I'm a book borrower and a book lender. Over the years, I've lost many books to friends and acquaintances, who at the time of possession, moved my books from apartment to apartment or from state to state, forever losing them or losing the memory that the books were mine, so I understand the notion that books have arms. I don't lament the loss (though there are a few I may buy again, at some point, if it behooves me to do so), especially as I've donated hundreds of books to friends, neighbors, and community members over the years. As my book tastes change, so too does my collection.
One of my book friends loved her collection of books, though she wasn't a re-reader. When I had one of her books, I had to be super careful not to eat or drink anything lest I ruin an otherwise pristine page. At home, I'm known as "Messy Mommy," so you can imagine how many books I borrowed from her. The anxiety!
Another of my book friends loved her collection, though it existed in many places. She was a re-reader, and she loved a well-worn -- even stained or damaged -- book because she said it felt more loved that way. Nothing that is loved remains in pristine condition; the velveteen rabbit taught us that. When I'm done with any one of her books, I don't return it. She doesn't prefer to have the books back. Instead, she prefers I send them on a journey to the next reader, which is beautiful.
Love this! Readers of different stripes leave their own unique mark on us in one way or another, don't they? The Velveteen Rabbit reference really took me back!
A brief tale of two bookish friends:
I'm a book borrower and a book lender. Over the years, I've lost many books to friends and acquaintances, who at the time of possession, moved my books from apartment to apartment or from state to state, forever losing them or losing the memory that the books were mine, so I understand the notion that books have arms. I don't lament the loss (though there are a few I may buy again, at some point, if it behooves me to do so), especially as I've donated hundreds of books to friends, neighbors, and community members over the years. As my book tastes change, so too does my collection.
One of my book friends loved her collection of books, though she wasn't a re-reader. When I had one of her books, I had to be super careful not to eat or drink anything lest I ruin an otherwise pristine page. At home, I'm known as "Messy Mommy," so you can imagine how many books I borrowed from her. The anxiety!
Another of my book friends loved her collection, though it existed in many places. She was a re-reader, and she loved a well-worn -- even stained or damaged -- book because she said it felt more loved that way. Nothing that is loved remains in pristine condition; the velveteen rabbit taught us that. When I'm done with any one of her books, I don't return it. She doesn't prefer to have the books back. Instead, she prefers I send them on a journey to the next reader, which is beautiful.
Love this! Readers of different stripes leave their own unique mark on us in one way or another, don't they? The Velveteen Rabbit reference really took me back!