I did a TBR roundup post earlier this month (you can read it here), where I went through all of my old TBR posts from the last year and made charts based on how many of those books I had read during that month, at later dates, or not at all.
Today, I’m doing the other half to that post idea: the HAUL roundup!
I’ll be going through my monthly haul posts (which started in May 2017) and determining how many of those books I have read, DNFed, unhauled, or still have on my TBR.
My goal is to hopefully make myself a little more aware of why my current book ban is so needed, and to shame myself into getting to work on reading some of these backlisted haul titles. ? So, let’s jump right in!
MAY 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 34
HAULED:
ARCs: 14
Purchased (print): 3
Purchased (kindle sales): 17
JUNE 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 30
HAULED:
ARCs: 16
Purchased (print): 5
Purchased (kindle sales): 8
Gifts/Prizes: 1
JULY 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 25
HAULED:
ARCs: 12
Purchased (print): 1
Purchased (kindle sales): 9
Gifts/Prizes: 3
AUGUST 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 39
HAULED:
ARCs: 22
Purchased (print): 8
Purchased (kindle sales): 6
Trades: 3
SEPTEMBER 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 58
HAULED:
ARCs: 11
Purchased (print): 38
Purchased (kindle sales): 7
Gifts/Prizes: 2
OCTOBER 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 68
HAULED:
ARCs: 27
Purchased (print): 7
Purchased (kindle sales): 7
Gifts/Prizes: 24
Trades: 2
NOVEMBER 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 25
HAULED:
ARCs: 5
Purchased (print): 11
Purchased (kindle sales): 8
Gifts/Prizes: 1
DECEMBER 2017 — BOOKS HAULED: 41
HAULED:
ARCs: 4
Purchased (print): 12
Purchased (kindle sales): 4
Gifts/Prizes: 21
JANUARY 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 52
HAULED:
ARCs: 15
Purchased (print): 26
Purchased (kindle sales): 8
Gifts/Prizes: 3
FEBRUARY 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 38
HAULED:
ARCs: 2
Purchased (print): 24
Purchased (kindle sales): 3
Gifts/Prizes: 9
MARCH 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 41
HAULED:
ARCs: 13
Purchased (print): 18
Purchased (kindle sales): 2
Gifts/Prizes: 1
Trades: 7
APRIL 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 45
HAULED:
ARCs: 12
Purchased (print): 14
Purchased (kindle sales): 8
Gifts/Prizes: 5
Trades: 6
MAY 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 45
HAULED:
ARCs: 10
Purchased (print): 20
Purchased (kindle sales): 10
Trades: 5
JUNE 2018 — BOOKS HAULED: 37
HAULED:
ARCs: 6
Purchased (print): 4
Purchased (kindle sales): 10
Gifts/Prizes: 3
Trades: 14
FINAL ROUNDUP — BOOKS HAULED: 578
So, I learned a few things from this exercise…
1. I am deeply ashamed of how many books I haul and don’t actually READ
2. I need to go on a book ban for basically the rest of my life
3. I need to stay away from kindle sales and #booksfortrade
Okay, that’s it! Whew. Maybe next time I’ll just do 6 months at a time instead of a year! What did you guys think of these posts?
A few disclaimers…
1. I only unhaul ARCs if they are either unsolicited and not a genre that I read, or if the book and/or author is known for being incredibly problematic.
2. Please don’t assume that I’m some super wealthy person who spends all of my money on books. We are a single-income family. I never pay full price for books. Most of my physical books come from BookOutlet sales where they end up being $2-4 apiece, or from trades using media mail S&H so it costs next to nothing.
3. Those “unhaul” numbers are only books that I unhauled before reading.
4. Please do not take this post wrong or allow it to make you feel any sort of negative way about me, my blog, or your personal library. We are all at different places in life, and that’s okay. I did not buy my first non-clearance book in a bookstore until I was 18 years old. Until I was 23, 95% of my books came from gifts or thrift stores.
Not long ago, I (and others) was subtweeted by multiple individuals who accused me of being a braggart, snob, spendthrift, etc., and said that I and other bloggers were “promoting unhealthy shopping habits”. I just want to make it clear that I am in no way recommending that you go off and haul 35-45 books per month.
That said, I am also not going to apologize for what I spend my money on. Those people don’t know my life, or the fact that I scrimp and save and pinch pennies in every other aspect of it so that I can afford this one hobby I care so deeply about. It just makes me sad that these discussions even have to be had. I guarantee that every person who subtweeted me and others has things they spend money on that I don’t, like going out for drinks or extravagant/excessive clothes shopping – we all have our vices.
Mine just happens to be books!
Tammy
July 14, 2018I’m sorry you had to deal with all that negativity. I cant believe people act that way! I used to spend several hundred dollars a month on new books, and the only reason I stopped is that I am lucky enough to get free books from publishers. If we don’t buy books, then authors can’t write more books!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Thank you, Tammy. ♥ I was honestly shocked the first time it happened, but they made it really, REALLY obvious that it was about me (as well as others) and I was just taken aback. I can’t imagine. Yes, exactly! I mean, I genuinely am 100% supportive of library usage (I’m in school to BE a librarian, for god’s sake, which is what I wanted to say to the one girl who subtweeted me saying “has she never heard of a fucking library?”), but it has to be recognized that, without buyers as well, the publishing industry would be kaput.
