I just finished going through my shelves, organizing all my books, and I came to the realization that I own more books than the Felton public library and my daughter’s school library combined. Even when I pulled out the ones that were duplicates, or that had been left behind by visitors (these destined for the public library, which can sell them in its used book drive if it doesn’t need them for its shelves), I managed to completely fill five tall bookcases (and I have yet to go through my five short bookcases, where I keep my reference, oversize and cookbooks). I have to admit it…I’m a compulsive over-reader No wonder I’m so good at Trivial Pursuit!
So, what about you? What’s your secret obsession?
Redwolf
P.S. Yes, I have read them all…most more than once, and some I read regularly at least once a year.
Books on all manner of topics. Records in dozens of different styles. Musical instruments of many different kinds, although stringed instruments like guitars, basses, bouzoukis and mandolins seem to predominate.
Very good question,Redwolf-many of us here on the board have an obsession for collecting more nice shiny whistles than we ‘really’ need,purely for straight ahead PLAYING purposes,so it seems natural that our hoarding instincts probably find other outlets too!
I find myself increasingly looking at ‘antique’ whistles-I have a collection of 7 now from the turn of the century to c.1930,and also looking out more for flutes (I def. can’t afford the flute variant of WHOA!).
Apart from that,I obviously collect c.d.'s and records (would you believe,I must have about 400 jazz albums on vinyl,and currently don’t have a turntable to play them on?). My Irish trad c.d. collection is only around the 120 mark at the moment (no,I don’t feel the need to obsessively ‘log’ them-yet!).
I too,am a one for collecting books,that I hate to part with-as a teenager/early 20’s,I used to read loads of science fiction-I never touch the stuff now,but I still have mountains of old paperbacks,ranging from Cyrano de Bergerac’s ‘trips to the moon and sun’ to Philip K. Dick novels.
I also enjoy art history books-at least I have the excuse that these are ‘educational’.
I wonder where the almost primeval urge to collect things (seemingly more prevalent in men,rather than women) comes from?
We all seem to be ‘Jackdaws’ to a greater or lesser extent!
I collect Magic the Gathering cards. It’s a sort of roleplaying cardgame. It’s very interesting, you collect cards, build decks and play with them. There are more than 6 million active players world wide and maby 200 that acctually make a living out of playing, thouse guy’s are well payed proffesionals, belive it or not.
I collect books, particularly modern-day literature (Ken Follett, Alice Hoffman, Barbara Kingsolver, John Irving, etc.)
I also collect CD’s (mostly Celtic trad and Celtic rock, but also some folk, folk rock, trance, emo, punk, rock, etc.)
I also collect other folk instruments: mandolin, lap dulcimer, bodhran. I am buying them faster than I can learn them, though that will stop for awhile. (I’m still learning all three of those).
Great topic - if I could I would give it 10 out of 10 stars!
Instruments are inclined to collect in my home- I suppose.
But I actively collect Guitar Picks and have been doing that for ever. I have a little box of these. My absolute favorites have store names on them. The best one I own is a yellow plastic 10 cent pick which can make a cheapo box sound like a Martin.
Tiger stuff. . .all of it was at work, but now, with FIVE DAYS TO GO, I’ve brought it all home.
Used to have a fairly wide unicorn collection…now I’ve paired back to the unique ones…numbered, hand crafted, etc
Tyghre has a collection of flashlights that is awesome and bewildering, but he doesn’t think of it as a collection per se, rather, each one is vital and useful and necessary in the house. Kind of like my whistles
Lot of books, but that’s not a collection
Hostas…28 varieties in my 1/4 acre piece of property.
We have an impressive collection of wine corks after 14 years of weekly steak and wine dinners with the spouse…14 years minus nine months for each of the kids, approximately, makes about 650 corks! We’re starting to run out of room so I’ve had to start throwing them away. Someday we’ll figure out a use for them!
No wonder I’m so good at Trivial Pursuit!
(I def. can’t afford the flute variant of WHOA!).
