Just A Thought: Bookaholics?

Logos Users,

With thousands of books, Bibles, Collection Sets, maps, data sets, dictionaries, commentaries, etc., with no end in sight and many more books to come; is it possible for a “Holy man” or person to become a bookaholic? Can one become addicted to (religious) books? I speak namely of when a person racks up huge debts (borrows/credit), reads all the time, purchase books over food, hardly eats the food available, and don’t sleep for studying and reading. Is this possible? Is this the average Pastor, a seminarian, or an anomaly? No, I am not describing myself-- Just a thought.

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Matt Hamrick

I tend to read in the a.m. about 5 hours and then eat 6 times a day. I get 8 hours sleep a night. I buy multiple books each month but it doesn't run my life even though I spend 5 hours a day reading. I am an active college student but not currently taking classes, I know that doesn't make any sense. But when I am taking classes my reading is about 3 hours a day because the other 2 hours are for reading my textbooks. I read more than just the books in my Logos library. I simply love to read. Some people would call me a bookaholic and others would say I am not reading enough and don't have enough books.

Lew Worthington

Charles,

I think you raise an important issue and -- while others may disagree -- I think this is an acceptable forum since it relates quite directly to how people approach their acquisition of Logos resources. Even before the stage of bookaholism, there are softer forms of this addiction spanning a large spectrum of obsession. I know I am often tempted to buy more than I "should" (whatever that means), or more than I can possibly benefit from, and I constantly ask myself if I'm crossing the line from great stewardship decisions to horrible stewardship decisions. Often, addicts never know when they've crossed that line, or have learned skills to justify transgressing it.

James Taylor

Often, addicts never know when they've crossed that line, or have learned skills to justify transgressing it.

Ouch, good word

Matthew C Jones

Is this possible?

48,462 resources in my library.....No, it does not seem possible.

The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac by Eugene Field

Doc B

is it possible for a ... person to become a bookaholic?

Yes. Hoarding is a psychological disorder, and can affect people with digital 'collections' just like those with physical 'collections'. Having observed reported behaviors in the forums for over six years, I'm convinced (anecdotally) I've seen it numerous times.

when a person racks up huge debts (borrows/credit), reads all the time, purchase books over food, hardly eats the food available, and don’t sleep

As I said in another forum, if I'm spending more on Logos each year than I put in the plate at church, I should be anathema.

YMMV.

mab

Yes it is more than possible. Job 23:12 speaks to the good side of the issue. The focus should be on reading and study first. It's very hard to draw the line.

I think the problem is that we don't want to miss out on anything and that's precisely how stuff gets promoted. There's always something more. Somewhere you reach the point of deciding between the must have and nice to have items. The sooner you do that the better off you will be.

C M

Mab,

I agree. Are there any specific early waring signs for one to heed when enough is enough (books) and too much is good for nothing?

C M

Super.Tramp,

48,462 resources in my library.....No, it does not seem possible

I am glad what I described is not your experience. Shall I admire your wealth, acquisition, and/or discipline (self-control)? I am sure there is someone with a Logos Library larger than yours. I guess for some, the sky is the limit and the last book is until the NEXT advertisement or published release.

Finding the balance in all things is the key to healthy living.

PS. ALL THINGS THAT ARE PROBABLE ARE POSSIBLE.

Lee

Charles, I would put it this way.

In this world of many temptations, if you had to be addicted to at least one thing. I think Logos is a very good one to have. That being said, control is important in all things. I ask the question do I really need this set/book many times i find myself questioning the resources i have waiting in "open pre pubs.

One other goal I have is the desire to now read as many book I can that are in my library, without adding a new one if possible.

C M

Even before the stage of bookaholism, there are softer forms of this addiction spanning a large spectrum of obsession.

Lew,

Thanks for your insightfulness. He who thinks deeply about possible addiction, makes wise choices and avoid heartaches in the future.

I know I am often tempted to buy more than I "should" (whatever that means), or more than I can possibly benefit from, and I constantly ask myself if I'm crossing the line from great stewardship decisions to horrible stewardship decisions.

