BOOK BUYING BAN | ZERO TBR SHELF 

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The same happens with me. I want it, I buy it, and then my brain sort of checks it off my TBR even though I've yet to read it, and it just sits there unread for too long. Part of the problem is book boxes, too. I'm canceling almost all of them because I miss going to the bookstore, buying a book, and reading it right away. I'll probably save a ton of money and discover so many great things on my shelf to read.

I think its important to remind ourselves that books are going to be released ALL the time.... forever. There are always going to be new books we want to read. The new books that come out arent always going to be the "new thing"... eventually they will be 3 years old, and some other new book will be the book everyone is gushing over. Because of this... I have learned to buy slower and not to buy everything I want. Half the time... I will really want a book, and if I dont buy it, my interest will move on to something else, or I can just buy it later when I actually want to read it. However... I dont feel the need and dont like to buy books full price if I don't have to. Buying books second-hand is SO much cheaper. So my biggest issue is buying second-hand books at thriftstores to save money long term, then it grows my TBR really bad. I feel like it would be so expensive to buy every single book I read brand new RIGHT when I want to read it.

Honestly why I enjoy your channel is because you inspired me to be more intentional with my book buying habits. At one point, I felt a lot of pressure to always buy new releases but now I try to finish what’s on my plate instead of buying books and letting them pile up. I’m on a book buying ban right now and it’s been refreshing to “shop” from my actual unread shelf! I also use the library a lot to help with the impulse book shopping lol

I buy 99% of my books used and cheap so I tend to overbuy 😂 I unhaul books if I don’t really love them or think I’ll ever reread them, but I find so much comfort in having read and unread books stuffing my selves. But the main problem I have is that I often buy at a greater rate then I can read, so sometimes I have to hold back and not buy for a while to try and give myself time to read what I own. I have a strong collector instinct too, so that makes it worse. I’m happy, though, so I don’t stress about it a whole lot.

I had to do this too. I would stress bc I would bulk buy. Then I would end up reselling the ones that stressed me out! I buy as I read and wow the thrill is back!

I have so many unread books I won’t even admit the actual number 😭 and I only read physically so they take up SPACE. But it brings me a lot of joy! I am *attempting* a book buying ban this summer though because I need to practice self restraint!!!

I actually really love your mentality around book buying, and I think it's a very healthy way to approach it!! My husband is the same way--he collected hundreds of books over many years, but he read them all right after buying. It brings him a lot of pride to have them all and know they were enjoyed, and can be again someday. I'm a little different--I very much have the "wine collectors" mentality, and that definitely comes from being a mood reader. When I finish a book, I have no idea what I will be in the mood for next, so if I don't have options I may not read at all. I like to peruse and see what calls to me, and I don't have quick transportation to a bookstore so having them in-house is important to me. I do try to keep my book purchasing reasonable, though--I pre-order books so I get perks through my bookstore, watch for sales, and if it's an older book I will read it from the library first before buying. I use the library as much as I can! Library books (in all formats) are about 1/3rd of my reading. My weakness is ebooks on sale, though. If it's $3 and I've heard good reviews, I'll buy it. I have a small horde of unread ebooks... But again, as a mood reader, this is mostly great. If I'm in the mood for a particular book, any waiting time like for a library hold can be problematic. The downside: I definitely have ebooks now I imagine I will never read. I've really, really slowed how many I buy this year for that reason. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! I do love hearing about how people approach their book collecting habits--I think as long as it's within someone's financial means, they should do whatever makes them happy! But we all have our quirks, and it's fun to learn about them. ^^

That‘s why I really like your channel. You can actually talk about the books you buy and own. There are soo many booktubers out there who have massive book hauls with 60 and more books a month and also several copies of the same books. I get that some people like to collect their favourite books and want all the special editions and stuff. But most of the time they buy those books and don’t read them at all. They just end up on their ever growing tbr pile. There is a booktuber who has more than 400 unread books on her tbr. That’s so unrealistic and ridiculous to me. I can not take a booktuber like that seriously. I usually buy the books I wanna read at the moment and keep the other books on a wish list so I don’t forget them.

I feel the same way!! The longer it’s on my shelf the less interested I am! The library is different! I put a bunch of books on hold and hopefully when they come in I’ll be interested like “ooo new shiny!” But so often it takes forever for them to come in that I often forget or lose interest!

