DD 001-005.999 Jan; Biblioholism: The Literary Addiction by Tom Raabe (002.074 RAA)

In reading Biblioholism , I had one very fundamental problem with the book. By definition (and even emblazoned on the cover), biblioholism involves a longing to purchase, read, store, admire, and consume books in excess. There is no such thing. Actually, if you make it to the end of the book ,the author acknowledges that when it comes to books, really, too many is always enough. I think that my problem was that I took the book too seriously, having gotten three quarters of the way through before I noticed the classification on the back corner places the book in the humor category!
Now, my husband often says I have no sense of humor. Quite the contrary, I have a very discerning sense of humor. I often find real life to be funnier than any attempt at comedy. With that caveat, I think this books is mislabeled. While it is a lighthearted approach to the subject and does at times, come close to mockery, it is not by and large a humor book.
Biblioholism has a quiz to rate your level of affectation with the condition. While my husband is teetering on the edge, I am a full blown biblioholic, according to this assessment. As you might expect from a true bibilioholic in denial ( I already told you, when it comes to books, there is no such thing as excess)(When my grandmother describes our home, she says, “You sure do have a lot of cats and books), I disagree.
The book also has an air of pretension to it, on occasion throwing in spelling bee words seemingly just for the sheer impressiveness of it.
The book is worth a peek, though, if for no other reason than the chapter describing the ideal or “fantasy” bookstore. Would-be store proprietors, take note! There is a right way and a wrong way to sell books. If you think of books as inventory instead of furniture or even friends, maybe consider a donut franchise instead. Or at least study this chapter and study it hard.
Our local bookshop in Hillsborough comes close, especially in regard to the person who owns the shop- Julia, the ideal owner. (The store is call Brick Alley Books and is highly recommended) There, books with torn jackets or bent covers are never “damaged”- they are “hurt books”. And you can keep a wish list on an index card for those wanting ideas what to get you.
So, keeping in mind that, misguided or not, this is a humor tome. Give Biblioholism a try, but don’t take it too seriously. Except for the Fantasy Bookstore Chapter. Take that very seriously!