#Microblog Monday 266: Library Hold Stress
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I usually don’t remember to put books on hold at the library until they’re already in circulation, which means that I end up with slot #5783870486 when it comes to popular books. (Yes, 5783870485 people in our library system get there before me, somehow.)
But months ago, I put myself down for Margaret Atwood’s new book AND Stephen King’s new book beforehand so I started with a low number on the list. They both popped into existence around the same time, and the race was off to see which book would come to me first. Except it’s a little like the catcher in the rye (like the actual metaphor of the catcher in Salinger’s book) because the books are coming at me at once, AND I CANNOT READ (or catch) ALL THESE BOOKS AT ONCE. So it’s a game of seeing which one pulls ahead and then quickly suspending the other hold so I don’t bring it home too soon.
Library hold stress, people. It’s real.
Have you read either book yet? What do you think?
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11 comments
Shana Tovah!! No, I haven’t read either. I used to do the “hold” thing at the library too but it became too stressful. If it’s a popular book, I knew I would have a limited number of renewals (if any) I could get before I would have to return it and 2 weeks is never enough time for me. I’d just as soon not read it than rush through it.
Happy New Year!
I haven’t read either book. I don’t plan to read the Margaret Atwood book, as I found The Handmaid’s Tale far too depressing to want to relive, and I didn’t know that Stephen King had a new book out until I read your post.
I have found myself in the same situation before, though: waiting weeks and weeks for a book to become available, and then getting a few at once. . . and invariably, they are books that have to be returned within three weeks. It’s a bummer when it happens.
The Institute was amazing!! I read it in like 3 days, couldn’t get enough!! Enjoy!
I’ve never read Stephen King — not quite my cup of tea, although dh read 11-23-63 (or is that 23-11-63?) & thinks I would enjoy it, since it involves time travel and alternative history, which I generally enjoy. However, I bought “The Testaments” the day it came out & finished it within 24 hours, lol. Review here (with minimal spoilers):
https://theroadlesstravelledlb.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-testaments-by-margaret-atwood.html
There are soooo many good new books coming out lately… it’s very hard to keep up! I will never get through my TBR pile… (but it’s fun trying, lol).
I haven’t read either (not a horror fan at all…) and I’d like to read the Handmaid’s Tale first, or I could go ahead and just continue to scare the pants out of myself by watching the show. 🙂
The library struggle is real. Just today I had the irritating experience of trying to put holds on books that aren’t even in the library’s circulation but are still showing up in their catalog. And, I’m approximately number 675,000,912 on the hold list for Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind”. It’s been out for a long time!!! Come on people!
Haven’t read either, but you reminded me to get on the list for both. Atwood is #238 (36 copies) and King is #246 (33 copies). I’m on the list for ebook versions, too.
It’s so hard when two long-awaited ones come in at the same time!
This made me realize i NEED to go to the library more. I don’t use it much.
I completely understand library hold stress. My library app (for e-books) allows me at least to put books on a wishlist, which is helpful. But I do find it stressful when books I’ve been waiting on for weeks all come available at the same time! Or I’m half-way through a book, and it has to be returned/deleted, and it will be weeks before I finish it. Our library enables us to recommend new purchases if they don’t have a book, and if I do that I’m automatically first on the list. It has worked brilliantly for some books (I got a No Kidding book called The Seed within a week of recommending it), but then I can’t recommend again for a month, which drives me crazy! I caved and bought Margaret Atwood’s book to avoid the waitlist.
Also – my Microblog Mondays post is for you this week.
I read the Margaret Atwood book, and absolutely loved it (DEVOURED it), but I haven’t read the Stephen King one yet (but have heard really good things). I rarely put books on hold at the library, but I do have a shameful history of overdue books (I am returning one tomorrow that I forgot to renew and so I owe almost $3 for, but luckily my library lets you renew even if you owe money and you just pay the fine when you bring it back). I love using the “Just Returned” display at the library, because I can get things that were hot lists earlier, but now are accessible. I hope you can make your choice between the two and stagger them so you don’t miss out!
I feel way too guilty to put holds on library books. Like I’m stealing a book out of the hands of someone who wants to read it more than I probably do. Who has been waiting and waiting for this book and I just come along and grab it.
Which is kind of how I feel about library books in general. Should I really monopolize a book by taking it when there might be someone else who is going to be so sad not to have it?
MY HOLD QUEUE GLITCHED. I was literally #2 on the list for The Institute, and they took the book out of the library system and when they put it back, I was #5783870486. I am slightly angry – but what’s causing me stress is that I had two other books on the queue that came in. One is Commonwealth by Ann Patchet. The other is The Rosie Result by Graham S(omething I can’t remember right now). I have 7 and 9 days to read them respectively, and I haven’t had a chance! AAAAAAAHHHH!!! Stress!!! (I could order the physical books, but that would mean getting in line again.)