I had close to one hundred unread books, and I got rid of all of them. I’m moving to a different country soon, so really had to think long and hard about which books would live in my parents house for the next couple of years. I’ve always wanted a big library. I’ve also been in the book space since 2018, and have quite a few special editions. I used to be subbed to Illumicrate, but recently cancelled because I simply couldn’t afford it anymore (getting books to South Africa is a pain). I think as I got older the rampant overconsumption just started to get to me. I’m disgusted by those massive book haul videos where people spend $500 on books. Like that’s half my salary😭 As a bookish influencer from the global south, keeping up is impossible or requires extreme wealth. I’m privileged to have some disposable income, but really these days I’d rather invest it. Maybe now that my brain is fully developed I think differently about these things😂 Anyway, this long paragraph to say that I get it, but I’m also not participating in it anymore.
I really love hearing your perspective on this! I feel like the bookish space is often so focused on western countries, or it's consumers being in America. When, in reality, reading has and will always be a global hobby that is far, far more than just sprayed edges bought at a retail chain in a big city.
It's funny you mention moving, because I have so many regrets about my own collection when I moved a couple years ago. It was a complete nightmare to box up, and I really wish I'd had the self-discipline to get rid of more. Going forward, I'm trying to make decisions on what I buy and keep with that in mind - would I want to pack it, pay moving fees, and keep it? I think the same can be said for subscription boxes, especially when their shipping and overall costs keep rising. It becomes totally unsustainable in the current economy.
I totally agree that investing is a so much better choice over consuming! As long as we treat ourselves every once in a while, it's better to have long term over the fleeting joy of owning "stuff."
I had close to one hundred unread books, and I got rid of all of them. I’m moving to a different country soon, so really had to think long and hard about which books would live in my parents house for the next couple of years. I’ve always wanted a big library. I’ve also been in the book space since 2018, and have quite a few special editions. I used to be subbed to Illumicrate, but recently cancelled because I simply couldn’t afford it anymore (getting books to South Africa is a pain). I think as I got older the rampant overconsumption just started to get to me. I’m disgusted by those massive book haul videos where people spend $500 on books. Like that’s half my salary😭 As a bookish influencer from the global south, keeping up is impossible or requires extreme wealth. I’m privileged to have some disposable income, but really these days I’d rather invest it. Maybe now that my brain is fully developed I think differently about these things😂 Anyway, this long paragraph to say that I get it, but I’m also not participating in it anymore.
I really love hearing your perspective on this! I feel like the bookish space is often so focused on western countries, or it's consumers being in America. When, in reality, reading has and will always be a global hobby that is far, far more than just sprayed edges bought at a retail chain in a big city.
It's funny you mention moving, because I have so many regrets about my own collection when I moved a couple years ago. It was a complete nightmare to box up, and I really wish I'd had the self-discipline to get rid of more. Going forward, I'm trying to make decisions on what I buy and keep with that in mind - would I want to pack it, pay moving fees, and keep it? I think the same can be said for subscription boxes, especially when their shipping and overall costs keep rising. It becomes totally unsustainable in the current economy.
I totally agree that investing is a so much better choice over consuming! As long as we treat ourselves every once in a while, it's better to have long term over the fleeting joy of owning "stuff."