ladysprite | Instant Gratification

I have never thought of myself as having a problem with impulse control. I'm lucky like that - I can eat one cookie, then stop. If I tell myself I'm going to take a ten-minute break from work, or studying, I can take those ten minutes, and then get back to whatever chore I was working on. If I give myself a budget for shopping, I can stick to it easily, and if I tell myself to wait and buy something later, odds are I'll wait until it slips my mind, and no great tragedy or loss. I have willpower. I'm good at saying no.

Or so I thought. Until I met my nemesis - namely, the Boston Public Library's digital collection.

I've loved my Nook from the day I bought it, in spite of being highly skeptical about the concept. I love the convenience, and I love how personal it is - all *my* books, in one special little device, in my purse. And I love how easy it is to get new books, just by touching a button. But I also was at least able to remember that I had to pay for said books, which kept a bit of a cap on my habit.

And then I discovered the BPL's e-card - instant, and free for any resident of the state. And their extensive collection of e-books. That I can download instantly. For free.

This has turned me into the literary equivalent of one of those highly conditioned rats with a lever that they push for tasty snacks. Except instead of 'Push Button-->Get Food' it's 'Push Button-->Get Book.'

Instant books. Instant free books. ALL the instant free books. Right here, right now, in my hand.
Booksbooksbooks.

And I know I have other books that I've already bought. And I know I have other things I should be doing. And I know that there is a time and place for everything. But.... push button, get books.

I'm gonna go read now....