I have gotten over 98% of the books I've read from the library in the last few years, and otherwise I just get them second-hand. I buy the books I really love for my collection. However, I have almost 100 unread books in my shelves back at my parents' place (another country), which I'm not sure when they'll be read! I got them when I rediscovered reading (and discovered booktube!). The thing that bothers me the most is not even that - it's the fact that I read so much but I my goodreads TBR is continuously growing, so I can never keep up!

The forgetting the books on my shelf happens to me too. I usually reorganize my books so I remember that I have them

I love videos like these! The only thing I think is as long as folks are not putting themselves in debt or have a true just wasteful shopping addiction i think reading/buying should mostly align with their normal habits. Mostly I think it's interesting because I'm on the other side of the coin were I grew up working class and still working class mostly went to library and clearance buying when younger only could afford books recently and generally read maybe 1-2 books a month and am very picky reader... My main thing is just how expensive books have gotten in general it should not feel like a luxury for those who do want a regular size book collection to do so.

I think it is so freaking cool that you have read almost every book you own. I have made myself slow down buying books about two years ago and don’t regret it at all. I now do not feel as much pressure to get to everything on my shelves and I like that most of the books I own I have read as well

I want to get my TBR down and I feel like it’s a slow process I’ve been ticking away at but like you I have to have the read and unread books in separate places

Honestly I get books in batches like if I know that I am really in the mood to go look for books I will go and buy them but it has to be that I read atleast two books that month to make sure everything is not in dissarray

it stresses me out to have too many unread books. I grew up pretty poor and I feel like I'm being wasteful if I spend money on them, and don't get around to reading them. I'm currently trying to read my entire Physical TBR before the end of the year. So anything I read outside of that has to be free. Library, Libby etc. I do get Book of the month but I've just been getting the Audiobook option so that I can immediately listen to it while I'm doing other things, so I get a new release, but its not adding to my physical TBR.

No, I've never done a ban. I tend to read books as soon as I buy them, but I usually only buy one at a time. Occasionally, I might have a spurt of 2 or 3 books at the same time.

I had to pause watching this video because I felt like I needed to take notes on the things I wanted to comment on. And I did😂. What I discovered is that it was much easier to just say that I agreed with everything you said in the first half of this video. It’s good to know that someone thinks/feels the same way I do sometimes about this topic. I also decided last month, after finally finishing my TBR books, to start limiting the number of books I buy per month. I felt pressured to read them even though there were other books I was now more interested in that I hadn’t purchased yet.

When my budget was stricter, I only borrowed from the library. Then last year I went CRAZY buying books after restricting myself and I still have 60ish unread books. I have to keep them separate, too. I like doing TBRs for readathons, but my brain rebels, similar to what you are saying. I now think very loosely about what I would like to read next. I'm really happy while I'm getting a huge bunch of books at the store or library, but then it kinda feels like a "to do list" when I have too many at once. I'm working my way through what I own now, but I don't have a strict buying ban. I think in the future I will try the first in backlist series from the library and only start purchasing it if I like it. Once I get my own unread books down, I feel like I am going to do something similar to what you do. The books aren't going anywhere - and then I won't feel guilty about my unread books. I had Fairyloot for awhile, and I had to cancel it. The books are gorgeous but I didn't like the "I have to get it now or else I'll miss out" mentality it was giving me. Maybe again in the future, but not now.

I actually just went on my 1st book buying ban and I decided to do it because I had sooo many unread books I was running out of shelf space! so I said okay, no more physical books until I’ve read 10 I already own. And I actually read those 10 pretty quickly so it was very motivating 😂 and it actually made space for more because I realized 3 of those I didn’t really like, so I unhauled. Now it’s motivated me to do another 10!

I place multiple books on hold at the library at the same time so as they come available it’s a surprise and scratches that spontaneity itch for me. What books I do buy are mostly used and something I seek out for my collection. I try to limit books I own to those I know will be or already are very special to me and/or my husband.

