I do not spell a word correctly in a forum post. Mistakes happen.
That's my program. I do not advertise this list as a cure-all for every Bookcrosser. I am hoping those reading this will think about how they approach Bookcrossing so they get the most enjoyment out of it.
If you want to stress, that's ok. I am choosing not to.
Read and enjoy. :)
