discussion post: are you a book collector?

So I found this video where Tiernan, the vlogger, talks about how some people are book collectors. And by that, he means that there are some people who obtain many books--whether through purchasing them, trading, etc.--and begin to amass a huge personal collection. Some people take it a step farther: for example, you own allllll the harry potter books with the old covers as well as the new ones that came out. Or maybe you loved The Fault in Our Stars so much that you have the first edition that's blue, the paperback, the special silver edition and the paperback with the movie poster. 

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you know someone like this or maybe you do this. That means you're a book collector! And there's nothing wrong with that, it's actually very nice because you're supporting someone's work. Sometimes you may even be continuously paying for it in its various forms. But as I watched Tiernan humorously discuss this topic, I realized that I'm a little bit of a book collector. I have gotten more than one copy of the same book in the past but only for books that I really, REALLY like and wouldn't mind sacrificing the space on my shelf for. But I definitely do not go out and buy the movie tie-in editions or foreign editions. At least, not all of the time. 

I do have some exceptions however. One that immediately comes to mind is Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone. I abso-freakin'-lutely ADORE that book  and I have 3 copies on my shelf: the arc I received at BEA (a signed copy, I love it so), the hardcover and the paperback. I would love to buy the books in Spanish but I don't feel the need to get them in every form that's available. So my fangirling has its limits. I think it's a huge compliment to authors if readers go that extra mile, seeking out all the editions of a book or series that they're in love with but I personally don't feel inclined to do that. My reasons are more practical: I have limited space, I want to make it count....and why on earth would I even need copies of Daughter of Smoke & Bone in other languages that I can't even read?*

Watching his video and explaining how he's a book collector also led me to another conclusion about myself: this is also why when I see people who have MASSIVE bookshelves filled to the brim, it looks awesome and I'm happy for them but I think to myself, omg, I couldn't keep that many books! It is too much. I love books, don't get me wrong, but I don't want them to take up SO much space. 

But that's just me. I think I'm right in the middle of the spectrum. I like having books but I don't want my collection to have a life of its own. What about you? Are you a book collector? Are you like me who (usually) only keeps one copy of a book? Or maybe you're both? Let me know in the comments!

Here's the video I mentioned btw:  

I have to say, some of his examples of comments people have made to him when they see his collection..... I get them too. I HATE when people say I could buy other things with my money besides books. NO. My money, my decision. Also, clearly I AM buying other things like food and clothes because I'm walking around being alive. ;P Ok. Mini rant over. 

*But would I say no if an Italian edition fell into my path? Hell no. Lol. I could at least decipher that....