Personal Books

C

cadet_candidate

Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Messages
25
I am a new cadet entering the Class of 2026. I am also an avid reader. How many personal books would I be able to have shipped to West Point once the academic year starts? Obviously not my entire library of 60+ books, but would 10-15 be realistic?

I know I won't likely have much time for reading, but I want to have the option available. For me it's a great way to decompress.
 
Check your county and city library for which ebook apps they use. I use Cloud Library and Overdrive to download both new books and classics to my iPhone. I prefer reading regular books, but when traveling, I always have some books with me to read. The books “return themselves” after about 2 weeks, or you can renew if there is not a hold on them. You can put books on hold and get a notification when they are “in” and ready to download. You can set bookmarks, font size, search parameters, set favorite categories.

SA cadets and midshipmen don’t have a lot of room, and they must be respectful of shared space. And whatever you take, you have to store or bring back over summer.
 
I can't speak for West Point but Nimitz Library at USNA had books that I enjoyed reading. There were not many as it IS primarily a research library but there were areas with fiction as well as many magazines.
 
From what I hear from DD, 10-15 books may be more than you want to have in the barracks. DD is also an avid reader, with overflowing shelves of books at home. She has kept only about 3-5 books at a time in the barracks that are not for her classes, and even that is somewhat of a burden. You will figure out what works for you in the Fall. As DDmom and Capt MJ have suggested, ebooks are a great option. Our DD checks out books from our library at home using Overdrive and reads them on her phone and tablet. Good luck!
 
cc247 said:
From what I hear from DD, 10-15 books may be more than you want to have in the barracks. DD is also an avid reader, with overflowing shelves of books at home. She has kept only about 3-5 books at a time in the barracks that are not for her classes, and even that is somewhat of a burden. You will figure out what works for you in the Fall. As DDmom and Capt MJ have suggested, ebooks are a great option. Our DD checks out books from our library at home using Overdrive and reads them on her phone and tablet. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. I may just bring a few books that I'll re-read and get the rest online or from the library.
 
Capt MJ said:
Check your county and city library for which ebook apps they use. I use Cloud Library and Overdrive to download both new books and classics to my iPhone. I prefer reading regular books, but when traveling, I always have some books with me to read. The books “return themselves” after about 2 weeks, or you can renew if there is not a hold on them. You can put books on hold and get a notification when they are “in” and ready to download. You can set bookmarks, font size, search parameters, set favorite categories.

SA cadets and midshipmen don’t have a lot of room, and they must be respectful of shared space. And whatever you take, you have to store or bring back over summer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion! Overdrive looks like it has a good selection of books. I'm reluctant to switch to e-books, but I might have to by necessity...
 
Current cadet and also an avid reader. I have a whopping 18 book TBR pile at the moment, plus my books for class. It's possible, just be prepared to live minimally in other areas so they can actually fit in your room and in your locker when you have to pack out. It's 100% possible to find time to read, provided you make time, and you don't have to switch to an e-reader if you don't want to (it's up to you though).

(This also might just be a trait of humanities majors; we tend to have full bookshelves that look really pretty during the school year but are frustrating to pack away. But that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make).
 
iPad or kindle…its worth the investment for the amount of traveling you’ll end up doing after the Academy as well
 
cadet_candidate said:
I'm reluctant to switch to e-books, but I might have to by necessity...
Click to expand...
I too hated to give up real books. I literally had a couple rooms full of books. I made the switch ti Kindle about 12 years ago. I'm a very happy camper and have 2 rooms back. The added benefits include making purchases in my home and having the book available immediately. Plus, the wife doesn't know when I'm buying a book so I don't get scolded. I recommend the paperwhite.
 
country_roadsNY said:
Current cadet and also an avid reader. I have a whopping 18 book TBR pile at the moment, plus my books for class. It's possible, just be prepared to live minimally in other areas so they can actually fit in your room and in your locker when you have to pack out. It's 100% possible to find time to read, provided you make time, and you don't have to switch to an e-reader if you don't want to (it's up to you though).

(This also might just be a trait of humanities majors; we tend to have full bookshelves that look really pretty during the school year but are frustrating to pack away. But that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make).
Click to expand...
I agree. My DS managed to store skis, ski boots, poles, and multiple boxes of ramen noodles somewhere at WP. There certainly must be room for books!
 
SJVA96 said:
I agree. My DS managed to store skis, ski boots, poles, and multiple boxes of ramen noodles somewhere at WP. There certainly must be room for books!
Click to expand...
Reminds me of the old story of post-Civil War cadets sneaking a billiards table into the barracks basement
 
DO NOT bring any on R-Day. However, you are also going to a school w/ a university library--it is a beautiful building with space to read & relax & it is an actual library. If there is something you want from home--have your folks bring it or send it on or after A-Day.
In addition--everything you bring to USMA has to be moved & stored sometimes between semesters and certainly during the summers (in the notorious trunk rooms where security and safety for your items will always be part of the mystery.) So, while you are trying to plan the life to come, you may actually need to wait until you get there to know what makes sense to have because space and storage will always be a premium.
 
country_roadsNY said:
Current cadet and also an avid reader. I have a whopping 18 book TBR pile at the moment, plus my books for class. It's possible, just be prepared to live minimally in other areas so they can actually fit in your room and in your locker when you have to pack out. It's 100% possible to find time to read, provided you make time, and you don't have to switch to an e-reader if you don't want to (it's up to you though).

(This also might just be a trait of humanities majors; we tend to have full bookshelves that look really pretty during the school year but are frustrating to pack away. But that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. I'll probably wait until after A-Day to decide. Out of curiosity, what is your major?
 
cadet_candidate said:
Oh damn, that sounds interesting. I thought you could only major in general history. What is your favorite part of the major?
Click to expand...
There’s three different branches of the history department that you can major in: international, military, and American. I believe that there’s a new general history minor now too. I’ve always been really into history so it’s pretty easy to enjoy the major, but there are some amazing AIADs and trip sections (they’re open to all majors). Plus doing papers is a lot better than doing problem sets
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top