What drives us to buy? Is it the advertisements, the quest for knowledge, to have the biggest library, the author, clarity, to know more than others, updates, discarding bounded books for more space at home, bragging rights, because we can afford it (or impress others that we can), the price of a set, time availability, school, entitlement, too many choices, and/or just ego? It is possible that these are the reasons (some justifiable). The question remains, who or what's driving the train to purchase? Only the individual will know for sure.

A rule of thumb, if I may suggest, any extreme is not healthy. Stay out of the ditches, use the road. Let's be willing and ready to help those who have crossed the line and don't know it.

Question: When is "enough is enough"?

Answer: When "too much is good for nothing."

PS. I DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, JUST THOUGHTS. Peace!

T. L. Brown

Wow...I thought I had a lot of resources at 17,000!

Veli Voipio

if you had to be addicted to at least one thing. I think Logos is a very good one to have

I feel a moderate addiction is just fine, but as others say, it can slide to an unhealthy extreme, and how do I recognize the limit?

Just thinking, could overcollecting Logos resources be justified as a donation to the book authors and as giving food to Logos software engineers?

And will buying books eventually make the books more affordable to others?

SineNomine

"Abba Evagrius said: 'Cut out of your heart the desire for many things, and so prevent the mind being disturbed, and the quiet wasted.'"

Owen Chadwick, ed., The Sayings of the Fathers (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1958), 42.

Matthew C Jones

I am glad what I described is not your experience. Shall I admire your wealth, acquisition, and/or discipline (self-control)? I am sure there is someone with a Logos Library larger than yours. I guess for some, the sky is the limit and the last book is until the NEXT advertisement or published release.

Finding the balance in all things is the key to healthy living.

Sometimes it is healthiest to abandon all other things to focus on the one, most important goal. That is the message of the Pearl of Great Price. When I decided to get serious with Logos I sold my classic cars, 28 guitars and my home studio to buy Logos resources. I re-arranged my retirement budget to afford more resources.

I am not building a Logos library just for my own use. I have thirteen children and plan to leave it to one of them. For the present, I can use much of my library to homeschool the four sons I still have at home.

mab

Are there any specific early waring signs for one to heed when enough is enough (books) and too much is good for nothing?

Spending more time on Logos.com, Amazon without specific requirements for needed resources.
Buying because it's on sale. not because you need it.
Ignoring your family and friends.
Finding excuses to indulge.
Your study is littered with Fritos bags, Mountain Dew cans and coffee cups.
Can't remember what you've bought and with endless items yanked from your cart. (Thank you Logos)
Wondering why the eye drops bottles are so small.
Becoming incoherent if you miss a sale.

David Achorn

This is an interesting conversation. How many feel Logos is an expense and how many see it as an investment? I read a lot so I view it as an investment.

Matthew C Jones

This is an interesting conversation. How many feel Logos is an expense and how many see it as an investment? I read a lot so I view it as an investment.

investment

C M

This is an interesting conversation. How many feel Logos is an expense and how many see it as an investment? I read a lot so I view it as an investment.

David,

Investment or not, can one overly invest?

C M

I am not building a Logos library just for my own use. I have thirteen children and plan to leave it to one of them. For the present, I can use much of my library to homeschool the four sons I still have at home.

You're admired for your decisions. You're truly a wise and thoughtful man and father. This is NOT an addiction, it's an investment in the present and into future, beneficial to one's self and others. Blessings upon you and the household!

C M

"Abba Evagrius said: 'Cut out of your heart the desire for many things, and so prevent the mind being disturbed, and the quiet wasted.'"

In addition, an outdated joke: "How do you stop a charging elephant? Answer: "Take away his credit card."

David Achorn

This is an interesting conversation. How many feel Logos is an expense and how many see it as an investment? I read a lot so I view it as an investment.

David,

Investment or not, can one overly invest?

Absolutely. I'm not sure where investment ends and over-investment begins, however. When does one have too many books?

James Hiddle

When does one have too many books?

