Friday, September 08, 2006

Overload of Booksobuyase

I have a problem. I seem to have an overload of booksobuyase. What is booksobuyase, you say? Well, -ase refers to an enzyme. Enzymes are catalysts; more so, enzymes activate reactions. Books refer to, well, books. Ob refers to obsession. Buy (borrowing "b" from "ob") refers to buying, otherwise known as binges. So what I have is an overload of the enzyme that catalyzes the reaction known as "book-buying obsession". When you have too much of this enzyme in your system, you lose control of all common sense. You may find yourself obsessively "buying with 1-click" at Amazon.com. Or making sure that an online order amounts to over $25 for free delivery and heck, why not add a couple of more books because you need them. Or you may wander into a bookstore, pile books in your arms, and then narrow down that pile to those which you cannot live without. Meanwhile, you were not even supposed to enter a bookstore. Why, you have over 300 books in your TBR pile so why on earth add more?! You may also find yourself handing over your cash/debit card/credit card and then looking away, amusing yourself with all the little odds and ends that bookstores so graciously amass by their registers. Sweat beads are forming on your head, maybe slowly starting to trickle down your back and heck, why are bookstores always so warm? - can they up the AC please?!

The problem is, isolating this enzyme is not as easy as one thinks. Presently, the medical world is quite baffled and actually have guffawed at its existence. But there are those who know. And are quite ashamed. I am one of them. I will sniff my new books endlessly and then hide them under my bed so that I can pull them out at night and then sniff again. No drug can top the pleasure that one receives when both sniffing and slowly stroking the cover of a new book.

Yes, my friends - booksobuyase. I cannot be helped.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have been trying to counteract this little enzyme by eating lots of fruit. I don't think it is going to work in the long run...

Carl V. Anderson said...

The problem with that enzyme is that, if you have it, it permeates each and every cell of one's body and the only cure is death...and maybe not even then.

Cipriano said...

You know what is totally wild? I can RELATE to how much you are crazy about books. I am a booksmeller, but I always thought that it was a very isolated birth defect that only I had, and no one else did it.
I often have the desire to lick books.
Does this mean I have the enzyme thingy?

Anonymous said...

If you ever hear of the cure let me know, otherwise it's book buying to the max! :) I personally love petting new books.

Anonymous said...

I was born with it. And I don't think there is a cure. (At least I hope not!)

jenclair said...

For what it's worth, I believe this is genetic, but not contagious. However, if one has the tendency, contact with others who have the enzyme can send the tendency into obsession.

I'm not sure if there is a support group available...

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you... my TBR shelves stand at over 400 books, and I. Just. Keep. Going.

I'd say I need help, but it feels so damn good!

Joy said...

Hi Amelia! I have done the "link-frog" and ended up here many times, but I just couldn't resist posting this time.

I'm not as clever as the rest you...my hat is off! (Well, if I had one, it'd be off.)

I LOVED EVERYBODY'S COMMENTS!!!

Too funny or are they too true. Hmmmm :)

Great post, Amelia!

(That book is an old picture, I don't know why it's there. ???)

Amelia said...

I agree with Joy (BTW - glad you liked it!) - everyone had some fabulous comments!!

It's great to see that you guys are not ashamed of having booksobuyase. And like Nic stated - it just feels so damn good! ;)

Anonymous said...

Yes, tis a chronic condition. And an inability to satiate the craving leads to withdrawal, even shaking and disturbed sleep.

I'm such a bookobuyase junkie. :-)

Joy said...

Amelia ~ May I add you onto my links?

(Grrr...that image is stalking me or maybe it's Amelia because it only shows up here!)

Amelia said...

Hi Joy - sure, I would be honored. Not sure why that image shows up. Sorry! LOL - if you thin about it, it's pretty funny - your book is stalking you!!

Hi Victoria - withdrawal is definitely not for weak. I do not know one person who has survived.