Even if I try to tell myself not to buy books, I will still get special editions. Those cost way too much in resale to pass up at regular price. I've read about 20% of my collection and love having a big library/tbr to choose from 😊 Loving all your videos lately, girl!! 🤍

For the library, there are times I use it as my "bookstore experience" and browse to find things. I also live in a smaller town, so some selections have to be through their shared branch system and sometimes can take weeks to even come in. Especially Fantasy/Sci-fi since it's still not fully mainstream to be book club picks. I tend to only borrow 2-3 at a time because even though renewals work for about 1 month and a half time, I still hyper focus like I have a deadline. I also tend to choose library if the books are mixed reviews, then if I actually enjoyed the book I can get it. I've recently set myself to put thrillers on a no buy, since typically you can't reread them. I have my shelves set to guilt me with unread and read...plus it's extra satisfying to place my just finished book onto the read shelf. 😄

I have the occasional self-imposed book buying ban if all of my shelves are full and I've started to pile them up on the floor. Then I move to a one out/one in policy until I've cleared some space. It doesn't tend to be for budget reasons, I'll choose to buy books over food if I have to. Though I'm trying to shop my own shelves a lot more this year before I go out to get new books. I'm finding that having a sort through and re-ordering them every so often works for me because it reminds me what I've already got and I can get excited again about books I've left unread for years. I've also had a clear out of books I told myself I 'had' to read for old book challenges like 'read the classics' because I've finally admitted to myself that they've been unread (for 15 years in some cases) because I really don't want to read them. Reading is my greatest joy and I never want to turn it into a chore. Thank you for another brilliant video. I love your channel.

Such a good video and great discussion! I took inspiration from Olivia this year and have been borrowing books from my library a lot this year. My library doesn’t have a lot of physical books, so I just read them on my kindle. I also have and love kindle unlimited. If I read the book on my kindle (from the loans), and I love it and continue to get excited thinking about that book, I than go and buy the physical copy to put on my shelf. I really have been trying to only buy books that I know that I’m going to love and want to keep long term.

I go to the library and try to pick up a book from every mood I may be in so like thriller, sci fi, romance etc and even if I don’t get to read them by the time they have to go back I don’t sweat it because eventually I’ll get back to it. I do choose one subscription box every month to treat myself to a new release

I recently noticed an odd pattern which seemed to be that I had to buy a book to know I didn't want to read it. Which seemed financially irresponsible to say the least. But I find my relationship to the books I own vs. the books I check out from the library is different and carries different pressures. If I spent money on it I have to take it more seriously. If I take it out from the library and don't get to it I always think maybe it's because I knew I didn't really have to commit to it. Buying it forces a different level of commitment that let's me know if I really like the book or not, which I usually end up being able to tell within the first twenty pages. Because this is convoluted and a waste of money I've been trying to be more committed to being serious about books I take out from the library and actually sitting down with books I might want to buy at the bookstore and reading the first few chapters before buying them. Most of my books I try to buy second hand with trade in credit so that softens the financial blow if I don't like the book. So yeah. It's weird but important to take stock of your book buying habits every now and then. And I definitely feel like there's room for improvement in mine.

I love this! I actually haul at the library and then just mood read and buy books I want to collect and re read! I auto buy everything a handful of authors release but I love having everything separate like you do! I wish I wasn’t sentimental and could let go of everything but my books! Would love to see you unhaul!

I personally go on book buying bans because I went a bit crazy with my tbr. I used to buy every book that I was interested in and want to keep them even if they were only meh. However, I have very little space in my current apt and I will be moving pretty far away once I graduate grad school. So it's just unrealistic of me to be keeping and buying books that I'm not in love with. Once I realized that problem a switch flipped and I started using my library a ton. I tend now to read books from the library before purchasing them so I'm only buying favorites. My library also has a request system that I use to ask them to grab books I'm interested in. I only had one book subscription prior but I canceled that. Now when I purchase books it's from finding them second hand or on a pretty extreme discount and I just have a list on my phone of books that I loved and that I'd like to collect. I will occasionally buy books I haven't read if it's a really good deal and if I've tried the author prior or heard enough good reviews from people with the same taste as I have. I'm still working down my tbr from prior years of buying like crazy but it's definitely gotten better and I just feel like I'm not wasting as much money. I also get super stressed out when I have too many books to read so checking books off my tbr has definitely helped with that. I'm a big mood reader so when I go to the library to get books I get a ton of them and don't pressure myself to finish them all of them. It's just my mood-read pile of options that I can work my way through. My reasoning is that checking out more books helps the library's stats. Re-checking out books if I didn't get to them the first time helps the author's stats at the library. No one is asking me well did you read it or asking me to check it out less so it's kind of my stress free pile and I get excited about picking them out every month without the guilt of spending money and the pressure that I have to read them because I spent money on them.

