'fessing up - Karen Bush

Hallo. My name is Karen, and I am a bookaholic. Haven't been able to say no to them for years and years and years, and it affects my everyday life in many, many ways ...

• If I have to make a choice between buying a book or something for dinner, it's a no-brainer. Even if I am a little tired of beans on toast.
• I can't pass a charity shop: I always have to go in because there are always so many books in there, all desperately looking for good homes.
• While everyone else is whining on about it, I never mind being stuck in a queue as I always have a book or my e-reader with me.
• While everyone else is out at the cinema I'm at home reading the book of the film. Which by all accounts is much better as well as cheaper.
• If I'm dragged off to the pub, I'm the one sitting in the corner with a book. My partner used to complain until he saw sense after I pointed out that it was the price of my being the designated driver, and that although there was little that I could contribute to conversations about motorbikes, I was perfectly happy to discuss the book I was currently reading.
• Long drive somewhere? Yippee - I love listening to audio books, and have even been known to sit in the car for a few more minutes after reaching my destination if I'm in the middle of a good bit.
• Should anyone ask what I'd like for a birthday/Christmas present, the answer is, obviously, a book token. Or alternatively, baked beans to stock up my kitchen cupboards so I can then spend more money on books.
• One of the reasons I like e-readers is because they are so much easier to prop up on the table so I can read while I'm eating my beans on toast.

I could give you many other examples, but I'm sure you get the idea. My name is Karen, and I am a bookaholic. Is there a cure? Goodness, I do hope not ...



The Curse of the Baked Bean Bonanza.

Chapter One

It was a dark and stormy night, 

and Angel was alarmed by a strange noise ...