Never underestimate the meaning of Simon & Garfunkel's great line from "I am a Rock" : I have my books and my poetry to protect me...
I have thousands of books. Most are hardcover, many are limited editions and I have those fantastic art books that weigh over 10 pounds and have beautiful color reproductions of masterpieces.
Most of my books are in view right now as I write this, in my library/office (which is now the attic, not the back bedroom). There are three bookcases in my bedroom as well, but the majority are in the library/office. Oh, and then there are books that are crappy, textbooks that I didn't want to throw away and the like, and those are in the basement.
While many of the books are not books that I would read again from cover to cover, I am fairly certain I would reference them from time to time. Indeed, I do reference them from time to time, whether it's to pull a valuable quote that struck me when I was reading the book or to cite a bit of information with a modicum of authority.
To answer your questions:
I love them. I treasure them. Knowledge is not just power, it is valuable for its own sake and quite simply, a joy.
I have given away a few books that I would otherwise probably have disposed of. I don't usually sell them because if I don't want to keep the book for some reason I at least usually want to just give the book to someone who would appreciate it. I think of it as finding a good home for the book, the way most people give away kittens.
It's not just for my own sake. Some books were my grandfather's, or my father's or mother's, and they have a level of sentimental value. I keep an old book on card games because my late grandmother gave it to me and the note that she inserted into the book (she was considerate enough not to write IN the book) is still there. However, all of the books I own will be available for the enjoyment of my wife, my daughter Katya and any other children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. who want to access them. When I die, I hope that my children will keep the library that I've built (i.e., I don't care if they split it among them, but hope they do not throw any of the books away).
You may not consider it so, but 99% of the time it is a good measure of the intellectualism of the household. The other 1% of the time you are usually talking about stupid people who became rich through dumb luck and decided to buy a huge library to make it look as though they're smart. Furthermore, I find that a person's library is a window into their psyche. By looking at what books a person owns and displays, you can learn a lot about a person.
I understand your point. It's all a matter of preferences, priorities and level of commitment.
It can be liberating to not have anything. I got on a plane for Hong Kong in May 1998 knowing that all my things had been thrown into storage and all I had access to was the clothing in my suit bag - it felt great. Ultimately, though, after a few weeks I had just bought more clothes, books to read, etc. It's our nature to fill idle time.
Why the library? If you're not talking about a university library, half the books are likely to languish on the shelves untouched. Give the books to people who will appreciate them.
I have thousands of books. Most are hardcover, many are limited editions and I have those fantastic art books that weigh over 10 pounds and have beautiful color reproductions of masterpieces.
Most of my books are in view right now as I write this, in my library/office (which is now the attic, not the back bedroom). There are three bookcases in my bedroom as well, but the majority are in the library/office. Oh, and then there are books that are crappy, textbooks that I didn't want to throw away and the like, and those are in the basement.
While many of the books are not books that I would read again from cover to cover, I am fairly certain I would reference them from time to time. Indeed, I do reference them from time to time, whether it's to pull a valuable quote that struck me when I was reading the book or to cite a bit of information with a modicum of authority.
To answer your questions:
So, how do you feel about your books?
I love them. I treasure them. Knowledge is not just power, it is valuable for its own sake and quite simply, a joy.
Would you ever give your books away? Sell your books?
I have given away a few books that I would otherwise probably have disposed of. I don't usually sell them because if I don't want to keep the book for some reason I at least usually want to just give the book to someone who would appreciate it. I think of it as finding a good home for the book, the way most people give away kittens.
Have any of you ever thought about why you keep your books?
It's not just for my own sake. Some books were my grandfather's, or my father's or mother's, and they have a level of sentimental value. I keep an old book on card games because my late grandmother gave it to me and the note that she inserted into the book (she was considerate enough not to write IN the book) is still there. However, all of the books I own will be available for the enjoyment of my wife, my daughter Katya and any other children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. who want to access them. When I die, I hope that my children will keep the library that I've built (i.e., I don't care if they split it among them, but hope they do not throw any of the books away).