Samantha Duffy
July 14, 2018At least you can walk away saying that you are a boss at reading ARCs…
But seriously this was a great post. Something I really may want to dive into for myself very soon…
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Thank you so much! 😀 I try REALLY hard to never take any ARCs for granted and so I always feel awful when I don’t get one read in time or at least close to its release date. And you totally should! I would LOVE to read it!
Samantha Duffy
July 14, 2018Well rest assured, you are doing a wonderful job with ARCs and you should be proud of that in the the very least :]
I will have to compile all my data and see where it takes me :]
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Thank you 🙂 Ooooh I can’t wait!
confessionsofayareader
July 14, 2018My hauls are ridiculously huge. But if I can afford it, it’s not a big deal. I don’t buy a ton of clothes, shoes, etc, so I spend the majority of my money on books.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018EXACTLY! I buy a new pair of sneakers and a new pair of sandals once each per year – otherwise, all of my shoes are YEARS old. I don’t buy new clothes until the ones I have are worn out, and when I do, I shop at Ross or Marshall’s or TJ Maxx or the clearance racks. I don’t get manicures and pedicures, my haircut costs $18 and I dye it myself… like, let me live, people! Lol!
Alexa
July 14, 2018I relate to your disclaimers so much. People are always shocked when I tell them how many unread books I have, but 80% of those come from newsletters/Instafreebie (free), or the free section of Amazon, or giveaways, or MAYBE ebooks for 1-5 dollars. Having a lot of books doesn’t necessarily mean you’re rich or can spend a lot of money on them.
I do feel kind of jealous when I see people buy a lot of books a month – but that’s my problem, not theirs. It’s everyone’s own choice how much they’re able/willing to spend on a hobby.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Thank you, Alexa. ♥ Yes, exactly! That’s the thing – I almost never pay full price for my books. I think I’ve paid the “list” price for maybe 2 books in the last year. The rest were all discounted either through memberships, coupons, bookoutlet, or kindle sales. So it can be so frustrating to be fussed at for my books when people don’t realize how little I spend on them in the long run, or how little I spend on other “hobbies” and interests.
CJR The Brit
July 14, 2018Whaaat? I can’t believe someone would actually take the time to message you with that nonsense, some people need to mind their own business!!!
Oh and ‘I need to go on a book ban for basically the rest of my life’….it’s like you took the words right out of my life. I seriously need a book ban like this. Unforts I can’t seem to do it for a week yet life ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018It’s crazy, right? I can’t imagine concerning myself that much over someone else’s bank account. ?
Bahahaha ?? Good luck to us both, even if it’s futile!
CJR The Brit
July 15, 2018I mean how do they even find the time! I have no time to stick my nose in my own business yet anyone else’s!!!
Annemieke
July 14, 2018You totally get to decide what you spend your money on. It is nobody’s business but your own (and well maybe your partner). Some people have big opinions and nothing to back it up with.
I admire your commitment to go into such detail with all the charts. Also I saw on twitter we can shake hands on not holding to our book buying bans haha.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Exactly! Thank you!
? yup. I only spent $3 though, so I’m not too upset at myself!
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
July 14, 2018I am so sorry about all the negativity, I wish people focused more on their own lives than what other people are doing and that your disclaimers weren’t even necessary. It’s your choice what you spend your money on and you shouldn’t be chastised for it.
ANYWAYS, GIRL YOU KNOW I LOVE THESE CHARTS! Also I am feeling a bit better about my book tower issues, but even though my scale isn’t so large I can relate so much. I am on a necessary book ban and really want to try to dedicate time to these books that I bought!!! ily
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 14, 2018Thank you so much, love. I agree completely! Why can’t people just worry about their own problems instead of making up problems for others? ?
Bahaha yesss! Chart sisters for life ? Good luck with your book ban, too! Ily! ?
Ellyn
July 15, 2018*cries* You’re getting to me with all those stats! ???
Also, Holy cr*p, you should not have to apologise for what you spend your money on! I do understand the disclaimer, but ughh it’s honestly got nothing to do with anyone else.
BUT on a happy note I really hope you do these regularly because I love to see these kinds of posts!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 16, 2018Ahaha I’m glad you enjoy them! And thank you. ♥ People are just a mess and sometimes I feel better if I just go ahead and say it, plus honestly, if someone reads my post and feels called out or realizes that their subtweets actually hurt someone, who knows, MAYBE they’ll feel a LITTLE bit of remorse for being so uppity and judge-y. :/ I’m an optimist, I guess, lmao. And thank you! I think this would be cool to do maybe 2-3 times a year.
Ilsen Leon
July 18, 2018That is a lot of books! You do you girl! But like wow be on a book buying ban forever because you haven’t read a majority of what you bought XD
(This isn’t meant to sound rude. I hope you enjoy everything you bought and read and have a good day!)
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 19, 2018Haha no, you don’t sound rude at all! That is exactly why I’m on a book ban – this was so eye-opening to me! :O