Discussion: Book Confessions

I have seen many posts, where bloggers share some of their odd bookish quirks, and was inspired to write my own posts detailing my own book related idiosyncrasies, because I have plenty to share.

Today's Confession:  

I obsessively monitor book prices

You know how it is, you want ALL the books, but you only have so much money to spend.

After missing a bunch of good sales, I started monitoring the prices of books I want. Now, it would be ok if I casually did this, but it's moved beyond that, and is now part of my daily routine. You may even think it's a little obsessive.

First, I created multiple wish lists on Amazon. (exhibit A)

To buy or not to buy is based on the book's priority and an established set of set of rules price trend rules.

Obviously, books in series take precedence over stand-alones, because I really need to finish the series I have started. Then there are my go-to authors. because these authors have won a place in my heart, and have yet to let me down. Third, are books that I think will be fabulous (I want it NOW!). Recommended and TBR released have about equal weight. While TBR are unreleased books, which sometimes have great pre-sale price drops.

Each day, I visit my lists, and look for that blessed bold print which indicates a price drop. Fact: This used to be much easier. Once upon a time, Amazon had a filter option to only show items with price drops, but that disappeared with the redesign, and thus, has made this more time consuming than it used to be.

You can liken my price checks with how some people monitor the stock market. I watch as the prices rise and fall. I look for patterns. For instance, a previous book in a series or an author's previous book will go on sale prior to the release of their next book. And even though I may walk into a room and not remember why I went there, I can remember the lowest price a particular book has sold for over a span of time. These things influence the "magic" number, or what I like to think of as my by limit. As my eyes scan the page and my mind runs through all my price data, my finger will begin to hover over the button. When I see the "magic" price,  I hear the roar in my head: BUY! BUY! BUY!

Sometimes, I immediately one-click, but sometimes I hesitate. Then I have to live with the regret of a missed opportunity, and each day, when I see that book at full price, it stings a little as I have to stare at that desired thing from afar.

Do you have any bookish quirks?

Let us know in the comments!