I’ve sort of taken after you and started buying the books I really enjoyed reading from the library so I have physical copies of all my favourites - BUT I don’t solely do this, and I find myself sometimes prioritizing buying the new shiny releases vs the ones I’ve already read 😩 I try to do like 50/50 so my physical tbr doesn’t get too out of control… because I definitely have a ton of unread books on my shelf. It kind of stresses me out, but in a good and giddy way lol

I only will try to avoid buying books if I’m hard up for money. 😂😂Reading is my biggest hobby. The thought of running out of books fills me with absolute horror, so I’d never try to stop buying entirely or get my tbr down to zero. I love having a huge library and it doesn’t bother me to have a lot of unread books. I cull regularly so if I lose interest in something I can easily unhaul it. lol. I also love reading by whim, and sometimes a book is not right for my mood. I have books where I’ve read them five to seven years after I bought them and end up LOVING them. The Essex Serpent was one of those. It had been on my shelves for six years, and I had tried it three times and it wasn’t right. The fourth time I picked it up, I fell in love with the writing and the characters. So I feel like having a huge library that I can shop.

I feel you on the book nostalgia. Like I remember how I felt when I read hunger games or divergent

I am the same, my unread books are on their own shelf in a different room to my read books. And I only buy one book at a time or get max two at a time out of the library otherwise it feels like homework.

I’m coming around to your way of reading, I used to love a big book buying haul but now I think little and often is the tick. I’ve actually suspended some of my library holds atm until I get through my tbr as I’ve a few checked out with my library and also a few books I’ve bought recently to read. I’m in 2 book clubs atm and those 2 books are for sure causing me stress as I’ve yet to read my June selections

Since 2021 I only buy books twice yearly, in May for my birthday and in November because of discounts on Black Friday. Books became really expensive after the Pandemic and I can no longer afford to buy them every month .

I've done versions both. For years I didn't have the money to purchase a bunch of books at one time so it was as and when. Even now I only tend to buy a lot at once if I have a gift card.

I also have that order but my finished book are on my bookshelf and my TBR I have first in first out order so that it is a continuous cycle and it works out when I want to reread books as well

I plan to do a book buying ban but not call it that.. just don't buy any books month right now. Which is to save money i need for other things BUT i also feel like i need to read what i own right now too as i have many to read.

Your videos are so Amazing!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

Read what you want. Own as much as you want. Buy as much as you want. if a book has been sitting there unread for years it's ok.

I don't mess with the library, but I love my kindle and have read so many books thru that and really only buy books that I love and want in my collection

I am mostly library, mainly cause books are really pricey. I am a collector but I tend to only collect the books that I love

I listen on Audible and from my library on Libby. If I love the book and will re-read, I'll buy it and add it to my shelves. If I had physical books and I can't find it on Libby, it stays unread. If I listened to it and didn't like it, I'll donate it. I find it better to buy on Audible. Listening to books at 2 or 2.5 speed helps me too. I can follow a story better. ADHD brain here. Put all books you don't feel like reading somewhere else and if you don't reach for it, unhaul. I am reading a bunch of summer books and some spooky books. If I don't feel it, I'll replace it with one I want to read. I have to separate the books read and unread. Goodreads is an addiction but I need to hyper focus on something.

I don't do bans intentionally but I am very intentional with what I buy. So I have months where I don't buy anything, but I don't feel like I'm denying myself in doing that.

My weakness is seeing a book on sale, like on Book Outlet - I can’t pass it up! Or books in a series… I need to buy the whole thing because they need to be matching editions and what if it reprints?!

What if you do a haul/review? That would be cool!!

I am so sorry for this news but I am leaving your amazing and wonderful channel because my mom has been diagnosed with terminal cancer ❤❤❤

I have over 400 unread books in my house. I am a librarian. I could get them for free at work. But no. I prefer to have something available immediately. I always have something I'm in the mood for.

Personally I am really carefull about buying new books. I barely do it and often with gift cards from my birthday. I use these to buy books in series I am currently reading. So it can take me half a year to spend €50 on new books. On the other hand I love going second hand bookshopping. So 90% of my fysical tbr is second hand and was max €4 a book. This system works great for me. I do unhaul tbr books when I lose interest, but that is okay since I didnt spent much on it. I love seperating my tbr books and read books.

Hey like, i also want to unhaul certain books that i have. But i dont know how to. Like where do all of you guys send your books to in form of unhauling?

Bottom line ,in my opinion, lol - we are all book hoarders in varying degrees 😂🥰🫣🤭