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I have a room, my office/library, in which I am surrounded by built-in bookshelves. (Thankfully, my husband is a genius with power tools.) I own a lot of books. I won’t say I own too many because there is no such thing as too many books. My interests vary greatly, therefore my collection is eclectic. A hodgepodge of genres and topics to choose from. I keep all my nonfiction. As for my fiction, I pass most of those books on once I’ve read them. I don’t re-read fiction and I’m always happy to know that a book has found a new home with someone who wants to read it.

This method has worked well for me. My collection doesn’t get out of hand and I’m always surrounded by a variety of titles to choose from. Then my husband bought me a Sony Reader and I have since lost control of my addiction.

First, let me state that I will always prefer the physical book. I love the look of books. I love the smell of them. I love to touch them and rearrange them on my shelves. Yes, I know, I need counseling.

Despite my preference for physical books, I love my Reader. It’s convenient and stores hundreds of titles in one little spot! Also, it’s better for the environment (I’m slightly less guilty of destroying the rainforest) and most of the titles are a little cheaper (which helps when you’re a compulsive book shopper on a budget).

Here’s the real problem. I now have a digital library that I’m not quite sure how to handle. I’ve read the book. I’m done with it. I won’t read it again. Yet, it sits on my computer, in my Sony Reader’s digital library, taking up space. I’m collecting books I’ve read that I will not read again. They are mingling with those that I haven’t read and I’m creating an unorganized mess. And, yet, I cannot bring myself to delete the e-books I’ve read! That act is comparable to tossing a book in the trash. Delete a book? I get queasy just considering it!

I know I must come to terms with this. I’ve decided that I will make a collection folder for all the e-books I’ve read in my virtual library. At least this will prevent them from mingling with my unread e-books and disrupting my brainwaves when I attempt to pick the next title to read. However, this is not a long-term solution. I know that eventually I will need to use that delete button. When that day comes, I am sure I will need a strong sedative. No, on second thought, I’ll need a major book-shopping spree. Nothing lifts my mood like shopping for books!