Am I like Carrie Bradshaw?

Yesterday it dawned on me just how many books I buy. Tuesday at my job there was a book sale. I knew I didn't need any books, but I can't resist buying books at a deep discount. I bought $140 worth of books for just $10. That deep discount is how I rationalize it in my mind, and plus the proceeds go to charity. I should add that this is an annual sale, and the last two years I've bought books. In those two years I haven't read a single book that I bought. But that has more to do with me slacking on my reading. This year, I'm finally picking up the slack.

But in the last two weeks, in addition to the book sale, I bought four books. Altogether that's 12 books (see that nice picture), and I don't know when I'll read them because I have review books ahead of them. If you're an author, publisher or marketing manager reading this, don't worry I will get to your book! I'm on top of my review pile, and I always keep my word in that respect. It's my personal TBR pile that needs work.

Non-book lovers don't get it. Why buy and buy when you can't possibly read all of that. I don't buy at the expense of important bills, like my car payment, car insurance, student loans or credit cards (I didn't mention rent because I live rent-free!), but often I'm left wondering where did my money go? After all that $10 I spent at the book sale could have gone towards something I really need. ... ... Like ...  ... shampoo and conditioner, I just realized I'm out! No wonder my hair is on the frizzy side today! Which leads me to the title of my post. Am I like Carrie Bradshaw? My purchases made me think of the scene from this episode of Sex and the City:

It's Ring a Ding Ding from Season 4. Carrie is left wondering why she can't afford to buy her apartment. I know! I know! Perhaps it's because she didn't seem to have a real job. After all most columnists do have to go into the office sometime. Or because she spends more time worrying about her love life rather than working. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the show.) The voice of reason came from her best friend Miranda Hobbs. Carrie had 100 pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes at approximately $400 a pop. There's your answer, $40,000 down the drain.

When this episode aired, I thought I'm nothing like that. After all, I do like shoes but they have to be of the "Payless" variety for me to buy them. But recent events have readjusted my thinking. I do put money aside in my savings account, which I do not touch, but my other account is usually pretty BARREN. Why buy something I'm not going to read for weeks? Months? Years? It's not like the books I want are going out of print. I don't really know why, other than I'm the type of person who wants things NOW! I'm certain women like Carrie Bradshaw are just like me. You want everything now and not later. I like to know the book is there when I'm ready for it.

Which leads me to this conclusion, "My name is Jael, I'm a book addict and I LOVE IT!" Personally, as long as everything else in your life is taken care of, I think this is a good addiction to have. Who else is with me?