When one's collection is bigger then the Library Of Congress [:D]

C M

When does one have too many books?

You have too many books when:

You don't have the time, the energy, the will or the availability to read them.
You don't know what you have in your library.
It takes a one page document answer for a simple "Yes" or "No" question.
Your wife has to make an appointment to see or talk to you.
A sore on your bottom for sitting too long.
You're "ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of truth."

Michael Kinch

Logos Users,

With thousands of books, Bibles, Collection Sets, maps, data sets, dictionaries, commentaries, etc., with no end in sight and many more books to come; is it possible for a “Holy man” or person to become a bookaholic? Can one become addicted to (religious) books? I speak namely of when a person racks up huge debts (borrows/credit), reads all the time, purchase books over food, hardly eats the food available, and don’t sleep for studying and reading. Is this possible? Is this the average Pastor, a seminarian, or an anomaly? No, I am not describing myself-- Just a thought.

If this is wrong forum, Oops!

Isn't this what everyone does? Why would you spend money on groceries which last only a few days when you can buy books that will last a lifetime? There is no such thing as a bookaholic, just readers and nonreaders. Ok back to my books now.

C M

Isn't this what everyone does?

No, not everyone. Enjoy your books! [:D] [;)]

Lew Worthington

Isn't this what everyone does? Why would you spend money on groceries which last only a few days when you can buy books that will last a lifetime? There is no such thing as a bookaholic, just readers and nonreaders. Ok back to my books now.

That's hilarious. But there's always part of me that dreads becoming Henry Bemis. [:O]

Veli Voipio

I just wanted to add a picture

The personal library of retired John Hopkins University Humanities professor Richard A. Macksey, housed in his home in Maryland, USA.

http://robaroundbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Personal-library-of-Richard-A-Macksey.jpg

MJ. Smith

[Y]

Bruce Dunning

I just wanted to add a picture

The personal library of retired John Hopkins University Humanities professor Richard A. Macksey, housed in his home in Maryland, USA.

http://robaroundbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Personal-library-of-Richard-A-Macksey.jpg

That certainly is impressive. It also looks a little dangerous. I can imagine that it could be a bit precarious to try to access the higher books.

JAL

That's hilarious. But there's always part of me that dreads becoming Henry Bemis.

Here is the ending: http://youtu.be/UAxARJyaTEA

Veli Voipio

bibliomania does not deserve the name of bibliomania until it is exhibited in the second stage. For secondary bibliomania there is no known cure

Field, E. (1996). The love affairs of a bibliomaniac. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc

David Martinez

Maybe for bookaholic is possible. But, as for me this concept is not exactly applicable. Even when I was a student and until now that I'm working. I make sure to get enough sleep, relaxation and eat healthy foods.

Veli Voipio

Just adding to this old thread, a good place for a book addict:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/13/17/464EB7C500000578-5078055-image-m-45_1510592502653.jpg

Is this the world's ULTIMATE library? From last November, new library in China.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-5078055/Is-world-s-ULTIMATE-library.html

Bruce Dunning

Just adding to this old thread, a good place for a book addict:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/13/17/464EB7C500000578-5078055-image-m-45_1510592502653.jpg

That is pretty amazing.

Just wondering what a library of 20,000ish volumes would look like on a wall.

GaoLu

We could call it the Leaning Tower of Biblio-Babel Base Package .

Mike Childs

I am humbly grateful for this post. I feel so much more righteous with my mere 7,500 resource library. O, Lord, I thank Thee that I am not like other men! (or women, too.)

Bruce Dunning

O, Lord, I thank Thee that I am not like other men! (or women, too.)

[:)]

C M

Thanks, great sight. Logos or someone, find a sever to handle this. What a great joy to have? CM

Veli Voipio

Old fashioned libraries are not yet obsolete ...

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/finland-has-just-given-itself-a-100th-birthday-present-a-library

Michael S.

I am humbly grateful for this post. I feel so much more righteous with my mere 7,500 resource library. O, Lord, I thank Thee that I am not like other men! (or women, too.)

[:D] LOL, that was good.