I need another bookcase. The four I own are overflowing. Books also fill the corner shelves made for knick-knacks and cover the end tables. More volumes line the stairs.
Please don’t suggest I ‘get rid’ (cruel expression) of some of these books unless you yourself are willing to give one a good home. Then I’ll decide if it’s something I can part with.
Okay. I know it would help if I would stop buying used books. But I have a good reason for each one I buy: I haven’t read this book and I like the author’s work; this book is a classic and/or old; I read this book before and liked it but I don’t think I own it. As you can see, these are all valid excuses for adding to my collection.
Recently I went Goodwill shopping with my BFF, Pat. (Cabot, AR has the best Goodwill store ever!) As we entered, I said to Pat, “Don’t let me buy any books.”
Well, not only did she not prevent me from buying, she was an enabler! “Look, this is by Lynne Truss who wrote Eats Shoots and Leaves. You’ll want this.” Of course I did. That was in the I-like-the-author’s-work category so I bought Talk to the Hand. And before I left the store I chose three more.
I found Mister God This is Anna by Fynn. In 1974 this was the Christian book to read, but I never did. It is a small paper back, rather yellow and brittle and I fully intend to read it one day.
I also bought a 1924 edition of The Methodist Hymnal with shaped notes. The topical index in the back is in 3 point type. (I have 1939 and 1966 editions of TMH, plus newer copies of the The United Methodist Hymnal.)
The last book I purchased that day is a 1954 Summer Edition of Readers Digest Condensed Books. I subscribed to this series when I was a young stay-at-home mom without much time to read. I particularly remember this one that contains The Desperate Hours by Joseph Hayes (later to be made into a movie with Humphrey Bogart) and Tomorrow by Philip Wylie, a tale of what could happen if the Russians launched an atomic attack on the United States. (This was 1954, remember.) I enjoyed these stories the first time around and plan to read them again.
Someday.
Great to have your post to read this evening instead of tomorrow when it usually gets here. It was a nice surprise to see it. I was needing a break from posting pictures on Facebook for my grandson who wanted copies of the pictures of his new colt. About all those books. Keep on buying and reading them!
I constantly try to reduce my number of possessions, but I don’t get rid of any book that I think I’ll read and/or re-read. There is no such thing as too many books. I, too, have overflowing bookshelves along with a large plastic container of over a hundred Baby-sitters Club books. Besides, you’re an author; you’re allowed to have as many books as you want. I love this post.
Har-har! This is Pat and I’m not a bit ashamed of adding to your woes of “no more book shelves.” You’ll find a place. How about high on the red shelf in the guest room? ‘Course, you’d have to have a step-stool to reach it. Great post!