A person with books is
wealthy. Oh, I don’t mean in the sense of financial wealth. I mean wealthy in
knowledge. I’m sure there has been at least one book written about anything you
would ever want to know . . . even an instruction booklet on how to use a can
opener!
A lover of books savors every
page. Books reveal a person’s interests and sometimes their personality or
character. As guests enter a home, they have a very good idea of the kind of
person who lives there by just perusing their book shelves. Valuable books
would be on display in the best bookcase.
There is a difference,
though, between valuable and valued. One of my most valued books is my mother’s
Bible given to her by her parents the Christmas she went off to
college in 1937. Another is a storybook my mother read to me as a little girl. The
cover is missing and the pages are yellowed but I value this book not just
because I have fond memories of the stories, but because my mother valued it
enough to keep it for me until I was grown. When she presented it to me
recently, I teared up and went straight to my favorite story, which I still
remembered—“Quack, said Jerusha.”
There are books that have
changed through their publication history, especially history books. Fifty
years ago historical accounts were depicted quite differently than they are in present
publications; that is why I collect older history books. I like to compare the differences
(some not so subtle) and to take note of something that was considered quite
important to be taught about history half a century ago to what is considered
important today. As times change and books are “updated” to reflect current
conditions, culture, and attitudes, something is lost if no accurate record is
kept of the past.
To own a first edition is a
real treat. First editions are collector’s items, especially if signed by the
author. I have a few signed books by current authors but I will never see their
value in my lifetime and signed classics I could never afford to have on my
shelves.
I
regard my books as I do my children—treasures! I love snuggling down in a big
comfortable chair with an afghan over my legs and just get lost in a good book.
A book can hold me satisfied for a very long time. I don’t mind sharing my
treasures but I can’t bear not having them returned.
When
I am dead and gone, I hope my books are valued by my children and grandchildren. Not just because they are books but because of what they had to say. There is always a
message and a lesson to be gained through someone’s story. Biographies are
quite interesting; the telling of someone’s life, their ups and downs, their
joys and sorrows (we all go through them), and the lessons life has taught that
they are willing to pass along to the reader. Life’s lessons taught from
someone else’s crisis helps us to avoid them for ourselves—hopefully!
Now, what if there were no
more books to hold, collect, and cherish? The world wide web (www) has almost eliminated the need for books. Just the flip of a switch and the click of a mouse
and information needed on any subject appears before our eyes. The flickering of
the light from that screen and the incessant click, click, click of movements
are bothersome. As research has become instantaneous, books have become
obsolete . . . almost!
Can you curl up with a good
computer or lie back on your pillow at night with a computer on your chest until
you fall asleep? Can you sit in a waiting room for your appointment and bring
along a good computer to keep you company? And, oh, the tragedy to get stuck in
traffic waiting for the lanes to open and not have something to read!
When I was faced with a move
recently, I knew I would have to downsize my belongings, as well as my books. As
I faced the challenge of going through my shelves deciding what I would keep or
donate to the church or Good Will, I felt such a sorrow in having to give up
even one of my books.
Sometimes when I’m in
conversation with a friend and a topic is mentioned, I think to myself, I have just the book she needs! Of
course, since I’ve unpacked and shelved my books, I miss those that I gave away
and I think, Oh, I wish I still had that
one so I could share it. I have purchased several copies of some books so
that I can have my own copy and give away the others as special treats.
No, I don’t think we will
ever be without books. There are too many booklovers in the world to allow that
to happen. I can see all of us hoarding our books in vaults before we would
ever let them be lost.
Have YOU read any good books lately?
P.S.
Kindle E-Reader’s
have now entered our lives. I don’t own one and don’t know if I ever will.
I guess I’m from the old school. I don’t like change . . . although, cut and
paste and highlight and delete are pretty wonderful over manual typewriters. J
“Someday
you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” –C. S. Lewis
Book
quotes:
If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.--Toni Morrison
“No
matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or
surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” –Confucius
“After
a couple minutes of reading, the words disappear and a movie with every detail
plays in my head.”
“There
are certain fictional character’s deaths you will never recover from. Ever!”
“Novels
aren’t just happy escapes; they are slivers of people’s souls, nailed to the
pages, dripping ink from veins of wood pulp.”
“I
always buy another book when I still have ten to read.”
“The
only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” –Albert
Einstein
“I’m
not to be trusted in a book store with a credit card.”
“There
is no such thing as too many books. However, there is such a thing as not
enough room.”
“Dear
people who put STICKERS right across the synopsis of a book. There are no words
to describe the SEVERITY and EVILNESS of your deeds.”
“If
I’m ever stranded, I hope it’s in a bookstore.”
nice one keep it up
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