Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

kairos12

(13,496 posts)
Wed Feb 11, 2026, 09:05 PM 21 hrs ago

I deal with book shame.

Whenever I'm not reading Tolstoi, Nietzsche, Camus, or Sartre (yeah sure) I feel compelled to hide my current read of popular fiction. Does anyone know where I get some old time brown book covers we used to have to cover textbooks?

Signed. I read at home now. Alone.



7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I deal with book shame. (Original Post) kairos12 21 hrs ago OP
Use e books. No book covers needed. 🤣 SheltieLover 21 hrs ago #1
My Kindle is a work around I do use. kairos12 20 hrs ago #3
Shame on that librarian! SheltieLover 20 hrs ago #5
Make your own out of paper bags. cbabe 21 hrs ago #2
I always used brown grocery bags for textbooks buzzycrumbhunger 20 hrs ago #4
OMG, i hadn't thought about making book covers from paper bags in years! Beartracks 20 hrs ago #6
Yup. Paper grocery bags. Ocelot II 20 hrs ago #7

SheltieLover

(78,527 posts)
1. Use e books. No book covers needed. 🤣
Wed Feb 11, 2026, 09:08 PM
21 hrs ago

I read 2-3 fiction books daily & don't care what anyone thinks of my habit. Lol

kairos12

(13,496 posts)
3. My Kindle is a work around I do use.
Wed Feb 11, 2026, 09:13 PM
20 hrs ago

Shame always has a backstory. I knew a librarian once. Checked out books with her for years. Once she has checking my books out and as she looked at each title she proclaimed outloud "trash, trash."

LOL. At least it didn't cause me to start stealing books. LOL.

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,750 posts)
4. I always used brown grocery bags for textbooks
Wed Feb 11, 2026, 09:15 PM
20 hrs ago

Nowadays, that probably means a trip to Trader Joe’s.

Of course, I’ve got so many (can’t make a font big enough to convey the proper scope) actual books that I limit myself to my Kindle now. Lots to be embarrassed about (I pretty much restrict myself to freebie book lists because I read a shit ton) but it’s easy enough to hide my phone if necessary.

Have you considered making a bed fort and a flashlight to hide the really embarrassing stuff?

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»I deal with book shame.