Confessions of a Bookaholic | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Confessions of a Bookaholic | Previous Challenge Entry
By Trudy Newell
01/10/19
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Confessions of a Bookaholic

I’ve always loved to shop, especially for books. Shopping has been my escape and main form of recreation. There aren’t many choices for a Christian. So many forms of amusement border on the edge of morality.

Clothes are not my weakness. Short and chunky, the modern styles don’t suit me. When I shop for clothes, it’s a necessity. Shoes are a different story. I could be tempted to invest tons of money in shoes, but I don’t.

Yet I can’t resist books. I love to read, and I love to buy books. I love the feel and fragrance of books mingling with the aroma of fresh coffee. My favorite place, The Book Corner, has a baby-grand piano in the corner. Since I’m a regular, I got to know the owner, Sandy. I play the piano and get my coffee free. I could live at The Book Corner quite happily. My husband, Jerry, knows when I leave with my laptop where I’m headed. He kisses me and smiles. He wants to keep me a happy camper.

I chuckle at my collection of writing books. Am I kidding myself about being a writer? As good and helpful as the books are, they don’t sit down in front of the computer and write for me. I need some of that ‘magic glue’ I had given my kindergarten class when they got wiggly. No, it hadn’t worked too well, especially on Johnny. He might remain in his square or chair for two minutes.

Amazon is my best friend. I don’t buy shoes on-line, as I want to be sure they fit. It’s too much of a hassle to return them. But books are easy to buy on Amazon. The price is right, and the Book Corner doesn’t have a great selection of books on writing, rather a specialized area.

I’ll never forget the day I froze as I read our Mastercard statement. Something was wrong. There is no way I could spend that much money on books! But the figures didn’t lie, and the statement was accurate. How would I ever explain to Jerry that I was a bookaholic?

When I showed Jerry the statement, he didn’t kill me. But I sure did a double-take when he raised his voice, “Linda, I just don’t believe you did this. Do you think we have a money tree in the back yard? Have you forgotten the ATM only works when you put money into it? Have you forgotten the 16% interest charge on Mastercard?”

When he calmed down, he hugged me and together we worked out a plan. It took six months, but the Mastercard did get paid off. I even had to ‘unfriend’ Amazon for a time.

The Mastercard fiasco turned into a blessing. I still go to the malls. However, I walk quickly and don’t stare in the windows like I once did. I’ve lost a couple of pounds as a bonus.

I still spend time at The Book Corner, play the piano for Sandy, and get my coffee free. I still sit in the back corner with my laptop. But now my laptop is off-line. I’m still a bookaholic, but now the focus is on all those writing books available in my collection. I still find bargains on Amazon, but limit myself.

Now I shop less; I have some priorities. I carve out more time to read my Bible and pray. You’d be surprised how much more writing I do. The possibility of completing that book has become a real probability. I may even finish my collection of projects laying in the bottom drawer of my desk.

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