A non-extensive list of things...

...that I probably need to stop buying

By the time you are reading this, I will have broken my no-book-buying-streak in favor of the Illumicrate pre-sale on the remaining The Winternight Trilogy books. Because I was already buying books, I went ahead and ordered some other special editions, and then…went to the bookstore across the street from my house.

(Need a refresher? Click below.)

Small Treats Fix Big Problems

Really, this is just a delayed celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, which is held in the US annually on the last Saturday in April. I was good and didn’t buy anything then so, treats for me now.¹

Independent bookstores are vital links to encourage literacy in communities. Growing up, the only thing I had near me was a Barnes & Noble. And while B&N has had a resurgence in past years, mainly because they started acting like small bookstores, it’s a far cry from an independent one.

In my own personal experience, independent bookstores cater to their communities. They tend to bring in local authors, which can be a huge boost for writers looking to sell and promote their books. They also serve as third places², in addition to providing meeting spaces. Small bookstores can also order in books they don’t have in stock, and are often run by some of the most book-loving people you’ll ever meet.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Barnes & Noble (and whichever other bookstore chains are still left) can do all those things, too, but it’s not the same as having a small space that feels intimate and familiar to your community. Independent bookstores feel more personal, rather than the otherwise industrial spaces of large corporate bookstores.

That being said, I am always team bookstore over team Amazon. Growing up, there were no independent bookstores near me, so all I had was Barnes & Noble. It was fine! I still read and bought lots of books. But small businesses invest directly back into their communities in ways that corporations don’t. Basically, I’m repeating the plot from You’ve Got Mail here.

Once all my special editions come in, I’ll give you a nice little photoshoot. Breaking my streak made me consider what else I should probably put a spending moratorium on. So without further ado, here’s a non-exhaustive list of all of the other things I should probably stop buying, in addition to books.

---

1. Mugs

   Pretty self explanatory. I have done 23 weekly roundups at this point, featuring 23 distinct mugs³, and we’re nowhere near halfway through my collection. I regret nothing.

   

2. Crystals

   They’re pretty! They’re shiny! I want them!

3. Candles

   I was in Trader Joe’s the other day, and noticed they have candles. So, obviously I had to get one. It’s grapefruit and smells ~divine~. Thank god smell is not a trigger for my migraines because I’d be in so much trouble right now. Also, candle magic is wicked effective and I want my house smelling nicely at all times.

4. Sunglasses

   This is only partially my fault. My parents are eye doctors, which means I have been genetically conditioned to need lots of spectacles. While I don’t wear my (regular) glasses very often, you can bet your bottom dollar I wear sunglasses all the time. The latest pair I acquired was indeed from my parents, and was because my Mom said to my Dad, and I quote, “Rich, you’re never going to sell those so you might as well just give them to Marissa.” 10/10, no notes, will buy another pair when I get my eyes examined later this year.

   

5. Coats

   I have so many coats that I cannot even begin to explain this to you. The only reasonable explanation I can come up with is that I have generally stayed the same size since I was 17, so most things still fit me, so if it still fits why get rid of it? And I live in New England, which has seasons? I have no explanation for this, really. But I do have a lot of coats.

6. Books

   Just for good measure.

Will perennially refer to this meme.

You will notice that Dalmatian related things are nowhere on this list because the limit does not exist where those are concerned.

Anyways, a new Artist Interview is coming Friday so get excited!!

1. And really, every day is Independent Bookstore day when you shop at a local independent bookstore.

2. If you’re not familiar with the idea of ‘third places,’ it’s a sociological concept that defines a space that is separate from work and home. Think: churches, community centers, public libraries. Many of them are also free to be in, rather than having to pay to be in, say, a cafe or restaurant.

3. Yes, there have been some guest mugs but it still counts all the same.