A Study in Books
One hundred books from my shelves have been donated in the last two months. A few years ago, I was bursting with pride when I let go of a mere 17 so the fact that I’ve relinquished so many this time makes me quake. What did I do?
Of the 17 I sent off last time, I re-bought three of them later. Fortunately, I got them at really good prices as by the time I wanted them again, they were out of print and cheap. I’m too embarrassed to tell you the titles as they are vague and minor books from the 1990’s, which wasn’t a red-letter decade for literature.
A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture on commonplace books which are a type of journal where one records various quotes, thoughts and lists, seemingly unconnected but important to the writer. The lecturer mentioned that she often finds quotes in favorite books via a kind of visual memory. She didn’t have to elaborate as I can do this too. Sometimes, I’ll read something so meaningful in a book that I can actually “see” the words spelled out on a page. Usually, I recall that the page is on the left or the right side, halfway down the page or at the top or bottom, and at the beginning, end or middle of the book. I just visualize it and with minimal page-flipping, can generally find the said quote or excerpt. Per the lecturer, this is a universal phenomena with passionate bookworms.
In one of the books I re-purchased, somewhere a quarter of the way through, in an upper left-hand page, is the most achingly beautiful description of a fall afternoon that occurs only when one is very young and life is very promising. The words leave me with a deep homesickness for something just beyond my reach and the passage, so stirring that I had to buy back my book.
Another book that I brought back into the fold was a diet book that I later read on a successful dieter’s blog was her favorite self-help book. Once I re-read it, I could see that giving the book away was a mistake. Sometimes it takes another perspective to make you see what you couldn’t see before. Reading between the book’s menus and charts are plenty of soothing pampering tips and mindset resets that are really the crux of the book. I’m so glad to have it back in my self-help collection again.
So far, I haven’t recalled any of the 100 books I’ve given away and I don’t expect to. Many of them I simply outgrew or the featured hobbies and interests either don’t appeal to me anymore or I’ve realized I will never have the necessary time. I did give my daughter a four-volume set on mothering though. I asked her not to get rid of them without telling me first. I might want to revisit a particularly sweet passage about motherhood’s ephemeral nature. I’ll find it on the bottom of the right-hand side of the second to last page of the third volume…
~
Good books never give up their secrets all at once ~ Anon.
~
P.S. Thank you to those who mentioned the subscribe button wasn’t working. It’s been fixed, so please subscribe!
7 Comments
Karen
Oh my gosh! I also missed all of the Feminine Christmas musings and now I see this one posted after the tulips. I so relate to being able to visualize written words on a page, remembering 1/3 of the way through the book on the left hand side. I have that blessing also and, even though I often write down my favorite things in a “Good Words” notebook, there’s nothing like picking up the book, feeling the heft in your hand and turning pages to the special spot. We moved a few years ago to a smaller place and I had to release many, many books also. I, like you, have since bought back a few too, because I just needed them. I’m going to resubscribe as I see your note. And I’m excited to know that I have all the back writing to peruse when I get home tonight. I’ll be thinking about it all day. xo karen
Kay from UK
I’ll respect your embarrassment about the diet book you re-bought but I’d love to know where to find the successful dieter’s blog you mention. Any chance you could pass on the info?
La Contessa
Books!
Yes I have too many and rarely pick up to view or read again!So WHY do I hold on to them?
The Beauty they exude in just sitting there!!
Xxx
A Lovely Inconsequence
But some ARE so beautiful, aren’t they Elizabeth!
Karen
I did not know that that phenomenon of being able to visualize where a quote is on a page is a universal trait of bookworms! But I have been doing that all my reading life! This is such a wonderful post for those of us who live the bookish life. I honestly don’t know what I would do without books. And yes, I have more than once purchased back a book that I gave to the Goodwill or my local library book sale, sure I’d never need *that* in my life again. At this moment, I’m trying to find a reasonably priced copy of Gone with the Wind–my 1970s paperback went missing during one of my many moves. Scarlett and I need to have a little talk about facing life’s vicissitudes with a triumphant fist to the sky. And I’ll find it! (triumphant fist to the sky). Thank you for this wonderful affirmation of the sisterhood of booklovers!!
Beth M.
Donna, this is so wonderful and true. I read the same way and am currently delighted to have found a childhood book on archive.org — even the same font!
A Lovely Inconsequence
Beth that is such a lovely score!