Hi Virginia. We’re still part of that club. Send me some of your current and past favourites. What could be nicer than bonding over reading and sharing it with others. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Like all your admiring readers, I’ve also hung on to books over the years, feeling they warm up a room with paginated adventures and reflect an intellectual/emotional map of our lives, either actual or aspirational. However, a couple of years ago I decided to cull the herd of these inanimate spines. I hadn’t read “British Politics in the Collectivist Age” when it was assigned in college in 1972, and it was time to acknowledge I never would. As I stare down the barrel of my impending 70s, I will be unlikely to read again 99% of the books in my library. But someone else could read them. That’s what started the process of weaning down and giving away, in the hope that someone else will enjoy the books as much as I have. It gets easier after the first box of books as you realize your identity remains. And an arcane hierarchy emerges, e.g., “I won’t give away any that are signed by the author or inscribed”, delaying the inevitable reality that books outlive us. But the newly vacant bookshelf space allows for - of course - new books and the new journeys they inspire.
David, I have to admit somewhat shamefacedly that I fibbed - a little. Since I am an equal opportunity bad books/good books reader, all beach and airport reads go to my favourite neighbourhood baristas, obscure financial tomes of my husband, to the book cupboard on our neighbour’s lawn (they weirdly get taken), and anything I have had to plow through reluctantly, to the same spot. Still, it’s good to know you have liberated a few of your own shelves in such a disciplined manner. Might I rent a few?
I was that kid in the library too. We should have formed a club. Exquisite writing, as always.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I enjoyed reading every word and sentence. Keep it coming!
yes to holding on to seminal books and to our histories of reading. It was enjoyable to read your article!! thx!
Thanks Susan. It is always wonderful to connect with people about the joys of reading.
Hi C. So much fun sharing books together and watching our bookshelves grow.
Hi Virginia. We’re still part of that club. Send me some of your current and past favourites. What could be nicer than bonding over reading and sharing it with others. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Like all your admiring readers, I’ve also hung on to books over the years, feeling they warm up a room with paginated adventures and reflect an intellectual/emotional map of our lives, either actual or aspirational. However, a couple of years ago I decided to cull the herd of these inanimate spines. I hadn’t read “British Politics in the Collectivist Age” when it was assigned in college in 1972, and it was time to acknowledge I never would. As I stare down the barrel of my impending 70s, I will be unlikely to read again 99% of the books in my library. But someone else could read them. That’s what started the process of weaning down and giving away, in the hope that someone else will enjoy the books as much as I have. It gets easier after the first box of books as you realize your identity remains. And an arcane hierarchy emerges, e.g., “I won’t give away any that are signed by the author or inscribed”, delaying the inevitable reality that books outlive us. But the newly vacant bookshelf space allows for - of course - new books and the new journeys they inspire.
David, I have to admit somewhat shamefacedly that I fibbed - a little. Since I am an equal opportunity bad books/good books reader, all beach and airport reads go to my favourite neighbourhood baristas, obscure financial tomes of my husband, to the book cupboard on our neighbour’s lawn (they weirdly get taken), and anything I have had to plow through reluctantly, to the same spot. Still, it’s good to know you have liberated a few of your own shelves in such a disciplined manner. Might I rent a few?
To new journeys!
Back your truck up to my front door any time, Kristin! If you have room, they’re yours; no returns allowed! Best, David
Nice. I loved the library too!