I know many of you don't like the ideas of eBooks. That's fine enough. To each his/her own. This post is more about possession. About intellectual exchange, and what it means to be finished with a book. I don't consider it a mark of education to see or to not see books in a household. I know others who would never dream of getting rid of their books. I know plenty of people in tiny apartments who make use of the library.
You may not consider it so, but 99% of the time it is a good measure of the intellectualism of the household. The other 1% of the time you are usually talking about stupid people who became rich through dumb luck and decided to buy a huge library to make it look as though they're smart. Furthermore, I find that a person's library is a window into their psyche. By looking at what books a person owns and displays, you can learn a lot about a person.
From my own perspective, I have a complex about moving. Between NYC and Sydney to Tennessee to Boston to Illinois, I have moved a great deal in the past 7 years. And sometimes helped others move their books(Joe, I am looking at you). And it's a pain. So that factors into my desire to remove the "attachment" to these books. I won't have to worry about them when I move. Packing, unpacking, going downstairs, upstairs, etc. Life is so much easier when the books are on the computer, eReader, backed up onto a flash drive.
I understand your point. It's all a matter of preferences, priorities and level of commitment.
I wonder if my books are my last true "material attachment". If working in bookstores and libraries, seeing my mother with over 3000 books, being surrounded by librarians and academics has left me thinking that a house "needs" books in view(Great way to judge, people, btw.)
It can be liberating to not have anything. I got on a plane for Hong Kong in May 1998 knowing that all my things had been thrown into storage and all I had access to was the clothing in my suit bag - it felt great. Ultimately, though, after a few weeks I had just bought more clothes, books to read, etc. It's our nature to fill idle time.
Though I have written this post to see what Rafolites think, I am almost certain to give away all my books to the local library. Karma means actions. And I do think it would be a good action to help a library and in the process perhaps help some future readers of these books be able to access these books.
Why the library? If you're not talking about a university library, half the books are likely to languish on the shelves untouched. Give the books to people who will appreciate them.
Ok, that's about it.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
On possession of books.
- 29/10/2009 07:13:44 PM
772 Views
Re: <sings Madonna>
- 29/10/2009 08:06:13 PM
599 Views
I love my library
- 29/10/2009 09:00:20 PM
434 Views
My friends wanted to make a bonfire of my books last time I moved.
- 29/10/2009 09:10:16 PM
459 Views
No.
- 29/10/2009 09:28:11 PM
511 Views
i always keep the books i think are worth it
- 29/10/2009 09:38:38 PM
464 Views
If I kept the books I felt worth it, I would keep them all.
- 29/10/2009 09:46:57 PM
467 Views
yes but i have a habit of re-reading my books at some future point -- except the textbooks
- 29/10/2009 10:03:04 PM
516 Views
I'm at an interesting crossroads myself, now that I've got an eBook reader.
- 29/10/2009 09:56:19 PM
596 Views
A failing you say?
- 29/10/2009 10:07:34 PM
512 Views
To quote my wise grandmother, "There's a difference between sentiment and sediment."
- 29/10/2009 10:22:31 PM
451 Views
Re: On possession of books.
- 29/10/2009 09:59:04 PM
557 Views
I wouldn't worry.
- 29/10/2009 10:19:10 PM
407 Views
Ok. I won't worry.
- 30/10/2009 01:37:18 PM
481 Views
Are you truly trying to claim that none of the knowledge you've learned from your books
- 30/10/2009 02:51:35 PM
405 Views
I think you may have failed to read the original post or have misunderstood it
- 30/10/2009 03:00:48 PM
450 Views
no
- 30/10/2009 03:06:53 PM
486 Views
Re: On possession of books.
- 30/10/2009 01:05:25 PM
738 Views
People seem to lend books! I am in a distinct minority. I don't lend books. Or give them to people.
- 30/10/2009 01:46:25 PM
441 Views
Library donation is a good idea; you might check around with some local schools, too.
- 31/10/2009 02:49:48 PM
624 Views